photography

Mount Bromo Sunrise: epic photo blog

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Brace yourself for an onslaught of photos.

When I was in Indonesia for Golden Week this year, one of the things I did was see Mount Bromo at sunrise, followed by a trek up to Mount Bromo – a very much active volcano. It’s quite the trip. You generally need to book a driver and a guide for Mount Bromo. We opted to arrange just a driver (and no guide) as the volcanic area is only accessible by jeep. We opted for the hard core most time-efficient method. This meant leaving Jogyakarta at about 4pm in the afternoon whereby we took a a several hour train journey to Surabaya. We stopped at a place for dinner and then met our driver at Surabaya station at midnight. From there we would drive 4 hours in the middle of the night out to near Mount Bromo. We then had to change to a jeep vehicle with a separate Mount Bromo driver. No bed for us tonight. In the wee hours of the morning before sunrise, we layered up into our warmest clothes to make our way to the lookout point for sunrise. Because we had not booked a guide, we were to meet our driver later on in the morning. Phew, that was already a long day of 12 hours of travel without sleep and we still hadn’t climbed Mount Bromo yet.

It was about 4am and we donned our headtorches and set off.
It was still dark out, but soon the sun would rise. We weren’t about to climb Mount Bromo just yet. We were taken to the sunrise view point from which you can see Mount Bromo. Us and a couple of hundred other tourists were all waiting for sunrise.

Waiting in the dark:

From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise

Three mountains:

From Mount Bromo Sunrise

Cloud cover over the valley:

From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise

When daylight broke, it was only then you realised how crowded it was up there.
A bit like Fuji. You get to the summit and then realise it’s like Times Square.

From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise

The view was spectacular. Amazing volcanic mountains and cloud cover.

From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise

Sunrise:

From Mount Bromo Sunrise

Cloud and mist covers the valley and village below:

From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise

Mount Bromo is the middle wide, flattish volcano that you can see here. It is still very much an active volcano.

From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise

Remember this image below, because in a later post I will put up photos of the land below when all the cloud lifted. The contrast is stark.

From Mount Bromo Sunrise

Cloud cover starts to lift:

From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise

It was pretty amazing. I was actually really surprised at how beautiful Indonesia was. So many mountains and volcanoes, as we all beautiful resort islands. The food was amazing, everything was pretty cheap and the people really friendly.

From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise

Smoke billowing from the two volcanoes:

From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise

Selfie sticks everywhere in Indonesia! Was surprised at how many people I saw using there during my holiday:

From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise

Our driver took us to a different lookout point where it is less crowded and we got a different angle.

From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise

This is Mount Batok, and behind it you can see the billowing smoke from Mount Bromo.

From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise
From Mount Bromo Sunrise

Not even 9am yet and we were still yet to climb Mount Bromo! Stay tuned.

Indonesia Day 1: Kraton – Yogyakarta Palace

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

We arrived into Yogyakarta on Saturday night. Therefore Sunday was Day 1 of our Indonesia trip.
It was hot hot hot.
Sunday was our designated day to sightsee the city of Yogyakarta. Most people stay in Yogyakarta as a base to see Borobudur and Prambanan further afield. It didn’t seem to me that there was a lot to do in Yogyakarta and most of the major sights can be covered in a couple of days. We had two main things on our checklist for the day: Yogyakarta Palace (the Kraton) and Taman Sari (Water castle ruins).

We set off on foot to the Palace. We kind of got lost along the way but eventually found it although we kind of came in at the wrong entrance point.

Everybody in Indonesia rides motorbike scooters. They are everywhere.
We passed a lot of bicycle shops, motorbike scooter stores, and surprisingly a lot of wooden coffin stores. Correlation or coincidence?

Another dubious store:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0NesBtbV44PhVE8yzb87FPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xA_Ju1O6pSQ/U2o7NMBgriI/AAAAAAACkoQ/3BpA9uujQok/s640/DSC_0013.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

A becak – rickshaw vehicle where the driver rides a bicycle to transport you.
<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mgQ_lzut4gH1gLepajxDsfU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-i40gsZRpzD8/U2o7NH9yUMI/AAAAAAACkoM/8BvKMFyACN8/s640/DSC_0014.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

It took us a solid half hour or so for us to finally reach the Palace with a couple of detours.
The Palace is rather unusual. It’s basically a large gounds complex with a lot of performance pagodas. You can see performances of traditional music and dance. Apparently the dance performances are only on certain days, Sunday mornings being one of them.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/–EltiyIk5PW81QkKs7rTPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zZjHjQLErmQ/U2o7OIuVO-I/AAAAAAACkog/JJCY0xK8sXk/s640/DSC_0016.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KeGy9_j0lOgqhMki4clK_fU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0f7Yq33dd0A/U2o7PFjYlWI/AAAAAAACkos/GpVl2fHv5ik/s640/DSC_0018.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/J0lsE5G3WR8sT-pdrkq1IPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IAnryq6kAH0/U2o7RsMNG0I/AAAAAAACkpM/XmX76hVuIBw/s640/DSC_0022.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IQtuewqXoGYTmPjM2kZzq_U5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OKNk55hDoqY/U2o7VVqCa8I/AAAAAAACkps/D3j9Du58lnU/s640/DSC_0026.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

There were a lot of school groups and the kids pounce on all the foreigners/tourists to practice their English and do questionnaires in English and have their photo taken with Caucasians.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LbYKfkPEh_h15okqKkPO3_U5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jlTG9EbCOEk/U2o7WkeDhOI/AAAAAAACkp4/MLC8lh6Y120/s640/DSC_0028.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5pvZcKvO75mdRGwRC63Mv_U5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WKjr4FO7QBc/U2o7XOPFjAI/AAAAAAACkqI/jxSxtuqfm4s/s640/DSC_0030.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

Here are some tourists being mobbed by the schoolkids:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zRZpl1sZrndoDaPttuxua_U5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4KqukP2FoOE/U2o7bS0KBMI/AAAAAAACkrg/mHxNnSTTu98/s640/DSC_0039.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

The Palace is essentially a museum of sorts, but a lot of it is not really accessible nor is it very informative.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vBOjyZwU-W3F7R6j6PEhPPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jS3WLPbqCuA/U2o7XTSQ-QI/AAAAAAACkqM/85dN6s5xftg/s640/DSC_0031.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCN74l-j3wNHryQE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gqkj15Go3jS5X-w9ek-eLvU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OAhFHwMkeyY/U2o7Ykvx5kI/AAAAAAACkqg/SjxB7WvzV_4/s640/DSC_0032.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCN74l-j3wNHryQE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rP7Ri4O1szEq3U-qKcKE2fU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cfVEYcP5ado/U2o7c9qUphI/AAAAAAACkrk/hZcM2IY2PjA/s640/DSC_0042.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCN74l-j3wNHryQE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

The highlight and the only interesting attraction are the cultural performances.

