120Java, Sumatra & KalimantanTangkahan, SumatraStay in a simple jungle lodgeperched above the crystal clearwaters of the Bamboo Riverand explore the surroundingrainforest on elephant back1Mount Krakatau, JavaA tropical island formed as thevolcano erupted from thedepths. Camp out under thestars while the gentle waves lull you to sleep.Ancient wonders nearYogyakarta, JavaThe Buddhist temple ofBorobudur and the Hindutemple complex of Prambanan,located near Yogyakarta, areboth magnificent sites tobehold.2312345Java, Sumatra and Kalimantan are all islands in the western halfof the archipelago that can be easilycombined. Java dominates Indonesia'spopulation and economy and is thehub for most of the country's transportlinks. There is so much on offer inJava; breathtaking ancient religiousmonuments in the central region, bull racing in the summer onMadura Island, volcanic peaks to be conquered everywhere and white sand tropical islands in theKarimunjaya archipelago. Sumatra is the world's sixth largest island, and is one of the few places in theworld where orang-utan can still befound living in their natural habitatin the huge Gunung Leuser NationalPark. Kalimantan occupies twothirds of the island of Borneo, and is home to the rest of Indonesia'sorang-utan population.Rice paddies in central JavaMount Bromo, JavaWatching the sun rise behindthe four volcanic peaks, you willexperience one of the mostawe-inspiring and memorablevistas in the world.Camp Leakey, TanjungPuting National Park,KalimantanNamed after the legendaryanthropologist, Louis Leakey, thisorang-utan research post is thejumping off point for exploringTanjung Puting National Park.45Borobudur, Java

JavaJava has seen Hindu kingdoms come and go, from the Mataram Kingdom in the 8th century to the Majapahit Kingdom that ended in the 15thcentury. Following the decline of these kingdoms,most of the country converted to Islam and bythe end of the 18th century the island was underDutch control. Java has embraced all of thesecultures and their influence can be seenthroughout the island.JakartaJakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is an importanttravel hub for international and domestic flights.For those wanting to stay in Jakarta there is avariety of things to see and do including visits tomuseums, and an exploration of the old port.Jakarta is also home to international standardhotels providing a welcome retreat from thehustle and bustle of the city.www.audleytravel.com/indonesia ?01993 838 110 ?Indonesia121Batik dresses for sale, YogyakartaYogyakartaThe royal city of Yogyakarta is one of Asia'streasures; a city which reveals the island's culturaland intellectual personality. Lively streets andmarkets surround the majestic Sultan's Palace,where attendants stand in customary dress andthere are regular performances by traditionalorchestras and shadow puppeteers. Old houses,museums and handicraft shops dot the city,demonstrating its reputation as the art capital ofIndonesia with batik, woodcarvings, paintings andsilverwork amongst the crafts on offer.Muslim children in a becak (rickshaw), YogyakartaTHEPHOENIXHOTEL,YOGYAKARTAThis colonial style property offers the facilities andcomfort of a modern hotel while maintaining thetraditions of the past. Many of the deluxe roomsand suites offer private balconies overlooking thepool. The 1918 terrace bar is above an open-aircourtyard, while the small spa is ideal to comeback to after a sunrise visit to Borobudur. Thepool and restaurant are located in elegant shadycourtyards and the whole hotel is so peaceful thatit is difficult to believe you are in the middle ofsuch a vibrant city.The Phoenix Hotel, YogyakartaKrakatau, JavaLocated a four hour drive from Jakarta is theisland group of Krakatau. The area is famousfor the devastating 1883 eruption, whichshook the world. The explosion was said tohave been the loudest heard by modernman; the noise carried as far as Burma andAustralia while the shockwaves travelledseven times around the world. Volcanicdebris from the six cubic miles of rock thatspewed out fell as far away as Madagascarand the effects of the huge tidal wavescreated were recorded as far away as theEnglish Channel.What had been a sizable island is now a vast space in the ocean, with several peaksnosing up out of the sea. Heading up theisland peak of Krakatau is like trekking onMars and as the guides tell you once you get half way: "No further or our boots melt".The basic nature of camping out on theisland is outshone by the fact you willprobably be the only people stayingovernight and will be sleeping just metresfrom the ocean in the shadow of a volcano.A beautiful coral reef around one side of the island offers excellent snorkelling and the views over to the peak of the smokingAnak Krakatau are superb.