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Monday, 16 December 2013

06/12/2013 - Cycling SE Asia. Day 29 - Yet another Hindu Temple, Prambanan.

Distance cycled: 19.8km from Yogyakarta to Prambanan.
Average speed: 13.1km/h
Moving time: 1h31m
Total distance: 2995km
Border X'ings: 3
Money spent: $25

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Only a short day of cycling from Yogyakarta to Prambanan temple but when I mean short I mean in distance not the time it took because I had two followers today who both rented bicycle from Yogyakarta to join me to this Buddhist temple were staggering slow.
First was Lena from Holland and the other Marcel from Germany, both were young and traveling by themselves so I suggested for them to join me.
It was a slow morning as they had to organize themselves for the trip hiring bicycles and getting their stuff together but because it was only 20 kilometers and I wanted to stick around for the sunset over the temples so I was in no rush.
The structures themselves were impressive and towered above the many tourists that would ogle the relief carvings embedded into the walls of the Unesco world heritage site.
Built between the 8th and 10th centuries AD these temples are the best remaining examples of Java's period of Hindu cultural development, form the largest Hindu complex in java and provides their audience with the best example of exceptional Hindu art.
The three of us wandered the grounds for a few hours but also got involved with a tour that took us to a view point above Prambanan where the remains of another temple resided. This actually turned out to be cheaper as Lena and I had our student cards and benefited from the 50% discount.
The sunset wasn't so spectacular but worth the view being almost the only people left in the temple complex before getting booted out by the security guards.
Because I had everything with me I stayed the night in town meanwhile the others had to cycle back to Yogyakarta in the dark. I do hope they make it back safely...

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Making our way to Temple no.1

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First temple and the view of Prambanan from above

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Intricate detailing

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Sunset over Prambanan

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