Borobudur temple, Java, Indonesia. 24 December 1985

Woken at 5.15am. Rained all night and still drizzling when Alain, Evi, Chris & Caroline & I left [Dewi’s Homestay, Yogyakarta] walking to the bus stop. Took a bus to the Borobudur turn-off and then another to the temple. Had breakfast around 7 before walking into the complex. Only recently finished shops selling souvenirs, well-kept gardens & pathways leading to the temple on a hill.

Quite magnificent, has just been reconstructed after almost collapsing. [Not sure what that reference was for, but checked its recent history and was surprised to see it was victim to a terrorist attack in January of that year. The stupas show signs of where they may have been reconstructed]. Weather was drizzle but cleared, wispy clouds making the surrounding mountains & volcanoes very photogenic. [The shot above shows Mt Merapi on the right, our destination for that afternoon, with a dawn summit on Xmas day].

Took over 20 shots mainly on the tripod. A lot of the stone carvings are very interesting, well preserved or restored.

As time went on more and more tourists arrived, swarming over the structure.  Left around 10.30, the light by then was dull and hazy.