Showing posts with label Indonesia. Show all posts

Unforgettable sun rise over volcanoes from Gunung Penanjakan, Java

Location: Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park , East Java, Indonesia (7�45'8?S, 110�29'30?E)
Date: 25 December 1995; 5.50am
Camera: (analogue) Canon EOS 500N on negatives and scanned.

One of the most popular tourist destination on Java island Indonesia, has to be the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. The National Park offers great experience of proximity and view of a couple of mighty volcanoes, including the highest mountain, Mount Semeru, of Java. For the more energetic and adventurous (and I really mean adventurous) the National Park also offers an up-close-and personal encounter of the regular eruptions at the summit of Mount Semeru as well as an experience of standing above the clouds to enjoy a majestic sunrise view. Yet one can still enjoy a more laid-back, albeit early-rise and unforgettable Indonesia sunrise over the volcanoes from Gunung Penanjakan. However don�t forget your woollies- it is very cold at the mountainside at that time in the morning.

Enjoying the sun rise above the clouds- Mount Semeru, Java, Indonesia

Location: At the summit of Mount Semeru, Indonesia (7�59'7.19"S 112�59'9.64"E)
Date: 18 July 2008; 6.15am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

One of the reasons people trek up to mountains is to enjoy the fabulous scenery and amazing sunset or sunrise. Mount Semeru is one of those places, as it is the highest mountain in Java. The sunrise at the top the peak is stupendous as one is virtually above the cloud covers. Often, depending on the direction of the sun, one can see his/her own shadow being casts on the clouds floating below them. Of course, one of the added excitement to trek up to the peak of Mount Semeru is the challenge (not easy to climb a volcano due to the deep ashes) and the adventure of standing beside a constantly-erupting active volcano. In fact lately it has been so actively erupting that the relevant authorities has banned any trekking to its summit.

The carvings of Borobudur are in danger of being damaged by the volcanic ashes of Mount Merapi

Location: Borobudur, East Java, Indonesia (7�36'29?S 110�12'14?E?)
Date: 21 July 2008; 9.40am
Camera: Canon 400D with EF 70-200/f4 IS L

Borobudur is under siege again, this time from nature. The continuing eruptions of Mount Merapi with its consequent release of huge amount of volcanic ash into the air are causing great concerns to the experts on the preservation of Borobudur. Apparently the statues and stupas of the monument are already coated by volcanic ashes 5 cm thick. The volcanic ashes are acidic and could cause irreparable damage to the monument as it embeds into the pores of the structures. Army of staff had been deployed to clean up the ashes and the authorities planned to cover the monument with a huge piece of plastic to prevent the ashes from contaminating the monument. However due to the size of the monument, the huge plastic sheet is only big enough to be used to cover the more important structures. Let�s wish them success.

Technorati Tags: Borobudur,Merapi

Mount Merapi at sun rise, before the current round of eruptions

Location: Borobudur, East Java, Indonesia (7�36'29?S 110�12'14?E?)
Date: 21 July 2008; 6.10am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Mount Merapi is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia. It has just blown its top for the last 2 weeks and had claimed at least 150 lives. It is a beautiful volcano to look at when it is inactive especially as a backdrop to the fabulous Borobudur complex. This is diametrically different to what it looks like in the last few days with reports of ashes being thrown up 8 km into the sky. In fact the volcanic ashes even fell on Borobudur, 28 km away causing experts to fear that the acidic ash might damage the historic site. Though it is dangerous to live close to the volcano, the fertility of its soil resulting from the volcanic ashes, had attracted a huge population of farmers on its slope. I would venture to guess that after the ashes had settled, farmers will flock back to till on its slopes.

Technorati Tags: Merapi,Indonesia,volcano

Terraces on the Dieng Plateau, Java, Indonesia

Location: Dieng Playeau, Central Java, Indonesia (7� 12' 0? S, 109� 54' 0? E)
Date: 19 December 1995; 5.20pm
Camera: (analogue) Canon EOS 500N on negatives and scanned

The Dieng Plateau is a plateau on the caldera floors of the Dieng Volcanic Complex in Central Java. The plateau is at a height of about 2,090m above sea level. It is well-known for its candhis, or Hindu temples, supposedly the earliest Hindu temples in Indonesia. This place is fresh as it is relatively high and can be quite chilly. It is often misty in the morning due to its height and the heat emitted from the volcanic ground around here. The journey up to this plateau is one of the prettiest in Java- all along there are small villages with layers and layers of rice and vegetables on terraces. Cultivation is plentiful in this region as the volcanic soil is extremely fertile. If you are making a visit to Central Java, to places such as Borobodur, Prambanan and Yogyakarta, it is worthwhile scheduling some time to visit this place.

