Java, Indonesia: Boroburdur

Today's adventure in Java was to visit the Buddhist Temple of Borobudur which was amazing.  According to Wikipedia:  It is a  9th-century Mahayana Buddhist Temple in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The monument consists of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. A main dome, located at the center of the top platform, is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues each of which is seated inside a perforated stupa. It is the world’s largest Buddhist temple, as well as one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world.


The group took a train ride on a train that was in service in 1909.  The trip took us through the rice paddies of the area.



The folks of this area had not seen many folks from the west.  They constantly waved and took pictures of our group.

These two provided our group with a traditional dance while at the train museum.

This family was special.  They asked to have a photograph taken with me.  They haven't seen that many folks from the West.

Here's the  Buddhist Temple of Borobudur. Borobudur is Indonesia's single most visited tourist attraction.

Our guide, Sony, describes the stories displayed on the temple walls.

Under each of these bell covers is a Buddha.

Here's a cylinder that has been removed to expose the Buddha at Borobudur.

Another picture of the various bell covers of the Buddhas.

Asian elephants are very different from those in Africa.  Click here for the differences.