My first sighting of Brobodur, I think this image also depicts how it could have been lost for years in the growth. It makes me wonder what else has yet to be discovered.

A masterpiece of symmetry, Borobudur rises in three levels: a square base, five terraces, and three circular platforms crowned by a central stupa.

504 Buddha statues are watching over the temple, and 72 stupas ,each containing a seated Buddha.

The temple is 300 years older than Angkor Wat.

There are 2,672 relief panels.

The decorative relief sculptures, and stories from the life and teachings of Buddha.

Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha.

Here you can see the Buddha statue inside

Beckoning to secret gardens

Lush tropical landscapes and boasts breathtaking views of the ancient temple and surrounding mountains.

Prambanan Temple

Originally there were 420 temples, but most collapsed due to earthquakes. Restoration is ongoing, with structures being rebuilt stone by stone. Within the main temple, you’ll find four chambers, each containing statues—legend has it that touching certain ones can bring beauty, wisdom, or good fortune.

9th-century Hindu temple complex with multiple temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma.

Sculptures and reliefs of various mythical and animal figures, including lions, elephants, monkeys, horses, and birds, often depicted flanking wish-fulfilling kalpataru (sacred trees).

Feeling like a rock-star!

Restoration efforts focusing on cleaning and reassembling damaged stone pieces

Lots of school children on a trip to the temple.

Candi Sewu Temple

800 meters north of Prambanan lies Candi Sewu, a Buddhist Temple on the same property with rounded stupas instead of Prambanan’s towering spires (like Borobudur). Unlike Prambanan’s three main temples, Candi Sewu has only one central temple, surrounded by 248 smaller shrines.

Local life - everyone travels by motorbikes.

Couples and families travelling through the villages.

Getting some work done - this area is very fertile and full of plants and produce.

Working in the rice paddies.

Village shops for local hats.

These old retrofitted Volkswagon cars were everywhere in Brobudur Village, filled with tourists enjoying the sights and village life.

This group of ladies were having so much fun, all decked out with a local photographer along to capture their memories.

I didn’t want to miss out on all the fun!

Wooden puppets

Mendut Temple

Built in the 9th century, it was also lost but rediscovered in 1836 as a ruin covered with bushes. The restoration of this temple was started in 1897 and was finished in 1925.

What's cool about Mendut is inside the temple is a 3m-statue of the Buddha.

The 3 metres tall statue of Dhyani Buddha Vairocana was meant to liberate the devotees from bodily karma

I’m not sure all these pieces go together.

So many pieces to put back together

Mendut Monastery, next to the Temple - two pools of water and large stone stupas.

This is a massive tower structure adorned with carvings of the head of the buddha on each face of the tower

Completely tranquil.

These elephants are at the base of the Buddha tower

A variety of buddhist sculptures are located throughout the grounds of the monastery depicted in various poses.

Frangipani flowers, also known as Plumeria, are commonly used in Buddhist monasteries, particularly in Yogyakarta, to decorate Buddha statues and sacred spaces. They are symbolic of purity, beauty, and tranquility, fitting with the spiritual atmosphere of these sites.