September Part II: Karimunjawa and Central Java

Sunrise Bawean
Dawn Fishing Bawean

The crew of Amandla sadly bid farewell to Bali on 17 September and set sail for Karimunjawa (read here for September Part I: Bali). After a two night sail, we decided to stopover in Bawean for a night’s rest before continuing onward to Karimunjawa. Thank goodness we did.

Our New Fuel Tank
Our New Fuel Tank

After a failed attempt to thwart it back in Townsville, Australia, our fuel tank leak morphed from a trickle to a gusher. We went from losing a glass of fuel per day into the bilge to twelve liters per day. Luckily, The Captain was quickly able to implement a creative solution, replacing our damaged 230-liter fuel tank with a 20-liter leak-free version.

Amandla At Dusk
Amandla At Dusk – The Best Part About Traveling In Our Home Is That Wherever We Go, We Are Local

On 22 September, we set sail from Bawean to Karimunjawa. The absence of wind allowed us to full test our new fuel tank. Success! Although we needed to refuel after every five hours of engine usage, the solution seems robust enough to get us to Malaysia where Amandla will enjoy a full refit.

Fishing Fleet Welcome Karimunjawa
Fishing Fleet Welcome – Karimunjawa

We arrived in Karimunjawa on 23 September and were greeted by many friends in the Sail Indonesia fleet that had arrived ahead of us. It was up early the next morning for a series of welcome activities arranged by the local community.

Karimunjawa Smiles
Karimunjawa Smiles

The first of these was a parade of over 30 fishing boats from the local fleet decorated for a friendly competition. It was absolutely magnificent to see them come unexpectedly over the horizon and through the anchorage to shore.

Playing Karimunjawa Image Credit: Karel Tenney-Dimitri
Playing Karimunjawa
Image Courtesy Karel Tenney-Dimitri

A couple of fishing boats brought the Sail Indonesia Rally participants to shore for the next event. This time, much to our surprise, the Rally participants were the entertainment. The crews were dressed up in local Javanese costume and asked to perform a 30-second welcome skit.

Taking Second Image Credit: Karel Tenney-Dimitri
Taking Second 
Image Courtesy Karel Tenney-Dimitri

The talented crew of Amandla were among the six ‘winners’ selected to perform this skit again that evening for the community and local officials. We took second in the final round. Next stop, Broadway!  Luckily, there was also a wonderful sunset jazz concert and a talented local dance troupe to round out the evening’s entertainment.

Local Dance Troupe
Local Dance Troupe After The Show

The following day, we jumped a fast ferry with 12 other crew and our guide Brother Pram (+62 8112 88827 | pramacer7@gmail.com | javajavatour@gmail.com) for a three-day temple-hopping tour through Central Java. If you want to visit Central Java, see it with Brother Pram; he knows where to go and will get you there quickly and in style. Everyone on the tour agreed that Brother Pram was the best guide we’d had in Indonesia (which says a lot because we’ve had many amazing guides).

Police Escort With Hello Kitty Van in Two Image Courtesy Melian Tomsett
Police Escort With Hello Kitty Van in Tow
Image Courtesy Melian Tomsett

Our group was met in Semerang, Java by our drivers with two vans and two Tourism Police escorts. The first eight of our group lucked out and got to ride behind our police escorts in a Hello Kitty van. The Captain and I with Stedham from MV Atlantis, Melian and Ian from SV Indian Summer, and Jan from SV Jenny D followed behind in a less conspicuous grey van.

Cruising With The Tourist Police
Selfie In Police Cruiser Courtesy Of Indonesia’s Tourism Police

Our consolation was that each of us got to take turns riding in the backseat of the Tourism Police escort car, sirens blazing as they moved traffic aside, often creating a third lane in the middle of the road when needed to allow us to visit as many sights as possible in a limited timeframe.  And the Tourism Police had a great sense of humor.

Busted! Image Courtesy The Captain
Kuffed!
Image Courtesy The Captain

In addition to the vehicular entertainment, the highlights of the tour for me were as follows.

