Borobodur

We arrived in Borobodur after changing planes in Jakarta, flying to Jogyakarta, then taking an hour long car ride through the Indonesian countryside. Borobodur is an 8th century Buddhist temple in the form of a mandala. Upon entering, you are supposed to walk clockwise from level to level. Each level's walls are filled with depictions of earthly life and the story of the Buddha's life, as well as allegories of the Buddha in animal form. The top is open and contains stupas, each with a buddha image inside. This is the representation of Heaven. For pilgrims, walking the circles up to the top is a form of meditation, and it is hard not to feel that same sense of calm as you contemplate each beautiful image while ascending. We were lucky to be staying at the only hotel in the park grounds, and so the first day got up at 4am to climb, and then watch the sun rise over the plain and touch each part of the temple. It is like nothing else.