In Reply to: borobodur posted by meemer on Sunday, 4. July 2004 at 07:57 Bali Time:
and stayed for 9. It is the most peaceful place. I was travelling with a Buddhist, so he was in his element. The temple itself is my most favourite building in the whole world. We stayed with the family whose father (RIP) was responsible for the restoration of the temple and his son-in-law took us to the temple at 4am. It was amazing to watch the sun rise over the valley and fall onto the stupas on the temple. I took over 100 photographs and have had some of them used in advertising by travel companies.
It was great to be there by ourselves. However, after breakfast, when we walked back to take the guided tour, the place was crawling with tourists and it didn't quite have the same effect. Especially when an Aussie stood on the top of the main stupa and crowed like a rooster. I mean to say, it wasn't even funny. Imagine him doing that inside a church or mosque? There are signs everywhere to ask people not to smoke and yet there were people strolling around puffing on their cigs. The noise and the smell changed, but it is still a most fantastic building. Make the effort and go. You will not be disappointed.