The males dancing:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vybsYPZLu3RT_ebJPa_UWPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wxtg_iqvuPU/U2o7k5qdk9I/AAAAAAACkso/ggWMtqx4cOg/s640/DSC_0050.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCN74l-j3wNHryQE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-Q-twtUxx2bQdT2zDjA-HvU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l4l0ymfcblo/U2o7l7n2AcI/AAAAAAACks0/Ui3mZbU_zhM/s640/DSC_0052.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/71OSnYOvyZeO845sTIp_AvU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_sM3muIGnI0/U2o7m4_ac0I/AAAAAAACktI/OLxGouvUJiE/s640/DSC_0054.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SJIQT67iKs2pR32PrnTzAPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lsWwrPsUhh4/U2o7oDeSwJI/AAAAAAACktY/mVx8yZaM6fo/s640/DSC_0056.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mlrV_yKGRCBX6rr38pYVFPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LncZkjULmcM/U2o7po_KUyI/AAAAAAACktw/jgPoch7bePs/s640/DSC_0059.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NG7BpHfBjQZMfzjo5_lU5vU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HKBRFAFfCcc/U2o7qimF6mI/AAAAAAACkt4/AFaVgiebCgo/s640/DSC_0060.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

Got to see the females practising outside before they went in to do their performance. The girls looked so pretty and graceful.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/–h_qdLsN5TLpyUiFsB0rvU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uwJyhDZDIyc/U2o7rNNOChI/AAAAAAACkuE/DFied0jm3e4/s640/DSC_0061.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qNuw8ZGDrW7OouvzTJZf9PU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IUhXq1cKK4M/U2o7tfSalxI/AAAAAAACkuk/gZ8ONPFn2BQ/s640/DSC_0064.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0x6ZVV-XtoymT6NUkGWfVvU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iJr3uYTx76k/U2o7vxxyqaI/AAAAAAACkvQ/jMAndJhHB8w/s640/DSC_0070.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Amj72M8NCrrOV7_2R1xo6fU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FiycUvFIC2U/U2o7w1_MwFI/AAAAAAACkvk/tDOUhSudwpw/s640/DSC_0072.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kaK1pSwkQ1XgCA8-o-4KN_U5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tt8Cpu_9eSo/U2o7xTt_i1I/AAAAAAACkv0/A0znyzkrXoA/s640/DSC_0074.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GJYPQ5bWeMcP7ILg7fpJ3fU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-U7kxvugOTqE/U2o7z8xPkuI/AAAAAAACkwY/mLtymf3YQRo/s640/DSC_0079.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

On stage:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NXLltluS_oh9KNLFQktvtvU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DRp5_tE2hfQ/U2o76bUMQzI/AAAAAAACkyI/mWeslXp26EI/s640/DSC_0095.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/C67SzFA_DrT_pwmQPEAjE_U5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0VrAvMXQmr0/U2o78kUzxXI/AAAAAAACky4/eVACFXSZ54s/s640/DSC_0099.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h00l1sS8ZRsRwQBR8zBEhfU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1RkwkbXsn0U/U2o77sA2f3I/AAAAAAACkyg/1yhWRoCaMyY/s640/DSC_0098.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Jj2MVGiapCiw27BEgEkCiPU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pcQE-3Sy48g/U2o79D6flNI/AAAAAAACky0/SoDDU5y_Ot4/s640/DSC_0101.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9W0FhJzLAn-FUzRl6MsU7PU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ib7vrazdweg/U2o79fplyjI/AAAAAAACkzA/Oc3d6DHwQhc/s640/DSC_0102.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

Other parts of the Palace:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l60mNNdgA8XC328Yl8Q_9vU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9TYL3_pwhb4/U2o72r_b1XI/AAAAAAACkxA/cp_kSMDLgGk/s640/DSC_0085.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OlWjmxysdHQZLgEEfu6XPvU5QC8SDchkDIvDpg7-jbE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ODRU_xEe2Us/U2o72yPaoNI/AAAAAAACkxM/9nRxriTYRlo/s640/DSC_0086.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/YogyakartaPalace?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Yogyakarta Palace</a></td></tr></table>

One of the things I observed throughout the trip was that very few buildings in Indonesia seemed to be built above one storey. All the buildings are flat. It doesn’t have that metropolis skyrise effect. Everything was just single storey buildings, Not a lot of high rise apartment buildings nor apartments for that matter. Even most of the hotels, hospitals etc weren’t built much higher than 4 floors. Everything was built flat and spread out rather then built upwards and underground. Perhaps because Indonesia is prone to a lot of earthquakes and volcano eruptions. But I noticed that everything was built low and out rather than up. Huge contrast to Japan where space is scarce and so everything is built up and down with numerous multistory buildings and a huge underground network.

Indonesia Day 2: Borobudur

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Have recently just got back from Golden Week holiday in Indonesia . Had an amazing adventurous time. Only spent about 10 days there. Way too short. I totally loved Indonesia. Definitely warrants another visit. So much to see and do there. Only went to Java Island and Lombok region.

Went with a friend flying from Haneda to Yogyakarta on Java Island. We decided to avoid Jakarta although we did have a layover there enroute.

