Indonesia: fascinating temple complexes and our last days in Java and Bali

Hello there!

It took a little while this time with our post. However, we don't want to miss telling you about Java's fascinating temple complexes, which we visited during the last days of our trip to Indonesia.

First, we visited Borobudur, one of the largest Buddhist temple complexes in Southeast Asia and the most significant one of Mahayana Buddhism in Java. One feels very small when standing in front of the nine-story high colossal pyramid. The walls are adorned with finely crafted flat reliefs that describe the life and work of Buddha. The construction time is still unknown to this day. Experts estimate that it was built around the year 800.

Prambanan, the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia, was built around the year 850 and is no less impressive than Borobudur. Numerous individual temples are arranged in the characteristic tall, pointed architectural form around the 47m high main building in the center. The three largest Trisakti ('three holy places') are dedicated to the three gods: Shiva the Destroyer, Vishnu the Preserver, and Brahma the Creator. The facade here is also adorned with numerous fine chiselled works. We were able to experience Prambanan in the warm light of the setting sun. The play of light and shadow was very beautiful to watch.

Our journey also took us past the countless vegetable terraces of the Dieng Plateau. A local guide showed us the sights of this region. The Sikidang Crater was one of them. This place resembled a toxic, grey, steaming moonscape. Even on the footpath to a large, gushing, steaming pool of blue-green water, the water was bubbling in the puddles. It smelled awful of rotten eggs - everywhere sulfur steam hung in the air. It also steamed heavily in the crater, and in the middle of nowhere, a large 'I Love You' hung in the trees, framed by several red hearts. We agree: there couldn't be a better and more romantic place to confess your love than here amidst toxic water and foul-smelling sulfur steam.

22 days have now passed, and it is time to leave Indonesia. We have discovered a completely new world for ourselves. Neither Vroni nor I have traveled to such an Asian country before. We wouldn't want to miss out on the experiences and impressions.

Thank you for the wonderful time, Jana! It was a great pleasure for us to make this journey with you! We will cherish it and all the shared moments very fondly! :)

Selamat tinggal - Goodbye Indonesia! It's time for us to return to our second home, Perth.

Warm regards and sampai jumpa,

Vroni and Maria