A 1-2 hour public bus ride north of Yogyakarta, brings you to one of the most popular destinations on Java, the Borobudur temple complex. For some unknown reason, I became transfixed to Borobudur long before we started our trip. Climbing the stuppas and sitting atop the encased buddhas was something I just had to experience. You journey to these temples to find an oasis, an inspirational bath for your parched soul, something you hope moves you, the experience burned into your reflective memory. I wasn’t disappointed.
The setting for such a beautifully crafted temple or candi could not have been more idyllic, bordered to the south by soft rolling mountains and surrounded by a perimeter blanket of lush tree forests woven through with the morning mist.
Apparently he best views are beheld either at sunset or sunrise, and we chose the latter, setting the alarm for an early morning. Sunrise and sunset tickets, cost a hefty 300,000 Rupia ($30 USD), allowing you in earlier or later as it may be than the general ticket. The only option for securing your ticketing is through the Manohara Hotel, located within the park grounds that surround Borobudur.
Only four other people decided to get up for the early sunrise, and we all set off through the park grounds towards the temple, and passed through the temple gates by 5:00AM. Unfortunately, the sunrise was not as magnificent as it could have been, tempered by a thick morning cloud cover. Despite the dull sunrise, the experience was still remarkable, as you could not help to ponder the dedication of people past to construct something so beautiful.
Wow! The pictures are awesome! I really wish we had got ourselves up at the crack of dawn because it looks stunning – I'm always worried about sunrise visits though because when we went to Angkor Wat it for sunrise it just got brighter… No pretty colours… I think it's time to rethink my dawn policy! It definitely is worth the extra effort… Where next? Going towards Bali?
Thanks Aaron! It was beautiful to watch, but only wish it had been a clearer sky. The weather is the persistent and mortal enemy to all travel photography, since it can really make or break any good picture. You don't think about it, but Pro's spend days, even weeks at a place to get just the right weather to compliment a particular scene. Just have to make the best of it I suppose!
Bali is next…our posts are a couple of weeks behind…as it takes time to post and find decent internet to support pictures and videos. We're in Airlie Beach, Australia right now, heading to Cairns tomorrow for a live-aboard, 3 day, 2 nights and 11 dives on the great barrier reef!
Wow, wow, wow! Those pictures are gorgeous and I think they may be my favorite pictures that you have taken so far. I can't wait to hear how your journey in Australia is going.
Thanks Akila! Do you think they are too dark? I looked at them on a computer station here in the travel internet shop, and looks dark. They look fine on my laptop. Something I worry about is the color/light difference with screens on laptop/desktop. Almost caught up with
love these pix! looks like an absoltuely amazing temple! best of luck w/ your western food cravings
thanks so much for the sweet card! Isabelle has been talking about going to the beach in thailand-keep dreamin' honey
not sure how you guys are doing such a good job of keeping the website updated, but we love it.
talk to you soon
love
tonya
Looks like an amazing experience. The photos are stunning! Miss you guys!