TRIP TO BOROBUDUR - DAY 2 PART 1

10/12/2014
Highlight of our trip - to the UNESCO World heritage site- Borobudur Temple.

In Indonesia, the sky is already  bright and shining by 6 am.   We have been informed by the guide that should we want to see the sunrise at Borobudur, we would have to leave the hotel at 3 am! So finally we decided that we needed our beauty sleep since it was an exhausting day yesterday.
Buffet breakfast was included at the hotel.

The porridge was very thick, so we mix in the chicken soup and added the various condiments. 

After our breakfast, it was time to go visiting.  The first itinerary on the list was to Borobudur Temple.  The bus ride was about 40 minutes from our hotel.  As the guide told us there is no highways in Yogya and the streets are narrow.       

Tying the sarong (just a piece of cloth) at the ticketing office before entering the temple grounds as a sign of respect.

Is this correct?.. Yes you look wonderful..

Selamat datang makciks .. oops sorry girls!

Our guide did not follow us instead there is an official temple guide to lead us to the temple.

a strategic point, as we turned the corner,  the temple came into view
The temple is closed once a year as a place of worship during the full moon in May/June ie Wesak Day.

getting closer  to the temple

Explanation of the different levels of the temple complex. I am not going to bore you all with the details of the temple complex as you can easily check it out on wiki.

there are 5 square platforms and the 3 circular platforms with perforated  stupas  (total 72 stupas) and the main dome at the top that  signify the realms of  Buddahism.

 the L-shape interlocking stones.. ... the temple is built with over 2 million stones  without a single nail and cement!

 the intricate stacking of the stones-

this bas-relief was exposed during the restoration works..

the lowest level depiciting stories of the lusts and passions of the people   

and the law of karma- the cause and effects

the negative effects - sad looking and unhappy people.... amazing details of the carvings

It is truly awesome to see the details of the carvings as they are more than 1200 years old

so well preserved  against the humid climate, erosion and pollution and more recent the volcanic eruption of Mt. Merapi in 2010.  

Some of the Buddha statues are damaged and missing due to vandalsim, some stolen as well.

The way to the top is through these narrow and steep  arched stairways decorated with the head of Kala (sankrit word: "Time").  A humbling exercise as you climb up with your head bowed! 

  

The complex is well protected from further water erosion and flooding  as there are over 100 gargoyles built all around.  The bas-reliefs on the 2nd level tells the story of the life of Buddha 

Giving his ring to his wife... there were a lot of women who wanted to be his wife, but the chosen one is the one who can wear his ring

celebrating his wedding with musicians an dancers and also.....

 ......... the presence of some dieties (right)

As he travelled out of his palace, he saw the poor and hunger (see the left sculpture - can see the bony skeletal) 

 Saw a lot of suffering and finally seeing a dead man (left)

meeting the Holy Man (left) and the BIG change in his life.
The 3rd level shows his wandering during his search for wisdom.

Looking back ... see how far we have come....

 "Where is everybody?" .......

Everyone busy camwhoring......

Jumping with joy ...mission accomplished!

walking around the circular platform 7 times for our wishes to come true.... health, love,  happiness, joy, peace, success and wealth

 A glimpse of Mt. Merapi in the distance


Inside these perforated stupas are statues of Buddha...but some were broken and stolen.

an open stupa showing the statue of Buddha

the main dome - the stage of nirvana and enlightment.

Feeling peaceful and relaxed

It was a contented walk down until we were met with a pack of souvenir sellers!  They are so persistent and unless you are interested to get any, just keep walking away from them.  However, this is our chance to do some good deeds....help the economy and their livelihood, so we did purchased from them.:D!

all that climbing made us hungry, so next up lunch at the Timbul Roso Restaurant- 

in a very natural surroundings.  There are a few of these bamboo  pondok for smaller groups as well. We were seated in the main dining hall. 

some of the food already laid out for us... clear soup, mixed veggie salad, deep fried prawn; Sweet sour fish, chicken rendang, gado-gado, tempe etc... seems there is not much choice for Indonesian food....oh the drink is jackfruit drink, but most of us opted for the bottled water instead. Again we were able to take our time and relax ourselves.