Candi Borobudur

No one was in sight as we made our way around this ninth century Buddhist temple and ascended its nine platforms. However, many tourists were waiting for us when we reached the top of this UNESCO World Heritage sight.

Sunrise Borobudur For Cardinal Guzman's The Changing Seasons
Sunrise Borobudur
For Cardinal Guzman’s The Changing Seasons

Luckily, there were far fewer than expected given we chose to visit Indonesia’s most popular tourist destination at sunrise. I managed to shoot around the tourists on the top level and their presence was limited on the other levels below.

Early Morning Borobudur
Early Morning Borobudur

Looking back, I wish I stood at the base to watch the sunrise reflected golden against the entirety of this magnificent temple (the world’s largest) and then ascended to the top shortly after sunrise when the predominance of tourists had departed.

Sunrise On Walls Of Borobudur
Sunrise On A Wall Of Borobudur

Borobudur is a survivor. ‘In its 1200 years, Borobudur has repeatedly suffered attack from forces of nature and at the hands of humans.

Borobudur Relief
Borobudur Relief

During its period of abandonment, which lasted for as much as a millennia, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions destabilized the monument and the Javanese jungle reclaimed the site.

Borobudur Buddha In Stupa
Borobudur Buddha In Stupa

After its rediscovery in 1814, it popularity grew and many of its sculptures and relief panels were removed by King Chulanlongkorn of Siam in 1898. On 21 January 1985, bombs planted by opponents of Suharto exploded on the upper layers of the monument, since restored. Periodically, the highly active Merapo volcano has also damaged the site.’ [1]

Candi Prambanan 

Prambanan was built as the Hindu response to Borobudur and is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia. With several temples spread out across a larger area, Candi Prambanan felt less crowded than Candi Borobudur.

Visit to Prambanan
Visit to Prambanan

‘Prambanan was abandoned in the 930s when the power base shifted to East Java.  The temples collapsed during a major earthquake in the 16th century but the ruins were still recognizable and known to the local Javanese people in later times. Temple restoration started in the earth 20th century and is still underway today.

Prambanan Temples
Prambanan

The temples suffered extensive damage in the 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake. Though the temples survived, hundreds of stone blocks collapsed to the ground. Today, the main structures have been restored though there remains a lot of work to be done.’ [2]

Prambanan Complex
Prambanan Complex

Candi Plaosan 

‘Plaosan temple was built around the same time as Prambanan by Sri Kahulunnan a descendent of Sailendra Dynasty (Buddhist) who was married to Rakai Pikatan (Hindu) combining both traditions.’  The best part of Candi Palosan for me was the group if visiting Buddhist monks that were touring the place at the same time that we did.  Our experience was enhanced by their presence and their chanting.

Plaosan Temple

Next Up: October With The Orangutans

Submitted For Cardinal Guzman’s ‘The Changing Seasons’ and for the Daily Post: Weekly Photo Challenge: Local

[1], [2] Sources: Wikipedia and Lonely Planet Guide To Indonesia

79 comments September Part II: Karimunjawa and Central Java

tina on calmos3 says:

amazing shots! really mouth watering …. still on my ‘to do’ list but notched up a few places.

Ahoy there Tina!!!!! Thanks for you visit and lovely compliment. I do hope a visit here is in your near future. You would love it!. You would find much inspiration for your lovely jewelry here

Ladybuggz says:

Beautiful! Those Temples are amazing! I really can’t wait to see the Orangutans Lisa! Take Care and Happy Winds!! ps…love the tourist police trying to take you away! lol…. ((hugs)) T.

Well thank you Teresa! Glad you got a chuckle out of photo with the tourism police and delighted that you liked the temples. I can not wait to share the Orangutans with you. It was a privilege to be among those gentle giants.

Sue Judd says:

Stunning images of Borubadir!

I am delighted that you think so Sue. Borobudur was truly magical. It is a place one could spend days getting to know.

As always, very inspiring to follow your stories – excellent captured too, Lisa… 🙂

Thanks for the love Drake ?

