My second Trip at Java - Day 4

PrambananTemple located 17 kilometers east of Yogyakarta, it is believed to have been built by King Balitung Maha Sambu in the middle of the ninth century. The temple, named after the village, is the biggest temple complex in Java. Locally known as the Loro Jonggrang Temple, or the Temple of the "Slender Virgin", it is the biggest and most beautiful Hindu temple in Indonesia. Its parapets are adorned with a bas-reliefs depicting the famous Ramayana story. Out of the remaining ones, three main temples are Brahma Temple in the north, Vishnu Temple in the south, and the biggest among the three which lies between Brahma and Vishnu temples is Shiva Temple (47 meters high).




Candi Sewu





From there we go to Solo to stay overnight at CaKra homestay, which LP has given a good recommendation to.



Waiting for the dinner time, a local staff at the hostel suggests us to visit the nearby community and the Batik shop, where my all Rupee and my “emergency” dollar gladly fly from my wallet . Seeing that we all heavily concentrate on Batik shopping, P. Somboon, the only man in our group, asks to wait for us at the book shop. (Can't stand our crazy shopping spree anymore)

My second Trip at Java - Day 3

We start our day in the early morning hoping to see Borobudur at sunrise, too bad the weather is so cloudy. By the time that we see the sun in the sky, it is about 9 a.m. already. :-(, so no Borobudur at sun rise picture .
Borobudur is located 41 km northwest of Yogyakarta
The Temple is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world. This colossal relic of Borobudur Temple was built by Sailendra dynasty between 750 and 842 AD; 300 years before Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, 400 years before work had begun on the great European cathedrals. The monument was conceived as a Buddhist vision of the cosmos in stone, starting in the everyday world and spiralling up to nirvana - the Buddhist heaven.
Web: http://www.borobudurpark.com



Manohara Hotel



After spending our morning walk up and down around the temple, we then head to Yogyakarta. Our plan is to visit the old town in the area called “water castle”.



Water Castle was Built in 1758 by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I just west of the kraton, part of this pleasure garden and castle is at present no more than an intriguing collection of ruins, pools, arches and underground passages enclosed by massive walls, however, the central courtyard with the nymph-baths has been restored.



Underground passages

We then end the day enjoy shopping at Malioboro Street and have delicious dinner at Suharti restaurant.

My second Trip at Java - Day 2

Sondoro – the active volcano mountain from the viewpoint at Dieng Plateau.



Dieng Plateau is about 2,093 meter over sea level providing cool temperature. Along the road are beautiful vegetable plots terraces.



Beautiful flower with a tree-made vase
Some of us bought the “elderweiss”?? dried flower at Rupee 10,000 or about Baht 40 per bunch from him.



Next stop is at the colorful lake, Telaga Warna.



Kkawah Sikidang
Bubbling mud ponds with sulfur smell.



Here we buy the flower at only Baht 8 per bunch and enjoy bluffing those who bought earlier in the morning. But as the Thai saying goes “ Those who laughs later will laugh louder” (หัวเราะทีหลังดังกว่า) Because later on my flowers bought from here starts to smell so bad since they are not dried enough when I buy them while the flowers of those who bought at a higher price are still o.k. So Baht 8 each was finally for nothing, while Baht 40 each (hopefully) are still somewhere on the table of those who bought them. :-(



Another stop is at Arjuna Complex Temple.



Gedong Songo Temple
There are 2 choices to visit the temples situated at the hilltop: walking or riding a horse. (for me there is another option considered: staying at the foothill and enjoy the view around.) After a long discussion, 5 of us including me ride the horse uphill leading by owners. (Of course I wouldn’t dare ride a horse by myself)

Tonight we stay at the Manohara hotel at the foothill of the great Borobudur Temple.
Email: manohara@magelang.wasantara.net.id

My second Trip at Java - Day 1

Members of this trip have been expanded from 4 to 11 persons, but only 8 persons can finally join the trip. New member of the oversea trip for me are P. Oy, Khun Tum, and Nong Ann, while the rest, P. Paew, Noo Nong, P. Somboon (the only guy in our trip), and Mer are “old buddies”. We fly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia first and then again to Solo (Surakarta), Indonesia.



Reception room at the Palace.
Thanks for P. Oy who has already contacted a car and a driver earlier, so we don’t waste any time at the airport but go straight to visit Kraton Mangkunegara built in 1757 by Raden Mas Said. The royal family still lives in the back of the palace.



The “mayan” main pyramid of the Candi Sukuh – Hindu Temple
Where most temples would have a large square shrine, Candi Sukuh has a pyramid reminiscent of Mayan structures from Central America and nobody knows for sure why the builders chose this type of structure. Since it is the “fertility” temple, there are many sexual stone carvings in the area. Candi Sukuh is located on the slopes of Lawu Mountain about 25 miles east of Solo.



The "uterus" carving stone.
From the Candi Sukuh, we then go to Wonosobo where we stay overnight at Hotel Surya Asia.

China & Mongolia - Day 8

This morning we go shopping and then have lunch at the "Mongolian Barbeque" grill restaurant. A customer chooses his/her own choice from the variety of vegetables, meats and sauce and bring them for cooking.




River view at the Gachuurt Tourist Camp which is located in the North Eastern side of the city 20 km from Ulaan Baatar. This place is built using the same structure as the Mongolian Ancient capital KharKhorum with traditional architecture construction.



And that should be all for my trip. Special thanks to K. Sivaporn and K. Rochana who arrange this memorable trip for us all and the warm hospitality from Mr. Ganzorig and his family. They take very good care of us all. We have such a wonderful time and hope to visit Mongolia again.
Gobi Complex : http://www.gobicomplex.mn/

China & Mongolia - Day 7

Pe Puart and Pe Busaba enjoy the fresh air at the uphill in the morning.



The view is superb.



Visit the 13th Century Camp. The project is still under construction. It aims to provide visitors with the way of living, customs and traditions of the 13th century period. That century was the period where Mongolian empire spreaded its rule across the continental from east to west. Currently about 6 camps are completed for visiting such as craftmen camp, educational camp, herders' camp, and King Palace.



Khun Pichai and Pe Busaba in front of the traditional 13th century Ger.



The small warrior.

China & Mongolia - Day 6

Pe Aae at the Central Temple or Gandantegchinleng Khiid. The temple name signifies something like “Great Place of Complete Joy or Great Way to the Cosmos”.



Sukhbaatar square, center of the city. From this spot in July 1921 Damdiny Sükhbaatar, the 'hero of the revolution', declared Mongolia's independence from the Chinese.



I, Miu (our hosts'daughter) and Nong Pat in front of the parliament building with Chinggis Khaan Statue.



We then drive to the Terelj Camp, about 50 kilometers outside of Ulaan Baatar. Here we try horse riding, of which my boss describes my riding skill as “Frozen” 555



A Buddha image at the monastry



Turtle Rock



Our comfortable Ger for tonight accommodation



Our hosts are very nice that the traditional songs and gymnastics are arranged to entertain us tonight together with the outdoor barbeque and camp fire. A very enjoyable day.

China & Mongolia - Day 5

At Nadaam Festival’s opening ceremony on Mongolian National Day, of which 3 main sports are highlighted: wrestling, archery and horse racing. The parade is colorful and interesting.





Khun Chantra, Dr. Sumet, Mr. Ganzorig, Pe Tim, Tem (Mr. Ganzorig's son) and Nong Pat
We then rush to see the horse racing outside the city. Having lunch in beautiful decorated Ger hosted by Mr. Gonzarig.



It seems like all cars in Ulaan Baatar are heading to this horse racing competition.