Why I love Central Java!
September 20, 2013 • Photography & Travel
I’ve been here twice now in the last 2 years and I absolutely love Central Java in Indonesia. It’s one of those places you feel is still untouched and is how the way things were before the bus loads of tourists buses started invading and changing the local feel of the place. That said, Borobudur temple in Central Java has the bus loads of tourist but the rest of it is pretty untouched.
I’m at the airport in Yogjakarta, the point where you fly in and out of Central Java, about to head off to Bali. I’ve had two amazing days in Java. The main purpose was to photograph Borobudur Temple which I absolutely love and explore a little bit more of the interior of this place.
Yesterday, I was up at 4am to shoot the sunrise and moonset at the temple. Timing was essential for this. Both the sunrise and moonset was happening simultaneously with the added bonus that yesterday was a full moon as well. A photographers dream. After spending almost 3 hours shooting at dawn, I headed off on a motorbike (someone else was driving) deeper into Central Java. There is a Hindu temple dedicated to Siva up in the slopes of a mountain that I wanted to see. It was at least an hour away from Borobudur deeper in the heart of central Java. We got to our location then trekked up for another 45 mins or so before getting to this 1,200 year old temple. After lunch I rented a bicycle and explored the kampung “village” area and then more photographing Borobudur temple towards the end of the day.
I think I made use of every minute yesterday. Live life fully and joyously!
ps/ Images are Retina Screen Ready and may take a while to download.
The spectacular Borobudur Temple at pre-dawn lit by a full moon. Gorgeous colors!
The sunrises behind the mighty Gunung Merapi. Still very active this volcano caused massive destruction in 2010.
Central Java has unending rice paddy fields. The green is gorgeous and landscape breathtaking.
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