Day 2 in Yogyakarta

Today was a captivating journey as we explored two remarkable sites: the Kraton Palace and the Prambanan Temple.

The day unfolded with an immersive experience, allowing us to marvel at the intricate architecture adorned with ornate carvings and vibrant colors, reminiscent of the Ming and Qing dynasties' porcelain vases. We were astounded by the diverse buildings and artifacts, showcasing a rich blend of Dutch, Chinese, and Javanese influences dating back to the 16th century. Guided by expert tour guides, we delved deep into the historical significance of the area, gaining insights into the interconnectedness between Indonesia and the rest of the world. The various artifacts on display underscored the enduring ties between Indonesia and other nations, illustrating a shared history that spans centuries. The Kraton Palace, once a symbol of political power, now serves as a hub for community engagement, where students interact with local residents, gaining a profound understanding of the palace's role in cultural celebrations and religious ceremonies.

During lunch, we ate delicious foods while sitting near rice padi (paddy fields), chewing as the soft breeze caressed our faces endearingly. We chatted and bonded during the extra time given.

Following our lunch, our journey continued to the awe-inspiring Prambanan Temple. At the temple, we learned about the myths and legends of how the temple came to be. We were able to identify and observe ruined runes to us which helped to tell the story even better. We even touched an elephant trunk of a statue to increase our brain energy! Climbing the stairs was no easy feat, but the jaw dropping view was definitely worth the time!

The highlight of the day for most of us is probably that it rained cats and dogs, resulting in most of us being drenched in sweat and rainwater . However, there’s no need to panic! We ensured that everyone was well and feeling alright.

Our dinner had a large spread of food, accompanied with soup and juices. Dinnertime was definitely a major hit as people were starving! We were treated to free drinks by our lovely tour guide and enjoyed the most out of it for sure.

Being able to watch the performance was certainly a magical moment to relive. The dancers even got us to stand up and join them in their dance! It was needless to say that we enjoyed ourselves immensely while also learning about the culture here. As the stars twinkled and waved in the sky, we bid each other goodbye as it was time to rest and recuperate!

This wraps up our eventful second day! Thank you for reading!

Lots of love,
Giselle, Hebe, Yi Ning, Emma Lee, Amelia, Rachel

Transcript: Helo! Nama saya Mandalynne. Nama saya Atalie. Hari ini kami berada di kuil Prambanan. Kuil ini kuil Hindu paling besar di Indonesia. Kuil ini kuil Siva yang paling tinggi di sini!

Translation: Hello! My name is Mandalynne. My name is Atalie. We are here at Prambanan temple. This is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia. This is Siva's temple and it is the tallest here!