Pretty rice terraces at Tegalallang, Bali, Indonesia

Location: Tegalallang, Bali, Indonesia (8�27'0"S 115�17'0"E)
Date: 21 May 2001; 2.10pm
Camera: Canon EOS 500N (analogue) on slides and scanned

Ubud is a major tourist attraction in Bali as it is its cultural centre. Ubud is also well-known for its huge collection of handicraft and furniture outlets. Tegalallang is just a few kilometres outside Ubud and is well-known for a different reason- its rice terraces. There are not too many terraces here- they are all over Bali anywhere- but the ones here are rather picturesque compared to the rest, mainly due to their closeness (or narrowness of the terraces) and their steepness as they cling to the hillside as opposed to others in Bali that are rather flat. Depending on the month one visits Tegalallang, the rice terraces can be either lush green or yellowish. A popular way to see these terraces is to rent a bicycle and cycle to the terraces around here. Otherwise, the more spectacular ones such as the photo here, are still easily seen from the roadside, from a car.

It can be too close to comfort, Mt Semeru, Java, Indonesia

Location: At the summit of Mount Semeru, Indonesia (7�59'7.19"S 112�59'9.64"E)
Date: 18 July 2008; 6.45am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

One of the major tourist attractions in Central Java is the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. Most tourists go to gawk at the three volcanoes at sunrise from a distance. It is a surreal environment and scene, really well worth a visit. I highly recommend doing such a trip if you are in the vicinity especially if you are in Indonesia itself. Others, a little crazier, will trek up the highest volcano in Java, the steaming Mount Semeru. Mount Semeru is really steaming- it throws out lava and huge boulders every 15 minutes or so. One has to keep a safe distance at the summit from the mouth of the volcano to avoid the heat but more so, to avoid being hit by rocks and boulders from the eruptions- there were a couple of deaths from such boulders a few years ago. However, it is an amazing experience to be at the summit, watching and in some cases, running away from the eruptions.

Technorati Tags: Bromo-Tengger-Semeru,Semeru

Sunrise rays on Gunung Merapi at Borobudur, Java, Indonesia

Location: Borobudur, East Java, Indonesia (7�36'29?S 110�12'14?E?)
Date: 21 July 2008; 6.00am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Borobudur is the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Many tourists like me get up early to enjoy the view of the sunrise over Gunung Merapi looming over Borobudur in the distance. It is also a better time to take it the site as there are less tourists about because those on tourist buses do not normally troop in till around 10am. The best strategy to enjoy this morning serenity had already been described here.

Location: Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park , East Java, Indonesia (7�59'7.19"S 112�59'9.64"E)

Date: 16 July 2008; 8.10am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park in East Java is my favourite destination in Indonesia. It is quite a touristy place, popular amongst Indonesians and foreigners alike. However apart from the morning crunch during sunrise at the viewing platforms at Gunung Penanjakan and later on at Gunung Bromo itself, one will not really feel the crowd for the rest of the day. This could be because many of the tourists are only day-tripping for the morning sunrise and walk up to the caldera of Gunung Bromo. Furthermore, there are a few access points and so, accommodation options, rather than all cramped into Cemoro Lawang, which is the closest village. I also suspect that many of the tourists will simply stay at their rooms to recuperate during the day. There are many other choice locations to enjoy the volcano panoramic in the morning (and evening) apart from the one that all jeeps go with their guests. These other ones may not be as high but there are at more interesting angles; but some bush thrashing may be necessary. The above photo as well as this misty shot are taken from these alternative spots.

