Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Java, Beautiful island.


Buddha on top of enormous Borobudur Temple, built between 750 and 850 AD


You can ricochet from village life to MTV on this beautiful island.

The most developed island in the Indonesian archipelago, Java exhibits all the characteristics of an Asian society experiencing rapid transition: great wealth and equal squalor; beautiful open country and filthy cities; tranquil rural scenes and streets choked with traffic.

The Hindu-Buddhist empires reached their zenith on Java, producing architectural wonders such as Borobudur and Prambanan. Islam, following on after this, absorbed rather than erased local cultures, leaving Java with a mish-mash of historic influences and religions.








Surfing at dawn, Grajagan Surf Camp, East Java







Just the spot for cocktails: Majapahit Hotel, Surabaya






One of more than 3000 stone wall carving panels on Borobudur Temple








Mount Bromo at dawn, looking rather evil






Boy racing pony on Parangtritis Beach, Central Java






Boy in becak (three wheeled bicycle cab), Yogyakarta


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