Day 2 | Candi Borobudur At Dawn

This is one of those short trip that we decided to do as we figure Jogjakarta does not have much places to cover and a holiday out of country is highly required (excuses as usual) thus Jogja fits the bill. Do bare in mind that I've visited Jogjakarta when Air Asia route was via Solo which also means it took us 1 hour to get from Solo's Bandara to Jogja town. What's in Solo? Well, it is famous for the Solo batik for one (or so I've heard) and one of the famous temple is located near by which as usual, I have successfully (with flying colours) forgotten it's name.

Am not sure the locality of the Jogja's Bandara (Airport) but I can share the experience I had with Solo's though, it is small; like.. really small. Kid you not! How small you wonder, could Lily be exaggerating? Let me describe as briefly as possible. As the airplane dock (is this the right word Adam? Dock is meant for ship only, right?), we got down, an walk for probably 20 meters before reaching the terminal. And by terminal I meant the custom ie where you stamp you passport. YES! The queue was about 30 meter and we ended up outside the terminal on the pavement/near the airplane. And we thought it was funny (despite the hot weather) cause as we approaches the door of the terminal (10 meters before the immigration), we saw the conveyor belt carrying our luggage on our right side (starting from the door where we came in!??!). And upon unloading the bag, any passer by can just grab your bag as it is 5 foot away from the waiting area (no glass, no nothing). Confused? Let me put it this way, the waiting area is behind the immigration folks, like literally behind them. Sigh... Enlightening experience.

Anyway, I've gotten the tour agent contact (Yes, I am very much pampered at times and uses the expertise of an agent to save time and energy) to book us (Anna, sis and I) for a Sunrise Borobudur Tour. YES! There is such package, I found out by mistake hard work searching Mr. Google. So Lengga instructed us to be ready at 4am (MORNING) as she will be picking us at that time. Obediently we waited for her, the journey took us 1 hour, best thing to do is - continue sleeping in the car. Hahahah.... What else right?!!?

The view from the top while waiting for glimpse of Ms. Sunshine

We need to enter via Manohara Hotel which happens to be the nearest hotel to Borobudur. The package comes with a torchlight & breakfast (after the sunrise tour) and you need not be a guest to enjoy and reserve this package (at that point of time, please double check).

Aside from getting the best and most beautiful view of Borobudur at sunrise, the other perk is that your transportation is to drop you at the foot of Borobudur which means, a shorter walk (you would not want to walk the distance ok!) which matters greatly to me.

With only your torchlight at hand and an experience guide, you will be guided to the top and to wait patiently for Ms. Sunshine.

 

The break of dawn.

Apologise for the low quality, those days the resolution and night capture quality sucks big time.

 

The stupas catching rays of the early morning sun.

 

How I wish my camera was good great, for my benefit and ego; just say the pics are nice yah! Hahha... A lot of frustration was put in.

The sky getting clearer, and suddenly we heard Lengga asking us to follow her to the other side. Better view she said.

One for the road, so they say, so we did.

Lengga was right, the view from this side is much better and Hewlett-Packard camera was better then my Canon IXUS camera. Frustusmus! At least we manage to capture few reasonabl;e shots. Thanks HP!

Breathtaking

The lesson begins where Lengga started to tell us the history of Borobudur, below is an excerpt from Wikipedia :

Borobudur, or Barabudur, is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist monument in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The monument consists of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. A main dome, located at the center of the top platform, is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside a perforated stupa.

Following the major 1973 renovation funded by UNESCO, Borobudur is once again used as a place of worship and pilgrimage. Once a year, during the full moon in May or June, Buddhists in Indonesia observe Vesak (Indonesian: Waisak) day commemorating the birth, death, and the time when Siddhārtha Gautama attained the highest wisdom to become the Buddha Shakyamuni. Vesak (or Waisak) is an official national holiday in Indonesia and the ceremony is centered at the three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur.

After Lengga told us in great length the story and history, we head down to have our breakfast while enjoying the morning air overlooking ancient Borobudur. Splendid.

One last picture before feeding our hungry tummy.

