Rare Jewels!

The idea of seeing yet another set of ancient architectural wonders made me eventually decide to visit Indonesia, despite the very unfounded reasons I have enumerated in the immediately preceding entry.  The pictures of these magnificent temples alone are so unreal that I could not miss it for the world.

Next thing I knew, I was on a plane to Yogyakarta.

Yogyakarta officially introduced us to the wonderful Indonesian culture.  We came to this country with practically no knowledge of its culture and its people, albeit the mostly negative things we heard over the news and read on available articles.  We were surprised to be totally smitten by its very warm people that made us somehow question why we Filipinos think we're the most hospitable people on earth.

But to avoid inciting any debate, enough said about that subject matter.

Instead, let me share with you the photographs of two of the most fascinating jewels of Yogyakarta and, without a doubt, the world.

Prambanan, the magnificent.

A 9th century Hindu temple, this somehow resembles the famed towers of Angkor Wat, but it has no base structure where one can actually go in.

One of the great towers.  The details are astonishing!

They have successfully pieced the temple back together for us to marvel at ancient men's architectural superiority in the absence of technology.

I was surprised how sexual the depictions in the carvings are...

which shows how liberated their ancient culture was...

and how tolerant their society now despite being a predominantly Muslim country.

Borobudur, the majestic.

This on the other hand is a 9th century Buddhist temple.  The photo does not give justice to how massive this temple is...

that the tiny spikes that you see on top of the temple...

are actually stupas which are approximately 12 feet tall (I am 5'10")!

and they are all around the temple...

housing a buddha statue each...

which shows how devout the ancient men were to their religion, giving it all - materials and manpower resources - to build monuments to last over a thousand years!

At that moment, I believed in my heart that Borobodur toppled Angkor Wat in grandeur, even predating the latter by 300 years.  It is also widely believed that the descendants of the builders of Borobudur built its more renowned Cambodian counterpart.  The only advantage the Khmers has is that most of its temples are within one expansive complex, as opposed to Yogyakarta's which are scattered all around.

But I have no problem with that, a rare jewel is supposed to be "hard to find".

Old Glory!

I was very thrilled to get a chance to visit one of my favorite cities again, Bangkok, Thailand.

I have always felt comfortable in the city that I could actually move there anytime, with the language difference as the only major adjustment.  What made the trip more exciting was that I had a side trip to another major tourist destination outside the present capital which I always wanted to see too, Ayutthaya.

Ayutthaya was ancient Thailand's second capital after Sukhothai.  Sadly, the glorious city was burned to the ground by the Burmese army in 1767.  I have always been a fan of ancient ruins, so the city fits right into my to-see list.

I was warned by a friend, however, that I, having seen Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia, might be in for a huge disappointment.

I have never listened to my friends.

So, on with the trip!

The tour started with a bus ride to Ayutthaya that gave me an opportunity to see more of the city...

and the beautiful countryside.

First stop was the Bang Pa In Palace...

which is very evidently well maintained.

I don't exactly know what this is, but I'm certain it is revered with all the burned incense and garlands in front.

In front of the Chinese palace with my gorgeous friend.

Wat Maha That, remnants of a glorious past.  Once the residence of the supreme patriarch.

Sitting with Buddha.

One of the many stupas in the area.

A Buddha head entangled in the roots of a very old tree.  You cannot be photographed with your head higher than Buddha's.

Wat Na Phramane, the only temple that was not sacked by the invading Burmese army during the ancient war.

The giant reclining Buddha at Wat Lokayasutha.  There's unfortunately no historical account of its background.

The tour culminated with a buffet lunch in a ferry that cruised along the Chao Phraya river...

which was again an opportunity for me and my lovely friends...

to see the unique cityscape of Bangkok

with its massive bridges,

and another,

the smaller ferries that ply the vibrant river,

a view of the Grand Palace,

and the Wat Arun.

Yes, Ayutthaya may not compare to Angkor Complex, but the mere fact that I was standing on ancient grounds of utmost historical importance not only to the Thais but to all mankind being a testament of ancient men's architectural superiority was more than enough reason for me to go see and experience it for myself.

Awakened!

I am so back!

After almost a year of neglect, this blog will be up and running again, with big thanks to a very good friend who shook me off from my deep slumber.

During the hibernation, I have collected a lot of adventures that I would like to share to the world.  And I have to do this fast, because I have an inkling that 2013 is going to be as packed.

Coming up!

And so much more!