Those who decide to relax in Indonesia, on the beautiful island of Bali, will also be interested in the neighboring island of Java. The flight will only take an hour. The island is considered the most populous in the world. Despite the huge number of inhabitants, one fourth of the island is occupied by tropical forests. Java also attracts tourists with an endless number of volcanoes, more than 30 of which are active. You can endlessly marvel at the beauty and uniqueness of the island. What awaits those who decide to get acquainted with the island of Java?
Borobudur Buddha Temple
Borobudur was built in the 9th century and is considered one of the largest Buddhist temple complexes in the world. After a volcanic eruption, around 1006, the temple was partially destroyed and completely covered with ash. Local residents were forced to leave their homes, the temple remained abandoned and the entire jungle was overgrown. For many centuries Borobudur remained hidden from the eyes of people, and only in 1814, researchers stumbled upon a pile of stones with a picture carved on them. Excavation began. Only by the end of the 20th century was the complete restoration of the temple complex and the area around it completed.
The temple is built in the form of a pyramid, on a high hill, among mountains and rice terraces. Borobudur is 34 meters high and consists of eight tiers. Eight tiers - eight steps to enlightenment. At the very top of the pyramid is a huge stupa, which symbolizes the ultimate goal of Buddhist teachings - nirvana. There is nothing inside the temple, but it is lavishly decorated with external carved panels (1500 bas-reliefs and 500 Buddha statues), and around the main stupa at the top there are 72 more in the form of smaller bells. Borobudur is majestic and grandiose. Included in the UNESCO list.
Bromo National Park - Tengger - Semeru
This National Park is known for the fact that several volcanoes are located on its territory. The area of the park is huge - more than 500 sq. km, on the territory among the tropical jungle there are also 4 lakes, rivers, a waterfall. But mainly those who are interested in volcanoes come here.
Mount Broma (height 2300 m) is located inside a huge, about 11 km wide. Inside the caldera, around the mountain, there are five volcanoes - Bromo (over 2300 m), Batok (over 2400 m), Watangan (over 2650 m), Kursi (over 2550 m) and Vidodaren (over 2600 m). All volcanoes, except Batok, are active. On the outside, the caldera is surrounded by seven more mountain peaks.
In another part of the national park, you can see the highest volcano on the island of Java - Semeru. The Semeru is about 3700 m high, it has several craters, one of them has a lava lake. Over the past few years, the volcano has become more active, gas and ash emissions occur every 30 - 40 minutes.
The most breathtaking views of ancient volcanoes can be seen at sunrise. Therefore, at any observation deck of the park, by 5 am quite a lot of people gather. Do not forget that it is cool enough in the mountains, dress warmer and then nothing can prevent you from seeing everything with your own eyes.
Not far from Mount Bromo is the wonderful Madakaripura Falls. The waterfall is located inside the rock, consists of seven cascades, about 200 m high. To see the main one, you will need to walk along the path through the streams of water of smaller cascades. The waterfall is not stormy - you should not be afraid.
Temple complex Prambanan
The complex contains several Hindu and Buddhist temples at once. Prambanan is located near the capital of the island, next to the Merapi volcano, the territory of the complex stretches for many kilometers. It consists of three zones: in the central part there are 8 main and 8 small temples, in the middle part there are many less significant temples, there is also an outer part - here you will find very small temple buildings, which were mostly damaged by the earthquake in 2006. Soon after its construction (VIII-IX century), the temple complex was abandoned and fell into decay, only in 1918 restoration began. Since 1991 Prambanan has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The walls of all the temples are decorated with carved bas-reliefs and frescoes depicting scenes from the Ramayana, the god Shiva who creates and destroys the world, the bird Garuda, which is now the symbol of Indonesia. The main temple of the Loro Jonggrang complex, 45 meters high, consists of three temples dedicated to the gods Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu. It is surrounded by several more equally significant temples dedicated to animals that transported the gods - The territory of the temple complex is huge and most of it is covered with forest, in good weather you can see the volcano. It is better to visit Prambanan early in the morning - there are fewer people and not so hot. If you want to see not only the central part, then plan to visit the complex all day.
Dieng plateau
The Dieng high plateau is located in the central part of Java. Formed on the site of a huge caldera of an ancient volcano. Forever covered in haze, the plain, stretching among the mountains, surrounded by rice plantations, is striking in its beauty. Hindu temples of the 17th century rise to the east of the plateau. Initially, more than three hundred temples were built, which gave the plateau the name Dieng - "Abode of the Gods". Unfortunately, to our time, only a small part has survived - only eight temples.
Once on the plateau, you can see the smoking crater of the Singkidang volcano, it is modest in size, but quite formidable. Due to the constant volcanic activity, geysers and thermal springs can be found in abundance on Dieng. The volcanic lake Telaga Varna will surprise you, as the water of the lake turns bright green in sunny weather.
Chandi Sukuh temple complex
The temple was built in the 15th century on the slope of Mount Lavu, at an altitude of 900 meters. This is the only temple in Indonesia that is built in the form of a stepped pyramid, identical to the pyramids of the Mayan people, which causes considerable surprise and gives rise to many mysteries. Various sculptures and altars are presented in abundance on the territory of the complex. Scientists believe that the Sukukh Temple was dedicated to fertility, which is why many of the bas-reliefs depict scenes of erotic content. The temple complex is very unusual and thus attracts crowds of tourists.
Kawa Ijen volcano
Kawa Ijen is one of the most interesting, amazing and dangerous volcanoes not only in Indonesia, but in the world. The volcano is active, its height is more than 2300 meters. There is a lake in the crater of the volcano. But the lake is not ordinary, instead of water it contains a mixture of hydrochloric and sulfuric acids. The temperature on the surface of the lake is over 60 degrees C, and inside more than 200 degrees C.
The color of the lake is quite changeable: from pale green to malachite. The slopes of the volcano are covered with different-sized pieces of sulfur. While the sulfur is liquid, it has a blood-red color, and when solidified, it becomes bright yellow.
The most amazing sight can be seen at night, when liquid sulfur flows down the slopes of the volcano, burning with insane blue flames.
Climbing Kawa Ijen is not an easy task - high temperatures, toxic fumes, bad roads. But this does not stop many, the stream of those thirsty for adventure does not excise at any time of the day. The main thing is to stock up on a protective mask, water, comfortable shoes and good photographic equipment. All your efforts will be rewarded with a stunning view of this wonder of nature!
The volcano is visited not only by tourists and researchers; sulfur is constantly being mined here. Local residents work in inhuman conditions day and night. The work is hard and low-paid, the average life expectancy of an Indonesian sulfur miner is about 30 years.