On the second day upon arrival in Yogyakarta we went out to Borobudur about 1.5-2 hours from Yogyakarta. Borobudur is pretty amazing. It’s the world’s largest Buddhist temple. The stupas (bell-like mounds) are really cool to see. Just the scale of the place is pretty amazing.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XSxsUuqJk-_vgKChpIfPbpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8gWNLuqbeog/U2o-rGzBMYI/AAAAAAAClFo/eyWI71NPy2o/s640/CSC_0412.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZHJPY4Ou6uwbKaLR0QihZpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xt8HWkIaGtk/U2rCC7QNDJI/AAAAAAACmGE/Ku7rqxCneFw/s400/IMG_7799.JPG&#8221; height=”400″ width=”400″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/28pXHK2vv378AT0FKpGZY5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qWFSJTRxBRQ/U2rCC5sG9II/AAAAAAACmGA/4SUptqaOEko/s400/IMG_7798.JPG&#8221; height=”400″ width=”400″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

There are apparently 72 of these stupors.

Entry into the grounds of Borobudur requires all visitors to wear a sarong (provided) regardless of what you are wearing.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/STu8sPVkBZgXjTrBbCbxZJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y47rFnfh0OA/U2o-t6GaBDI/AAAAAAAClGE/ZKfOAG03VPE/s400/DSC_0290.JPG&#8221; height=”266″ width=”400″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Pretty fashionable stuff. Cheesy poses are mandatory at all touristy places.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NaU_bugxFYaNlcBATABOnZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ALtvdVpz01w/U2rBkzi9x5I/AAAAAAACmEM/AgJ66f75CxM/s400/IMG_7726.jpg&#8221; height=”400″ width=”300″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HLTXAwr76Ba0RzLQDucr6pHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-r-rthK5sdTQ/U2rCC2J72gI/AAAAAAACmF8/HIZHcK4xL1A/s640/IMG_7797.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NduJ2T231qlVspmSti5Ch5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aMZzFIvmSwY/U2rBiXUlKzI/AAAAAAACmDY/TlY3AVYPI4k/s640/IMG_7719.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

The grounds are pretty massive surrounded by various gardens and forest. So lush and green, surrounded by low-hanging mist.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rLid8gv0Rw7uM8NCpiO8qpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cB-NChVhKnU/U2o-rXHUEYI/AAAAAAAClFs/n16Fyw3KgG4/s640/DSC_0288.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VHKEdbiQ8xC1j_FyfSDdu5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hmTkd4GNYSQ/U2o-rnzFX1I/AAAAAAAClFw/tsqwQ02rJoU/s640/DSC_0289.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AlCnyfV6gpaZGsZMRrMNT5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MiZaWtccvOs/U2o-xbLwBWI/AAAAAAAClGs/qAZotmbMbhg/s400/DSC_0296.jpg&#8221; height=”400″ width=”266″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

The temple consists of a few different tiers:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Fv6BssVWoAkOGL-bfJltKpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LfCX2nBAlQQ/U2o-y38km4I/AAAAAAAClHA/IfbhQfoGhKI/s640/DSC_0299.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/g4yDX9j1LuMwgdduUKrDBJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WmY2US64idE/U2o-1EjEeHI/AAAAAAAClHU/EkOwxh8c6y0/s640/DSC_0301.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cHMFxqzycBuIuMxRgZr2RZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xpvp_nzFUnc/U2rBUpnuQNI/AAAAAAACl_A/SiKjiYbp3dE/s640/IMG_7682.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Most people are eager to climb up straightaway to check out the stupas, but the correct ritual is to actually walk around the whole complex three times in clockwise motion. We took the time to do this before entering the temple getting a 360 degree view of the place, all three times.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JcqJhgiiFSdizWQdXSn6yZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nqwlmuICQuQ/U2o-13b1J3I/AAAAAAAClHc/sIhUc0VU1LQ/s640/DSC_0302.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vfsJEHf1xMBtuRduhCUtu5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s0ZDmbrO56U/U2o-2LKuHwI/AAAAAAAClHk/xkGPbIGYSZI/s640/DSC_0303.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zIScaIwysJPBV_nuyBOOmJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-saGNVv2WrSg/U2o-2rLIHkI/AAAAAAAClIE/Jl3SUKrXw3c/s640/DSC_0304.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fV7V3a2JJ6zfh-pxO-_RE5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-arNwaUc3r18/U2o-27Gy6II/AAAAAAAClHw/JpvvpSxSF84/s640/DSC_0305.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCNfG_eeXhKzSwwE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/v3ScQZW6Xn92fEF60tIZk5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iDb8fWKpTDE/U2o-8WpbX4I/AAAAAAAClJk/e07YpXOa6Ck/s640/DSC_0317.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/juZVlnTmc_DS_cIY6qePaJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sHkZL8FdwjM/U2o-9Zdsj0I/AAAAAAAClJo/UN5p0WiSrr8/s640/DSC_0319.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ezvIWuMsmV5N9vH2n87NxZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PEl4eT1Y_YA/U2pAAC4mSII/AAAAAAAClZM/BvE0hEXm5Og/s640/DSC_0453.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yzjsMYh8_eHnZoWNPZ_DSpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wja7roqmtiU/U2o–FyxOfI/AAAAAAAClKA/vAPenTKOSIg/s640/DSC_0323.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

