Borobudur History

Borobudur is a ninth-century Mahayana Buddhist monument in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The monument comprises 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 seated inside perforated stupa.

The monument is both a shrine to the Lord Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage. The journey for pilgrims begins at the base of the monument and follows a path circumambulating the monument while ascending to the top through the three levels of Buddhist cosmology, namely K?madh?tu (the world of desire), Rupadhatu (the world of forms) and Arupadhatu (the world of formlessness). During the journey the monument guides the pilgrims through a system of stairways and corridors with 1,460 narrative relief panels on the wall and the balustrades.

Evidence suggests Borobudur was abandoned following the fourteenth century decline of Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms in Java, and the Javanese conversion to Islam. Worldwide knowledge of its existence was sparked in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the then British ruler of Java, who was advised of its location by native Indonesians. Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations. The largest restoration project was undertaken between 1975 and 1982 by the Indonesian government and UNESCO, following which the monument was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Borobudur is still used for pilgrimage; once a year Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the monument, and Borobudur is Indonesia’s single most visited tourist attraction

Borobudur contains approximately 2,670 individual bas reliefs (1,460 narrative and 1,212 decorative panels), which cover the façades and balustrades. The total relief surface is 2,500 square meters (26,909.8 sq ft) and they are distributed at the hidden foot (K?madh?tu) and the five square platforms (Rupadhatu).

The narrative panels, which tell the story of Sudhana and Manohara,are grouped into 11 series encircled the monument with the total length of 3,000 meters (9,843 ft). The hidden foot contains the first series with 160 narrative panels and the remaining 10 series are distributed throughout walls and balustrades in four galleries starting from the eastern entrance stairway to the left. Narrative panels on the wall read from right to left, while on the balustrade read from left to right. This conforms with pradaksina, the ritual of circumambulation performed by pilgrims who move in a clockwise direction while keeping the sanctuary to their right.

The hidden foot depicts the workings of karmic law. The walls of the first gallery have two superimposed series of reliefs; each consists of 120 panels. The upper part depicts the biography of the Buddha, while the lower part of the wall and also balustrades in the first and the second galleries tell the story of the Buddha’s former lives. The remaining panels are devoted to Sudhana’s further wandering about his search, terminated by his attainment of the Perfect Wisdom.

Bali Architecture

Balinese Architecture is not only aesthetically impressive with wood carvings, majestic stone gates and ornate Indian influence engravings, Balinese architecture also has strong spiritual symbolism. Many temples, rice barns and other structures are built according to traditional Balinese rules, called Asta Kosala Kosali, which traditionally were written down in lontar palm books and interpreted by traditional architects called Undagi. This leads to very distinctive designs and architectural congruence throughout Bali’s villages, which all delicately interwoven with the natural surroundings.

In Balinese building, one of the most common features is the Bale, which is an open pavilion with a thatched roof and no walls. The Bale represents the Hindu-Balinese universe. The roof is the 'gods' section, the body is the 'human' section, and the base is the 'demons' section
Other impressively symbolic architectural sites in Bali are its palaces. Since in classical 19th century Bali, the Balinese believes their king was divine, his residence was the puri - a replica of the cosmos and thus a sacred symbol. Balinese palaces are always square, walled, and courts within courts.

In Bali, all buildings have to be brought to life and ceremonially purified in a ceremony called Melaspas before they can be lived in. It is important that all materials – such as the wood, stone and thatch, which have been cut down and killed for the construction, are, as it were, re-incarnated. During this ceremony, many offerings and gifts are made, including animal sacrifices.

Bandung or Jogja ?

I am planning for about a week's trip to either Bandung or Jogja in February 2010. I'm introducing Indonesia to a friend from Europe and need suggestions as to which is a better destination.

We seek history, culture, nature, adventure, at the same time, some peace and relaxation too.

So far, the volcanoes and Borobodur seem attractive but am unsure how to go about visiting them, especially the volcanoes.

I also heard that a train ride would offer beautiful panoramic views but am not sure from which point to which point would be advisable.

Basically, looking roughly at what both Bandung and Jogja have to offer, I'm not sure which is a more suitable destination for a one-week-relaxing-paced vacation.

If it's anything to consider, I'm an avid photographer too.

How to Travel With One Bag

In this age of airline fare wars, globalization, and the Euro, traveling across multiple borders is increasingly common. Combined with the horror stories of lost luggage that never made it to the baggage claim, the option of traveling with just one bag is becoming more and more attractive. Unless your trip is highly specialized or requires carrying certain items, it is possible to travel and even live indefinitely out of one bag. Here's how.

Steps

1

Carefully consider each item and how important it is, or how frequently you will use it. Can it be rented, borrowed or bought at your destination?

