1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #277 - Borobudur Temple, Yogjakarta

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #277

- Borobudur Temple, Yogjakarta

 

(The unmistakable beauty of the Borobudur Temple, just an hour away from Yogjakarta. We took the sunrise tour, requiring us to be ready at the lobby by 3.30am. But what awaited us was simply awesome, both in beauty and in scale. Borobudur is the largest Buddhist monument, and according to Wiki, bigger and older than Angkor Wat. At first light around 5.20am, the feeling atop the temple was simply magical. The glorious morning, shrouded with some mist made the surrounding areas even more serene and calming - see videos below. Like the Taktsang Monastery in Bhutan - click here: Tiger's Nest Bhutan - you immediately feel like you are in a very special place. Some of the most inspiring photos I have ever seen were captured here)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #276 - Nasi Gudeg, Gudeg Yu Djum, Yogjakarta

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #276

- Nasi Gudeg, Gudeg Yu Djum, Yogjakarta

 

(Yogja's claim to culinary fame is the nasi gudeg, their equivalent of nasi lemak. We scouted for this one called Gudeg Yu Djum, after seeing it on Tripadvisor, and guess what? It was right on the same road as our hotel. The chicken is tenderised with its own unique sauce, including their egg. But their big difference is the savoury jackfruit bits, cooked into more like a sweet sauce. I didn't quite enjoyed it as much as hubby though - too sweetish for my liking. Still, it's a dish worth trying, given its fame here)

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #275 - Malioboro Street, Yogjakarta

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #275

- Malioboro Street, Yogjakarta, Indonesia

 

(Arrived at Yogjakarta in one piece, after getting a scare the night before that the Bali airspace was closed due to another volcanic eruption. The hustle and bustle of Yogja's mosy famous street, Malioboro, begins - our hotel was a mere 300m away from it. Although we didn't take a ride, these horse-drawn carts were a delight to see, taking centre-stage on the road here, giving an authentic feel to this city of 3million people)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #274 - Ojolali Indonesian Restaurant, Spore

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #274

- Ojolali Indonesian Restaurant, Spore

 

(This small Indon restaurant at Lucky Plaza has been our regular stop everytime I pay 'homage' to my oncologist's clinic at Mt Elizabeth Hospital. It's pomfret bakar is fantastic, and for $9 is quite a deal. By the time we reach home after my 6-monthly treatment with Dr. Ang, I am just plain hungry. With its tasty gado-gado, they make a perfect meal - and a small pat-on-the-back for another 6 months of being cancer-free!)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #273 - Totem, Cirque du Soleil, Spore

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #273

- Totem, Cirque du Soleil, Spore

 

(When was the last time I had been to a circus? I can't remember, but definitely as a small girl. But with Cirque du Soleil's Totem, it is totally different. Yes, the Big Top was there, but inside, no lions or elephants but just plain gripping, impressive circus acts from true gymnasts. The uni-cycle girls were awesome but the final act from the pole-jumpers was spectacular. The 'live' music and singers made the occasion even grander)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #272 - Penang Road Chendol and Char Koay Teow, Penang

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #272

- Penang Road Chendol and Char Koay Teow, Penang

 

(Chendol so thick it drips along the sides of your mouth - yes, it can only be at this Penang Road + Keng Kwee Street stall in Penang. The gula melaka is full in taste, and the green chendol slips down your throat smoothly. With the equally famous char koay teow lady doing her masterchef sessions, this corner of Penang is lunch heaven! We took the duck-egg option for the first time ever for an additional RM1, and it seemed tastier than chicken eggs. And the ABC isn't bad either. DDMT - die die must try!)