The stupa mounds are pretty fun to look at. They kinda look like bells or Hershey kisses or short-handled toilet plungers. They’re so photogenic, one cannot stop taking photos of them. There is after all, 72 of them to look at. And you betcha that I’m going to post a photo of every.single.one.of.them. Just kidding. But I did take a hell of a lot of photos.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/opIOnyl03DOXGu9HgM_ybpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S4KGHrZ_KJ8/U2o_H5py0ZI/AAAAAAAClM8/C6ep64bB78w/s640/DSC_0351.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/O5YjXC5xENZaLCGlzj_fLpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SgOhaofnX9k/U2o_HZvkJaI/AAAAAAAClM4/AA8WncQDBFU/s640/DSC_0350.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YNgoZWLb6mBh7Z66ux2yE5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UbR4KAEXRyA/U2o_JuBQ9JI/AAAAAAACmNI/jyIteMhjQnI/s640/DSC_0355.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fJ2Qp_x1W2QLEkZt2Vspx5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Et6_TOLTmDw/U2o_JqF7BOI/AAAAAAAClNk/GXMEfPoLw7M/s640/DSC_0356.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/t47Xv3pDnzC215i2bOWML5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bRRbyyXEkxY/U2o_MF_ReZI/AAAAAAAClOQ/LHrqKDM8q5A/s640/DSC_0363.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EALbEZxbdwsh_-fdhbC6a5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8js8bqspwVQ/U2o_NXL7L8I/AAAAAAAClOc/GmP5CBTzg9E/s640/DSC_0365.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h1A7Irm_zMG4Pwbh6G7WyJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZZiEHjtcn-U/U2o_OMBWKvI/AAAAAAAClOk/GjdP2uTps9Y/s640/DSC_0366.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7jj0rIMzs4ls2tn6ht-6NpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mMoZoX4gJBg/U2o_P4143BI/AAAAAAAClO0/ZIisNlmXeS0/s640/DSC_0368.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UpKdRBCIxirZttWPO-UyWpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sBYYZ_icpRY/U2o_RsSSwuI/AAAAAAAClPc/ilFMOf4hqIo/s640/DSC_0373.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RVNnLFY2USQD6T_T0TfEjJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-twXLojGnFUY/U2o_R3FUv7I/AAAAAAAClPo/Ip2NHNMny1E/s640/DSC_0374.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xQsAvQ8O1-mbBhP4esRZpJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zg3uR33RjOw/U2o_SJOAGLI/AAAAAAAClPk/rkv9UWy-Rys/s640/DSC_0375.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/c39VuCk2KjaA93hy1roCKJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7XVZDctn2ro/U2o_TvWnfkI/AAAAAAAClP4/4a-GNwKJ1zg/s640/DSC_0377.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MlSn0cF3URaf41_5kz4CE5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-awdbTdVwJUY/U2o_ZRyDOqI/AAAAAAAClQs/wcbJqc9XWiw/s640/DSC_0383.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pAyuBQ9nUIi2SmMKYBJr_ZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/–uOONltO-h8/U2o_c6AtZ4I/AAAAAAAClRM/auDy1ygnC58/s640/DSC_0388.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fECoyvpvWvsfag_rUnEskZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iksp-v8wleo/U2rBaTuzM4I/AAAAAAACmA8/bdap13ef01c/s640/IMG_7697.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7S0wRaR8S97LJ8UW_mlQrpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5oNjhXRsiYM/U2rBboVEJuI/AAAAAAACmBM/jLe_ANuUP-A/s640/IMG_7701.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iZKSvP9rWSPxP23WcQXPIJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q8YA24G8tJI/U2rBbarAWkI/AAAAAAACmBc/DoiN4Wkmgwo/s640/IMG_7700.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mlqa31Laqn3CIZCtTDV4sZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LzH4vwDS0bQ/U2o_irMsqtI/AAAAAAAClSM/3q5UEpzl9rk/s640/DSC_0395.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FMNE0Z2Ciz7tMZcOsCXC-pHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zZtKMwG1wD8/U2o_mtkAmZI/AAAAAAAClS0/9cRM-ka_9RY/s640/DSC_0402.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3WLYwImQbB3cHp4oRxWqVJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zFFaezdYbHk/U2rBeBj2TGI/AAAAAAACmCY/Jtnzjk0K3MM/s640/IMG_7707.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZVCaAtXUuhD1WK6zzIBAdZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RYoMe29WUCs/U2rBmaQ73RI/AAAAAAACmEs/BCdVN8OkS9k/s640/IMG_7732.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/55fGj7RErDVVGlH1nKZB-pHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q03DpP6RBlo/U2o_vAbh3CI/AAAAAAAClUI/KkrkaPjF5kY/s640/DSC_0411.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QNOaxxj7ZgZWTIL9fmIW2JHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EQT1-W1TAGQ/U2o_w5HHiAI/AAAAAAAClU0/bnN49EpnaQY/s400/DSC_0416.jpg&#8221; height=”400″ width=”266″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/J_IASfEbx8wvVubQjSc4WJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n3SDKVJ95QI/U2o_znlk8-I/AAAAAAAClVo/c6qYR0l0zpk/s400/DSC_0423.jpg&#8221; height=”400″ width=”266″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_sUl-01APf0ihKWaLCBPb5HCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tHeh4rAbOsI/U2o_4YI8BKI/AAAAAAAClXE/vA3wFB8qhXA/s640/DSC_0434.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

The walls of the temple:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gvo2P1FfxYOiGDLzy87VRpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-clhLv7cuGME/U2o_5VR5vtI/AAAAAAAClXM/oAMMXQsNj7w/s640/DSC_0436.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/P1qOmp1ms2hbZ5sA544lBpHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uNBOwOv95ek/U2o_6WK9LSI/AAAAAAAClXk/FKFYko-xCJw/s640/DSC_0439.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZUkPtC4_ktjGctLouYEd4JHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qiHOpZcs9io/U2o_655cstI/AAAAAAAClXw/u_0-9QAOIws/s640/DSC_0440.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Check out all the Buddha carvings into the concrete:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HmurpCfJ__VXjQ3H1BuG4JHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z71hEJ1GqTQ/U2rBndu8mlI/AAAAAAACmFM/zh6eiH3mltQ/s640/IMG_7735.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-f6jNmqYD3TJV9hMXuCvopHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hln1lqifS0Q/U2o_7tO9g0I/AAAAAAAClX8/4rH_qxGTAbw/s640/DSC_0442.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vLJblRR6pdGxd0hUZFwwepHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F0bZ0Ez5AHk/U2pAB1BlNOI/AAAAAAAClZs/zFmNSeykzy4/s640/DSC_0456.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/g_dbRy3LG7KqBFT-6Ja8VJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o9vK-nVU8b4/U2rBYZEFVcI/AAAAAAACmAQ/EGeRLp4luDk/s640/IMG_7692.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

A walk through the garden grounds:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uRUQQU_a0YqlwSX78PzqEJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-497XpTK2npg/U2pAErIoowI/AAAAAAAClaw/cmPHcL0MnbE/s640/DSC_0464.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tXMOxSeiWVD0W0gHLlDT8ZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-83AUAqE82_o/U2pAE79U_oI/AAAAAAAClao/w08ai0R0b_E/s640/DSC_0465.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/T_9Inmb5-Tvefm2WFTg8PJHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BfEW-1YhNDU/U2pAGmhYA-I/AAAAAAAClbI/fRB7nbOYdWg/s640/DSC_0469.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

We had to pass through a maze of street stalls strategically placed enroute to the ground exit full of sellers selling their wares and touristy knick knacks.

