We invite you to travel with us to the culturally rich and vibrantly diverse landscapes of Java, Indonesia. In today’s narrative, we join two South African sisters on their quest to connect with their ancestral heritage, a poignant voyage that steered them towards the world’s most populous island, Java.
Resplendent in natural beauty and alive with a colourful tapestry of history and culture, Java beckons with its fertile volcanic terrain, spectacular landmarks like Mount Bromo and Ujung Kulon National Park, and the rhythmic pulse of urban life in Jakarta, Indonesia’s bustling capital. It’s a place where the modern and the traditional coalesce, and where the richness of diverse culinary traditions takes centre stage.
Tell us about your experience:
My sister and I decided to explore Java because of our ancestors. During the colonisation of South Africa, slaves were brought over from various countries including Java. As South African citizens who do not look like the indigenous people – we wanted to find out where our great grandparents came from and what life and Islam was like for them.
We were met by the most welcoming and generous people. Being a nature and adventure lover, I wanted to experience this tropical land which has active volcanoes and is the home to Java Arabica coffee beans.
We visited during October and the weather was fairly good. Due to the humidity, downpours happen at any time. The rainy season is November – March which I would avoid as you will experience floods and is not suitable for exploring.
Tell us about the food in Java
Java is a Muslim island in Indonesia so all food places are halal.
Tell us about the tours you booked
I booked 2 tours, a 4-day adventure tour which included hiking 2 active volcanoes, a waterfall and visiting Jodipan Village which reminded me of Bokaap in Cape Town.
The second tour was a 3-day island tour at Karimunjawa which can only be described as a slice of paradise. Between these tours we visited Yogyakarta which is uniquely ruled by a Sultan and has a huge student community with a talent for art.
Did you visit any masjids?
En route to our tours, our driver and tour guide stopped at a few masjids for prayer time. Each masjid displayed architecture according the era is was built. Something special we experienced was an adhan period lasting for 20 minutes as they each begin a minute after each other.
Tell us about shopping in Java
We did not prioritize shopping, choosing only the last day of our travels shopping for gifts at a traditional market in Yogyakarta. Java has unique batik art – on anything from clothes to accessories. I would suggest this as a gift for those at home.
Tell us about the people of Java
The locals were sincerely friendly and hospitable. As soon as they realised we were tourists, they offered their assistance and were delighted when they heard we were Muslim too. We met some students in Yogyakarta who showed us around; taking us to the Tamansari and a local restaurant called Kopi Klotok.
You can tell us about the activities you did on your trip
Tempuk Sewu waterfall hike was absolutely stunning. There were so many little waterfalls and I climbed down while holding on a rope as the water gushed down! A bit scary but so worth it. Deciding to hike active volcanoes was a once in a lifetime kind of thing. The first one was Blue Fire Ijen (there are only 2 blue fire volcanoes in the world, Blue Fire Ijen is the only accessible volcano) which we started at 2am; this meant getting up at midnight so we could leave at 1am. The aim is to see the blue fire at sunrise but due to the smog we couldn’t witness it. However, there was still a gorgeous view.
The second volcano was Mount Bromo which is not the safest hike because the mouth of the volcano isn’t completely barricaded but that’s part of the adventure – sometimes I find adventure can be synonymous with danger. The luxurious part of our trip was the island tour which included snorkeling, island hopping and a delicious fish braai by the locals. We also saw dolphins at sunset when ending the trip which was so dreamy.
What advice will you give others that may want to replicate this journey?
Train for the hikes if you plan on doing them. Despite being active, I did a few challenging hikes in Western Cape to ensure that I was at a decent level of fitness.
What season did you travel to the destination?
I would recommend you go between April – September as I ended up hiking in the rain and that was not great.
What modes of transport do you recommend they use? What areas will be best to stay at?
Java has amazing public transport. We travelled via train. You can make this booking at Kai train stations but do so a few days before the time as the price increases closer to the time.
I downloaded an app called Traveloka where you can book trains and accommodation online and pay at an Indomart. I also used Kencana buses which look like a taxi on the outside but the inside has lush big chairs like lazy boys.
What duration do you think would be sufficient to explore Java?
We were there for 2 weeks which is just enough time in my opinion. I only wish I could have stayed longer at Karimunjawa for its beauty.
Recommendations for anyone wanting to visit Java
Don’t be afraid to book economy class. My sister and I seemed to be the only tourists on economy trains and the locals only showed us kindness. The island is so safe. With regards to currency, you can purchase this using your card at ATMs.
Tell us a little about yourself
I am Faatimah Abrahams born in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2010 my dad started taking our family on road trips in South Africa. We camped and sometimes visited up to 9 nature parks and reserves within 2 weeks. This is where my love for adventure started. Speaking to other people in my community, I realized very few people knew about the hidden gems in SA which international tourists enjoy. I decided to share my experiences on Instagram to encourage others. After Covid, in 2021 I started hiking and fell in love with the mountains. My Instagram is a mix of local places to visit and hikes – recently I’ve started including my culture and heritage as well.
Social media: @travelyourland
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the individuals interviewed, and not necessarily to the editorial team. The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate information, we cannot guarantee that the information provided is the most current or comprehensive.