Spectacular Sunrise at Borobudur- by everyone

We awoke at 4 AM outside of Yogyakarta in order to do the sunrise tour of Borobudur Temple. This is a must-see in Java and allows you to watch the sunrise over Mt. Merapi and watch the sun hit the largest buddhist complex in the world. At 4 AM, the alarm goes off.

Dad: Good Morning everyone! Time to get up - aren't you exicted to see the sunrise over Borobudur.

Kirin: (groans)

Simi: uuuuuuugh I dont waaaant to get up .

Mom: I want some coffee.

We finally get up and get transported to the complex and start walking in with our flashlights. It is completely dark and we can' see Borodudur at all even though we are walking in it and up the steep stairs.

Dad: Isn't this amazing?

Kirin: I don't feel well.

Simi: I don't see anything!

Mom: At least I am getting a workout today.

Then, the sky starts to light up and we start to see what surrounds us and then Mt. Merapi in the background.

We await the sun to come up.

Dad: This is unbelievable.

Kirin: I don't feel well but this really is amazing.

Simi: What else is there?

Mom: When is the sun going to come up already?

Then the guide takes us around the complex and we see the Stupas, the buddhas inside, the story of the Buddha on the walls and the guide points a carving of Shiva as well.

A carving of Shiva- indicating tolerance of hindu beliefs by the buddhists at this time.

Despite the early hour and Kirin's illness, this was an awesome experience and the pictures don't do it justice. After we finished the tour, we headed to Yogyakarta so that we could see the next temple- Prambanan at sunset- the subject of our next post!