Go figure, Indonesia has 17,000 islands but most of us only know of Batam, Bintan and Bali 🙂
Together with fellow Nuffnang bloggers, our 5D4N East Java itinerary took us across volcanoes, sunrise and beautiful landscapes.
Our 5D4N East Java trail started from Bali and ended in Surabaya, before a transit at Jakarta.
1) Bali, 2)Banyuwangi, 3)Kawah Ijen, 4)Mount Bromo, 5)Malang, 6)Surabaya
We did not visit A)Baluran National Park (little Africa) and B)Madakaripura Waterfall (wow!), but from photos and reviews, both are highly recommended.
Besides the awesome itinerary and youthful bunch of kakis, we also got to enjoy Garuda and Tourism Indonesia’s generous hospitality! We were treated like VIPS from transits to transfers, from propeller to ponies to jeeps and coaches. Comfort and convenience was a granted in all our accommodations.
Every need was anticipated, very request fulfilled.
I just need to enjoy being a tourist hooray!
It happened to be my first non-business trip in a long time, traveling on my own without constantly worrying about the kids. The sense of freedom was liberating, I craved for the adventures and adrenaline yet I felt guilty about enjoying the moments without my family.
Whether I was inhaling sulphur fumes at Kawah Ijen, or kicking volcanic ash at Mount Bromo, family was never far from my mind. I kept thinking how we could admire the beautiful and majestic volcano ridges together!
To be frank, it was quite tiring on the first two nights, we got to wake up at 2359 and 0100 to hike up Kawah Ijen and Mount Bromo! But the views and landscapes were totally worth losing a few hours of sleep.
I can now uncheck volcano from my bucket list 🙂
Another surprise for most of us. Garuda Indonesia has revamped its image and garnered a few accolades over the years.
Accolades:
– Received a 5-star rating awarded to airlines at the forefront of product and service delivery (7th airline to earn this accolade)
– Award-winning airline – ‘World’s Best Airline Cabin Staff’ in 2015 and 2014, ‘World’s Best Economy Class’ in 2013 and ‘World’s Best Regional Airline’ in 2012 by Skytrax World Airline Awards
– Extensive flight network as the 20th member of the SkyTeam alliance with modern and young fleet of technologically advanced aircraft
When someone tells you Garuda is KING in Bali, trust him! We were treated like VIPs!
Let me share more good news with you :
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1) Garuda Indonesia Promotion: Garuda x Nuffnang
Special promo price: SGD 350 (all inclusive)
Booking period: From now till 31 Oct 15
Travel period: From now till Mar 16
Destinations featured:
Departure: Singapore – Denpasar (Bali) – Banyuwangi
Return: Surabaya – Singapore
Booking details: Tickets are available for purchase at Garuda ticketing office (101 Thomson Road #12-03 United Square) or via the reservation hotline 6250 2888.
Promo code: Please quote ‘GANuffnang’ when booking
You may reference or book land tours from “Trisno from Diorama Travel Management, trisno@dioramagroup.net”.
2) ACE Insurance Promotion
Simply visit www.acetravelinsurance.com.sg/nuffnang to enjoy discounts off your next travel insurance.
Mechanics:
– 20% off Single Trip Plan*
– 10% off Annual Plan
*Not applicable to Basic Plan for Malaysia/ Batam/ Bintan
**Medical claims in Singapore is valid for 31 days provided medical treatment is sought overseas
***ACE Insurance promotion ends 11th Oct 2015
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We will be sharing more sights, sound and smoke from our East Java Itinerary over the next few days.
Video (Link): Meanwhile, I have compressed our 5D4N east Java Itinerary into a 8 minute clip
Meanwhile, the following albums have been uploaded onto our Fanpage:
– Day 1 blog- 5D4N East Java Itinerary
– Day 2 and 3 blog – Kawah Ijen or Mount Bromo
– Photos Day 2 Kawah Ijen
– Photos Day 3 Mount Bromo
Wonderful Indonesia!
All our flights, accommodation, food (and Bali massage too!) were sponsored by Garuda Indonesia and Ministry of Tourism (Republic of Indonesia). Insurance sponsored by Ace Insurance.
When we saw your IG postings during the trip, we couldn’t stop marvelling at how beautiful and magical those blue sulphur flames are…East Java is truly a gem waiting to be explored. Hope to make it there one day with Dana when she’s older 😀 Thanks for sharing your journey!
Yes Angeline, unfortunately my photos could not do justice to the blue flame (and smoking environment) or Mount Bromo’s majestic Sunrise 🙂
This trip gave me a lot of inspirations to explore less-touristy areas.
Sounds like an awesome trip! Wow 17,000 islands, never knew there were so many! Haha. Your pics make me miss the volcanoes, geysers and scenic sights we saw in Iceland! It’s nice to travel once in a while without the kids (somemore you have 4!) though our hearts will always be with them, right? My first trip will probably still have to wait many more years, haha! Thanks for sharing about your holiday! =)
Summer recently posted…A kampong-style holiday paradise {Club Med Cherating Beach Experience Part I}
Iceland (with the Northern lights) should be even more spectacular!
Had always dream of glaciers and geysers after I watch “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” 🙂
I am encouraging my wife to plan a trip with her kakis.
Quite frankly, never really considered a holiday to this place before, but I think it’s a good option to consider if Isaiah and I want to go for a photography trip. Thanks for sharing the beautiful moments – I’m sure you had an awesome and memorable time there. 🙂
Kless @ The J Babies recently posted…What To Eat In Bangkok
Confirm + Chop, Klessis 🙂
Imagine, catching the sunrise with your darling, hugging each other when he/she feels cold, holding each other hand along the route. Wah! so Romantic 🙂
(I could only hug my camera bag up in the peaks haha)
Wahaha.. Oops, I know know Batam, Bintan and Bali. The horse riding was da bomb in my opinion! Definitely worth KIV-ing for when the kids are older.
Bumble Bee Mum recently posted…Hello Kitty Go Around Singapore – What to Expect
Kids confirm will never forget Jeep and Ponies (sequence might be different)!
Just chanced upon this post. Wow looks like a wonderful trip! And some great me-time. Everyone needs me-time, even daddies I’m sure.
Nothing like getting really close to nature, and not having to be the ‘planner and executor’ of the travel plans and arrrangements for once!
hi Lyn, it was a superb trip! Eg, Hiking might not be suitable for everyone in my family. I got to do the the adventurous stuffs, really playing a tourist “role” and not “planner” role 🙂
Wow! This is the kind of trip that I liked when I was younger! Am now older and less adventurous :p
Waiwai recently posted…Tanjong Pagar Railway Station
Yo Wai Wai, we are only “older” when we have problems walking etc, but as long as the heart is willing, there is always a way 🙂
Just do it!
I visited Indonesia years ago with my family and visited some volcano and Borobudur as well. The volcano made an impression as deep as that of Borobudur cos of its smell. It was so pungent I can still remember it today! Did you guys experience that with this volcano?
MissusTay recently posted…DreamWorks Animation: The Exhibition
Yes! The sulphur smell always stay with you 🙂
Hello! In your opinion, would this be an ok itineary to bring a 5yo? Thanks!
hi, definitely not Ijen. Smaller kids might not appreciate the majestic Bromo.