Soon after we finishes with Borobudur site, we adjourn to visit Taman Sari and it's mysterious tunnel and staircase. How did I locate this place (told you the places I covers are very different). I have to share that I rely gretaly on YOGYES.COM, no regrets... this site is pretty comprehensive.

Here's the thing, most people and site would recommend you to visit only Taman Sari, but hardly any tells you there's a secret tunnel underneath where the royalty will seek refuge during disaster or major emergency.

Excerpt from Yogyes.com :

This wide underground alley is used as the place when Keraton in the critical condition. Many hidden places can be found in this place. Leaving Tajug, you can see traces of Pulo Kenongo which was formerly an artificial island that was planted by cananga flowers to give fragrant into Taman Sari. YogYES then goes to Sumur Gumuling, underground mosque as the place for Sultan and family to do their religious duty. This two-story building is designed to have a good acoustic side. So, when the imam led the prayer, her voice would be clearly hear from all over the length and breadth of the building. Now, it still can being felt. The people speech who are far away from us will feel like they are on our side. Moreover, we can go to the center of the mosque by pass through the dark alleys. Arriving in the square-shaped with 5 steps around it in the center of the mosque, the feeling of majesty instantly felt. When we look up, the blue sky will greet us. The sounds of bird that came from settlements in Taman Sari area will add the serene atmosphere.

More info via Wikipedia HERE.

Excerpt from Wikipedia : 

It is a one-storeyed structure for the Sultan to meditate, or some said, a hiding place for the royal family during an attack. Another name for this island is Sumur Gumantung, because on the south side of this island is a well that hangs above the ground. This place could only be reached via the underwater tunnel. The building of Cemethi Island is now also in ruin. A legend says that there is a secret tunnel that connects the palace with the south sea (Indian Ocean) where Nyai Roro Kidul or the Queen of the South has her palace. The supernatural Queen becomes the spiritual wife of Yogyakarta Sultan for many generations.

As this was a 3D2N trip, and our flight was wee morning thus we need to leave the guesthouse 1 hour earlier due to Solo's Bandara distance. 

PS : Yes, I did visit the Kraton and few other temples, but we ran out of batteries so unable to blog about it. And yes, I would like to repeat Jogja probably do Mount Bromo too.

Hyperlink credit : Wikipedia, Yogyes.com

Khan el-Khalili Bazaar & Tour Member's Death

This is obviously the last day for my Egypt trip back in 2002, finally I decided to take a pic at my god knows how many strat but am not complaining since the full board package is so darn cheap right. You know what they say, beggar cannot be chooser riiiiight. Hahaahhha.....

I forgot to include the sad part, there was this elderly man whom we call Pak Cik (Uncle), he joined the tour with his beloved wife. He was so happy to be able to visit Egypt or Mesir (in Malay), according to his wife; it was his dream to step foot in this country. I recalled on the last night, during the dinner cruise on the Nile River, which he thoroughly enjoyed and even boogyed with the belly dancer.

Once dinner completed, we went back to the hotel cheerfully and as expected - chattily. Everything was normal as normal can be. Right after midnight, I received a call from the fornt desk, saying a person in Room XXX just passed away, I didn't know who obviously. My brother and myself got up and went to Room XXX, it was that Pak Cik (the chatty & cheerful Pak Cik). We were soooo shocked of the sad news.

The hotel went to all the Muslim member tour member and put our phone on loud speaker, we were wondering why; then they played Yassin through out the night till the next morning. WOW!!!

The next morning, the Malays student from University Al-Azhar came to help with the 'pengkebumian' (burial process) by mid morning all completed, burial ground in Egypt (they did not want to bring the body to Malaysia). We asked around, one of the tour member said that their kids flying in from Malaysia that morning and it's consensus that their late date to be burried in Egypt.

This was the most awesome and yet sad trip I ever had, a weird experience certainly.

We left the hotel after everything settle with the Pak Cik, we detour for little bit of shopping in their ever so famous bazaar. On the way there, we passed by few nice buildings that I WISH we stop just to take pics and look around but those in the trip was too geared up for souvenirs shopping.