Mmmm coconut. I love fresh coconut water.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/111lk-X7AHrUcC8-DEK21ZHCYBtANBcX0ZiJ3pYmzlE?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tUkxwnA9xSA/U2pAIJW_c_I/AAAAAAAClbg/seveP4EdHbQ/s640/DSC_0472.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Borobudur?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Borobudur</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Borobudur is Indonesia’s single most popular tourist attraction. I can see why.

Indonesia Day 2: Prambanan

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Borobudur (the Buddhist temple) was then followed by a visit to Prambanan – a Hindu temple. It too, is a popular tourist destination in Indonesia. The city of Yogyakarta is the best place to base your stay for seeing Borobudur and Prambanan. We combined the tour into a single day tour, spending a couple of hours at each. It’s best to join a tour as they are not easily accessible by public transport. There are half day tours left, right and centre for Borobudur and Prambanan. We did the sunrise version which meant getting up at 3am to see the sunrise over Borobudur (more to come on that later). This meant that the tour was done by about 1:30-2pm. The last stop was Prambanan – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia, and one of the biggest in Southeast Asia. It was kind of Angkor Wat-esque.

Again upon entry, we had to don sarongs that were provided. Entry into both Borobudur and Prambanan require visitors to wear sarongs. We also went through the foreigner entrance. Both places include a light refreshment upon entry – tea, coffee, water.

From Prambanan

Very little information at these tourist attractions are provided in English save for a few notice boards. A lot of the museums were also in Indonesian only. And even though we went on a tour group, there was no guide. Just a driver.

Prambanan suffered some considerable damage during an earthquake. It was also closed to the public earlier this year after being affected by a recent volcanic eruption.

As usual, lots of pics (albeit not very good ones).

The main entrance:

From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan

The weather was insanely warm in Indonesia. All we did was sweat all day. So hot. The kind of place where you have the ac on all night at 18 degrees. And there seemed to be very little shade. I was just constantly hot and sweaty.

From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan

This was what was inside one of the temples:

From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan

Rock carvings:

From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan

Now, I’ll tell you what seemed to be all the rage in Indonesia. Brace yourself.
The selfie stick!
Yes, a stick in which you can attach your smartphone to take a selfie pic.
Short arms? No problem. The selfie stick is here to help.

From Prambanan
From Prambanan

I do believe it is someone’s birthday next week. (Nudge, nudge, hint, hint.)

My friend who I travelled with was mobbed everywhere we went. The worst was at the Yogyakarta Palace. But here at Prambanan, she got mobbed again by schoolchildren. They like foreigners. And be foreigners, they like Caucasian English-speaking foreigners. They all wanted photos with her. She was constantly being asked to have photos taken and even fill in homework questionnaires. The schoolkids were given questionnaires to ask various tourists.

From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan
From Prambanan

Borobudur: Check.
Prambanan: Check.
And it was only our second day there.

Hakuba Ski Resort in Photos

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Given my debilitating bout of hay fever that comes with the arrival of Spring, it means that Winter is over. Bring on summer, I say.

No more snowboarding for this season. Ended the season about 2 weeks ago at Nozawa.

But last month, I got to snowboard at Hakuba for the first time. Had only ever been there briefly in the summer many years ago. Hakuba was full of Aussies! Soooo many Aussies! And we’re not a classy bunch. The hotel we stayed at was full of Aussies. We took the shink there this time and then a connecting bus, given the previous week’s failed attempt to get to the ski resort due to the snowpocalypse.

This is how you travel in style:

From Hakuba snow weekend

View from the window of the accommodation, right at the base of the ski slope:

From Hakuba snow weekend

Hakuba is a great ski resort for the village vibe and its facilities. It’s also quite international – plenty of bars and dining options and a few onsens as well. It was one home to the Nagano Winter Olympics back in 1998.

From Hakuba snow weekend

Hakuba ski resort consists of 7 separate mountains, so you need to select your mountain pass options wisely. And the mountains are connected by free shuttle buses. Over two days, we managed to board at 3 of the mountains. Happo-One is best for skiers, not snowboarders. And the runs are quite steep and moguly.

Iwatake was great as was Tsugaike (athough Tsugaike is probably a little more beginner-friendly). Iwatake was pretty ideal out of the three we visited. Would have liked to have spent more time at Tsugaike but only managed to do a couple of runs there.

It was an awesome weekend though. Bluebird days and the mountains and the vista were absolutely majestic.
If a picture speaks a 1000 words, then consider this blog post Homer’s Iliad.

From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend

Ogle the Mogles:

From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend

EPIC:

From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend
From Hakuba snow weekend

Yekaterinburg Photoblog: Part 1

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

It’s time to re-visit or rather finish what I started during my time doing the Trans-Siberian journey. I never did get around to posting the rest of my entries.
I last left off at arriving into Yekaterinburg.

The train arrived into Yekaterinburg really early in the morning. From memory around 5am or 6am.

From Yekaterinburg

I would spend the entire day here, with a train booked out that evening at around 9pm or 11pm. I figured I could get in a full day of sightseeing without having to spend a night on accommodation there. Yekaterinburg is a stop worthy of an overnight stay though. First thing first, was to find a shower facility inside the station. Along the Trans-Siberian railway stops, quite a few of the major stations are supposed to have shower facilities. I was keen to try one out and experience it. It’s an experience you’ll probably want to skip.

Here was the awkward looking shower cubicle:

From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg

I had my backpack with me and it was a rather small space trying to shower and change, and not get everything all wet.
Shower done. Feeling fresh. Had to spend the whole day on the move since I had no accommodation. Next was to store my backpack for the day in the station luggage holding area which I found in the basement.

Dumped my luggage here (and no that is not my suitcase!):

From Yekaterinburg

And then set off for the day, exploring Yekaterinburg. And it was still not even 7am yet.