Lisa, your post has left me hankering for SE Asia. Your photos of the temples are beautiful!

SE Asia has definitely captured my heart Jill. Culturally rich, natural beauty, and welcoming people. Delighted you found my images to be beautiful ?

Oh wonderful! We went to Prambanan but sadly missed Borobudur. Next time around. Love your photos and following your amazing adventure!

Peta

I do hope you return to Indonesia for a visit to Borobudur as it is magnificent. Thanks for visiting g it here with me virtually. We are in Belitung now and will sadly be leaving wonderful Indonesia at the end of the month.

I know…I felt sad every time I left Indonesia… can’t wait to go back!

Traveller at heart says:

I, too share the views of the commentators here.

You have woven quite a lot in this post; a variety of colours, texture, shapes and above all, humor.

“The Best Part About Traveling In Our Home Is That Wherever We Go, We Are Local”
It says a lot, Lisa. It appears you have open your heart and mind to the world around you despite the challenges.

This brings me to the lyrics of this song. This is for you, Lisa.

Ladies all across the world
Listen up, we’re looking for recruits
If you with me, lemme see your hands
Stand up and salute…

I’m glad you are with me Corina! Your comment reminded me of Mark Twain’s wise words ‘Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime’ I feel lucky to have the opportunity to travel.

Wow, where to start? The beautiful temple photos, the gorgeous dawn and dusk pictures? Wonderful – but I can’t get past the Tourism Police, the Hello Kitty van and you and the Captain in your new showbiz roles! So entertaining.

? Thank you for all the love Anabel. I wonder if Woolley would fancy a visit to Indonesia ?

These are amazing – I want to go there – Sol

? Thank you SOL! I hope you do come here. think you’d love it.

Yeah! Excellent to see you, the humorous police and all the smiles! And the temples too, of course. Looking forward to your future posts. To happy future adventures!

Ahoy there Manja! Pleasure to see you here as well. Thank you for sharing the laughs and for all your kind words.

Liesbet says:

It looks like you got your temple fix in September, Lisa! Prambanan looks intriguing and is a place I have not visited. The orange color of the Buddhist’s ropes offer the most scenic surroundings. Fabulous shots! Quite amazing how the tourism board is treating and guiding you guys. Such special experiences. After all this culture, I am now ready for your urang utan report and photos!

We almost missed these beauties Liesbet. The Captain was very hesitant to leave our boat for 3 days but when our friends on Tiger Lilly encouraged him to go and promised to look after Amandla my dream of seeing these temples became a reality. I love your story on Facebook about how you snuck into Borobudur with a rickshaw ?. Delighted you liked the photos. Love those Buddhist robes!

Margo says:

What an experience you both have enjoyed and many more to come. So happy for you both!
Love,
Margo & Steve

? Thank you Margo! We certainly are blessed and lucky. Indonesia has given us such a rich cruising season. Looking forward to many more sailing seasons with The Captain to come. Big hug to Steve

Lisa, these are stunning! Glad you were able to fix the leak and are safe. You look like you are having such a wonderful time!! Can you tell me what kind of camera you use?

Ahoy from Belitung Terri! Indonesia has been such an amazing cruising ground with non-stop awesome. We are very sorry to leave it at the end of October. Thank you so much for the compliment on the photography. I shoot with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 Micro Four Thirds Camera using Olympus lenses. Big hug and happy fall to you

Aquileana says:

Excellent post dear Lisa…. It was great to learn about Candi Prambanan and I especially liked the respective related photographs… By the way… how neat that pink Hello Kitty van is… Smiling! 😉 … Love & best wishes. Aquileana

Thank you Aquileana for your visit, compliment, love and good wishes. Always a treat to see you here and to visit your pages ?

Such amazing temples, Lisa. The Prambanan Complex is wonderful. It certainly looks like you had so much fun, and the police were really good sports for the photos. 🙂 Safe travels. xx

I feel lucky to have had the chance to visit the temples in Central Java Sylvia. The Captain was hesitant to leave the boat for three days. Then our friends on SV Tiger Lilly offered to keep an eye on the boat, and knowing how important it was for me to see these marvels, he accepted their generous offer. Yay!