Location: Off the beach of Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia (8� 46' 10? S, 115� 10' 26? E)
Date: 17 May 2001; 8.20pm
Camera: (analogue) Canon 500N with slides and scanned

Jimbaran has got back on its feet more than 3 years after the 2nd Bali bombing there. Tourists are returning to Bali, generally and to the luxury hotels at Jimbaran specifically. As written in a previous post before, Jimbaran beach is a popular night dining spot with fresh seafood barbeque being the specialty. The seafood is normally caught on the same morning by these fishermen. It is actually quite fun to see these boats back to shore in the morning. One can also buy fresh seafood very cheaply from them here, before they left for the markets. By the way if you planned to enjoy some seafood at Jimbaran in the evening, make sure you head for those ramshackle stalls set up along the beach rather than the nice neat ones along and facing a paved road (with their back open towards the sea). The beach ones are those frequented by locals and they served very delicious seafood at very affordable prices. The others along the paved road target tourists and generally are pure rip-offs. If you catch a cab from town, they will bring you to these ones; you can see the beach stalls coming closer- just ask your taxi to drive you there instead.

Sunset at Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia

Location: Pura Tanah lot, Bali, Indonesia (8.640�S 115.100�E)
Date: 25 May 2001; 7.10pm
Camera: Canon EOS 500N (analogue) on slides and scanned

Pura Tanah Lot is a Balinese- style temple built on an offshore natural rock on the south coast of Bali. It has various mythologies/legends associated with it including presence of poisonous snakes at the bottom of the rock to guard the temple etc. In any case it was built in the 15th century and is popular with tourists. It is one of the 7 sea temples around the south-western coast of Bali; the sea temples were established within eyesight of the next, forming a chain around the coast. The temple itself is only accessible by foot during low tide. Sunset at Tanah Lot has long been one of Bali's most endearing images.

Location: Climbing Mount Semeru, Java, Indonesia (8� 6' 28.8? S, 112� 55' 12? E)
Date: 17 July 2008; 12.20pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5 lens

Mount Semeru, also known as Mahameru is one of Indonesia's most active volcano as well as the tallest mountain in Java. It erupts at quite a regular interval, every 20 minutes and belches out a huge cloud of steam and smoke, sometimes interspersed with ash and stones. Despite the eruptions, it is popular with hikers and tourists alike. There were several recorded cases of tourists being injured by flying debris from the eruptions. Normally it takes 2 days to climb the mountain, with a night camped at Acropolo to facilitate an early start to the summit the next day. Most summiteers normally start around 2-3am and takes at least 3 hours for the final assault. This is the most challenging section of the climb as it involves hiking on soft sand at a steep gradient where it is not unusual to walk two steps up but slide one step down. However all the pain and fatigue quickly dissipates when one reaches the summit with a sense of achievement.

Location: Gunung Merapi, Java, Indonesia (7� 32' 26.99? S, 110� 26' 41.34? E)
Date: 20 July 2008; 5.20pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens

Gunung Merapi or Mountain of Fire is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia. Thousands of people live in villages on the fertile slopes of the volcano. It has erupted several times since 1548 and has killed many people and left hundreds of thousands of people homeless. Smoke can be seen billowing from the mountain crater virtually all year round. Local Hindus revere Merapi as a representation of Hinduism's holy Mount Meru, on which Shiva is ever seated in meditation.

Meru structure of Balinese temple, Besakih, Bali, Indoneisa

Location: Besakih Temple, Bali, Indonesia (8� 22' 0 S 115� 27' 0 E)
Date: 15 May 2001; 9.10am
Camera: Canon EOS 500N (analogue) on slides and scanned

Besakih is the holiest Hindu temple in Bali. It is situated at the foot of the holiest mountain in Bali, Gunung Agung. The temple was constructed in the 11th century in the unique Balinese temple architecture style with several multiple-levels pagoda-like structure known as Meru. To visit the temple, one needs to be dressed appropriately with sarong, sash and so on, as well as paying an entrance fee. However all these smack of squeezing money from tourists as it had been regularly reported that the entrance guard had demanded as much as US$30 entrance fee from each tourist. On top of that, guides are supposedly compulsory- and more money to be spent. That's why we did not bother to enter the temple grounds when we visited the place a few years back.

Taking a break on becak, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Location: Yogyakarta, Central Java, Indonesia (7� 47' 0? S, 110� 22' 0? E)
Date: 23 July 2008; 3.20pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Becak or rickshaw is a common sight in some parts of Indonesia. There are everywhere in cities such as Yogyakarta where it is a major means of public transport. Sometimes I wonder if the city can sustain so many becaks as there are virtually everywhere one turns. No wonder a lot of the becak drivers just idle on the roadside either chatting or like this one, using his becak as a bed.

