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Before visiting Indonesia, there are certain things you must know about the country, especially the island of Java as the most populated island :
Java Culture
Java is the most prominent island in Indonesia, as it is home to the archipelago nation’s capital, Jakarta. Java is also the most heavily populated island, with more than half of the country’s population. The government is currently trying to encourage migration to other islands to alleviate overpopulation problems, but this has sometimes caused conflicts between Java settlers and the natives of other islands.
Indonesians can often seem aggressive to Westerners. Due to long regimes of corrupt government, Indonesians have become accustomed to taking the law into their own hands, which often result in violence or formation of mobs on the streets over seemingly trivial matters. It is best to avoid conflicts when you see them occurring in the streets.
Java is home to hundreds of ethnic groups and languages, though the three major ones are the Sundanese, Javanese and Banyumasan. The primary native languages spoken on the island are Javanese, Sundanese and Madurese, though most people also speak Indonesian as a second language. The population is also overwhelmingly Muslim, though there are sizable Hindu minorities along the eastern coast, as well as small Christian and Buddhist communities.
Java History
The long history of human inhabitance in Indonesia is perhaps best seen through the prominent archaeological remains that have been discovered on the island. Java Man, one of the first specimens of Homo erectus to be discovered, was found on the Java Island in 1891. Recently, a possible new species of the Homo genus, Homo floresiensis, has been discovered on the island of Flores just east of Java. Little is known about these humanoid ancestors, but the beginning of modern civilizations on Java is much better understood.
Tribes from Vietnam and southern China migrated to Indonesia about 3000 years ago, bringing their language, culture and technology with them. Their irrigation techniques allowed them to grow rice on the islands, which became a mainstay of island agriculture.
In the first centuries A.D., a powerful Indian empire took over the Indonesian islands, passing their Buddhist culture to people on the island and establishing trade outposts on Java. The Indians continued to rule over these islands until the early Middle Ages, when the Sunda kingdom declined and European and Arab merchants began to assert a much bigger influence.
By the 1500s, Islam had become the major religion on Java due to Arabian campaign to the island. Several European countries were beginning to claim parts of Indonesia for trade purposes. European rule continued until World War II, at which point Japan took over. After the war, Japan ceded its territorial claims and Indonesia was granted independence.
Java Arriving & Departing
The largest airport on Java (and in all of Indonesia) is the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, situated about 12 miles (20 kilometers) west of Jakarta. This airport is responsible for all the international traffic that passes through the country. The vast majority of airlines are based in Asia, and there are only a few flights to destinations outside of the continent. Therefore, a transfer in a hub city such as Singapore, Hong Kong or Tokyo will probably be necessary. Exceptions exist for travelers from Australia (direct flights from Perth and Sydney are available through Qantas) and the Middle East (Dubai, Muscat, and a few other cities are served).
Taxis can be found outside the airport terminals, but be careful when dealing with taxi drivers. Always use the meter, as any pre-set price the driver offers you for services will be higher than meter fare. Do not accept the services of transportation brokers, who will often try to cheat you as you are walking out of the terminals. Also, when paying for taxi services, try to have exact change or at least close to it to avoid getting ripped off.
If you are already on another island in Indonesia, you can get back to Java by taking a ferry. There are several boats that run between coastal cities in Java, as well as ones that run between islands. These ferries are an excellent option for travelers who wish to visit multiple towns on Java.
Java Getting Around
It is an extremely bad idea to try and rent a car in Indonesia and drive by yourself, as the drivers here are very aggressive and seem to have suicidal tendencies sometimes. Renting a car with a driver will save you a lot of hassle and grief, and is only slightly more expensive than renting only the car itself. Toll roads on the island are usually in good condition, though road signs are often lost and drivers are extremely reckless.
Travel within major cities like Jakarta is best done by walking or public transportation. One of the more reliable taxi services is called Blue Bird. You can call for a cab at (021) 794 1234. These cabs can even be rented for the whole day if you plan to visit several sites and do not want to worry about transportation. Be careful if you call taxis off the street, however, as many drivers are unscrupulous. It is best not to take a taxi alone if possible, especially for women.
Buses and trains that go across Java can be quite crowded and slow, but will get you where you want to go as long as you are not on a tight schedule. Buses are frequent and the railway is fairly reliable. The executive class on the trains is the best, and it may be worth the extra money when the trains are crowded.
