Candi Sewu What a delight to see from your photo that reconstruction of Candi Sewu continues but continues to be a daunting task. When we were there I have never seen such a mass of jumbles of stone blocks, but from your pic some have been moved. Isn't it wonderful that notwithstanding being often covered with volcanic ash from Merapi that Prambanan is continually cleaned up to be the impressive Hindu temple complex that we can see today?
Borobudur We arranged a trip one year as an exploration of Java with a few days including Christmas Day at Borobudur as the centrepiece. The thrill of being there surrounded by the bracelet of volcanoes rising with a glowing sunrise is a special memory. This is a great pic of your time there.
We weren't lucky enough to stay right there... Denise told us how you guys stayed right there. It must have been magical. Particularly over Christmas which would have added another religion into the mix. We're off to southern Africa in a couple of weeks and hope to emulate some of your experiences there too!
60 Countries and many more I think it is great you let it unfold and happen naturally without planning. 100 probably needs some planning but I'm not sure the others do. Full of history and beautiful architecture. Glad you are enjoying the food.
Happy New Year Glad you are getting caught up on your blogging. This is a city I long to see. I always thought the fireworks would be grand to see. I can't imagine how many people were in attendance.
And to you! Yes we're almost now caught up with the blogging, If we hadn't nipped up for a quick trip in Indonesia for a week a couple of weeks ago then we would almost be caught up.... Only 3 weeks though until Africa. We're woefully unplanned and have some key bookings to make so that currently has to be the focus, but one day we'll be on top of it all!
An island of healers, witchcraft and magic Next time we go to the Philippines we will have to add this island to our list. You got your 24 hours worth out of the bike.
Living the life I'll pass on the motorcycle ride but yes this looks fantastic. I'm glad you didn't wake up the dog! and... love the backroads of dirt. Be careful.
We didn't We just turned up. It's busy but its a massive Chinese affair so likely usually have a bed, That said with that many people staying there it must be possible to book in advance as not all could be walk ins
Classic travel journeys You traveled amazing highways and scenic dirt paths. Your love of dangerous road and mighty mountains world wide have made for fantastic blogs... and life experiences. Life is not about gathering things but those amazing experiences that no one can take from you.
Slow travel Ugh, 6 hours in a slow taxi. Glad your new friend was in the back seat with you. You continue to see all those small amazing backroad towns. Bravo.
Stone cities The history of civilisations of antiquity I find exhilarating. China has so many ancient civilisations where evidence is here and there. I have seen evidence of the Shang in Henan and Sanxingdui in Sichuan Provence (Bronze Age). Do you know the civilisation in Xinjiang that built this stone city?
Good question That's a good question DD. The info we got there just talked in Dynasties (as the Chinese tend to do), so we only know it dates from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Tashkurgan has an interesting history have been the Captital of Western Regions at one stage and a kingdom of the Pamir Mountains at another. The name Tashkurgan means "Stone Fortress" or "Stone Tower" in the Turkic languages, a nod to another part of its past.
This is our travel journal that anyone is welcome to read.
It doesn't get edited on the road and we travel technology free so have to use whatever computers and keyboards we find both good and bad. Typos, missing words and bad English are par for the course... full info
Dancing Dave
David Hooper
Candi Sewu
What a delight to see from your photo that reconstruction of Candi Sewu continues but continues to be a daunting task. When we were there I have never seen such a mass of jumbles of stone blocks, but from your pic some have been moved. Isn't it wonderful that notwithstanding being often covered with volcanic ash from Merapi that Prambanan is continually cleaned up to be the impressive Hindu temple complex that we can see today?