Technorati Tags: becak,Yogjakarta

Beautiful Classical Bali Temple

Location: Pura Ulun, Danu Bratan, Bali, Indonesia (8� 16' 60 S 115� 10' 0 E)
Date: 8 May 2001; 1.50pm
Camera: Canon EOS 500N (analogue) on slides and scanned

Ulun Danu Bratan is situated on the shores of the lake, Danu Bratan. The temple is supposedly half-Hindu and half-Buddhist dedicated to Dewi Danu, the Goddess of Lake. It is being looked upon as a source of irrigation for much of southern Bali and pilgrims from all over Bali pay homage to the temple to ensure continued and steady supply of water to the island.

The temple houses an intricately carved Buddhists stupa, an elegant 11-tiered meru (multi-roofed shrine) dedicated to Vishnu, a seven-tiered meru dedicated to Brahma and a three-tiered meru that houses a lingga to Shiva. There are also two small shrines inside the temple complex. It is one of the most picturesque temples in Bali, though not the holiest.

Technorati Tags: bali,Pura Ulun,Danu Bratan

Mist Transforms Cemoro Lawang Into A Dreamland, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, East Java

Location: Cemoro Lawang village, East Java, Indonesia (7�59'7.19"S 112�59'9.64"E)
Date: 16 July 2008; 7.30am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

The volcanoes of the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park in Indonesia is really quite a surreal place. The landscape of the caldera and the views of the smoking volcanoes are like something from Mars (not that I have been there before). However equally impressive are the panoramic views across the other volcanoes and mountains to the north, away from the main Bromo-Tengger-Semeru group. Furthermore, like Indonesians in most parts of the country, the Tengger people of Cemoro Lawang (which sits on the rim of the Bromo caldera) and the surrounding villages are super-friendly. It is a delight to wander around the villages and soak in the rural serenity.

Technorati Tags: Bromo-Tengger-Semeru,Cemoro Lawang,mist,volcanoes

The Serenity of Borobudur Buddha Statue

Location: Borobudur, Central Java, Indonesia (7� 36' 28.8? S, 110� 12' 0? E)
Date: 22 December 1995; 10.15am
Camera: (analogue) Canon EOS 500N on negatives and scanned
I revisited Borobudur again a couple of weeks ago and still enjoy the place's spirituality (not that I am religious at all).

There were three of us and we wanted to stay at the Manohara Hotel which is within the grounds of the park; however we could not get a room. The advantage of staying at the hotel is unlimited free entry to Borobudur during the 2 days and at discounted rate for the Sunrise Entry. This is actually a very good deal especially if there are two persons since the deal includes free (apparently pretty good) breakfast and reasonably good accommodation.

Technorati Tags: Borobudur Magelang

Fishing boats returning to shore, Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia

Location: Off the beach of Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia (8� 46' 10? S, 115� 10' 26? E)
Date: 17 May 2001; 7.15pm
Camera: (analogue) Canon 500N with slides and scanned

Jimbaran is a tourist resort and fishing village, just south of the airport in Bali. It gained notoriety in the last couple of years, being the location of the 2nd Bali bombings. It is popular with tourists who come to have barbeque fresh seafood along its beaches in the evening.

The fresh seafood is caught by fishermen around here, normally overnight. They will return early in the morning and there's always a pandemonium along the beach as catches are unloaded and deals being made. This is also the best opportunity to buy fresh seafood at great prices.

Technorati Tags: Jimbaran,Bali,fishermen

Borobudur, Java- the world's biggest Buddhist monument.

Location: Borobudur, Central Java, Indonesia (7� 36' 28.8? S, 110� 12' 0? E)
Date: 22 December 1995; 10.15am
Camera: (analogue) Canon EOS 500N on negatives and scanned
Borobudur is situated about 40 km northwest of Yogyakarta. It was built in the 9th century and is reputedly the largest Buddhist monument in the world. It is a nine level platform with thousands of relief panels and hundreds of Buddha statues. However the most distinguishing and recognisable image of Borobudur is perhaps the main dome located at the center of the top platform, which is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupas as in this photo.

Travelling to Borobudur is quite straightforward from Yogyakarta as there are regular transport. There are also accommodation just outside of the park where the monument is located.

Technorati Tags: Borobudur,UNESCO Heritage Site

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