UNDESERVEDLY ignored by Western tourists, this middle-sized East Javanese community of 126,776 lies 80 kilometers east of Malang but is considerably more charming and less congested.

Blitar is the burial site of Sukarno, Indonesia’s beloved first president who famously proclaimed the country’s independence from Holland.

This small and friendly town, with just one busy main street, makes a useful base for touring the markets, nature trails