Prambanan is a significant temple complex that contains over 240 temples, 16 of which stand in the central courtyard. Built in the 9th century ACE, they weren’t formally excavated until the late 1930s. The best known of these temples is the magnificent Candi Shiva Mahadeva, standing more than 150 feet high, and sporting numerous carvings [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Archive for the 'Indonesia' Category
Borobudur, Indonesia’s World Heritage Site in Central Java
In our opinion, a visit to the ancient temple of Borobudur on the island of Java is worth a trip to Indonesia in itself. It’s on a par with any temple complex in SE Asia, as compelling as Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, or Burma’s Bagan. Built between 700 and 800 ACE, it consists of some 60,000 [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Mendut Temple (Candi Mendut) in Central Java, Indonesia
Located 3.5 km from Borobudur at GPS S07°36.283’ E110°13.792′ , Mendut Temple is said to hold the most visually significant in situ Buddha statue in Java, roughly 9 feet tall, sitting, and flanked by Bodhisattivas. The external carvings on the temple are outstanding as well.
Read the rest of this entry »Gedung Songo Temples in Central Java
There are nine small Hindu temples in the Gedung Songo (also known as Gedong Songo)complex, and they are worth a visit as part of a day trip from Jogjakarta, which could also encompass Borobudur Temple and the Locomotive Museum at Ambarawa. They were built in the 8th and 9th centuries, and have been somewhat restored. [...]
Read the rest of this entry »The Ambarawa Locomotive Railway Museum in Central Java
This open air train museum can easily be visited by WoWasis travelers visiting the nearly Indonesian sites of Borobudur and Gedung Songo in Central Java. The museum is housed in the Ambarawa train station, built in 1873. In addition to viewing the locomotives, vistors can take a 20 km excursion (try to book in advance, [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Discovering Bali’s exceptional Top 6 museums
Most Balinese museums of note are right in the town of Ubud, a couple of others within short driving distance are well worth a visit, too. Bali has inspired artists for generations, including a number of exceptional expat painters active in the 20th century, such as Rudolf Bonnat, Arie Smit, and Walter Spies. In Ubud [...]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis’ Indonesian Bookshelf: what to read before, during, and after your trip
There are a great number of terrific books on Indonesia, and we here at WoWasis suggest you consider buying in your own country when possible, as books in Indonesia are expensive, even for paperbacks. The other side of the argument is that by buying in Indonesia, you support local bookstores. Here are a few books [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Bali’s fun nightlife in Seminyak and Kuta
Bali’s nightlife centers around the southern towns of Seminyak and Kuta. While Indonesia’s night scene may not rival that of Thailand or the Philippines, it’s worth a night out just to take a look. Nightlife here starts late, around 10 pm or so, and carries on until 3 in the morning. Don’t worry if your [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Discovering two great spas on Indonesia’s island of Java
Indonesia is the home of some magnificent spas, and some of the finest are to be found on the islands of Java and Bali. There are, we’d guess, approximately 1,000 spas of different types on the island of Bali alone. On Java, one of the nicest we’ve discovered is the Losari Coffee Plantation & Resort, [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Should you visit a Sharia-based island in Indonesia?
If you’re a Westerner, you’ll eventually be faced with an option of visiting an Indonesian island (or part of one) that has adopted a Sharia-based Islamic law code. You will find little or no alcohol being served, and if you break a law, you might find yourself formally judged on Quranic principles. While traveling in [...]
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