Lofgreli, I'm travelling with my boyfriend, so that's better. We're probably leaving on the 21st.
Cuscus, what do you recommend on Sumbawa? I have actually considered trekking Tambora before, but I find so little information about that that it seems a bit scary.
Travelfish has a recent and pretty thorough first hand report of hiking and adventures in Sumbawa. You can do a search on their site..travelfish.org I've only been around Bima myself however.
Fly to Sumba & back to Bali. 9 days there would be fine. East & west different. Fascinating island and minimal guiding. I spent a month there.
Shame you aren't exploring more of Flores. Kelimutu and many villages. Lots of animism & fascinating burials.
What was there to do in Bima and is Sumbawa only really for hiking? I'd love to find another Indonesian island to travel in! Never seemed to be as compelling as the other islands. Please tell me I'm wrong!
Oooh Sumba seems pretty interesting! And easy to get to. I'll definitely look into that thank you. Yes, I was considering doing Flores longer as well (scrapping my initial flight and just rebooking earlier). Other consideration is going to Borneo to see Orangutans and/or Karimunjawa (which seems difficult to get to). OR Sumatra (though it annoys me that it would be backtracking). LOL so many options I'm stressing myself out!
Thanks for the ideas everyone! Lofgreli have you found an option yet?
We decided to head to Java on the 21st, it just seems easiest most appropriate for us as first-time visitors in Indonesia. Bromo, Ijen, Semeru, Sukawade all seem pretty interesting and we can even take the ferry.
I would love to see Sumba, Sumbawa, and Flores though, but maybe at a later point. We also don't haven't got rabies vaccination or malaria prophylaxis so Java feels a bit safer.
Hello, i was planing to visit Mt. Rinjani too this september and canceled everything due to the major quakes. So I'm planning to take an alternative to climb Mt. Semeru on early October. Since i'm an Indonesian citizen, I'm planning this trip independently and trying to find some friend to split the budget
Thanks! I don't really have a solid choice, but I have a few ideas in mind. I'm going to just show up to Bali and wing it from there.
Either just do Java (like you said), Book an earlier flight to Flores and spend more time on that island, or fly over to Sumatra. We shall see. I hope you have fun on your vacation!
lofgreli good choice … to wing it! I think you will just have to go back to Indonesia!
Sumatra is great (and huge!) and easier to see Orang Utangs there than in Borneo. But you have Lake Toba (largest volcanic crater in the world … now a lake with Samosir Island and Batak people), Bukittinggi with Minangkabu people (marriachal) and Lake Maningau (through 44 hairpin bends to get there).
You will have a great time wherever you end up. Do let us know where you go.
Thinking of all the people in Lombok.
