So, our last day on Java – the plan was pretty ambitious: rappel 60 meters into a hole in the ground in the morning, catch a flight to Bali in the afternoon. What could go wrong, right? Jomblang Cave was supposed to be our final adrenaline rush, but what waited for us down there turned out to be way more than that – an almost spiritual moment that made saying goodbye to Java unforgettable and shaped how I see this island.
Our plan for this last Java day:
- Morning: Jomblang Cave expedition with rappelling
- Afternoon: Flight from Yogyakarta back to Bali
- Evening: Arrival in Canggu for our final Indonesia stop
Getting There Was Already an Adventure
Our driver Rev picked us up early at Wonderloft Hostel – seriously, this hostel was such a good call! The drive to Jomblang Cave took us about an hour and a half south of Yogyakarta into Gunungkidul Regency, and the approach itself already showed we were in for something real.
The roads got worse and worse as we got closer to the cave. Eventually Rev had to give up – we walked the last stretch to the cave. No big deal, obviously, but it definitely added to the whole “this is gonna be adventurous” vibe.
Prepping for the Descent
At the cave, they served us coffee first – nice touch that gave us time to mentally prepare for what was coming. The equipment was legit professional: sturdy rubber boots, helmets, and of course the full climbing gear for rappelling. Fair warning though: if you’re sensitive to smells, be prepared that the helmets can be pretty… ripe. Bring a shower cap if you can. We didn’t have any at the hostel, so we had to deal with it. I switched helmets a few times, but honestly? They all smelled.
After gearing up with helmet and climbing equipment, the staff said a prayer. I assume they were asking for everything to go well and no accidents to happen. I’m not particularly religious, but moments like these are somehow fascinating. In my head I prayed along – to which god/gods, honestly can’t say. Then it was time to get rappelled down in pairs.
Oh, and everyone on the team was wearing these red t-shirts that said “Ray of light.” At first I didn’t realize this referred to the “Heavenly Light” and only thought of the Madonna song “Ray of light”. Great song, no question, but everyone being Madonna fans seemed a bit too random. 😅
The Moment of Truth: 60 Meters Down
The rappelling itself? Man, that was intense. 60 meters is seriously high when you’re looking down from the top! But the feeling of slowly gliding down into that jungle below was incredible. The cliff passed by us, and with each meter the world above got smaller while the underworld grew larger.
Once at the bottom, the atmosphere was completely different: humid, damp, and way more tropical overall. The path to the cave was muddy and slippery – thank god for those sturdy boots. There was a staircase down to the cave entrance, and even inside the cave we had to walk a bit more. I just hoped I wouldn’t fall (nothing you can’t wash off, but still…).
The “Heavenly Light” – Underground Mysticism
A few meters into the cave, there it was: the “Heavenly Light”.
A beam of light falling through a natural hole from above into the cave, bathing the entire scene in an almost biblical glow. Add to that the silence in the cave (except for water dripping from the ceiling), the humid air… Even though it was cloudy that day and the light wasn’t quite as intense as it would be in bright sunshine, the moment was still magical.
60 meters underground in a millennia-old cave, witnessing this natural light spectacle. A perfect moment to think about the power of nature before heading back up.
Quick Goodbye and an Important Realization
After the excursion they provided a small lunch – those who don’t eat meat could get a meat-free alternative, or go completely vegan. After that we unfortunately had to head straight to YIA Yogyakarta Airport – our flight back to Bali wouldn’t wait. But the drive to the airport gave me time to reflect on the last few days on Java, and one thing became crystal clear:
I actually prefer Java over Bali.
Java vs. Bali – My Personal Take
This might surprise some people, but after experiencing both, my impression is pretty clear:
What Java has going for it:
- More authentic and less touristy – you experience the “real” Indonesia more
- The people in Yogyakarta were consistently warm – Supri, Budi, Rev, and everyone else
- Respectful tourists – people genuinely interested in culture, not just “living their best life”
- Incredible cultural diversity – from Prambanan to Borobudur to natural adventures like Mount Merapi or Jomblang Cave
What Bali has going for it:
- Hindu influence personally appeals to me more
- More vegetarian food options
- Better tourist infrastructure
But in the end, it was Java’s authenticity that won me over. People were never pushy, always helpful, and genuinely interested in sharing their culture. I’m sure there are other corners of Bali too (Amed still felt pretty authentic, for example – more about our time in Amed here), and if you’re not just there as a tourist, life in Denpasar is probably quite good too.
The Perfect Ending
Jomblang Cave was the ideal way to wrap up Java – an adventure that required courage but totally paid off. Java is definitely more than just a stopover on the way to Bali. It’s a destination worth exploring in its own right.
Next up was Canggu as our final Indonesia stop, but Java had already left its mark.
Pretty sure this wasn’t my last visit here.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Jomblang Cave:
- Getting there: Expect bad roads at the end – sturdy shoes for the last bit on foot
- Equipment: Everything’s provided (helmet, boots, climbing gear) – just wear clothes that can get dirty, maybe bring a change of clothes. Shower cap for the helmet?
- Weather: The “Heavenly Light” is more intense in sunshine – still worth it when cloudy though
- Fitness level: Basic fitness is enough – rappelling isn’t technically difficult, but you should be okay with heights
- Time: About 4 hours for the complete tour including travel to and from Yogyakarta
- Combo tip: Perfect as a finale after cultural highlights like Borobudur
📸 60 meters underground, in the mud and semi-darkness, the noise of the surface world loses its meaning. Jomblang Cave was physically the most demanding, but also the most honest moment of our Java trip. Sometimes you have to go into the depths to appreciate the light again – even if that sounds a bit more philosophical now than it felt with mud on my boots.
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