A Diverse Exploration in Indonesia

What would you think of when speaking of Indonesia? Is it the world's biggest lizard, the Komodo dragon, some relaxing moments in the elegant resorts of Bali, or the fiery volcano that may erupt at any moment? With over 17000 islands sprawling out over the equator, Indonesia is home to a large population and a variety of landscapes. In September, my colleague Wanda and I made our second exploration of this beguiling nation. With no leisurely sunbathing on the sparkling beaches this time, we were to discover deeper into this land's jaw-dropping natural scenery and get a wider perspective of this island country's vastness and diversity.

Yogyakarta

Skipping the political and financial capital of Jakarta, we headed for a historical visit to Yogyakarta in Central Java, which houses most universities in Indonesia and is the heart of Java's arts and cultures. As one of the highlights of our journey, Borobudur is one of the most remarkable Buddhist relics on earth, and also one of the most exquisitely built Buddhist temple complexes in Southeast Asia, apart from the Angkor in Cambodia and Bagan in Myanmar.

Distant Mountains are Seen on the BorobudurDistant Mountains are Seen on the Borobudur

We decided to try catching the first sunlight on the Borobudur's stupas, which we learned about its allure before departing for Indonesia. So we got up early at 4 am, and because the hotel we stayed at was close to the complex, we were able to get to Borobudur in half an hour, which made it possible for us to catch the golden moment. When we got there, some people who were as eager to witness the sunrise as we had already gathered around in the place, waiting for the stunning moment.

As the sky gradually turned from completely dark to cerulean, eventually a golden light streamed through the clouds and shone on the ancient Buddhist relics. People found the complex hides itself among the palm trees and is surrounded by fertile paddy fields, and we started to get amazed at the marvelous panoramic view of the mountains and rice terraces.

Golden Sunlight Shining on the BuddhaGolden Sunlight Shining on the Buddha

After enjoying the sunrise, we took an amble on the platform's walkway, our guide told us about the Buddhist legends behind those incredible stone carvings, and how residents in Java lived their lives 1000 years ago while we were walking by the vivid and story-telling reliefs.

It's the best time to admire Borobudur in the early morning, with fewer tourists and much cooler temperatures, as well as the marvelous stone art, which makes the relics a wonderful choice for photographing.

The Borobudur Is A Great Place for PhotographingThe Borobudur Is A Great Place for Photographing

Bromo

It took us nearly a whole day to transfer to the Bromo district. We took our breakfast away and caught the morning train to Mojokerto at 6:55. The carriages are a little bit old but clean and neat, and we were able to catch up on some sleep for the seats are quite big and comfortable. And after we got to Mojokerto, we spent another 3 hours on a bus to the volcano district, and then we decided to go to bed as early as we could, saving enough energy for the early rise to get a fine place to visit the Bromo, which is an active volcano that worth a visit for volcano lovers.

Seats on the Train to Mojokerto Are Quite Comfortable for Catching up on Some SleepSeats on the Train to Mojokerto Are Quite Comfortable for Catching up on Some Sleep

The Bromo district is always cold in the morning, no matter what season. So we grabbed our thick coats and set out for the fiery volcano at 3 am, under a starry night. The four-wheel-drive vehicle carried us along the way, heading for King Kong Hill nearby, to see the spectacular view of the sun coming up behind the mountains, illuminating the whole area.

You Can See the Distant Bromo from the King Kong HillYou Can See the Distant Bromo from the King Kong Hill

Finally, after all the efforts on the way, we were then taken to the foot of Bromo, and I would say it is higher and more colossal than we expected. Sitting between the Kursi and Batok, Bromo is one of the three giant volcanoes in the area, and surely made up an amazing experience for our trip. If weather permits, you can even see the highest mountain of Java in the south, Semeru, which is also one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia.

A path is built for visitors to climb to the crater. There was an approximately 40-minute walk to the top, with some steps on the way, which we thought quite convenient and not very strenuous. As soon as we got to the crater, we were astonished by the billowing fog mixing with the smell of sulfur that kept coming up from the bottom. Standing up on the top, we looked around and found that the surroundings are covered with thick ash from the volcano. The desolation of the environment made us feel like being on the moon.

Fog Mixing with the Smell of Sulfur Keeps Coming up from the Bottom of the VolcanoFog Mixing with the Smell of Sulfur Keeps Coming up from the Bottom of the Volcano

West Bali National Park

To find out more than just the charming beaches and rice terraces, we did not choose the hustle and bustle of the south of Bali, but went the opposite direction and jumped into the only national park in Bali, the West Bali National Park, which turned out to be a haven for wildlife lovers. Located in the northwest corner of the island, the park takes up 10 percent of Bali's area and has a very diverse landscape, including volcanoes, tropical forests, prairie, coastal wetlands, and islands.

The Pure Natural Atmosphere in the Park is RefreshingThe Pure Natural Atmosphere in the Park is Refreshing

From Sumatra in the west to Papua in the east, Indonesia stretches itself from Asia to Oceania. Even though we had gone deeper into the diverse landscapes this time, there's still so much more to explore. And we would definitely come back sometime to discover more of the wide spectrum of magnificent scenery, history, and cultures.

Feel like joining us and exploring the amazing country of a thousand islands together? Simply fill out the inquiry, and we will tailor-make a private Indonesia tour that matches your preferences.

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