YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA

YOGYAKARTA is one of the most famous and interesting cities in Java. It is known for its renowned surroundings of well-known historical and cultural landmarks such as the many temples and iconic sights left behind by ancient civilizations. It was my fourth time in Yogyakarta but I had newcomer-members of the family to bring around. So here was our take on the best that Yogyakarta had to offer.

Approximately 40 km northwest of Yogyakarta is the Unesco World Heritage Site and the world’s biggest Buddhist monument—the magnificent Borobudur Temple. It sits majestically on a hilltop overlooking lush green fields and distant hills, an ancient site widely considered to be one of the world’s seven wonders. The best way to explore this site is on foot. As you climb to the top of this temple you will marvel at the intricate detailed stone carvings displayed on the temple walls. There are a lot of steps and few handrails. Go up slowly for the steps are a bit uneven. The view is indescribably awesome! It is so big that no matter where I stood, it was impossible to capture it in a single shot. Not far from Borobudur is the impressive small ninth-c Candi Mendut Temple which stands on a high platform accessible by a flight of stairs. Walk up to the main room where there are three seated Buddha figures, each carved from a single block of stone. It is set in a nice large garden area with seating and shade from an old banyan tree on the grounds. Next to it is a monastery. It’s worth walking around the complex to take in its peaceful atmosphere.

We took a Lava Tour (an off-road adventure) up the most active volcano in Indonesia - Mt. Merapi (Fiery Mountain). We zipped up and down the mountainsides, zigzagged over rough narrow trails in our trusty Cruiser jeep, led by a fearless driver who doubled as our guide. The tour included a visit to “Sisa Hartaku” (meaning: My Remaining Treasure Museum) that serves to inform about the impact made on the people living in the area during Merapi’s latest eruption in 2010. Our next stop was at the dilapidated underground Bunker Kaliadem followed by the Alien Stone, a unique rock that resembles a human face. Overall, it was an adventurous, fun and bumpy jeep tour with excellent photo opportunities. We moved on…

Shem and Tintin took a wifie with the Borobudur Temple as background

The author and Tintin touch the huge rock that resembles an ancient face. This stone was expelled from Mt. Merapi Volcano’s eruption

Peterey and Anne Drew stand on the steps leading to Candi Mendut Temple

The author tries a Buddha position with a background of the stupa on top of Borobudur Temple

The author tried swinging on overgrown Banyan roots at the Candi Mendut Temple grounds