Astounding Pulau Jawa

  JAVA ISLAND, INDONESIA

 

 

 

Leaving Bali by sunrise

 

 

 

 

Reading the newspaper…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buying batiks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yogyakarta’s local market

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Somewhere off the beaten track…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Hitting the roads of Java

Interesting facts about Indonesia:

- the 4th biggest population on earth, with over 250 million people - 742 languages - the world’s largest archipelago: 17.508 islands (11.508 of which are inhabited) - the most populous island: Java (estimated 140 million people) - largest Muslim nation in the world, with over 220 million Muslims (88% of the total population); other religions include Christianity (9%), Hinduism (2%) and Buddhism (1%). - Indonesia incorporates 10% of the world’s forest cover and has some of the worst deforestation rates on the planet (every year, an area of tropical forest the size of Switzerland is lost) - most diverse: Kalimantan is one the most biologically diverse places in the world, with twice as many plant species as the whole Africa - the country in the world with more active volcanoes: 129 - the biggest lizard: Komodo dragon (the largest specimen having measured 3,1m) - the largest flower: Rafflesia arnoldi - the longest snake: the reticulated python (measuring up to 10 meters long)

The monkeys of Uluwatu Temple

   BALI ISLAND, INDONESIA

  

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

         

 

 

Bali: probably the best smile in the world…

    BALI ISLAND, INDONESIA 

 

 

 

Accommodation no. 1 in Padang-Padang: Panoramic view of from our balcony

 

	Accommodation no. 2 in Padang-Padang: the charming bungalows

 

 

 

 

 

Padang-Padang beach

  

 

 

Geger beach

 

 

 

Bingin beach

Uluwatu beach

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

  

   

 

   

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Candi Tebing Gunung Kawi temple, in Ubud, known as the island’s cultural centre The main religion in the island is the eclectic Balinese Hinduism (Agama Hindu Dharma), which although has its roots in Indian Hinduism, comprises a unique blend of Hindu, Buddhist, Javanese and ancient indigenous beliefs.

 

 

 

 

The volcanic mountain Gunung Agung is the highest point of the island (3.142 m high) and last erupted in 1963   Gunung Agung is a reference point in terms of spatial orientation in the island as North and South are determined, respectively, by the orientation between this mountain (“kaja”) and the sea (“kelod”). Temples and houses are built so as that the most sacred places are closest to the mountain, home of gods and ancestors, whilst the unclean places are supposed to be nearest to the sea, where demons live in.

  

Rice terraces near Ubud by sunset

 

 

 

 

 

Typical Indonesian hairpin    for special celebrations

Colorful and musical “Odalan” (Hindu temple festival)   We had the privilege to be the only foreigners in this temple for the Odalan celebration, that can be compared with the Christmas celebration for the Christians.   It was  deeply moving to experience the religious and spiritual dimensions of it, and to witness such explosion of colors, the profusion of gifts, the beautiful and elegant costumes, the strong family ties across different generations, the graceful dance performances with the wonderful gamelan ensemble playing.   And it was unforgettable their smiles. When one fears to be the intruder, to be received with the warm smile that no one seems to make better than Balinese, is just heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

Padang-Padang beach by moonlight with friends

 

 

 

 

 

Special Thanks to:

- Barbara and Tsur, thanks for a delicious dinner and a great evening that was able to transform Kuta into a cool and nice place

- Diogo e Rone, obrigada por todas as dicas preciosas !!

- Joao e Susana, pela boa disposicao e pela linda echarpe que nos tem acompanhado ao longo de toda a viagem