I thought as much! What a strange coincidence. I agree with the lighting. It wasn’t easy capturing pictures, especially with so many tourists. 🙂
We bought the Sunset entry tickets to Borobudur Temple and our guide only took us there at 5:15pm when the sun was almost at the lowest level. Basically, my pictures were taken with insufficient light.
When we visited, so long ago, it was this top layer that moved me most – such calm simplicity, after the visual turmoil below…
Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo showing only the top layer. Once you are into it, it is too close and too many tourists obstructing the view,
My memory is faulty, I thought this image was the top — but no, that would be the (mostly headless) images of the Buddha, am I right? All those decades ago, hardly any visitors, so we had the enchantment of being quiet and solitary, unrushed, as we made the journey upward. I expect and hope that the tourist influx has meant more money for upkeep.
At the top, centrally, there is a big stupa which is plain and not photogenic.
There are some changes now as compared with thirty years ago: stainless steel handrails installed on the side of steps, floodlights installed to illuminate the place at night time – affecting the appearance of the place.
I think I’m glad I saw it when I did. Same with my visit to Macchu Pichu, which also took place in the 1970s, long before the site was so heavily visited and heavily organized. On the other hand, it is probably better protected now (well, I hope so), and that is good.
Places like this should be visited as early as possible, before it changes and before the country becomes unstable 🙂
retireediary 
Wonderful photograph! I’ve been there and must say this captures it beautifully!
Sent from my iPhone
Glad that you say this – it takes somebody there before to appreciate the ambiance etc.
We visited these temples 2 weeks back. 🙂
We were there at about the same time.
I thought as much! What a strange coincidence. I agree with the lighting. It wasn’t easy capturing pictures, especially with so many tourists. 🙂
We bought the Sunset entry tickets to Borobudur Temple and our guide only took us there at 5:15pm when the sun was almost at the lowest level. Basically, my pictures were taken with insufficient light.
When we visited, so long ago, it was this top layer that moved me most – such calm simplicity, after the visual turmoil below…
Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo showing only the top layer. Once you are into it, it is too close and too many tourists obstructing the view,
My memory is faulty, I thought this image was the top — but no, that would be the (mostly headless) images of the Buddha, am I right? All those decades ago, hardly any visitors, so we had the enchantment of being quiet and solitary, unrushed, as we made the journey upward. I expect and hope that the tourist influx has meant more money for upkeep.
At the top, centrally, there is a big stupa which is plain and not photogenic.
There are some changes now as compared with thirty years ago: stainless steel handrails installed on the side of steps, floodlights installed to illuminate the place at night time – affecting the appearance of the place.
I think I’m glad I saw it when I did. Same with my visit to Macchu Pichu, which also took place in the 1970s, long before the site was so heavily visited and heavily organized. On the other hand, it is probably better protected now (well, I hope so), and that is good.
Places like this should be visited as early as possible, before it changes and before the country becomes unstable 🙂