East Java

Long regarded only as an inconvenient 12-hour road trip between Borobudur and Bali, the eastern third of Java is becoming a destination in its own right. Volcanic craters, deserted beaches, wildlife reserves, well-preserved temple complexes and a friendly colorful people make East Java a prime `Soft Adventure' destination.

The hotels may be a little more basic than further west and the roads a little bumpier but the various attractions make any transient discomfort and inconvenience fade into memorable experience.

Historically, from 10th to 13th Century, the great kingdoms of the period - Kediri, Singasari and Majapahit - have bequeathed a rich heritage of temple art, literature, music and drama. The Majapahit empire arose in 1292. Besides dominating the entire archipelago, its authority also covered the Malay-peninsula and parts of the Philipines.

Hindu-Buddhist influences lasted throughout the 14th Century. Moslem Kingdoms rose in Java in the 16th Century and spread throughout the islands. After the Brantas Valley was conquered by Moslem in 1527, many Hindus fled east-wards, to Blambangan and Bali.

There are numerous temple ruins found, dated from the Classical time of Hindu-Buddha period (7-15th century AD) as well as the historical sites dating from the early days of Islam and the Dutch Colonial times.

East Java is well known as the location of Mount Bromo, the desolate volcanic massif offering the most spectacular sunrise in Southeast Asia. The caldera 10 km across, with two peaks rising from the sandy crater floor, Bromo is an unforgettable. Now with comfortable hotels a short drive away, Bromo becomes a popular and it is haven up with tourist attractions. However, even a chattering group tour cannot detract from the majesty of a dry-season sunrise over the crater rim. As a hundred shades of crimson paint the endless sky, the world falls silent save the quiet whistle of the chill dawn breeze over bare rock and sand.

Sitting squarely on the Ring of Fire, East Java has several other accessible volcanic peaks. Mount Semeru lies 20 km south of Bromo. Higher and more active than Bromo, Semeru is regarded by the Javanese as the abode of the Gods, the local equivalent of Mount Meru in India. The hike to the summit and back is a moderately strenuous overnight trek. At the top, the view encompasses most of East Java, Bali and the Indian Ocean.

Sugarcane and coffee plantations blanketed East Java during the colonial era. Many of these old plantations are still producing some still using colonial era technology and methods. Workers plant and harvest cane with only hand tools. Tiny, steam-driven locomotives chug alongside back roads, pulling equally scaled-down piled with cut sugar cane to century-old refineries. A few plantations accept overnight guests, offering clean, comfortable cottages, early morning tours through the crop lands and enormous country breakfasts.

With an extent of about 48.000 square kilometres including Madura Island, East Java occupies a little more than one third of Java's total extent. With a population of almost 33.000.000 inhabitants to be the most populated area in Indonesia. To the East, across the narrow strait of Bali lies the island of Bali, to the West the Province of Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta, to the North is Java Sea and the South is the Indian Ocean.

The Province lies between 7° 12' and 8° 48' South latitude and stretches from 110° 52' to 114° 42' east longitude. Two third of the area is mountainous and hilly with slopes with an approximately 48 mountains with the highest peak of Mount Semeru as the highest in Java.

Two wide rivers traverse East Java, the 314 km-long Brantas, and the Bengawan Solo of about 540 km. The broad Brantas River traces a circular path through the ancient and fertile rice lands of the Eastern part of Central Java.

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