Lisa I don’t even know where to start! First i hope the gas tank retrofit is working well. Secondly love the tourist police who look like they are not only helpful but great sports. Lastly your photos leave my mouth hanging open. Wow!

? Thank you Sue! The fuel tank continues to operate without a hitch. Somehow the Tourism Police seemed like something out one of your ever entertaining travel stores. I thought of you often when we were touring with them.I am delighted that you liked the temple photographs!

Michele says:

A Hello Kitty van????Really??? I never understand the appeal of Hello Kitty. We used to have Japanese exchange college students stay with us and they always bought Hello Kitty things!
The temples are amazing. My sister-in-law is from Indonesia and now i think I need to go back with her when she visits home sometime!

? I used to feel the same way about Hello Kitty until it became so prevalent that it almost seemed kitschy. And I love kitschy.

You TOTALLY need to visit Indonesia with your sister-in-law. Not only is this place awesome, but seeing it with an insider will make it even more special! You will love it!

Big Hug

JasChen says:

Wow, absolutely just wow… Your photos have left me completely breathless. Such a beautiful place!

And so your amazing adventures continue, Lisa. These are quite a few unforgettable memories and experiences. I chuckled at the Hello Kitty van and the humour of your escorts. Fun along the way, and it must have made the long ride through those vehicles much more pleasant.

Your photos, what can I say but they are simply astounding. Love the way you photographed Borobudur and Prambanan. Even though you were at the top, all of your images have a certain glow about them. You certainly made the most of the conditions around you, and what a lovely textured, clouded sky. That top down shot of Borobudur with the tourist sitting there is my favourite – there’s something so calming and peaceful about it.

I cannot wait for the Orangutans post. Mr Wobbles has jumped up excitedly, and Mumma Wobbles has to have to tell him to sit down. Looking forward to that post, and travel safe x

The love from you and Team Wobbles brought a big smile to my face this morning Mabel! Thank you so much for your kind words and friendship. And it was quite a long drive to and from the temples but the combination of police escort and Hello Kitty can almost made the road trip seem too short ?

barbara mcfadden says:

Mesmerizing!
Thank you for sharing your journey.
(And giving us a much needed break from the political scene in the US!)
I think we’re finding the election mesmerizing…but not always in a good way!

Ahoy Barbara! I certainly think I picked an excellent time to go sailing. The political scene in the US seems like a three-ring circus (or at least a two-ring :-). It’s always a pleasure to hear from you. Thank you for your lovely compliment. Big hug to Dan.

lexklein says:

Ahhh, finally – your blog was not behaving for me, so even though I could read about your wonderful time, I couldn’t see the photos or comment. Now I can … and what I would have missed! The Borobudur shots in particular have me drooling; these and some other recent photos of this place have convinced me I have to suck it up and get on another long-haul flight to Asia sometime soon! Your destinations these last few months have been enthralling, and you are so great about capturing all aspects of the culture in each of your stops. So, so good! More happy sailing to you!

I would love to see Indonesia through your lens Lexie! And if you made your way here, perhaps you’d swing through Singapore for a visit. If all goes according to plan, we will be there for a year before heading out across the Indian Ocean. You are always welcome to visit. And once we have our fuel tank sorted, we’ll have our guest cabin back!! Thank you for your very lovely compliment. Looking forward to seeing where your winter adventures take you.

lexklein says:

Oh my gosh, that is impossibly exciting. I can’t even imagine having that as a plan (because it’s so good). Btw, I have been looking for a way to contact you that’s not in your comment section! – do you have a blog email address? Or if you even have email access out there on the wild blue yonder, let me know sometime at onefootoutthedoorblog@gmail.com – nothing urgent!

We would have a blast! Sending you an email now.

