Mount Lawu : The Temples around

Mount Lawu is in the rustic part of central Java. It has several unusual temples on its slopes, all reachable by hiking from one to the other. The scenery is dramatic, and there are many hidden treasure spots to find along the way.
Sukuh Temple is a perhaps the strangest temple on the slope. Built in the 15th century, it's a post-Hindu, post-Buddhist, post-Islam construction that hearkens back to early prehistoric animist traditions. It actually looks more like a Mayan pyramid than anything Indonesian. Some say that the building's form is homage to Mount Lawu. Others say that the builders were psychically in tune with the Mayan builders also active at the time. Whatever you want to believe is ok by me.
Before you reach the temple gates, you'll encounter a large stone fertility figures -- a lingam and a yoni. Women who wish to become pregnant make offerings to these figures: An innocent enough activity, but one that has earned the temple a sort of ribald reputation. Inside the grounds you'll find several odd sculptures telling stories that nobody has been able to figure out. But it seems to have something to do with fertility and war and turtles. Whatever mix of inspiration and legend came together to make this temple, it works. A truly magical energy permeates this site
A little higher up the hill is Candi Cetho, where in the 70's politicos would come to meditate, believing the temple was the abode of supernatural powers. The temple is actually sort of run down and not as interesting, but it makes a nice story. At the very top of the mountain, you'll find a series of terraces that are visited by as many as 2000 Javanese every New Year. The terrace complexes are ancient - some as old as 2000 years. The ruins have not been completely surveyed, and in themselves are not very impressive. But the views and surrounding terrain are beautiful -- a good place to wander aimlessly and enjoy a few quiet moments .

By Mark Leger

Borobudur : Ancient Temples of Java

This is the world's largest Buddhist monument. Laid out like a pyramidal mandala, it's a cosmology framed and inscribed in stone, massive amounts of stone — 6,500 cubic yards of it.
Javanese living in nearby Yogyakarta were aware of its existence when Borobudur was” discovered" by Europeans in 1815. At that time most of the monument was visible, even if large portions of it were filled in with soil sustaining overgrown trees and other plants. Over the next century and a half there were many attempts at restoration, but things really didn't come together until 1975-1984 when UNESCO and the Indonesian government undertook a complete overhaul of the sanctuary. The foundation was stabilized and professional restorers cleaned all 1460 stone relief panels that line the walkway spiraling to the top of the monument.
Squat and square, the structure of Borobudur is impressive mostly because it's massively huge. The stone relief panels are the real glory of Borobudur. The panels depict the Buddhist path to enlightenment, from rollicking profanity to the ethereal reaches of enlightenment. Ascending one by one, pilgrims would walk around each of the eight concentric terraces. The whole comes together to form a mountain. Mountain peaks, according to Buddhist thought, is the place where contact with divine truth may be made. Pilgrims would climb each level of the mountain, drawing them closer and closer to complete infusion by divine wisdom. Nirvana.
Nirvana is elusive. The stupa, or tower at the top, has been destroyed by lightening. An unfinished statue Buddha that was found in the stupa has been moved a hundred yards away from the temple. But Borobudur stands as one of the great spiritual monuments of the world. A definite must see on the island of Java.
By Mark Leger
Picture with courtesy by indonesiaseoul

Bird paradise at Pulau Rambut

Not all of us know about the bird sanctuary in North Jakarta. Well, it is not exactly in Jakarta, but off the mainland on Pulau Rambut, an island to the north. You can get there in less than half an hour by fishing boat from Tanjung Pasir, Tangerang.Pulau Rambut (Rambut Island) is a small coral island. This area has the biggest breeding colonies of waterbirds in West Java (Silvius et.al.1987).It is estimated that around 11450 waterbirds (Lambert & Erftemeijer 1989) live in this area. This area is one breeding site of Milky Stork Mycteria cinerea and other waterbirds of West Java (Silvius et.al.1987, Pakpahan et.al.1992).

Declared as Natural Reserve (18 ha) based on GB No. 7 Stbl. 245 on 3 May1939 (Anon 1997, Anon 1998). Declare as Wildlife Sanctuary (90 ha) based on Menhutbun No. 275/Kpts-II/1999 on 7 May 1999 (Anon 2000)
However, because it is a wildlife reserve, the island is not open to the general public. Its use is restricted to conservation, scientific research, education, and guided tourism.
Visitors who want to visit this island should request a permit from the Jakarta Office of the Natural Resources Conservation Center.
Mangrove and wetland forests cover two-thirds of the total area. Its abundant vegetation and location make this island an ideal habitat for sea birds.
Forty-nine bird species have been identified as inhabitants of Pulau Rambut whose total bird population numbers about 40,000. Most are cormorants, egrets, and herons. Some species are classified as rare or endangered and are protected by law.
The best time to visit is from March to September. Besides enjoying the nice weather, during this period visitors can watch birds feeding their chicks with freshly caught fish. At present only one observatory tower is available, which can accommodate about 10 to 15 observers.
In addition to birds as its main attraction, visitors can also observed other wild animals, including fruit bats (Pteropus vampyrus), hanging upside down in the trees and monitor lizards -- called biawak -- moving sluggishly along the forest floor.
By Benyamin Lakitan

Photo Courtesy with ristek.go.id