Borobudur: Summer 2013
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Erection on Borobudur began in 750 a.d. It's the third biggest Buddhist site in the world, after Pagan in Myanmar and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. You can get more information about Borobudur at this page in Wikipedia.
Borobudur at dawn
The WatcherWitch of the West looks for litterbugs at tourist sites. This rare sighting was captured by always alert Rio Paul in 2013. Incredibly, another sighting was made only a month later, at Candi Ijo.
This scene was on the other side of the mountain where we took the sunrise photos of Borobudur.
This photo was scanned from a postcard (on which there was no indication of photographer or publisher).
The so-called experts say that Borobudur was deserted for centuries for geopolitical reasons, but I happen to know it was deserted because they got tired of climbing the steep, dangerous and exhausting stairs. (Photo by Rio Paul, 2013)
It's always mobbed with students. Get there at 08:00 and you can avoid the first 30 minutes of the attack. But the students are always friendly and outgoing, so if you can't make it early, join the fun. There is an excellent discussion of these perforated stupas in Wikipeadia.
Originally there was a Buddha figure inside each bell-shaped stupa. Now only a few of the stupas have a Buddha.
A Buddha inside one of the stupas.
This is one of the most beautiful Buddha faces that I have ever seen. And I've seen and studied hundreds.
Photo by Rio Paul, 2013
This gentleman lives in the village on the mountain where we took the sunrise photos of Borobudur. On this page you can see more photos from the vicinity of Borobudur.
Back to Jogja Vicinity summer 2013
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