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Jogyakarta and surroundings
The province of Central Java, around the city of Jogyakarta,
is the most famous part of Java and is, in fact, its cultural centre.
This is in part because of the presence there of a variety of religious
influences-Buddhist, Hindu, and other indigenous beliefs,
which resulted in the construction of the impressive temples of Borobudur,
Prambanan and the Dieng temple complex.
Jogyakarta
Jogyakarta, kraton entrance
The 300 year old city of Jogyakarta is the cultural heart of Java.
Here also is Indonesia's oldest palace 'The Kraton,' still the domicile
of Jogya's royalty.
Even now the current Sultan of Jogyakarta retains remarkable political prestige.
Jogyakarta offers an abundance of Javanese art, painting, silverwork,
batik handcraft, traditional Javanese dances, as well as contemporary art.
The city is the cultural centre not only of Java, but of the whole of
Indonesia.
From Jogyakarta one can travel easily to the Borobudur and Prambanan
temples, which are half-day trips from the city.
Jogyakarta is situated between the foot of the still-active Merapi volcano
and the mystical Indian Ocean, home of 'Loro Kidul,'
Queen of the South Seas.
Jogyakarta, Kraton
Borobudur
The most famous of Indonesia's temples is this huge Buddhist pyramid.
Located north west of Jogyakarta, Borobudor was completed in the second
half of the ninth century.
Like the Hindu temple complexes Prambanan and the Dieng plateau,
Borobudur was unknown and neglected for almost a thousand years,
covered under thick layers of volcanic ash.
From a far Borobudur looks like a huge but ordinary stone construction.
But from nearby we can see that it consists of hundreds of wonderfully
detailed statues and sculptures, representing Buddhist teachings mixed with
images of Javanese life of a thousand years ago.
Borobudur, detail
Prambanan
Perhaps the finest temple complex in Indonesia, Prambanan is a ten-century
old Hindu temple.
This temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, locally called Candi Loro
Jonggrang, which means 'slender virgin.'
From an architectural point of view this beautifully sculptured spire,
fifty meters high, indeed resembles a 'slender virgin.'
Like the Buddhist stupa Borobudur, Prambanan was abandoned when the Buddhist
and Hindu Javanese inhabitants moved to East Java.
Dieng Plateau
The oldest Hindu temples in Indonesia are located two thousand meters
above sea level on the cool Dieng plateau.
The temple complex dates from the 8th century but was unknown to westerners
until around 1850. A trip to the mysterious Dieng temple complex is most
worthwhile, not only to see the temple itself but also for a breathtaking
view of the fine rice terraces along the mountain road, and the final
beauty that nature offers at the destination.
Index tours through Java
3 days Jogyakarta - Prambanan - Borobudur
5 Days Jogyakarta - Borobudur - Solo - Prambanan - Dieng Complex
East Java
Surabaya
The capital of the province of East Java is the second city of Indonesia.
During the past hundred years Surabaya has been one of the main trading
ports of the country.
The city is a fast developing metropolis, though from a tourist's point of
view less interesting.
The main attraction for tourists is the old city of Surabaya with its many
colonial buildings.
Bromo
The still-active Bromo volcano is a day's drive from Surabaya.
Standing on top of this almost 2400 metre high mountain is an unforgettable
experience.
The Bromo crater suddenly rises up in the middle of a sea of sand
'lautan passir'.
Looking down from the top of the Bromo into the smoking crater,
combined with the view over the 10 km long Tengger massif is,
we would guess, like standing on the moon.
Although one must get started by three o'clock in the morning and walk for
an hour through the sea of sand to get the best sunrise view,
it is worth your effort.
During the rainy season it is better wait until after sunrise for climbing
Bromo, which then can be cloudy at dawn.
The Bromo highlands are also an important centre for traditional
Hindu Javanese beliefs.
In the 15th century many Hindu believers fled to the mountains for a safe
haven for the upcoming Moslem rulers.
Mount Bromo, at the volcano top
Tretes
What the cool mountain resort Brastagi on Sumatra is to Medan and Bogor to
Jakarta, Tretes is to Surabaya: a holiday resort for those wanting to
escape the hot climate of the lowlands.
Tretes was already by the beginning of this century a tourist resort,
offering a pleasant climate and beautiful panoramas.
Index tours through Java
2 days Bromo Sunrise
4 days Surabaya - Tretes - Bromo - Kalibaru
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