One of the things that really struck me about Russia was the amount of space, Wide. Vast. Amounts of it. Everything was so wide and big. Such a contrast to Japan where everything is small, compact and compressed.

From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg

I passed a bison fur and leather store:

From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg

Note, these do not express my personal views on fur.

From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg

I loved all the enormous buildings and architecture:

From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg

There is also a lot of interesting history in Yekaterinburg. It’s one of the bigger cities in Russia as well being quite the academic hub with a main university here and lots of history and culture.

From Yekaterinburg

One of the major tourist attractions here is the Church of All Saints otherwise known as the Church on Blood – so called for it’s bloody history where the last Emperor of Russia and other family members were all murdered here during the Russian Civil War.

From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg

The building is pretty magnificent though.

From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg

Passed another cathedral – a blue coloured one. Not sure what it was called. It was just an interesting colour.

From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg
From Yekaterinburg

Stopped for breakfast at some point – pastries and a cup of tea:

From Yekaterinburg

Had managed to kill about 1-2 hours of the early morning so far.

I had two main reasons why I wanted to stop at Yekaterinburg. The next post will explain one of the reasons. Enjoy the suspense.

50 shades of Autumn: Oze trail

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A long overdue photo post from last Autumn.
Finally got around to walking the Oze mashlands trail. Had always wanted to do this, since living in Fukushima back on my JET days.

It’s a nice easy leisurely walk on wooden platforms around the Oze national park marshlands (when you’re lucky enough to not be led around by the group guide at a whip-cracking pace).

Am getting lazy with the writing, so enjoy the photo overload.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yRxzmjovD6V__GXeNTbJRQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IkCwGX_Od2s/UoddEem6sdI/AAAAAAACZWA/wzM-uZirRGQ/s640/DSC_0326.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

Autumn leaves:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pKTsgH8pEsaJ8aYobSR6kgOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZB-lAwqWlC4/UoddFnW1qgI/AAAAAAACZWQ/l1tCS2DSqtA/s640/DSC_0333.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/a5NNfK2RUKnEqIiQv82WvwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DIDgbgPak7Y/UoddIFJpJ-I/AAAAAAACZXM/cBw4b1YvVlM/s640/DSC_0346.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_jzLDKa6kZ-nD44IOJnM9wOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PE0pw31Ev2U/UoddJlAHGkI/AAAAAAACZXY/pr7gfqm6eFc/s640/DSC_0353.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/T9jHjpmXyQTL2JJoPZd-yQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1LhJR_o2TPc/UoddL1sHuCI/AAAAAAACZX8/FR2i2wWGZmM/s640/DSC_0357.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

Hues of brown:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lV25oVgJjtWJTuDCkd1yMQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ueRixEazEPI/UoddMi9aLfI/AAAAAAACZYU/FDIq1wDnMcw/s640/DSC_0360.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

And more photos. Keep scrolling!
<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7u0NtuqMmJnz37iyGHvXlQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-szdkptCoOpI/UoddN15ZXZI/AAAAAAACZYs/UcF4hQtsH68/s640/DSC_0362.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WKe72bmuBSZiQzmYujiUqAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ovOmXq8MwD0/UoddOFQ74XI/AAAAAAACZY4/FwCAliJ5-mQ/s640/DSC_0364.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tCHG-R4QeKh2m75WienYxwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bz548KcC4LY/UoddPMJ1hXI/AAAAAAACZZE/mr814lS-ITs/s640/DSC_0368.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vlOSbfZYsdoXkkMEEM5-pQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EVv0nuceEwE/UoddPh7n43I/AAAAAAACZZI/yCHCKxd7Nms/s640/DSC_0369.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vDvSwM2nT_yx6uvB8Rz5YwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r2zkrG_kjS0/UoddRrGY3pI/AAAAAAACZZw/R_b5WUCv67o/s640/DSC_0372.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/807Qm5oEwFdfMZzxLZU8mwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VYXQNlOf1oM/UoddQ0hkGMI/AAAAAAACZZg/Rv_yWKlr_vA/s640/DSC_0373.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M532lsj7q4Yp9rRyEKXulwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z-OVlV26FXY/UoddSBwhThI/AAAAAAACZZ0/Q9bU8eyh_ow/s640/DSC_0375.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/35UmgCIR07TBvDP62nfjVAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nrgfoy6YmAI/UoddSr4-kaI/AAAAAAACZaA/36Xmd4-BICg/s640/DSC_0376.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MKLKf-Z60AYIBfKfluEidAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s0A7ABT7yxQ/UoddTQ6B4JI/AAAAAAACZaY/Inq47cjphYY/s640/DSC_0379.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

Playing follow the leader:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nr_IO9tKGwVExDLFuR2bfwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Os05Xa702Jw/UoddUV_yxwI/AAAAAAACZak/blo8z1-1WKI/s640/DSC_0381.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iMM3Wm8uQv-0jiVNvFy4TAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q727O_428qE/UoddUlj6ajI/AAAAAAACZa4/1CPGupYAsbU/s640/DSC_0383.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

The clouds were constantly changing on this particularly day, providing varied backdrops to the scenery, all in a matter of hours:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Z8jQFpLGypOfneDSeJX9lQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_ccp074jX-Q/UoddU3YB7AI/AAAAAAACZaw/g7y7aLHWZP4/s640/DSC_0384.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TP9E5lZsuJnHbubq816a0wOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e6LqGZPpxsU/UoddVW1EQoI/AAAAAAACZbA/ZzR1YmjqFEI/s640/DSC_0385.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4xDyvtmZUUohgOoExuGDCgOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oYT5k1iS1Ak/UoddVtVcchI/AAAAAAACZbI/dHwgMTq3hDA/s640/DSC_0388.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-Qb1ATzatpwnk5-QH8U-JwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PXDpCzWiMhw/UoddV2S9iJI/AAAAAAACZbQ/mbxQJdjrgC8/s640/DSC_0390.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SYQcB1u05Y2vGnUAzZrQrwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0BKbwH5WXYo/UoddWmxG5CI/AAAAAAACZbM/GY1QDpDb3L0/s640/DSC_0393.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

