Bill and Sue-On Hillman: A 50-Year Travel Odyssey

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HILLMAN INDONESIA ADVENTURE
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9. Borobudur Buddhist Sanctuary
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WiKi: Borobudur, is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Magelang Regency, not far from the town of Muntilan, in Central Java, Indonesia. It is the world's largest Buddhist temple.The temple consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome. It is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The central dome is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues, each seated inside a perforated stupa.

Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty, the temple design follows Javanese Buddhist architecture, which blends the Indonesian indigenous cult of ancestor worship and the Buddhist concept of attaining Nirvana. The temple demonstrates the influences of Gupta art that reflects India's influence on the region, yet there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian.The monument is a shrine to the Lord Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage. The pilgrim journey begins at the base of the monument and follows a path around the monument, ascending to the top through three levels symbolic of Buddhist cosmology: K?madh?tu (the world of desire), Rupadhatu (the world of forms) and Arupadhatu (the world of formlessness). The monument guides pilgrims through an extensive system of stairways and corridors with 1,460 narrative relief panels on the walls and the balustrades. Borobudur has one of the largest and most complete ensembles of Buddhist reliefs in the world.

Evidence suggests that Borobudur was constructed in the 9th century and subsequently abandoned following the 14th-century decline of Hindu kingdoms in Java and the Javanese conversion to Islam. Worldwide knowledge of its existence was sparked in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, then the British ruler of Java, who was advised of its location by native Indonesians. Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations. The largest restoration project was undertaken between 1975 and 1982 by the Indonesian government and UNESCO, followed by the monument's listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world, and ranks with Bagan in Myanmar and Angkor Wat in Cambodia as one of the great archeological sites of Southeast Asia. Borobudur remains popular for pilgrimage, with Buddhists in Indonesia celebrating Vesak Day at the monument. Borobudur is Indonesia's single most visited tourist attraction.


The road to enlightenment.
We have travelled on such a variety of roads.


*** Lush vegetation can do so much to beautify drab buildings.
*** Vera, our G-Adventures CEO, showed us her driver's licenses.
I think one is for car and the other for motorbike?
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*** Helen Keller school. This was quite a surprise.
There is quite a stigma on children with challenges
- whether blind, deaf, some physical deformity.
These individuals are often hidden away from the public eye.
This school is a step forward.
*** Indonesia is a land of volcanoes.
There seem to see one or a few around every corner!
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*** We found this political poster to be "out of the norm".
Apparently, this candidate is a bit of a comedian.
Wonder what his campaign platform is!
*** Crossing one of the many rivers and canals


*** In many Indonesian cities, there are statues that honour some hero.
They not only remind the younger generation of past achievements,
they are also art objects.
Statues can often be found on intersections as guards.
*** The entrance to Borobudur temple area
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Inside information centre
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Entrance to Borobudur


NOT Candid camera, so must behave.


The Walk to the Temple
Map of the whole complex.
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Here we are...where? Read the sign!
Another example of incredible trees.
Our local guide mentioned that this tree was 200 years old...

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We've seen so many temples in all the Asian countries we've visited,
but each and every one has been fascinating.
We were warned that the climb will be quite challenging,
but this was actually very manageable.
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Great Sights Along the Way

Can't resist showing a bit of leg!
Bill got to wear a sarong for the visit to this temple.
Sue-On will have to keep an eye on her prize table cloths when we get home!
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All accounted for on the flats!


Bill is going to be cussing and cursing when we get home and
he has to collate and process several thousand pictures!
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Our local guide explaining the significance of a leaf from one of the trees.
Folded in different ways represent something specific.
The only one we remember is the sitting position of Buddha.
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Have you ever taken something apart and
in putting it back together, found leftover pieces?! LOL!


Looks pretty daunting as the complex rises out of the jungle.
Ancient Man built THIS!
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A look back on our way up


OK...gear up, turn batteries on, and up and up we go...


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JAVA CONTENTS
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 INDONESIA INTRO CONTENTS
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Part of the
Hillman Travel Adventures
Bill and Sue-On Hillman