The seven and a half  hour train ride from train from Jakarta, Indonesia to Yogykarta was really beautiful as we caught a glimpse of the country’s mountains, rice patties and palm trees.

Yogyakarta is often described as the cultural center of Indonesia. It is in central Java and a tourist hotspot. Our first day we took the public bus to the Temples just outside the city. 

The Prambanan is the largest Hindu compound in South-East Asia and was built around 900 A.D. The three main temples are named after the Hindu Gods Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. It is believed that Brahma creates the universe, Shiva destroys the universe and Vishnu preserves the universe.  224 shrines surround the temples.

It was hard to enjoy the temples because every few feet I had another group of school kids asking for me to take a picture with them. For some reason these young paparazzi were more interested in taking pictures with us westerners than the temples. I of course obliged but it made any thoughts of becoming a famous actress disappear.

Next up the palace of the sultans.