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Published: September 11th 2008
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We continue to settle in to life in Semarang. Last night there was a colossal thunderstorm that rolled in after dark. We were on the top of our stairs listening to the echo of the evening prayer call and watching the lightning creep across the horizon. When it finally reached us the rain was tremendous, literally flooding the street in seconds. It was deafening. We were enjoying the action until a huge clap of thunder and blinding lightning broke over our heads and scared us inside. Probably the most intense storm I have ever seen.
Last weekend we went to Barobudur, to see the famous temple. Supposedly, it is Java’s most visited tourist attraction; though on this particular weekend it was pretty quiet. The village of Barobudur is located about three hours from Semarang by bus.
The magnificent temple is meant to represent a giant, lif-size Buddhist mandala and, according to Lonely Planet, is comprised of over two million stone blocks. The entire stucture has nine tiers: six square, and three circular. Originally a pilgrimage sight, the traditional way to reach the top is by circumambulating the temple. The ascension from bottom to top represents the pilgrim’s journey
throught the Buddhist universe, from the world of desire to enlightenment. Throughout the monument, detailed stone reliefs depict scenes from these different levels of Buddhist cosmology.
On the upper tiers are seventy-two Buddhas, most incased in stone lattice structures shaped like bells. Supposedly, reaching through the stones to rub the Buddha will bring lifelong luck and wisdom.
The countryside surrounding Barobudur is incredibly beautiful; green fields, rice paddies, and lush volcanic mountains.
We stayed at a great hotel just inside the temple grounds, and the next morning rented bicycles and visited Mendut Temple, in the neighboring village of Mendut. Though it doesn’t remotely compare to Barobudur in scale, it is very beautiful. The architecture is classified as Hindu-Javanese, and inside there is a large seated Buddha flanked by two Bodhisattvas. The complex is quite serene, as the hoard of vendors selling colorful masks, Javanese puppets, T-shirts, and postcards, weren’t allowed to follow us inside. In on corner there is a massive Banyan tree, with a huge twisted trunk and thick hanging vines.
The weekend flew by and we took the bus back to Semarang on Sunday afternoon. We ended up on the local economy bus, which
was an adventure in itself. It would fly down the road, often slamming to a halt to pick up or drop off passengers. “Conductors” hung out the doors to assist passengers and to solicit business by calling out to pedestrians along the road. My favorite part was the musicians. Young men, sometimes solo, or in duos and trios would board the buses with guitars and drums. They would serenade us for awhile, before passing a plastic bag around for donations and exiting at a later stop. Most of them were quite good, and nearly all of them sported tattoos, long hair, and trendy music-related T-shirts. I love the festive atmosphere it gave to the bus.
All along the way people wer extremely kind, and very helpful in assisting us reach our destination. Indonesia is a very special place; great food, great people, beautiful scenery, and an extremely vibrant culture.
Monday it was back to work at 6:45 sharp. Though most people here get up early, and the temperature is pleasantly cool, I still find it brutal to wake up at such an hour!
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yaya24682006
Yaya Tsai.
Hi, my name is yaya. I am study about heritage sites for Borobudur and Prambanan right now. I was wondering before you went to Indonesia Borobudr and Pambanan, where your information comes from was. And where were your information in your blog came from? Were you used the wikitravel or other web site to search your information about Borobudur and Prambanan? And what were you looking for or experience in those two heritage? What's the most attract you in Borobudur and Prambanan? I really need your information! Thank you for your apply!!! Yaya