My most recent post, from Gili Air, ended on a sanguine note, with me returning to normal health and looking forward to a few days in the tropical paradise. The optimism was not misplaced, as I continued to feel better and was able to fully enjoy the island's offerings.
The place is quiet with a rustic feel - no gas powered vehicles are permitted, only horse carriages and bikes. The palm fringed beaches are of beautiful white sand bordering turquoise waters, and to top it off, they have sunset every evening. I spent much of my time relaxing in the excellent pool at my hostel or strolling around the island (an entire loop takes only about an hour). Happily, I also managed to get two further dives under my belt while on the island. The first was to a site chock-full of coral and other marine life, but the real highlight was the second dive, to a place known as the 'Secret Garden' which is known as a haven for sea turtles; I saw many of them and I think that they saw me. They were much larger than I expected - some were 2/3 my size and they moved through the water with effortless grace (which is where the comparisons with me end).
After four great days I departed Gili Air for Lombok, from where I was to fly (by airplane) to the island of Java, more specifically, to Yogyakarta. The scenery on the way to the airport was beautiful and made me regret not having allocated any time to spend in Lombok. I've slotted the disappointment in my ledger of regrets, between not starting that course of Rogaine and getting a shin tattoo of Bill Cosby back in 2011. As my flight was very early in the morning I decided to skip the cost and hassle of leaving a hostel or hotel in the middle of the night in favour of roughing it in the airport. I don't suppose there's a prize for 'least hospitable airport in which to spend a night' , but if there was Lombok International Airport would be a shoo-in.
Java (Indonesia's main population centre and the dominant island politically) is appreciably more Islamic in character than Bali (obviously) and Gili Air, with mosques on every street and many women sporting head coverings; in certain ways it is reminiscent of Malaysia. In this vein, one nice part of leaving Bali is seeing fewer swastikas everywhere.
The city of Yogyakarta, known as 'Jogja' is known as the seat of Javanese culture despite being smaller than the capital Jakarta. The city itself is fairly unassuming with the main attraction being the Sultan's palace and water castle, which are located in a sort of city within a city. The main reason for visiting Jogja is as a base for visiting the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan, Buddhist and Hindu respectively, which are each a short drive out of town.
The popular kids like to visit Borobudur (apparently the largest Buddhist temple in the world) at sunrise. Ever a social striver, I arranged for a 4 am transfer to a hill near the temple which is known for offering a good vantage point. Arriving while it was still dark, I reverently popped a piece of Wrigley's® gum and enjoyed the misty sunrise with minty fresh breath. It was very nice though the temple itself was only just barely visible in the distance. From the lookout point I was taken to the temple itself. With Mt. Merapi, a real volcanos' volcano rising majestically in the background and many distinctive architectural features to observe, it was a treat to wander around Borobudur. Unfortunately, I had to share the site with the worst sort of people - other people - and many of them.
Prambanan, which I visited the following day, was magnificent, or as the French say, 'le weekend'. From a distance the architecture of the temple bears a resemblance to that of the temples at Angkor. Up close though, Prambanan has a unique style all of its own and I'm glad I had the chance to visit, though if I'm honest, I am a bit templed-out again.
I'm writing this post aboard a train rolling leisurely through the central Java countryside, en route to Jakarta. From what I've heard, Jakarta isn't a must-see, but since I have a flight booked to Chiang Mai (in Thailand) on Sunday, I thought it deserved a quick stop. I've booked a ticket to London for the 19th of January, so the eleven days I have to spend in the north of Thailand will be the final leg of my trip. More accurately, they will be the final leg of the Asian part of the trip, as I intend to be in the UK and the Netherlands for a couple of weeks before returning to Israel on the 8th of February.
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon. If I could bring back a pineapple for each of you I would, but you must understand that the logistics simply make it unfeasible.
Love David
The place is quiet with a rustic feel - no gas powered vehicles are permitted, only horse carriages and bikes. The palm fringed beaches are of beautiful white sand bordering turquoise waters, and to top it off, they have sunset every evening. I spent much of my time relaxing in the excellent pool at my hostel or strolling around the island (an entire loop takes only about an hour). Happily, I also managed to get two further dives under my belt while on the island. The first was to a site chock-full of coral and other marine life, but the real highlight was the second dive, to a place known as the 'Secret Garden' which is known as a haven for sea turtles; I saw many of them and I think that they saw me. They were much larger than I expected - some were 2/3 my size and they moved through the water with effortless grace (which is where the comparisons with me end).
After four great days I departed Gili Air for Lombok, from where I was to fly (by airplane) to the island of Java, more specifically, to Yogyakarta. The scenery on the way to the airport was beautiful and made me regret not having allocated any time to spend in Lombok. I've slotted the disappointment in my ledger of regrets, between not starting that course of Rogaine and getting a shin tattoo of Bill Cosby back in 2011. As my flight was very early in the morning I decided to skip the cost and hassle of leaving a hostel or hotel in the middle of the night in favour of roughing it in the airport. I don't suppose there's a prize for 'least hospitable airport in which to spend a night' , but if there was Lombok International Airport would be a shoo-in.
Java (Indonesia's main population centre and the dominant island politically) is appreciably more Islamic in character than Bali (obviously) and Gili Air, with mosques on every street and many women sporting head coverings; in certain ways it is reminiscent of Malaysia. In this vein, one nice part of leaving Bali is seeing fewer swastikas everywhere.
The city of Yogyakarta, known as 'Jogja' is known as the seat of Javanese culture despite being smaller than the capital Jakarta. The city itself is fairly unassuming with the main attraction being the Sultan's palace and water castle, which are located in a sort of city within a city. The main reason for visiting Jogja is as a base for visiting the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan, Buddhist and Hindu respectively, which are each a short drive out of town.
The popular kids like to visit Borobudur (apparently the largest Buddhist temple in the world) at sunrise. Ever a social striver, I arranged for a 4 am transfer to a hill near the temple which is known for offering a good vantage point. Arriving while it was still dark, I reverently popped a piece of Wrigley's® gum and enjoyed the misty sunrise with minty fresh breath. It was very nice though the temple itself was only just barely visible in the distance. From the lookout point I was taken to the temple itself. With Mt. Merapi, a real volcanos' volcano rising majestically in the background and many distinctive architectural features to observe, it was a treat to wander around Borobudur. Unfortunately, I had to share the site with the worst sort of people - other people - and many of them.
Prambanan, which I visited the following day, was magnificent, or as the French say, 'le weekend'. From a distance the architecture of the temple bears a resemblance to that of the temples at Angkor. Up close though, Prambanan has a unique style all of its own and I'm glad I had the chance to visit, though if I'm honest, I am a bit templed-out again.
I'm writing this post aboard a train rolling leisurely through the central Java countryside, en route to Jakarta. From what I've heard, Jakarta isn't a must-see, but since I have a flight booked to Chiang Mai (in Thailand) on Sunday, I thought it deserved a quick stop. I've booked a ticket to London for the 19th of January, so the eleven days I have to spend in the north of Thailand will be the final leg of my trip. More accurately, they will be the final leg of the Asian part of the trip, as I intend to be in the UK and the Netherlands for a couple of weeks before returning to Israel on the 8th of February.
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon. If I could bring back a pineapple for each of you I would, but you must understand that the logistics simply make it unfeasible.
Love David
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| Old city of Yogyakarta |
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| Carvings at Borobudur |
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| Stupas at Borobudur |
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| Prambanan |
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