Java – VAGABOND IMAGES

Wonderful journeys: Bandung to Yogyakarta on train

Upendra SwamiDecember 16, 20182470 Views5

I had always believed that whenever you visit a place, once must experience the local public transport. It gets you connected with the people and also lets you feel the pulse of the place, its culture and growth. But, it is also true that whenever you get to have such experiences, there is no way that you can escape from having the comparisons on the back of your mind. Outside Bandung railway station in Indonesia However contrary you might try to do, you will always be reminded of the experience back home of the same public services. You will even remember it when you are back and using the same services in routine at your home town, trying to recall that how better or worse it was abroad. Although it is not always fair because the traffic, the volume of passengers, frequenc...

InternationalPhotogallery

Creating young artists at Bali Art Centre

Upendra SwamiApril 21, 20181419 Views2

Taman Budaya or Bali Art Centre is a prime example of how traditional art forms should to be preserved. Built in traditional Balinese architecture this is a centre of learning and also a centre of excellent performances. It motivates young Balinese people to learn all the forms of traditional Balinese performing arts. Bali Art Center grooms young ones in traditional Balinese arts- dance, theatre, music, painting and lot more. A beautiful complex run by public money is a very sincere attempt to preserve the traditional forms of art. Interestingly, all these classes are completely free of cost for the children. Such art centres encourage them to learn and perform and thus keep the traditional art forms alive by transferring them to the next generation... A way to learn for all suc...

AdventureInternationalPhotogallery

Riding on the sea: Amazing Bali Mandara sea link

Upendra SwamiApril 14, 20182554 Views6

It is not yet five years old, as it was opened only in September 2013, but it certainly leaves tourists coming to Bali in an awe. Almost 13 km in length stretching across the Gulf of Benoa, the Bali Mandara sea link is often referred to as pride of Indonesia. This beautiful sea link runs over sea and some part of it through protected mangrove forests, making it a beautiful experience to drive. It gives wonderful views from the road and the sea as well! It is claimed to be one of the “most beautiful” road stretches in Indonesia. The name Mandara is an acronym for Indonesian words — maju (move forward), aman (safe), damai (peaceful) and sejahtera (prosperous). Bali Mandara Toll Road or Nusa Dua-Ngurah Rai-Benoa Toll Road is a toll road carried by a bridge 12.7 km in length. ...

InternationalPhotogallery

A Shiva in Indonesia at Prambanan

Upendra SwamiAugust 7, 20162325 Views8

Having talked about Borobudur Temple in Indonesia earlier, Prambanan temple can't be left far behind. We have seen some sunset photos of the Prambanan Temple earlier, its now time to talk in some detail about it. Prambanan temple is in central Java and close to city of Yogyakarta. It is largest hindu temple in Indonesia located in area which is termed as Prambanan plains. It is also one of the biggest in South East Asia. Prambanan temple is dedicated to tridev- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva). There are six main temples- Shiva in the centre, Brahma to his right and Vishnu to his left. And right opposite to temples of these three deities are the three temples of their respective vahanas- Nandi in front of Shiva, Garuda in front of Vishnu and Hamsa (swan) in front of Brahma. All t

InternationalPhotogallery

Borobudur Buddhist Temple: spectacular & outstanding!

Upendra SwamiJuly 25, 20163013 Views9

We visited Borobudur temple in the third leg of our Indonesia trip, when we were stationed at Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta is the biggest city close to this UNESCO world heritage site. Borobudur at Magelang in Central Java province of Indonesia is a Mahayana Buddhist Temple built in 8th and 9th centuries. It has been recorded as the largest Buddhist Temple in the world. But not just that... it is not just because of its size. It is considered to be one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world and for that matter, among the greatest monuments in the world. Complex is huge and very artistically and geometrically built. It wasn't possible for us to see it from the top, but this aerial image (below) taken from internet gives an idea of what this structure is like. In the image below yo...