I added Borobudur to my unofficial bucket list years ago. I suspect it might earn its way onto YOUR bucket list by the end of this post.
(I know, I talk a big game. Scroll on.)
I snap the above photo with my iPhone… that’s how photogenic Borobudur is.
But let me back up for a moment. Perhaps you’re wondering how I got here?
I flew from Singapore to Jakarta, the capitol of Indonesia. The next day I caught an overnight train to Yogyakarta (from A to B below).
I’m staying at the EDU Hostel in Yogyakarta. They organize a daily tour to Borobudur and two other nearby temples (Prambanan and Mendut — more on those tomorrow). Our group departs around 5:30am to catch Borobudur just after sunrise.
Borobudur is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sarongs are provided at the entrance for men and women.
The entrance to Borobudur glows in warm morning light.
In another 30 minutes or so the crowds will begin to arrive. I take advantage of the early hour and click away.
Wikipedia tells me that there are 72 Buddha statues seated on this top platform.
But the star of the show is a series of grand stupas circling the top level. I’ll let them do the talking.
The ‘Yale Mom’ shirt worn by the gentleman below makes me smile. Shout out to my home state!
A volcano peak pops through the clouds. (This is NOT Mt. Bromo, which I’ll write about in a few days.)
I exit through the opposite side and discover ELEPHANTS!! They left this off the tour description.
A final glimpse of Borobudur as our group exits the site.
So… was my prediction accurate? Do you now have a burning desire to see the stupas of Borobudur in the flesh stone?
I’ll be back tomorrow with a recap of my afternoon visit to nearby temples Prambanan and Mendut.
Very interesting! Never knew if the place until now.
Thank You!
Hi Chico!! It’s a fascinating place. Lots to explore around every corner — especially fun to wander around with a camera and capture details! Very beautiful there.
Such a beautiful place I never knew existed but seeing the chains around those elephants legs made me kind of sad. To see that they could only roam about in such a small area as seen by the elephant dung within that little area. I wish they could unchain them or at least give them a bigger area to explore. : (
Hi Candice! Yes, the chains around the elephants are sad. I think if there was a barrier around the elephant area they might not need chains, but as it is now the chains are the only restraint keeping the elephants from roaming far and wide. Hopefully they can come up with a better method to keep them from wandering while still giving them freedom to stomp around their area.