Show TRAVEL The Salt Lake Tribune Sunday March 15 1998 H5 Borobiidun Mysterious Moiiument to Buddhism BY ROBERT WBONF r SPECIAL Scholars still debate the exact meaning and intent of Borobudur but most agree it is the finest of the worlds monuments to Buddhism Nevertheless it fell into ruin and obscurity not long after it was completed when the local population began to desert Buddhism Today most Indonesians are Muslims The remains of this massive structure somehow escaped the attention of the Dutch who occupied Java for more than a century It remained fcr Sir Thomas Raffles who figured so prominently in British colonial history to discover Borobudur in 1814 By then it was almost completely overgrown by jungle The repair of Borobudur begun nearly a century ago is con- to the tribune YOGYAKARTA Java Indone-st- d Some time near the close of the last millennium the construction of a massive stepped pyramid was undertaken by the dynasty thhh running things in the neighborhood fris now known as Borobudur Even the meaning of the word is lost in antiquity but it is known to honor the life of Buddha The mysterious walls and crevices date lo a time when faith not only moved mountains but also built great monuments decorated with intricate carvings As with the Great Pyramids of Egypt time and expense were no object Sometimes compared to Angkor Wat and other elaborately etched temples of Southeast Asia Borobudur predated and probably inspired these shrines and is just as dramatic It also is much more accessible reached by a one-hodrive through the rice fields from the city considered the cultural center of Indonesia It should not be confused with Jakarta the national capital Beginning at dawn travelers climb over the turrets and terraces of Borobudur marveling at the detailed stone work and the seemingly incomprehensible design Those who have heard local legends stretch their arms into the holes of on? of the 72 stupas Supposedly they are assured of good fortune if they manage to touch one of the statues of Buddha seated in semidarkness inside tinuing today Archaeologists work among the tourists all admiring the ancient talent which continues to be unearthed Much of the serious reconstruction has occurred since 1983 when the United Nations declared Borobudur a World Heritage Site Boosters of nearby Yogyakarta more commonly called Yogya and are of two pronounced joke-jaminds on Borobudur As appreciative as they are of the shrines role as a drawing card they say they have a lot more than that to offer culture-seeker- s of Java Incidentally an informal survey reveals that few Javanese are aware that Java also is American slang for coffee let alone the name of a hot new computer programming language When you get home please just tell your friends that we have no smoke! pleaded a representa BARCELONA JSMADR0 LONDON PUN UaPIS BltfF BALTIMORE BOSTON B RAPIDS $780 S760 $670 $880 $840 $930 $170 $250 $295 FOR OTHER MIIWUAKS NEW YORK NORFOLK 75 ORLANDO 30 PHILDLPHA 30 PITTSBRGH 80 RALEIGH D $210 TAMA $155 TORONTO hmtfTtat jCALL MIAMI public-relation- h bell-shap- ed 1350 $215 tive of Yogyas tourist industry Business interests here have noted with dismay that foreign tourist bookings to Indonesia dropped dramatically in the wake of news reports that the countrys wildfires were blanketing much of a drought-stricke- n Southeast Asia with an acrid haze Yogyakarta and the more popular Indonesian destination the island of Bali have suffered economically as a result Both destinations have continued to enjoy mostly clear skies It is no worse than a good day in LA shrugged one American tourist Both Yogya and Bali are on the southern coasts of Indonesia and are therefore whisked clean by the southern trade winds the same breeze that has continued northward to collect smoke from fires in the Indonesian interior and waft it over neighbors such as Singapore Malaysia Vietnam and as far as Thailand s The traditional problem here is that many tourists staying on Bali become mereto Yogya hopping ly over on the one-hoflight on Garuda Indonesia Airlines in the morning clambering for a few hours over Borobudur and then jetting back to Bali Thus they ignore Yogyas other tourist attractions including hotels restau- the story of the http to Goteborg apomi V0 pc Bwnnwnspph for EMERGENCY n g Robert W Bone lives in Hono lulu Hawaii SOUVENIR coach tickets round-tri- p whets youll take delivery of your We'tt also take care of shipping your new Saab home for you if you can dtps ! OEITMATKMM seen conducting a group through the elaborately decorated rooms and passageways Not far from the palace shoppers find batiks silver and other bargains on Jalan (avenue) Malioboro inevitably called Marlboro street by English-speakinexpatriates A billboard featuring the Marlboro Man takes advantage of brand new 1999 Saab at a savings over the regular sticker price 2330 Denver Est 1977 comaustravel australia-onlin- e nt Sweden From there its off to the Saab Museum in TrclihSttan Pnce pptdo not xk) A program youll get two free jk Suite a prominent perch on the face of an old Dutch olonial buildings Until recently there was q dearth