1. Get a bag with shoulder or back straps and plenty of pockets. The bag need not be huge, since you will not carry much. Consider whether it will fit onto the plane's overhead storage, under a seat or on a train or subway.
2. Gather the following:
   
   
   • Three changes of clothing (at most)
   • Laundry detergent for washing by hand (powdered is much easier to handle than liquid, and allowed on airplanes.)
   • 

     A universal sink stopper and portable clothesline.
     A universal sink stopper (available at any hardware store). A rubber ball is a good alternative.
   • A portable clothesline (available at any camping or travel goods store).
   • Toiletries
   • Empty water bottle.
3. 

   The bundle method of packing.
   Pack using the "bundle" method: wrap clothes around large objects (such as bags of toiletries or pairs of shoes), rather than folding or rolling clothes. Stuff underwear and socks into shoes to save space and to prevent crushing shoes. The bundle method saves the most space and also prevents wrinkling.
4. Buy toiletries in miniature or transfer liquid contents like shampoo into smaller travel bottles. Save hotel/airplane toiletries so you can pack them the next time you travel.
5. Put toiletries that could leak (shampoo, gel, etc.) in plastic bags to avoid the hassle of having your clothes covered in liquid soap. Bags are also useful if clothing doesn't completely dry overnight.
   • For quicker trips through airport security, try to use solids rather than liquids. Shampoo is available in solid soap-block form. Better yet, purchase toiletries at your destination to avoid security issues. They may even be cheaper, depending on the currency.
6. Minimize the number of items that require electricity, as converters can be costly and space-consuming. Portable electronics often run on batteries, and shaving, of course, can be done by hand.
7. Mail home or give away items not necessary for traveling, such as finished books or souvenirs. Trading books is a great free way to keep one's travel library fresh. Also check out www.bookcrossing.com - here you can leave books for others to pick up and find books wherever you might be in the world that others have left behind. Bookcrossers leave notes about the books, so you can read where the book has been.

Source : www.wikihow.com

Things to Do in Bali

Cooking classes: Puri Saraswati organizes cooking classes with Cok Sri – a 50 year old Balinese lady who lives in a compound on Jalan Raya where the classes are held. She has been to Australia as a member of a Balinese dance tour and has fond memories of her visit. She is also connected by marriage to the Royal Family. Her cooking class starts with a visit to the markets – be prepared for the raw meat and poultry section!! And bear in mind that that’s where most of the food you’ll be eating anywhere in Ubud comes from . . . Around $A15 each, depending on numbers in class, with a visit to the market at 7am, return to your hotel for breakfast, then back to Cok Sri’s kitchen where she shows you how to prepare a number of dishes that you then sit down to eat for lunch.

Australian Janet de Neefe of the Honeymoon Guesthouse on Jalan Bisma, also runs cooking classes and takes some of these herself. They take place in the newly built upstairs pavilion of the architecturally traditional guesthouse reception/café area. Around $A45, but the price varies slightly depending on the class content. Janet is an excellent cook who, with her Balinese husband Ketut, runs the restaurants Casa Luna and Indus, and initiated the Ubud Writers Festival. Enquiries to Casa Luna on Jalan Raya.

Traditional dance: The setting of the garden of the Lotus Pond Restaurant on Jalan Raya is a beautiful environment in which to see dancing in Ubud. The Thursday night performance by children and teenagers is particularly charming. Around 50,000rp per person at 7.30pm for about 1 hr and 1/4 - only problem is in the rainy season when a sudden downpour may mean they dash up to perform in a hall at the back – but that’s interesting in itself. You can book at the Lotus Pond or Puri Saraswati. When the performance is in the garden, you sit just in front of the stage.

Spas : Highly recommened is Spa Hati , one of Bali Hati Foundation’s initiatives, at 14 Jalan Andong, Ubud - it’s in a beautiful setting and offers professional treatments that may not as cheap as you canl find at some other Ubud spas. However, they could not be considered expensive for the standard and setting and are well worth the extra for the experience - Under $A20 for an hour’s massage. When you book, and you need to, ask about being picked up from your hotel. Spa Hati is behind the Bali Hati offices, 2-minutes' drive to the left of the crossroads at the bank end of Jalan Raya. The proceeds from Spa Hati go to funding the Bali Hati School that caters for many of the area's poorer families. Bali Hati Foundation, nominated by the Indonesian government last year as the best yayasan (foundation) in Indonesia, does lots of good work - look them up on the internet. If it inspires you to help, you can become a sponsor of Bali Hati School, or make a one-off donation to the school, or on you return home from Bali convince your child’s school to become a sister school, as Sydney’s Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School has become. Bali Botanica Spa a new spa, formerly Passion, on Jalan Sanggingan, down a driveway just past Mozaic. Set in jungle and beside ricefields. Stylish environment and holistic approach. Herbal massage 125,000 75 mins, 2 1/2 hour Ayurvedic Chakra Dhara 450,000, herbal facial 125,000. Pick up/drop off available for Ubud area.
The Zen Spa at the end of Jalan Hanoman, just past the Dirty Duck and the junction of the road that the Monkey Forest is on, is good for massages and facials - phone 970976. Not as luxurious as Spa Hati and consequently cheaper. Tari, the lovely receptionist, likes you to book.