Yeah, that’s right. More photos.
<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vYg4Mky9HbCsC-AUqy5NPwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c4Kugcy1h18/UoddXAKv3KI/AAAAAAACZbo/aVLCamDMYNM/s640/DSC_0394.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yzX3xYBGBjrdmMcKGi9PFAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qY3KHyi4E-g/UoddXWh2y7I/AAAAAAACZbc/0lSmAkP8hp4/s640/DSC_0395.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xwUiNm1y7GV5pnkG_YTWBAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R-TqDSK4Gtg/UoddZbCL7-I/AAAAAAACZcA/fWLG8C-y-3Y/s640/DSC_0398.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pCLbmE0C639Cw9uxyqz5eAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d24nDdG4zbg/UoddaCT-hFI/AAAAAAACZcI/ZPhEx2qudAI/s640/DSC_0401.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

When we stopped for lunch, we totally gatecrashed this guy’s napping spot, and he still didn’t budge!

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ka_E2qp_eAdp_7rr9rJhvAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t0XggzDuRYw/UoddamKCNUI/AAAAAAACZcQ/Y9YTAjVsQfI/s640/DSC_0405.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/57-HkRjcIczXKoYsE6bzqgOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dVFlkH7hy8o/Uoddaniul5I/AAAAAAACfMo/NPrhtghCNZo/s640/DSC_0404.JPG&#8221; height=”562″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AtHcbK5HJJ2AUKZ6HjIBFgOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8JrtmsoBvpk/UoddcKUuk5I/AAAAAAACZc4/ISWTuy2EAJw/s640/DSC_0409.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8qSXcK0vtdFIX6DCgTCZrgOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9eVHIJtVjUA/Uoddc69l-tI/AAAAAAACZc8/lOsW7VhVQ4s/s640/DSC_0413.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K1ZawzZUNmybbUso1IoBJQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5dFezQoKebE/UodddU-wVoI/AAAAAAACZdQ/qof5PzNnkzo/s640/DSC_0414.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2QbmibXhyVaNmt_dEFbeCwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kbfeAfWqc24/Uoddeo_QyhI/AAAAAAACZdg/vBMEedBlmII/s640/DSC_0421.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

Halfway:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Q0HTx-zULBSOUY-ItIbRggOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tV9fp-5KL4M/Uoddhgm1s6I/AAAAAAACZeQ/_g3TwJzs_ic/s640/DSC_0426.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

In the “middle” of nowhere:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Cv4QQSHYHGfNA-ktn1IlowOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DOY9KAMnc5c/Uoddg7N0StI/AAAAAAACZeU/ocx7HmfZTpg/s640/DSC_0427.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AtCTOH8V1kwrsArH-v8W6QOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SzL28SHDo7o/UoddjIyEXlI/AAAAAAACZew/jh-Bm9xumb4/s640/DSC_0436.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6Rw3oyq8c1wjmoOG3-QvjQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lIcZl-Iy18w/UoddjUwhiwI/AAAAAAACZe4/kOOMCdgWfFw/s640/DSC_0437.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zHhjE9hOJBxOrvY-0zGDAQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tGaA9W7elFc/UoddngOQGbI/AAAAAAACZgQ/W2necn-H0wk/s640/DSC_0457.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RhPhCNyGaiBmnurqvH1rIAOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tdmFfVLE6ys/UoddoupBilI/AAAAAAACZgg/qrkolKVOik4/s640/DSC_0462.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FG-m–2PteHK3c9k1oS2awOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-K8ogrVl5CBI/Uoddo3Iql7I/AAAAAAACZgk/yVvY7Hez-mM/s640/DSC_0463.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lWRejvsd0UWvCMTz0zz5RwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z1AlTfItUAQ/Uoddp9WnAyI/AAAAAAACZg4/ANBTWHgnd6M/s640/DSC_0466.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zjjCtceWofijroPxZThjcQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vhTcXya3h_k/Uoddrh-T9-I/AAAAAAACZhg/5FjYvqa1Fpw/s640/DSC_0473.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

And because I haven’t posted enough photos….here are a few more.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/daoh9o7WzeKpnBDHHx1tJQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kz_3vqEGkqo/UoddtXpRUPI/AAAAAAACZiE/g23_yx0C8zY/s640/DSC_0479.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/k_KuV40vPlQqa70NesjAzQOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UDTP8WSK5gs/Uoddu5ho2qI/AAAAAAACZiU/pULXd73iaXQ/s640/DSC_0483.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/I3JGV8c1p5gREIli6qidHwOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L9QYPeWyeyM/Uodd3Gxl0TI/AAAAAAACZk0/UP5SbLHyC28/s640/DSC_0508.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JMClO01-A3-8rffCDHkF9wOVP5pgN1J-7jWX7d-iNUU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IRVXkeGLcOY/Uodd98nm0CI/AAAAAAACZnA/xcREUrpNZ-s/s400/IMG_5465.JPG&#8221; height=”400″ width=”400″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/OzeTrail?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Oze trail</a></td></tr></table>

Skytree: Tokyo night view

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

It is the tallest tower in the world and the second tallest structure in the world. And I went up it. That’s right, the Tokyo Skytree, which opened in 2012.

Purchasing tickets is a little convoluted if you don’t have a Japanese credit card, which I don’t.
This meant that I rocked up there at 4pm. Upon arrival, I was given a coloured card with a time slot printed on it. You have to come back at that time slot, just to purchase the ticket. I was allocated the time slot of 7:30-8pm at which time I would be allowed to purchase a ticket.
That was fine by me. I could grab dinner at the other end of town and kills some time and then get back to the Skytree.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/k7E8_lBCHJ7sc47zMVWOxFR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V-y9bMk_RyU/UsF7i8SG_3I/AAAAAAACcnw/A9e0LHHpFL4/s640/IMG_6254.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Between the 7:30 – 8pm allocated time slot, I was then allowed to line up to purchase a ticket. A line that I waited in for 45minutes, just to purchase a ticket. At about 8:30pm, I finally had a ticket and was then free to go up the Skytree.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hxAGeNEXo6CWJkuURTbhH1R4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ylEJ6Q9BCs/UsF7jL3JAZI/AAAAAAACcn4/8RZcv5RvfNo/s640/IMG_6255.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