These are amazing photos. The temples, it must have felt like going back in time i’m sure. Lisa, i can see how wonderfully happy you are, this is definitely beautiful to enjoy what you do in life. God Bless you and the rest of your fellow mates. ;-D xoxox

The temples silenced me in their grandeur and spirituality Eva. I feel very privileged to have seen them and blessed to get to do what I enjoy in life. Thank you for continuing to share the experience with me and for your very nice compliments. Your friend, Lisa!

Haha, tourism police with sirens. 😀 Priceless!
Love the photos, Amandla At Dusk is wonderful. Love all the Borobudur shots too, especially Sunrise Borobudur. Safe travels!

Having a go in the Tourism Police cruiser was definitely a highlight of my time in Indonesia ?

Delighted that you loved the photos Max! Thank you for your compliment and for hosting The Changing Seasons ?

Absolutely stunning! You have an excellent camera eye! Now we have to go there!

Oooh I do hope you come to Indonesia! It has been a delight. I am really pleased to know you enjoyed the images. Thank you

OMG! Borobudur! (Green with envy!)
🙂

Ahoy Brian!!! I hope you make your way to Borobudur someday. Marvelous ✨

Simply amazing photos! I feel so lucky to be able to go along with you (vicariously, anyway) on your incredible journey. So nice to see pictures of your smiling face too – you are usually behind the camera.

? I feel lucky to have you aboard virtually Janis! It’s always a pleasure to hear from you. Thank you for your very kind compliments on the photos. And while I am far more comfortable behind the camera, I had fun being front and center for the ones in this post.

The contrast between the Hello Kitty and the ancient temples is fascinating. Congratulations on your skit talents. 🙂

? A contrast indeed. Thank you for your good wishes Ann!

Your post makes me missing Indonesia so much..a wonderful post and amazing pictures especially with the police – you don’t want to mess up with them 😀

? Indeed. I have so loved your wonderful home country Indah. Since this post, we’ve visited Kalimantan and Belitung. We’ve just lifted anchor and are heading to P. Ketawai off Bangka. We are sadly leaving Indonesia by 27 October. Too soon. Where did the time go?

You should enter “Early Morning in Borobudar” in an international photo contest. Seriously!

You’ve made my year with that compliment! Thank you for your encouragement ?

I’m a little late to the comment thread but just – wow! Another beautiful post and set of images, Lisa!

Ahoy there Lisa! Thank you so much for your kind words and absolutely no need to apologize. Life keeps getting in the way of my social life too :-).

Christy B says:

Amazing photos! The one with the tourism police was great fun 🙂

Thank you for your lovely compliment on the photos Christy. And the tourism police were definitely good humored ?

So many breathtaking images here. The fishing fleet especially caught my eye – but the Borobudur temple sequence is stunning – the girl in the hat like an image caught in some-time slip; the Buddha. What an eye you have, Lisa. And what wonders you are seeing and capturing for us.

Thank you for the love Tish! It is easy to have a good eye in places as beautiful as Karimunjawa and Borodubur. I am looking forward to finding more inspiration for my lens when we take a road trip to Penang and Langkawi later this month.

Amy says:

Taking my breath away… Amandla At Dusk is amazing! Love the Borobudur temple and the mountains.

You are lovely to say Amy. Thank you. I could have spent days photographing Borobudur. And I am missing scenes like Amandla at dusk now that we have moored in a Malaysian Marina, but my spirits are buoyed knowing that we have an Indian Ocean crossing to look forward to someday in our future.

Bali looks just incredible! Extremely high on my list of places to go! Such a beautiful country <3 Your photos are beautiful!

I hope that you have a trip to Bali in your near future Krista. It is magical. Thank you for your lovely compliment on the photos. Hard to miss in Bali 🙂

Paula says:

Stunning photos dear Lisa 🙂 I especially enjoyed seeing the pair of you looking so good together.

? Thank you so much Paula. May all of us enjoy good health and luck for years to come

themofman says:

You should be shooting for NG!

Awww you are lovely to say Allan. That would be a dream come true ?

Great post, Lisa! I enjoy reading about your travel experiences!

Thank you Agness. I enjoy traveling virtually with you here and on your site.

Just awesome. 🙂

? I want to go back

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