I saw this beautiful building which am sure it was the famous The Saladin Citadel of Cairo which is the medieval Islamic fortification in Cairo, Egypt. Located on Mokattam, apparently it was famous for its magnificent views of the Cairo (no way for me to verify this right, arghhh...). Now, they preserved it for historic site, with mosques and museums etc. That's it, I MUST MUST MUST visit Cairo AGAIN.

We reached the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, I believe it's the biggest bazaar or souk in Cairo. You wouldn't believe the amount of souvenirs I bought for everyone and myself. My brother wanted to buy the Nefertiti bust, the Egyptian cat ornament etc; and I got myself plenty of fridge magnets, plates, cups, shirts, jewelry box & PERFUME!!!! Kinda regretted not buying the perfumes, their perfume apparently is very concentrated and all you need is just a little dab into your bath tub, you will smell all very sweet & lovely and your hair will be super soft. Either that or I just fell so in love with the Egypt that nothing can go wrong... HAHHAHAH.....

Last day and last stop and last picture for keeps for my 2002 Egypt trip, can't remember where I took this picture, but I know for sure; I am coming back AGAIN and hopefully SOON too!

Anyone wanna join me? Or don't mind me joining you guys?


JOM!!!

Hyperlink credit : Wikipedia

Great Sphinx, Pyramid & Dinner Cruise on Nile River

First destination on the 2nd day - Egyptian Museum ie is our focus in the morning.

Let me put into perspective about this fantastic museum by cutting and pasting from Wikipedia.

The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, known commonly as the Egyptian Museum, in Cairo, Egypt, is home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. It has 120,000 items, with a representative amount on display, the remainder in storerooms.

HUGE huh!

Apparently if we want to learn and understand even the bare minimum, you require at least 2-3 days, and we did it within half a day focusing on specific areas only. Even that was tooooo overwhelming to us.... phew... Mind you, we have to absorb 7000 years of histories in half a day. It ain't easy babe! That much I can tell you. Personally I feel, one whom like to cover Egypt should take at least 2 weeks and not to rush it; else it's pointless. This is one trip you need to digest, comprehend & appreciate, after all; it's the history of the beginning of civilization. Just my thoughts.

I can't remember the 2 mummy coffin (can I say this?) covered in gold but I can surely remember 1 of the area we went in (the above said area in the museum need additional entrance fee and it is all locked up and grilled up).

But one thing that caught me and stuck in my memory till this date is 3rd entrance fee that we paid to take a look is Ramses II. He was mummified and lay in a glass controlled temperature coffin, the one story about him was that ...

Ramses II has been identified with at least two figures in the Bible, including Shishaq and the pharaoh of Exodus. Some suggest Ramses II is the pharaoh that ruled during the time of the Biblical Exodus story. The story is about the Israelites that are forced to work for the Pharaoh. The Hebrew god Yahweh helps them by imposing the Ten Plagues upon ancient Egypt, after which the Israelites manage to escape the Egyptian army at the Crossing of the Red Sea. However, these claims are controversial at best.

Another story was that...

This Egyptian King in the era of Prophet Moses (pbuh). Its age is approximately 3000 years old and it was found by the Red Sea.

Whatever it is, I was in awe of what this museum held.

Next stop of what we all be waiting for..... Don't thing introduction is required here. But I will still include an intro...

The Great Pyramid of Giza (also called the Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Cheops) is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now El Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact. The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years.

Need I say more..... speechless huh.

In 2002, the tourist buses is already that many.... now? Probably DESERT of BUSES.

Desert shopping.

Check out the ratio. Remember! This was built without any technology or machinery! This is a wondrous feat.

Of all the stuff we here, I guess the one that intrigue us most will be on the curse of the pharaohs to those who found or dig or stole (from) his tomb.

The first of the "mysterious" deaths was that of Lord Carnarvon. He had been bitten by a mosquito, and later slashed the bite accidentally while shaving. It became infected and blood poisoning resulted.

This might be coincident of course but.... it's more fun with mysteries like this huh. Spicing it up a notch.

What is Egypt trip if I did not cover The Great Sphinx of Giza? Right?!?!??!

