After boarding possibly the most stunning train journey of my life, from Jakarta to Bandung, our adventure across Java had finally begun (the less said about Jakarta, the better)! We wanted to explore the most populated island on the planet, taking in some of the less touristic destinations, but also marvelling at the wonder of variety Java had to offer. The first couple of legs did not disappoint, with history and ruins abound.
Our first stop off was at the city of Bandung, and after looks of disbelief from our hosts at our hostel, they managed to secure us a driver to the remote archaeological site of Gunung Padang. A mere 3 hour drive into the mountains, and we hiked up several hundred steps to view a site some believe to be the oldest signs of civilization. Whatever you believe, it is well over a thousand years old and was in one of the most beautiful, if remote locations I have ever been. We even met a lovely chap called Joe, a professor of Art History at Manchester Met...
Our next stop was the vibrant historical city of Yogyakarta. A city that quickly became one of our favourites with character in abundance. The biggest treat being the two temple sites of Borobudur and Prambanan. Eye wateringly expensive, but an absolute treat of Buddhist and Hindu history. The photos simply can not do justice to the scale and majesty of the incredible sites.
1 & 2. Prambanan Temple.
3. Siwu Temple.
4 & 5. Taman Sari, Yogyakarta.
6 & 7. Borobudur Temple.
8, 9 & 10. Gunung Padang.
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