Java (Indonesia)
Known as the island of the Volcanos, formed by huge volcanic forces millions of years ago, a long chain of volcanoes creates an east-west
spine along the island. It was the center of powerful Hindu-Buddhist empires, the Islamic sultanates, and the core of the colonial Dutch East Indies.
- The Land of Volcanoes -
This is an amazing view of the heart of the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park on East Java. It is the only conservation area in Indonesia that has a "sand sea", the Tengger Sand Sea (Indonesian: Laut Pasir Tengger), across which is the caldera of an ancient volcano (Tengger) from which four new volcanic cones have emerged. This unique feature covers a total area of 5,250 hectares at an altitude of about 2,100 m. On the background there is the highest mountain in Java, Mount Semeru (3,676 m).
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park - East Java - Indonesia January / February 2015
- The Land Wave -
Exactly on the verge of the gigantic crater surrounding Mt Bromo is the small village of Cemoro Lawang, a small group of houses perched on the top that looks like a giant wave.
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park
East Java - Indonesia
January / February 2015
- The Legend of Mount Bromo -
The origin of the ritual lies in the 15th century legend where a princess named Roro Anteng started the principality of Tengger with her husband,
Joko Seger. The couple were childless and therefore beseeched the assistance of the mountain gods.
The gods granted them 24 children but stipulated that the 25th child, named Kesuma, must be thrown into the volcano as a human sacrifice.
Still today is performed the ritual of throwing gifts to the god in the smoking crater, usually a bunch of flowers.
Bromo Tengger Semeru Nation Park - East Java - Indonesia January / February 2015
- The Mountain of Fire -
It's the dawn on the valley that leads from the green jungles of the plains of Central Java to the foot of the majestic Mount Merapi; Gunung Merapi (literally Mountain of Fire in Javanese), is an active stratovolcano 2930m high located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548.
Central Java - Indonesia January / February 2015
- Java's Jungle -
The sun has not yet appeared from behind the horizon, the haze seems to be trapped between the high branches of trees. In the distance you can see the tip of the Borobudur Buddhist temple, totally surrounded by dense jungle that looks almost like a stormy sea.
Central Java - Indonesia
January / February 2015
- The Two Gardians -
Panorama from one of the levels of the Borobudur temple....
Central Java - Indonesia
January / February 2015
- Borobudur's Temple -
Borobudur stands in the geographical center of the island of Java, fifteen miles from Yogyakarta, on a plateau that is the caldera of an ancient volcano ringed by the Menoreh mountains. Two sets of twin volcanoes – Merapi and Merbabu to the northeast, Sumbing and Sindoro to the northwest – stand sentinel across the plains. Merapi, the "fire mountain," is active.
Central Java - Indonesia
January / February 2015
- The Ara Ararauna -
The blue-and-yellow macaw
(Ara ararauna), is a large South American parrot with blue top parts and yellow under parts. It is a member of the large group of Neotropical parrots known as macaws. Unfortunately there are splendid specimens for sale in many markets of Southeast Asia.
Yogyakarta - Central Java - Indonesia
January / February 2015
- Dawn -
“There's a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they're absolutely free. Don't miss so many of them.” J.W.
Central Java - Indonesia January / February 2015
