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A makeup artist applies makeup to a Javanese Bedhaya dancer before a performance in Solo (Surakarta), Java, Indonesia
JAVA SEA (May 26, 2013) Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Alan Mcrae stands topside rover aboard the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) as the ship makes her transit through Jakarta harbor. Tortuga is part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, currently on deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility and is participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2013. More than 1,000 Sailors and Marines are participating in CARAT Indonesia 2013. U.S. Navy ships participating in the exercise include the USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) with embarked Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1, amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46), and the guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92). CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor Leste. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Amanda S. Kitchner/Released)
Borobudur is an 8th century Mahayana Buddhist monument in Central Java, Indonesia. The monument is built as a single large stupa, and when viewed from above looks like a giant Buddhist mandala. The foundation is square and has nine platforms of which the lower six are square and the upper three are circular. They are decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The upper platform features 72 small stupas surrounding one large central stupa. Each stupa is bell-shaped and pierced with decorative openings. Statues of the Buddha sit inside the pierced enclosures. Each platform represents one stage of enlightenment. The system of stairways and corridors that guides pilgrims through the stupa was designed according to the three levels of Buddhist cosmology--Kāmadhātu (the world of desire) is represented by the base, Rupadhatu (the world of forms) is represented by the five square platforms, and Arupadhatu (the world of formlessness) is represented by the top three circular platforms and the large topmost stupa. The architectural features between three stages have metaphorical differences, with square and detailed decorations in the Rupadhatu disappearing into plain circular platforms in the Arupadhatu, representing how the world of forms gradually changes into the formless world.
Approximately 55,000 cubic metres of stones were taken from neighbouring rivers to build the monument. The stones were cut to size, transported to the site and laid without mortar. Knobs, indentations and dovetails were used to form joints between stones. Reliefs were created in-situ after the building had been completed. The monument is equipped with a good drainage system to cater for the area's high stormwater run-off. To avoid inundation, 100 spouts are provided at each corner with a unique carved gargoyles in the shape of giants or makaras.
Borobudur is located in an elevated area between two twin volcanoes, Sundoro-Sumbing and Merbabu-Merapi, and two rivers, the Progo and the Elo. The monument was built in the late 8th century, corresponding with the peak of the Sailendra dynasty in central Java (between 760–830 AD). The construction is estimated to have taken 75 years and completed in 825 AD around the same time that the Hindu Shiva Prambanan temple complex was erected. Borobudur lay hidden for centuries under layers of volcanic ash and jungle growth, following volcanic eruptions in the 10th century and the 14th century decline of Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms in Java, and the Javanese conversion to Islam.
Destination Jakarta today, Non-stop Amsterdam-Jakarta.
We arrived in Jakarta in the late morning and headed straight away for the old Harbor and Dutch Cityhall.
That was enough for the day and our 14 hour flight.
Leaving Jakarta already next morning, after a quick stop at the Monas, for Bogor and the Puncak pass, but the pass was deleted from the tour as the roads were blocked during this eastern holiday weekend.
Visited only Bogor Botanic gardens and headed to Bandung via Jakarta.
Bandung is famous for its Art Deco city center.
We boarded the train for a 5 hour scenic drive to Kroya .
Night-stop at Wonosobo with the Dieng Vulcanic area and Java's oldest Hindi temples are nearby.
Fortunatly it didn't rain during our visit to the famous Borobudur temple complex .
We arrived in Yogjakarta for a full package - 2 day visit.
A becak tour in the early moring to the the Sultans Kraton Palace, Shopping, Batik, silver and dinner show to name a few.
On the second day a bicycle tour near Prambanan and more World Heritage at the Impressive Prambanan temple complex
Our second scenic trainride ends in Batu.
Time to relax here and prepare for our ultimate sunrise experience at the Bromo vulcano.
One more stopover in Kalibaru with a nice Botanic Garden before we took the ferry to Bali.
A few days at Bali Sanur Beach, relax and enjoying the sun.
Despite a few activities : Mountainbike at Bali's famous Ricefields, snorkling and visiting art village Ubud as we headed for our last
visit at the Tanah Lot temple for sunset.
Our Unesco World Heritage visits
Java-Eiland | Majanggracht
Urban design: Sjoerd Soeters
Arch. Sjoerd Soeters and Art Zaaijer e.a.
Artists: Guy Rombouts and Monica Droste
1999.
The Java sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora), also known as Java finch, Java rice sparrow or Java rice bird, is a small passerine bird.[2] This estrildid finch is a resident breeding bird in Java, Bali and Bawean in Indonesia. It is a popular cage bird, and has been introduced in a large number of other countries. Some taxonomists place this and the Timor sparrow in their own genus Padda. The Java sparrow is about 15 to 17 cm (5.9 to 6.7 in) in length from the beak to its tip of tail feathers. Although only about the size of a house sparrow, it may be the largest species in the estrildid family. The adult is unmistakable, with its grey upperparts and breast, pink belly, white-cheeked black head, red eye-ring, pink feet and thick red bill.
Both sexes are similar. Immature birds have brown upperparts and pale brown underparts, and a plain head. Very young birds have a black beak with a pink base.
The call is a chip, and the song is a rapid series of call notes chipchipchipchipchipchip.
Molecular phylogeny indicates that this species may have originated in India and dispersed to Africa and Pacific Ocean habitats from there.
We went to Ambarawa Railway Museum, and had a ride on a Thomas the Tank Engine type little steam train, in 3rd-class carriages built in 1911. We chugged through paddy fields, surrounded by clouds of dragonflies, past cloud-wrapped volcanoes.
The Java was built by J & G Thomson Shipyard of Glasgow and launched on 24 June, 1865.
On 21 October of 1865, she left Liverpool on her maiden voyage to NY.
On 24 August, 1871, she ran down the Norwegian bark Anette of Moss with a loss of 11 lives.
In 1877, she was given compound engines.
In 1892, after changing hands several times, she was converted to a sailing ship and renamed Lord Spencer.
In 1895, she went missing on her way from San Francisco to NY.
A dance teacher leads a group of young, Javanese students in traditional dance practice. Solo (Surakarta), Java, Indonesia