Java

Java

Java is the most populated island in Indonesia.  We stayed away from the capital Jakarta because we really didn't find anything interesting there.  The original plan for this trip was to head straight to Bali, but after some research we found out that on Java there are two major sites, the Borodorur temple and the Prambanan temple complex.  So we decided to stay a week in Java.  We stayed in a city called Yogyakarta which is very close to both of the sites.  I am really glad that we stayed the week.  The temples were so impressive and different from anything else that we had seen.

Prambanan temple complex

The Prambanan temple complex is the biggest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and was built during the ninth century.  We spent the day wandering through the temple complex.  You can walk through the temples.  Our kids had a great time running around the grounds.

I had to had this picture, because this happens so frequently when we travel to Asia.  We are always stopped so that people can take pictures of our children.  This is a group of school children, but adults stop us all the time.  I really don't mind the pictures, I just don't like it when they try and touch them.  For some reason they always want to pinch their cheeks, I don't get it. 

Mt. Bromo

We had to travel from Yogyakarta to Bali.  Which consists of a very long bus ride, a ferry and another bus ride.  On the way to Bali is Mt. Bromo.  We decided to break up the trip and see the volcano.  The big thing to do is to see the volcano during sunrise.  This means getting up at 3am, yes, that's right 3am.  You then take a jeep up to an observation point.  Well, we were suppose to go to an observation point, but apparently you have to hike up to the top as cars are not allowed up.  It was rough that early in the morning carrying our almost 30 lb kids uphill, but it was so well worth it.

 
In the background you can see ash coming from the larger and active volcano Mt. Semeru.

After the watching the sunrise from the observation point from afar, we took another little jeep ride and headed to volcano itself.  We hiked up.  Have you ever hiked in volcano ash, it is hard, really hard.  Some random guy asked me if I was a glutton for punishment because I was hiking up with Conley and I looked like I was about to die.  But I made it and I lost five pounds, so maybe I should do things like that more often.  I have to say it is a little eerie looking into a volcano. 

Borobodur temple

Borobodur temple is a Buddhist temple built from two million stones. There are nine terraces that you climb up and walk around. 



Conley had a hard time with us wanting to take his picture sometimes, okay most of the time.  Here he is waiting for his rice at a restuarant in Yogyakarta and he actually smiled for the camera.  He is always happy when food is about to come!