Indonesia forum

Thanks for the fast reply! I've had some ups and downs with the kereta-api.co.id/ site over the last month (it has a seizure of sorts if you ask for a schedule or fare) but the Jakarta Post site was super helpful. Here is the official US Embassy statement - but nothing has been posted to update since 10/27... someone might find it helpful, though outdated..

U.S. Embassy Warden Message - October 27th, 2010October 27, 2010 U.S. citizens are advised that volcanic activity at Mount Merapi in Central Java, and seismic activity in West Sumatra, continues and may disrupt travel and public services there. We urge U.S. citizens to monitor the news, consider that volcanic ash disrupts air and other travel for great distances, understand that Indonesian emergency capabilities are limited and consider deferring travel to affected areas, which are currently West Sumatra near Padang, and Central Java near Jogjakarta and Solo. We also urge U.S. citizens to always register their travel plans at https://travelregistration.state.gov and keep their families, colleagues and friends informed of their whereabouts. We again remind Americans to exercise prudence and assume personal responsibility for their own wellbeing and security. Public health and safety response capabilities in Indonesia are severely limited in the best of times, and Americans who find themselves in areas hit by natural or manmade disasters may be on their own and out of touch for some time.

I don't think mainland Sumatra was very badly affected by that quake, from what I have read, so there's probably no need to skip it, unless it is difficult to access because of cancelled flights.

Jakarta is apparently pretty unaffected by the Merapi eruption.

There are reports that there is quite a lot of ash falling in Yogyakarta from Merapi... it might be wise to check if attractions like Borobudur and Prambanan are still open while the volcano is still erupting. If Yogya town is a bit messy from the ash, you could always go on to Pangandaran and hang out there, which is a great beach town with some good natural attractions, then head up to Jakarta and on to Sumatra.

Indonesia is way cooler than Singapore, just saying. But if you really get stuck in terms of transport on Java, it's easy to fly out to Singapore (there are direct flights from Surabaya), then catch the ferry to Batam Island, then get a really cheap flight to Medan... from there you can take in all the cool stuff in North Sumatra and travel down to West Sumatra. It's a great part of the world.