Visiting the Monkey Forest: If you go to the Monkey Forest, just be careful, particularly with regards to your children. The monkeys go for 'bright' - glasses, cameras, watches, jewellery and can rip bags of peanuts out of your or your child's hand. While this can just be amusing, it can also be distressing if the monkey escapes with your goods or, as happened to a friend, your arm is torn during a grabbing, and you end up needing stitches.

Bromo volcano

Bromo isn’t the highest mountain in Java — that honor goes to nearby Mount Semeru at 3,676m — but it’s probably the most famous one. Bromo is in fact only one of many peaks inside the massive Tengger Caldera, but it’s easily recognized as the entire top has been blown off and the crater inside constantly belches white sulphurous smoke. The inside of the caldera, aptly dubbed the Laut Pasir (Sea of Sand) is coated with fine volcanic sand and the overall effect is unsettlingly unearthly, especially when compared to the lush green valleys all around the caldera.

The major access point is Cemoro Lawang at the northeast edge, but there are also trails from Tosari (northwest) and Ngadas (west). The village of Ngadisari, on the road from Probolinggo about 5.5 km before Cemoro Lawang, marks the entrance to the national park. Both Cemoro Lawang and Ngadisari are rather picturesque, with brightly-painted houses and flower beds outside.

The nearest major airport is in Surabaya, three to four hours away by car (and more by bus)..

To go there, take a ‘Damri’ shuttle bus from the Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, to go to the Bungurasih bus terminal(terminal Purabaya). Then, take an express Patas air-conditioned bus for a 2-3 hours ride from Surabaya to Probolinggo.

It’s a fairly easy 3-km hike from Cemoro Lawang to the foot of Mount Bromo. Alternatively, you can hire a pony to do the drudge work for you, or have it even easier and do the trip by jeep. Private cars are not allowed inside the caldera. You can join the jeep package at Rp40.000 per person at the Probolinggo entrance office. On the next morning 4am, the jeep departs from hotel to catch the sunrise at Mount Batok (costs Rp40.000 per person for entering the compound). After the sunrise, go down to Mount bromo. You can hire a horse (Rp50.000) to bring you up and then You walk thru the last stair-case to reach the top of Mount Bromo.

• Unfortunately, some overly-enthusiastic crowd members can be rather annoying with their loud laughters and blinding flashes. Therefore, it would be pleasant, if everyone try to maintain a certain level of decency so that the “sun-rise watch” experience becomes more enjoyable.

Mt. Batok and the Sand Sea in the Tengger Caldera

When timing any activities in the area, bear in mind that sunset is soon after 5 PM and sunrise is correspondingly early at around 5:30 AM. This means you’ll usually need to get up by 3:30 AM or so to get there in time for dawn.

• Mount Batok (2440m) is a brown volcanic cone at the north center of the caldera. Unlike the other nearby peaks it is no longer active and actually has some vegetation growing on it, mostly the local cemara tree that somehow manages to survive even on volcanic ash.

• Mount Bromo, edges tinged with white sulphur and always bubbling, is the main sight. To reach it on foot, pick the left fork at Cemoro Lawang’s solitary crossing, then head down the ramp into the caldera and then across the caldera to the Hindu temple at the foot of the mountain. From the temple a steep path of 250 steps leads to the edge of the crater and a precarious meter-wide ledge from where to gaze into the volcano. Beware of local jeep-hirers, who often try to persuade tourists the journey to the mountain is not walking distance (in order to hire them jeeps, or horses). The walk from the tourist centre to the top of the mountain should take no longer than 1.5 hours by foot, and is about 3km.

• Mount Penanjakan (2770m), located just north of the caldera, is a mountaintop viewpoint accessible by paved road from Tosari and hence popular with jeeps and even tour buses. Most of the crowd comes to see the dawn at 5 AM, and you’ll likely have the large concrete observation post to yourself if you arrive later in the day.

• Viewpoint #2, along the trail from Cemoro Lawang to Mt. Penanjakan, is an excellent way to get a stunning view of the caldera (see pictures above) without the crowds. To reach it, head west from Cemoro Lawang (past Cemero Indah) for 6 km, past farms and fields. The paved road eventually turns into a twisty mountain trail that ends with a flight of stairs on the right, and the viewpoint (with concrete shelter) is at the top. Allow 1.5 hours for the climb up at a steady pace, and bring along a torch if attempting this at night.
  • From here, you can continue onto Mt. Penanjakan by following the trail upward, after which the trail merges onto the paved road to the viewpoint (total time about 60 minutes one way). If planning to return the same way, mark the spot where the trail emerges onto the road (if you pass a stone lantern on the way down, you’ve gone too far!), and note that descending on this section can get slippery due to loose sand and rocks.