5-6 months in East Indonesia

Hi, I already posted here about my plan to travel East Indonesia for 5-6 months, but now my plans are getting more specific.
I am landing in Jakarta on 30th August, I will spend the night there (not sure whats best to do, probably will be too tired to do anything) and want to take the train (I am considering business class instead of executive) to Yogyakarta.
In Yoyakarta, I will probably spend at least 3 days (city itself, Prambanan, Ratu Boko? and some beach below), then will sleep close to Borobudur to be able to see it on sunrise. Afterwards I would like to climb Merbabu - hope I will find a group wanting to do that. Afterwards I am not sure whether to go to Surabaya makes any sense, but I want to go to Bromo/Pananjakan (which is better?), maybe rafting around Probolinggo. Definitely want to spend a day or two in Meru Betiri and go to Ijen.

Afterwards I want to go Bali (just very briefly as I expect crowds and not so much to see), want to do my PADI open water in Gili, travel around Lombok, continue to Flores (not sure whether I will manage Sumbawa on the way), visit Timor and maybe East Timor for a Visa Run if thats necessary. In November I would already like to be in Makassar to get the relatively good weather for South Sulawesi and Wakatobi. Then I want to go north and see all of Sulawesi in December. I would like to visit Maluku in December/January and maybe also manage Raja Ampat for a week or two.

I want to do most of this in a leisurely and slow manner, do not want to rush anything. I left my job to go solo backpacking for the first time in my life, so I want to take it easy. Please feel free to advice on anything, I plan on being active here throughout my trip, as my plans for each place will get more specific with time. I have some questions:

Regarding visa, I am gonna get 60 days visa in my home country. The embassy said that I will have to do a visa run to extend them - is that correct? I was hoping to be able to extend them after 2 months and then again after 2 months. I do even have contact on a friend of a friend, who is manager of a hotel in Bali, so he may sponsor me (I have read that this may simplify the extension).

Is the plan ok time-wise and transport-wise? I am basically planning to go overland almost always by bus, or if possible, train and take ferries. It would be best to travel from Yogyakarta to East Timor in 2 months, because of the visa-run if necessary, and because weather in South Sulawesi should deteriorate in December. Is that good timing? Also, when I am in Timor, how do I get to east Timor? Is flying the only way when I want to do it as a visa-run, or can I cross by land?

I found Pelni ships go from Kaupang to Makassar, it takes more than a day, but may be an experience in itself.

Is there anything you would advice me while travelling into these areas? Do you consider the plan good, or would you add anything (Sumbawa, Kalimantan). Sumatra must be good, but its out of the way for me.

Also, one more personal question. I am single so I had a look on badoo/tinder etc in Indonesia and I already got many many invitations from Indonesian girls wanting to welcome me in the country etc. I guess they like European guys? Is there anything to watch out for? I have heard Indonesia is usually less religious than Malaysia for example.

Regarding visa, I am gonna get 60 days visa in my home country. The embassy said that I will have to do a visa run to extend them - is that correct?

No it isn't. You can extend the visa within the country. Read the visa link in my signo line for more.

Also, when I am in Timor, how do I get to east Timor? Is flying the only way when I want to do it as a visa-run, or can I cross by land?

Of course you can cross by land.
Get a guidebook, basic Qs like this are answred in it and it will save you lots of money.

I have read your visa section, its just that the embassy have confused me.

Regarding Timor, I have read somewhere that there are no international boats to East Timor and that via the land crossings, you cannot enter if you are not Indonesian/Timorese/Portugese. So this is not true I guess.

Not true.

In Yoyakarta, I will probably spend at least 3 days (city itself, Prambanan, Ratu Boko? and some beach below), then will sleep close to Borobudur to be able to see it on sunrise. Afterwards I would like to climb Merbabu - hope I will find a group wanting to do that.

so, how many days will you spent for hike Mt Merbabu?

According to the information that I got, I am planning 2 days to hike Mt Merbabu, but if more is needed, thats ok.

if it just 2-3 days, leave msg if you need partner to hike Mt Merbabu. Usually I hike alone. since i was rescuer Mt Merbabu few years ago.

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.