By the time, I actually got to go up the Skytree, I was well and truly in time for the nightview.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZkV-vfPUAPD6vPJDb_d8LFR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uRiXX-NNq5k/UsF6-obepfI/AAAAAAACccc/9CoHnhsPiHo/s640/DSC_0038.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ouCT_qTevohuRzEoDdQnrVR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qjKDun0dtHY/UsF6-IOLKbI/AAAAAAACccU/yWZto5BnafQ/s640/DSC_0036.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

This is Tokyo by night:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/O38nlPnqBtYkZZlkUTdx81R4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gc-uXsB9q2I/UsF62NT524I/AAAAAAACcaA/3wRUHI-miy4/s640/DSC_0007.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

The Edogawa river:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4GkwTu8aaBb_pAM1xFPgx1R4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ak0eQuMWO04/UsF7J424o9I/AAAAAAACcgE/mPDLqcW4y0g/s640/DSC_0089.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f2rEjE60yQch2wfk6sapbFR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RJqqIPzdqts/UsF68CWu9MI/AAAAAAACcbs/0LKCObMbBdg/s640/DSC_0025.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

My super dooper zoom lens: Big Brother is watching yo!

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2IExKFL3inK-D03GSBNUVVR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F_hnwIkco0c/UsF68xgJSwI/AAAAAAACcb0/qWJtpZeV8fc/s640/DSC_0029.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Tokyo Tower:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/n1VXwbC9oxBrihVgR4pL-FR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OJT0R_6ocBY/UsF7aIwrcCI/AAAAAAACclA/DF0zmRMFIlI/s640/DSC_1686.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0tT5TOuu3ScBTWn8mig68FR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3xcGvO1PrWw/UsF7azBpNWI/AAAAAAACclY/-81aORmhveE/s640/DSC_1691.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Trust me: There is nothing wrong with your eyesight:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4HuGkKmh-d82nAOZtie3xVR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7QDFzAGoOgA/UsF7c1gqbDI/AAAAAAACcl8/q5VaZwZtlfo/s640/DSC_1695.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mM6y41SxISPbSeVhmKWi_VR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e3E4GZyt5s8/UsF7B6iUy6I/AAAAAAACcds/wVaUv49nSgk/s640/DSC_0053.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

The view from the top is pretty impressive. So long as you don’t mind jostling with people for window space. It was crowded! Avoid the long weekend if possible.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yqAJxjy63Ex4WrXIdv0RwlR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WHCCipi1C_A/UsF7Y48RrfI/AAAAAAACcko/b359kBbjQPA/s640/DSC_1680.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Tokyo is a pretty awesome city:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tuXhVcMpvBZHDjqO3ogYolR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_NE0xD5C_04/UsF7UCZFQPI/AAAAAAACcjU/sThJb4TRvoY/s640/DSC_1669.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YktsqDjDW5rn2-f5NnQYcFR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/–8-Q6hyk3xU/UsF7p4QwnsI/AAAAAAACcqI/n6hjzaxPdUc/s640/IMG_6306.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OeSV4ZBj3KT0P-Vux4rEgFR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3UkjSnIg3sc/UsF61ZEe0YI/AAAAAAACcZ4/1gAcsNc9oSQ/s640/DSC_0004.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yWTxKbxkwbUHF6sb_Z5r_FR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wNI4gZzxi34/UsF7hBhcmrI/AAAAAAACcnU/hlHmFX9Ftg8/s640/DSC_1709.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zoB15v8AsNSGT_Bg1VVZhlR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fnDjq4nEbtA/UsF66XbeN3I/AAAAAAACcbE/tlRRoAr-f6Q/s640/DSC_0020.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/V77YAqZZ_zw_RISk664yalR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-r7XTDcuRHS8/UsF7eEo2dVI/AAAAAAACcmY/U_E2QlOy2-A/s640/DSC_1698.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YDODlcjvmTnfXDNl5cfq7lR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gIZ4kl6HpEg/UsF8AL4V01I/AAAAAAACcqo/jk0PQiRaHGQ/s640/IMG_6307-TWINKLE.gif&#8221; height=”640″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Art n About

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

I love me some giant things. And by giant, I mean just oversized stuff in general.
Whilst out and about in Sydney last week, I was able to catch some <a href=”http://www.artandabout.com.au/”>Art n About</a>.
I love installation art. This kind of stuff is totally my thing.
Saw me some giant snails around the CBD.
Snails are cool.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UiFxQ4Nr0ZjyMiv13WdG6HaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AH7Mu6vzIWw/Ukym9ce0K5I/AAAAAAACZCo/qmE6IBDEjL4/s640/IMG_5385.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PN5FDUR2zQPtPzCx3v1RpnaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wLRBH5X33a0/Ukym9a74aOI/AAAAAAACZCg/EpY8Fyad6dY/s640/IMG_5386.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8SHZgGyElwEPpIjOBIlrSXaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OkgUF11LM_o/Ukym-SpbQrI/AAAAAAACZC4/qCoD_1ra6xs/s640/IMG_5388.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FmUeFcScAllwLxBZHv6GIXaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DZVqn-4ybwo/UkynApYi7yI/AAAAAAACZDc/aN-qrMS5PvQ/s640/IMG_5396.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/e0VE5aXSwkXdrnVHTY7JUXaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J8XtdyaZmVs/Ukym_o1ub-I/AAAAAAACZDY/OO4YVpxhVy0/s640/IMG_5392.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NhfC8HKJqLFukCTT9PrEZHaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kQbTwDiDRGE/UkynAmo_FJI/AAAAAAACZDU/sBFU5KrF0rk/s640/IMG_5393.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>

QVB:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DAHGDT6U8olRXZj-CkhpJHaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8c_NU64RLI4/Ukym-OyJnyI/AAAAAAACZCw/iGkIRy2ODNg/s640/IMG_5387.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>

The Strand Arcade:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s3xQ4D_2ZAlYFLAJiI-oOXaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sg3qDaeD9M0/Ukym-0hmW9I/AAAAAAACZDE/7kUT4sbUu4s/s640/IMG_5390.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>