{{ March 11th Borobudur- Indonesia

Today it was off to another temple...Yea! Actually very worthwhile on a hot day with lots of climbing to do ... Yes I can here the comments now...He could use the exercise! The monument known as Borobudur is the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Widely considered one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, Borobudur was constructed in the 9th century. Indian in design it incorporates many local scenes and elements.

And his massiveness and nice that this monument is smaller than my girth...

And afterwards, a lovely beverage (actually Coke 0). I did not have "Chiken" soup or the Vermicelli with meat "bool" and actually sampled a unique fruit here called "Snake Fruit" or Salak obtained from a palm tree. It tastes sweet, sour and delicious and apparently has amazing health properties from helping hemeroids to aiding brain function.

And a few butterfly and flower shots ...

{{ March 11th Jogyakarta Transportation

I found some different modes of transport here. The van, bus and car are here of course. The predominant transport for most is a motorbike. There are thousands of these and the motorbike is used to transport goods as well. On the low tech scale there are hundreds of horse drawn vehicles known here as Andong.

These horse drawn vehicles are not just there for the tourists either. The most impressive though are human powered rickshaw type vehicles (tricycles) of all descriptions known as Becak. Some are ancient and some have elaborate designs, some are for a certain hotel or business and a few even cheat and have small motors. These are used by tourists and locals alike.

The famous Malioboro Street...home of hundreds of small shops selling everything, tourists and many many locals. It goes for blocks on end.

And finally .. Some locals!

{{ March 10th Jogyakarta ... Evening

With my guide and now friend, I opted for a typical Indonesian restaurant for supper. I had forgotten how good Indonesian food could be. Spicy and full of flavour and not too hot. Collectively we had chicken satay, Nasi Bakar Tangkuban Perahu (banana leaf wrapped chicken, vegetables and baked rice), cassava appetizer, 2 ice teas and Bintang beer and all for 142,000 rupiah ($C13.58). Everything was superb!!

Madame Tan Classic, the sign. Sharp observers will see the gecko on the second M ...

After supper we toured the nightlife. Students sitting on the sidewalk drinking coffee...people everywhere chatting and hanging out...and this scene which I have never witnessed before. Perhaps unique to Yogya and best described as elaborate pedal cars bedecked in neon-like lights each trying to outdo the next. The "cars" can be rented and driven around a large open field with music playing and shown off to good advantage. The cost...less than $1.

As well we saw the Tugu Jogja monument and a pair of graffiti covered elephants

{{ March 10th Jogyakarta Indonesia

My first full day here in Jogja as they call it. The place has a small town feel even if there are 480,000 people. The area is a special region in Java and, as a sultanate. the only region in the Republic of Indonesia to be ruled by a monarchy. In the past Hindu and Buddhism thrived jointly.

Today it was off to the World Heritage site Prambanan. Prambanan is ancient. Built as a Hindu temple complex in 856 AD dedicated to Shiva and consisting of 240 temples in all. 

Some of the flora and fauna...

And this unusual spider...