Any recommendations tours in Semerang, Ujung Pandang or Surabaya

We are on a cruise to Komodo island and these other stops are included I know nothing about them nor can I find good google info

Can anyone assist with ideas on any of these places please Thank you:D:D

Hello Windsor26,

I only visited Bali in Indonesia. I am writing this post so everyone on CC can benefit from our discovery.

We cruised Asia in Jan-Feb 2015 but did not cruise Indonesia. However, we did a post-cruise in Bali. If you are fortunate enough to stop in Benoa, well, Bali's way of life will blow your socks off! The rice fields are a gift for the eyes. I just don't have the words to explain how wonderful our time in Bali was. We had asked our small Balinese hotel (only 6 rooms) to included transportation. Well, the person, Dewa, who picked us up was a blessing. He toured us around Ubud and area for 3 days(including rain forest, rice paddies, volcano, temples...).

Dewa became a dear friend to us. His passion for his country and his religion was addictive. Their community is really important for them and they are selfless people. Everyday, he would give us all he got; his passion for his work. So it was easy to become close friend. After 7 days, he drove us from Ubud to Seminyak (60 min). We thought, we would not see Dewa anymore. We were wrong! My DH became seriously ill and almost died! He spent 2 weeks at the international hospital. I emailed Dewa to let him know what was happening... Who did we see at the hospital? Dewa. He drove twice an hour away to visit DH. And he felt bad he could not come more often! We were blown away by his generosity and care.

If you do want Dewa's email, please leave your info on this post and I will reply to you. Believe me, if you hire him, you will know you have been touched by someone really special.

The Canadians!:D

Semarang. There wil be taxis and vans at the port. Consider the railway museum and a coffee plantation.

Don't be tempted to visit Borobudur using transport hired at the port - if you want to go there, book ship's tour because it's over 2 hours away and ships tours get a police escort through the traffic. We don't do ships tours and we know their scaremongering tactics - but in this instance what they say is true.

JB :)

Hello Windsor26,

I only visited Bali in Indonesia. I am writing this post so everyone on CC can benefit from our discovery.

We cruised Asia in Jan-Feb 2015 but did not cruise Indonesia. However, we did a post-cruise in Bali. If you are fortunate enough to stop in Benoa, well, Bali's way of life will blow your socks off! The rice fields are a gift for the eyes. I just don't have the words to explain how wonderful our time in Bali was. We had asked our small Balinese hotel (only 6 rooms) to included transportation. Well, the person, Dewa, who picked us up was a blessing. He toured us around Ubud and area for 3 days(including rain forest, rice paddies, volcano, temples...).

 

Dewa became a dear friend to us. His passion for his country and his religion was addictive. Their community is really important for them and they are selfless people. Everyday, he would give us all he got; his passion for his work. So it was easy to become close friend. After 7 days, he drove us from Ubud to Seminyak (60 min). We thought, we would not see Dewa anymore. We were wrong! My DH became seriously ill and almost died! He spent 2 weeks at the international hospital. I emailed Dewa to let him know what was happening... Who did we see at the hospital? Dewa. He drove twice an hour away to visit DH. And he felt bad he could not come more often! We were blown away by his generosity and care.

 

If you do want Dewa's email, please leave your info on this post and I will reply to you. Believe me, if you hire him, you will know you have been touched by someone really special.

The Canadians!:D

Thank you for your post We visited Bali some 35 years ago and found the same courtesy and assistance and did you I am planning a private tour in Benoa and am sure we will be delighted with the tour

Semarang. There wil be taxis and vans at the port. Consider the railway museum and a coffee plantation.

Don't be tempted to visit Borobudur using transport hired at the port - if you want to go there, book ship's tour because it's over 2 hours away and ships tours get a police escort through the traffic. We don't do ships tours and we know their scaremongering tactics - but in this instance what they say is true.

 

JB :)

Thank you I was considering a private tour but your advice gives me secpnd thoughts :D

Semarang - this is the port for tours to Borobudur. As John Bull mentioned, it's best to take a ship's tour as you have a police escort to smooth the way in the traffic as it's quite a way.

I've been to Borobudur twice, once travelling privately and the other time on a ship's excursion and I think it's well worth the trip which is why I decided to go back :D. It's an amazing site but does lose a bit when several bus loads of ship passengers arrive!

Google Borobodur and if it appeals then I would recommend doing the tour if you aren't likely to get back privately.