of good hotels in Yogya cadre long led by the venerable Hotel Garuda downtown on crowded Marlboro street Now'? there are several more to choose from including the Hyatt Regem j cy the newest and snazziest Budget travelers can find moreJ modest accommodations for as low as $7 a day at the Lotus Guest ! House located in the front yard'' 1 of Borobudur Pack your bags Because with our European Delivery Jut 1125 17th Street at SWEDEN ON US WITH QUITE Explore one of the world's most air new Zealand treasured natural environments with its glacial mountain peaks National Parks white sandy beaches and old colonial buildings Price includes rt airfare ex LA 5 nts Innkeepers hotel vouchers and 4 days Avis car rental wer?v Indonesia AND COME HOME iim or to Another attraction is the palace of the sultan of Yogyakarta Much of it has been converted to a museum honoring the current sultans father who was the previous sultan and who became of Indonesia On a recent day the sultans brother was incarnation of Vishnu Like Borobudur Prambanan can be climbed by all so inclined inhibited only by the pleas from sellers of postcards trinkets and cold bottled water the latter admittedly a $1 bargain on a hot day On a nearby outdoor stage with Prambanan as a backdrop the ballet of Ramayana is performed four nights a month under a full moon The colorful production includes some dramatic elements such as precisiou archery and massive fire displays FLY TO $260 $298 $215 $365 $265 $215 $360 $375 $205 $380 Garuda Indonesia Airlines from Los Angeles via Honolulu International flights go to or from Bali or Jakarta In Yogyakarta the government tourist office is at Jalan Malioboro No 24 in the middle of the major shopping area From there arrangements may be made to see Borobudur and other attrac performances of dance and drama Indeed there are several more ancient temples to be appreciated here including Prambanan a Hindu complex nearly as old as Borobudur Also under restoration much of Prambanans structure has been revealed only in the past few years The three main sections of Prambanan honor the gods Brahma Shiva and Vishnu Stone carvings depict the tales from the - The Accommodations in the area include the Hyatt Regency the Natour Garuda and the Lotus Guest House Admission price to either Borobudur or Prambanan is 5000 rupiah There are about 3000 rupiah to the US dollar although the exchange rate may run even higher Internet surfers will find information for travelers going From the United States Indonesia is reached daily on rants museums and evening World's Most Complete Island Tasmania tions IF YOU GO bear CM US' to part with Plus we it ll pick up the tab for your dinner and overnight accommodations Never mind your travel agent Hurry in to your Saab dealer today Falcons Ledge Arrange for your free Spring Fling KEN GARFF SAAB DOWNTOWN Dinner Lodging & Breakfast for two only $15900 plus tax 9 534 SOUTH STATE ST SP12977I40 GnrJs Endorsed or 8007253741 Ark for European Dellverfra www saabusa cam 1 800 SAAB USA Trollhattan package ndudes coach airfare transportation born GOteborg lo TroUhartan onfrmghf todgng Ipr ttrcne dinner and one breaklas! tor two and a tree tour of the Raah taciory I Delivery mus be taken nTrolnaitan after April and before Norember 30 1998 Offer vald on 199S nrydV3 ears ordered before May 31 1998 Air travel subfect o availability blackout dales and ether restrictions as specified by the carrier Consuneru leaoonsibks lor travel to NorthwnaKlW departure cities of Boston Now York (JFK Newark Philadelphia Washngton ( e (435)454-373- 7 Utahs luxury resort near Altamont and SAAB European Delivery today at round-tri- p x Deoof (Metro) Chicago (O Hare) Memphis Mmneapoks Houston (tnterccnlinenial) Seatlle (Dulles) SanFranoscoorLosAngsles Drupkjfl is tree of Bremartiauen Germany and Anhveip Belgium Fee reuned al other locations SEE YOUR SAAB DEALER FDR COWFTE DETAILS 1998 SAAB CARS USA ' COOL CRISP SHEETS FtV For VCFPS Vakd sict April on FLUFFY PILLOWS CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES rlSEHl-- 'W IScaGaepeh Nt Fn dept 43 410 A 4 Nt Mon dept 46 A IDAHO l)fl MONTANA Now if only Mom could wake 3'ou in the morning MISSOLLA Edfewatcr $83 411 and 7 Nt Frt depts 41098 ORSOON m FdenPescbt Sunset Bay FLCFNESFRIMCFltLO 5t9 Yallabtaq o (luq Rate vahd for 7 Nt Sat depts 44 $64 $72 II Rrrrzide $79 589s 799 Plaza Las Glorias Puerto Vallabta RtOM Parkcmr pi u m ritco mmm LiAi mm (iownPabasise FREE BOISE WWW Fl Os Castria Beach Krystal 59 WITH m oil 399 369 IhnMazaiuho 2 Dream Deab FROM departures out of Salt Lake Gey HfAfZIAITStiAIK m Ra'es valid for SOFT BREAKFAST W NHMiVWaaCIIBPSimP Fiesta INC wwwutahcomlodgingfalcon Clip & save Coupon required Offer is limited s at Gbleborg Svreden chge $74 $64 MM)FORl 719 PFNOIFTON $64 929 919 PORTLAND Columbia $9S ieu asow n $69 Jmiica Brack $99 LloxtA Ccnirr $99 Rir 41 198 UTAH 39S95 Howard Johnson Plaza Sum Horn & Sesobt 39995 ii7fl C" DiGOLfta Villas Rtes $69 PSCO $69 PORT WCEI ES $69 -- toJHEE- taSUNVUAGftaM 699 Etta) W Plaza depa 46 I G8995 41 198 W teou tom Cm Mon BKLUVtfv $tl? 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