Day 5- Borobudur Temple

So getting up at 3:30 am in the morning can be quite an ask, but we were promised that the temple at Borobudur was something special and it was.  4:15 am in the morning is early though, so the conversation on the way to Borobudar was very light on.  On our arrival at the hotel where the tour departed from we were given a batik sarong to wraps around us.  This was worn as a sign of respect for the guards of the temple and then they would let us pass.  We also received a small torch because it was so dark.  Finally we made our way up to the temple.  Borobudur is the said to be one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world.  It was built around the 8th century and it is estimated that it took 100 years to build.  The temple is created with 8 terraces which run around the complete structure. 

 Within the temple structure there are 432 Buddha statues.  Within the Buddha statues there are five different statues.  Some of the  Buddhas are in niches in the walls, whilst others are hidden inside of stupas.

We were however dealt a blow with the cloud cover hiding the sunrise over Borobudur.  However as light came, so to came the realisation of the enormity of what had been constructed at Borobudur.  The intricate work that had been done on the frieze relief panels which surrounded the temple on the lower terraces was beautiful and the system of drainage which had been put into place to ensure the longevity of this massive structure was so very clever, with small gaps between the paving stones and drains to move the water away from the terraces.

 

 

 

 

Even Eric the echidna had gotten up early for the wonder of Borobudua.  He loved getting in amongst the stupas. 

There were many tourists there for the sunrise, many with their cameras set up on tripods to catch the sunrise.  They were most definitely disappointed on this morning.  After wandering around for a bit of time and looking at the wonderful buddahs and carvings, we headed back down from this fascinating structure.

 

 

After such an early start we were all looking forward to getting back to the hotel for breakfast.  We then packed up, ready to travel to Borobudur Silver.