Surabaya is Indonesia's second largest city and while I have been there, I was just passing though prior to boarding a bus to Yogyakarta. Have you checked out what the ship is offering in the way of excursions? If there is something of interest then you might be able to arrange something similar for yourself. Be aware though, that the traffic is horrendous so if you do something privately don't be too ambitious!

Ujung Pandang is in Sulawesi. I haven't been there but I believe there is Dutch Colonial history. Once again check what the ship is offering and take it from there.

We visited Bitung in North Sulawesi this year and absolutely loved our tour to the Minahasa Highlands.

The ports themselves will be like lots of ports - uninspiring :) so to make the most of the visit make sure you do tours of some description.

Indonesia is a fascinating country, but you often need to get out of the main cities

Have a great cruise.

Semarang - this is the port for tours to Borobudur. As John Bull mentioned, it's best to take a ship's tour as you have a police escort to smooth the way in the traffic as it's quite a way.

I've been to Borobudur twice, once travelling privately and the other time on a ship's excursion and I think it's well worth the trip which is why I decided to go back :D. It's an amazing site but does lose a bit when several bus loads of ship passengers arrive!

Google Borobodur and if it appeals then I would recommend doing the tour if you aren't likely to get back privately.

 

Surabaya is Indonesia's second largest city and while I have been there, I was just passing though prior to boarding a bus to Yogyakarta. Have you checked out what the ship is offering in the way of excursions? If there is something of interest then you might be able to arrange something similar for yourself. Be aware though, that the traffic is horrendous so if you do something privately don't be too ambitious!

 

Ujung Pandang is in Sulawesi. I haven't been there but I believe there is Dutch Colonial history. Once again check what the ship is offering and take it from there.

We visited Bitung in North Sulawesi this year and absolutely loved our tour to the Minahasa Highlands.

 

The ports themselves will be like lots of ports - uninspiring :) so to make the most of the visit make sure you do tours of some description.

 

Indonesia is a fascinating country, but you often need to get out of the main cities

 

Have a great cruise.

Thank you so much for your good advices I will do exactly as you suggest ifI like the look of the ships tours. As you say sometimes that is the only way to go Thanks again Yvonne

If you have the full day and only use ship tour, but Borobudur is not to be missed. I was shocked how enthralled my husband was with this.

Semarang, Indonesia : Bersukaria Tour : Highly recommend Dimas at bersukariatour@gmail.com, you can message him on Facebook and he will respond quickly.

Stronly recommend ships tour to Borobudur!! It took us almost 3 hours with a police escort, It should not be missed-- great temple -- major companies like IBM and Siemens, etc. helped in restoration.

We are on a cruise to Komodo island and these other stops are included I know nothing about them nor can I find good google info

 

Can anyone assist with ideas on any of these places please Thank you:D:D

Let Dimas plan a private trip for you in Semarang. He is very professional and knowledgeable about his city. We loved the day he planned for us and price is reasonable. BersukariaTour.com

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Stronly recommend ships tour to Borobudur!! It took us almost 3 hours with a police escort, It should not be missed-- great temple -- major companies like IBM and Siemens, etc. helped in restoration.

Although we prefer private tours for Borobudur we took a shipexcursion. As mentioned escorted by polcie that stopped other traffic. Even then we were one of the last buses returning to the ship that was waiting for us.

We are on a cruise to Komodo island and these other stops are included I know nothing about them nor can I find good google info

Can anyone assist with ideas on any of these places please Thank you:D:D

Because Komodo is a national park you can only go ashore in Komodo if you have booked a tour., Either a private tour or those offered by the cruiseline. If you book a (walking) tour by the cruiseline you can stay after that as long as you want at the island.

Hi when we visited Komodo I email Jeffrey Buana his email address is Jeffrey Buana [mykomodo@yahoo.com] He did a full day tour which included a boat trip to near by beach for snorkeling and served lunch on the boat as well as the walk around the dragons and village. He sends you a letter which you show to the ships reception and they will allow you to get off on your own. It was about $90 at the time but this is a few years ago. At Semarang we got a taxi at the docks for $125 for 4 people to Borobudur Temple and it was $20 each entrance fee. It is a long drive and they do have to keep up a good speed were possible but we did it ok with a stop for coffee on the away back . There isn't any time for a long lunch. We got back to the ship with time to spare. Again this was a few years ago. Hope this helps