I had already visited Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Bagan in Myanmar and imagined that Borobudur was just another Buddhist temple, how wrong I was.
If you travel in Indonesia , as far as I am concerned, Borobudur is a stop you must make. I went there from Yogyakarta, where I spent a few days. I left very early so I could enjoy the morning light, admire the palm trees and green rice fields that surround the temple, as well as the volcanoes that form the skyline.
The temple, which is over 1200 years old, has preserved itself admirably well over the centuries and has also been very well restored. You can saunter round the terraces arranged in concentric circles and their 72 stupas and marvel at the galeries adorned with low reliefs. Photo enthusiasts, this will be a real treat!
I will never forget that magical sunrise at Borobudur, with the majestic Merapi Volcano in the background and in the valley opposite a mist covered forest with Borobudur temple in the middle. It's worth going to Borobudur during your holidays in Indonesia just for that one moment.
Borobudur temple is massive, placed in the middle of a plain surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. I was there early but there were already tourist coaches arriving. Fortunately they were in a hurry and in an hour we were alone again, until some Indonesian students arrived and started to take our photos, which is an excuse to come and speak a bit of English with you!
As the top of the temple was undergoing renovation it wasn't accessible, which was a shame. After the temple we went on to explore the local villages, especially the potters' village, which I probably preferred to Borobudur when it comes down to it. The temple is beautiful, but the surrounding countryside and its people are wonderful. I have great memories of everyone smiling at us in the market and of a very warm welcome in our guesthouse.
Borobudur is one of the temples that you have already seen many times, even before the start of your stay in Indonesia ! This temple's style is very recognizable and you will have some lovely photos to take once there.
As for me, I went to the temple after travelling all night by road (from Bandung), so I must say that I was not at my best for the visit of the temple. However, I was lucky enough to get there at around 8 or 9 in the morning. The sun was already well out, the tourist souvenir sellers as well, but it was not yet too crowded. I assure you though, that in the hour that followed, it was no longer possible to take photos without including the crowd. The other solution, which takes a little more time if, like me, you prefer your photos devoid of all human presence: a tripod stand with a long exposure time or the help of Photoshop!
One of the things that marked me the most about Borobudur is the greenery surrounding the temple - from the top of the temple, you could almost believe that you were lost in the middle of the Indonesian jungle and its greenery as far as the eye can see. Impressive!