A sphinx is a mythical creature with a lion's body and a human head. It is the largest monolith statue in the world, standing 73.5 metres (241 ft) long, 6 metres (20 ft) wide, and 20.22 m (66.34 ft) high. It is the oldest known monumental sculpture, and is commonly believed to have been built by ancient Egyptians of the Old Kingdom during the reign of the pharaoh Khafra (c. 2558–2532 BC).

As usual, and this is the part I hated most, all travel agents tend to take us to some local shop where by they will force us to buy and the agents will get commission. Sigh.... ANNOYING!!!

This time, he took us to papyrus outlet, the history is kinda fascinating though, so I don't mind do much. One thing caught me off-guard is the nature of this papyrus tree. Below is a pic... And I always thought it as big as normal tree. Sigh.... doink Lily!

Before we call it a day, the tour agent asked anyone of us whether we would like to have dinner on The Nile River cruise which of course cost additional money needed, and I thought to myself; when else am I coming back here right? So why not? I went checked with my brother and he is okay with it (obviously since am paying for his whole trip!!!)

This was just before I boarded the cruise, nice cruise ship huh!

The top floor was allocated for meal package with culture show - Dervish dancer, but all of us opted for..... JENG JENG JENG.....

BELLY DANCER package. Hahhahaha....

My brother gotten himself high after peeping on the Dervish dancer whirling.... yup! We were allowed to peek for while into the top deck :)


Planning Egypt as your next destination?

Hyperlink credit : Wikiedia

My Egyptian Trail 2002

I visited Egypt in 2002 hence this entry is looooong over due. In fact, it wasn't a planned trip, you see.... I have this relative of mine base in Seremban whom have a travel agency called Proxima. Knowing my passion for traveling, she called me one fine day to inform me that she got an info from a travel agent friend of an Egypt package available.

It was a 6D4N full board trip that cost me RM1,600 ie USD520!!! YUP!!!! We were booked into a 3 star hotel near the Giza but I don't mind as I always feel that travelers spends the daylight hour outside and the hotel is for changing and resting ONLY.
AGREE?

It was a worthwhile trip as it took us to Cairo/Kaherah and Alexandria/Iskandariah.... well... I ain't complaining for the amount I am paying. We checked-in the hotel on the day we arrived and the next day we zoomed to Alexandria.

It was an interesting journey from the beginning cause I decided to book the trip 2 weeks before departure. Then upon feeling the ground of Egypt - was overwhelming to describe the least, not to forget the journey to Alexandria.... breathtaking.

I took this pic during the 2-3 hours journey from Cairo to Alexandria; I was very unique, I couldn't understand why the table set was arranged in this manner so far apart from each other but hey.... it look good in the pics mah.

El-Mursi Abul-Abbas Mosque is a famous mosque in Alexandria, Egypt. It is dedicated to the 13th century Alexandrine Sufi saint el-Mursi Abul Abbas whose tomb it contains. Here's the best part, I walked pass these kids outside the mosque; one thing I noticed which was very very VERY HEALTHY is that they are very friendly. Very chatty in fact, I too was wondering why; well..... I managed to find the answer - they wanted to polish their English. Impressive huh!

One must visit this place, it took my breath away in every way. 1st was the Royal Library of Alexandria, or Ancient Library of Alexandria, in Alexandria, Egypt, was the largest and most significant great library of the ancient world. and where it is located, I too would go to library every single day.

Why I say this, the library is situated facing Mediterranean Sea... you have to see it to feel it. Just promise me you guys go and see this for yourselves.

And we have the BESTEST tour guide ever, apparently he studied in an International School hence he have this American accent, yeay to us! Superbly friendly and knowledgeable, reason being he took a degree in Egyptology, I mean.... I didn't even know such course is available. And he told us that Egypt history goes as way back as 7000 years. NO ways he can cover within 4-5 days. He even reads Egyptian hieroglyphs. Fascinating huh!

Where we had our lunch? Facing the Mediterranean Sea... how cool is that huh!

Remember I said how friendly they are.... there you go.

Hyperlink credit : Wikipedia