Have Perut Will Travel...: YIA Day 3 │ Borobudur Temple!

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Tuesday, 17 February 2026

YIA Day 3 │ Borobudur Temple!

A Morning That Began With Laundry

Borobudur had lived quietly in our travel dreams, much like the ancient temples of Ayutthaya. So on a gentle Lunar New Year morning, we were up at six and out by seven. Our first stop was the small dhoby across the road from the hotel. We dropped off 2.7 kilograms of laundry for IDR47,500 (≈ MYR11USD3/EUR2), ready for pickup at one in the afternoon.

We returned for a warm, slow buffet breakfast—the kind that felt like a lucky start to the year—before stepping into a day already full of promise.

Setting Off for Borobudur

The hotel arranged a Borobudur Temple tour through its trusted car rental partner, Jogja Prima Tour. For IDR650,000 (≈ MYR150/USD39/EUR33) per car per day, we had a private vehicle, gasoline, and a calm, steady driver who made the journey feel easy. Only the temple’s IDR455,000 entrance fee was not included.

As we left Yogyakarta, the countryside slowly came alive. Villages opened their shutters, warungs prepared for the day, and a soft mist rested over the rice fields. The sky brightened gently, as if easing itself into the new year.

We bought our entrance tickets for the 9:30am slot and continued on.

First Glimpse of a Dream

Borobudur appeared slowly, its silhouette rising from the earth like a memory returning. By the time we arrived, the light had turned soft gold, as though the morning bowed in respect.

Built in the 9th century by the Sailendra Dynasty, Borobudur is a Mahayana Buddhist masterpiece made entirely of andesite stone. Its nine platforms, central dome, 2,672 relief panels, and hundreds of Buddha statues form one of the world’s most detailed collections of Buddhist art. After being abandoned in the 14th century and rediscovered in 1814, it was restored by UNESCO in 1983 and now stands as the largest Buddhist temple on Earth.

Climbing With Intention

Guided by the experienced and playful Pak Nordin—our own Hanuman—we entered the temple grounds as everything slowed down. Pilgrims and travelers climbed the terraces with quiet focus, their steps softened by cool volcanic stone. We studied the ancient reliefs, each line holding stories of teachings, kingdoms, and centuries carved into stone.

The stupas rose around us like silent lanterns, casting long, gentle shadows.

At the Summit

At the top, Borobudur opened itself fully. Hills rolled out in soft greens, and the sky stretched wide and pale. It felt like standing at the edge of something ancient yet new. The old year slipped behind us; the new one settled in like a calm breath.

We stayed for a while, letting the stillness sink in. On Lunar New Year’s Day, Borobudur felt like a blessing—an invitation to begin again.

Farewell to the Temple of Dreams

After about ninety minutes, our visit came to an end. We said a warm goodbye to Pak Nordin, promising to feature him in our Borobudur video.

A short IDR20,000 (≈ MYR5/USD1/EUR1) shuttle ride took us back to the main entrance, where Pak Didik was waiting. Soon we were on the road again, passing through villages now fully awake, the morning mist gone.

Stay tuned for the next video that will show our delicious lunch at Sekar Kedhaton!