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The stepped terraces and central staircase of Borobudur under a blue sky

Indonesia · Central Java · 2023 & 2024

Borobudur

Two visits to the same extraordinary place — stone stories, open sky, and the people who shared the walk.

Borobudur, Central Java · 2024

The journal

From the long approach, Borobudur grows into view one stone tier at a time. The photographs from 2023 linger on the people and the grounds as much as on the temple itself.

Returning in 2024 brought the carved reliefs and the upper terraces into focus — and another set of moments together among the stupas.

First visit · 2023

First impressions

The temple from below, Buddha figures set into its walls, and familiar faces along the way.

Traveler posing behind the large Borobudur letters at the entrance — At the entrance

Ken taking a selfie at the Borobudur entrance — A selfie before the visit

Borobudur's stepped stone terraces seen from the approach — The first view of Borobudur

A family member standing on the approach to Borobudur — On the approach

A family member in front of the temple's stone tiers — At the temple walls

Close view of Buddha figures set into the stone niches — Buddhas in the stonework

Ken posing with a group of local students beside the temple — A moment with local students

Buddha figures seated in carved niches along the temple wall — Buddhas in their niches

A wide view of the temple's stone terraces under the sky — A view from the grounds

Stone relief depicting figures carved along the temple wall — Stories in stone

Traditional gamelan instruments displayed at Borobudur — Gamelan instruments

A Javanese pavilion and fountain on the temple grounds — A quiet pavilion

Entrance sign at Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur — The temple grounds

Family portrait in front of Borobudur's stone terraces — Together at Borobudur

Ken and a family member standing beside the temple — By the stone terraces

A family member standing on the grass outside Borobudur — Outside the temple

A weathered stone Buddha sculpture near the temple — Weathered sculpture

A pink water lily blooming beside a seated Buddha statue — Water lily

Return visit · 2024

Stories in stone

A closer look at the reliefs, then up among the bell-shaped stupas for a view across the terraces.

Travel companions resting in the shade near Borobudur — A pause in the shade

Sunlit carved figures on the temple wall — A sunlit relief

Stone reliefs depicting figures beneath trees — Figures in stone

Weathered narrative relief on Borobudur's walls — Scenes along the walls

A detailed panel of carved figures and architecture — Carved details

Perforated bell-shaped stupas on Borobudur's upper terraces — The upper terraces

Friends jumping together in front of the stupas — A moment together

Two travelers smiling among Borobudur's stupas — Among the stupas

Stupas silhouetted against a bright sky — Light and shadow

Rows of bell-shaped stupas beneath a clear blue sky — Stupas under blue sky

World Heritage inscription on the approach to Borobudur — The World Heritage marker

Borobudur rising above the long tree-lined approach — The approach

Silhouette of a seated Buddha against the bright sky — Buddha against the sky

Carved figures and a wheeled cart on the temple wall — A story in stone

Ken standing below a seated Buddha in a stone niche — At the temple

Travelers' shoes circling a Borobudur pavement medallion — Underfoot

Travel companions showing their temple-access wristbands — Ready for the visit