Deliciously Me

I was very reluctant to wake up. The alarm set on the iPod kept ringing, yet I hit the snooze button as many times as possible… until I got so fed up and finally woke up at 7. Ah, so early!

Once opened the door, I saw Lasker and Elise all ready, walking to the ‘dining area’ for breakfast. So did David, Daniel, William and Aaron. I asked Sat to ask permission from Lasker and Elise on using their bathroom since he’s already out. They agreed and I went and had a very comfy, warm shower.

Done showering, I packed a little and then went for breakfast with Sat, Emily and Ailing. The kitchen served Indonesian breakfast of fried rice, egg cooked to our choices, fresh cut fruits and choice of coffee or tea. Definitely worth the money paid!

After having such a satiated breakfast, we made our way to Prambanan temple located about 18km way in the North-East direction of the Yogyakarta city. Could see that most of us had a good sleep that night except for David, who slept on the way there. Haha.

Remember I wrote about funny incidents at the traffic light junction? Well, we saw another one – this time it was the she-male, leaning over a truck, probably asking for business, while another one stood behind, posing provocatively. Secretly, few of us tried taking picture of them and William sitting next to the driver directly aimed his lens at them.

One of them noticed William and he called his friends and both of them posed for William! All of us laughed uncontrollably upon seeing this. Oh well, except for David. Haha.

The route to Prambanan took 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the traffic. The car park of 5.000 Rupiah (RM1.85) was borne by us again. We got used to seeing two entrances and made our way to the one for us. Paid 110.000 Rupiah (RM40) and 6.000 Rupiah (RM2.20) for a guide. Again there is special price for students – just remember to bring your student ID!

Our animated, very friendly guide, Morsono costs 60.000 Rupiah (RM22) but is worth every penny. He knows the history of Prambanan very well and did I say he likes to joke too?

After explaining about amount of temples and the background and the history, we began to walk into the temple compound. Then he brought us to the green field at the side for photo-shooting. You know, the usual ideal photo-shooting spot.

This is where we took our group photo. Haha.

Then we walked entered. I was at awed again, looking at the temple right in front of me. It’s just unbelievable, so surreal, so incredible, so breathtaking, so beyond words!

At the side of entrance, there is a small temple, dedicated to Kala, Time. The head of Kala can be seen on top of the entrance of the temple. Marsono told us one must ascend the stairs at once without any difficulty to ensure good luck. I can’t really remember whether it’s for good luck on career or life or study, but it’s important to go up directly and not stopping in the middle.

Sorry for the umbrella blunder. There are other pictures without the umbrella but somehow this is nicer.

And I stood at the middle of the stairs for phototaking! LMAO. Oh well, I’m not worried about it as I didn’t wish for anything. Keke.

Like Candi Borobudur, Candi Prambanan also got buried under after the eruption of Mount Merapi and was rediscovered by the people of Stamford Raffles too. But it takes longer time to renovate and rebuilt compared to Borobudur because of the complexity and amount of smaller temples found in the compound. There are over 230++ temples and until now only they’re still building them.

However, just as they rebuilt most of the temples, an earthquake in 2006 damaged the temples again. Even now, the Shiva temple is still closed to public and the Brahma temple was officially opened to the public just few days before our visit.

First temple we visited was the Brahma temple, which was situated on the left side.

But before we entered the temple, Marsono explained to us on the empty holes and the carvingless block. Unlike Angkor Wat where they recarved and rebuilt the bas reliefs and statues on the temples, here in Prambanan, they just substituted the ruined and fallen stones with empty stones. If not mistaken, it’s because they didn’t have a clear idea on the original designs as there are no written descriptions/records on these temples before. Or maybe they feel it’s wrong to remake the designs. Hmm. Can’t remember the real reason, but I think the former reason is one.

Inside the Brahma temple, there’s a Brahma statue in gold. I paipai-ed and touched his feet for blessing. Didn’t know why I did so, but my heart just told me to do that. Haha.

Then we went around the corridor clockwise, where Marsono told story us of Ramayana as depicted on the bas-reliefs on the wall.

I love folktales and legends, therefore kept bugging Marsono on the story behind the bas-reliefs that I didn’t understand. Thankfully, Marsono was far more than happy to tell me. Hehe.

Then we walked out of the temple and headed towards Vishnu temple. I was very disappointed to know that the Shiva temple was closed down as I was looking forward to see the statue of Durga, where the local believes that the statue is Princess Lara Jonggrang who was turned into stone for tricking a prince.

We went up the Vishnu temple, paipai-ed to Lord Vishnu and went down.

Then we walked to the other 3 slightly smaller temples positioned in front of the 3 main temples. The guide told us that, the smaller temples situated in front of the main temples are the ride/vehicle for the gods – The Swan temple in front of Brahma temple, Nandi (bull) temple in front of Shiva temple and Garuda temple in front of Vishnu temple. We only went up to the Nandi temple as the other two temples don’t have any statue in it.

In between the Garuda temple and Vishnu temple, there a small temple but I can’t remember what it is for. But the 2006 earthquake made the top of the small temple fell as shown in the picture below.

There’s another similar temple in between the Swan temple and Brahma temple.

And that wrapped up the visit on Prambanan. Marsono bid us goodbye there and encouraged us to check out the other temples around the area. I wanted to check out the Sewu temple, the unfinished temples the Prince’s demons built in exchange for the hand of marriage of Princess Lara Jonggrang; so we hurriedly walk to the train station in hope to reach the temple faster as we didn’t have much time left.

By the time we reached there, the train was already full and began to move. Disappointedly, we walked on foot to Sewu temple. We finally reached a temple, but that temple isn’t Sewu temple.

Realisingly Sewu temple is still far ahead and time tickling by so fast, the rest decided to walk back to the entrance.

Though devastated with the decision, I followed them. While walking back, I already made up my mind to return to this place and visit all the temples in the Prambanan Temple Park.

There’s also a deer park! There’s a curious fawn came near us and we took opportunity to snap pictures of the cute animal.

We spent just 5 minutes taking pictures. Then we walked to the exit point.

Like all business tactics, they place souvenirs stalls on the both sides of the Prambanan Temple Park exit point. Still badly shaken with yesterday’s experience at Borobudur temple, we walked out without stopping.

Miraculously, nobody stopped us. They just called us to have a look at their stuffs and when we ignored them, they went back behind their stalls, talking. Haha.

Our van surprisingly waited for us somewhere near the exit. We got in there and few minutes later, most of us fell asleep. Me on the other hand, tried to stay awake and look at the surrounding as long as possible.

However, I began to get tired and decided to nap too.

Once reached our room, I quickly went to the public bathroom and showered. Then quickly repacked my stuffs and checked out. We were late in checking out by half an hour but thankfully they didn’t charge us. ^^

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