The morning broke quietly in Yogyakarta, the city waking slowly under the soft hues of the rising sun. Ethan sipped on a cup of kopi tubruk, a traditional Javanese coffee brewed with coarse grounds that settled at the bottom of the cup. Today, he was headed to Prambanan, a magnificent Hindu temple complex dedicated to the Trimurti—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Prambanan had been on Ethan's radar ever since he read about its towering spires, which rose like ancient sentinels against the sky. It was the counterpart to Borobudur, but where Borobudur was Buddhist and serene, Prambanan promised to be grand and dramatic.
Reaching Prambanan
Ethan took a local TransJogja bus to reach Prambanan, opting for the adventure of public transport over a private car. The bus was packed with locals, from schoolchildren in neatly pressed uniforms to elderly women carrying baskets of goods.
"Prambanan?" he asked a young man seated beside him, holding out his ticket.
The man smiled. "Yes, I'll show you where to get off." His English was clear but accented, and he seemed eager to help.
The ride gave Ethan a glimpse of everyday life in Yogyakarta. Vendors hopped on and off at each stop, selling snacks like kerupuk (crackers) and es kelapa muda (young coconut). Ethan bought a packet of pisang goreng—fried bananas—from an elderly woman, thanking her in his slowly growing Bahasa Indonesia.
"Terima kasih," he said, and she beamed back at him.
When the bus finally stopped near the Prambanan complex, Ethan stepped off and was greeted by the towering sight of the temples in the distance. Even from afar, their intricate carvings and spires were awe-inspiring.
Exploring the Temple Complex
The entrance to Prambanan was bustling with visitors—both locals and tourists—yet the atmosphere was reverent. Ethan walked down a wide pathway flanked by lush greenery, the temple spires growing larger with each step.
Prambanan's central complex consisted of three main temples, each dedicated to one of the Trimurti gods. Ethan decided to start with the tallest, the temple of Shiva, which stood an imposing 47 meters high.
Climbing the steep stone steps, he entered the inner sanctum, where a massive statue of Shiva the Destroyer stood, serene and imposing. The walls of the temple were covered in finely detailed reliefs depicting scenes from the Ramayana, the ancient Hindu epic.
Ethan wandered slowly, tracing his fingers over the carvings, feeling the artistry and devotion that had gone into their creation. His guide for the day, a soft-spoken woman named Ayu, explained the stories depicted on the walls.
"This relief shows Rama and Sita's exile," she said, pointing to a scene of two figures walking through a forest. "It's a story of love, loyalty, and resilience—values that still resonate with us today."
Ethan nodded, absorbing her words. "It's incredible how stories like these transcend time," he said.
"They do," Ayu replied with a smile. "That's the power of culture. It connects us to the past and to each other."
Ramayana Ballet
After spending the day exploring the sprawling temple complex, Ethan learned about a special performance scheduled for that evening: the Ramayana Ballet. The open-air theater was located nearby, with the temples of Prambanan serving as a dramatic backdrop.
Eager not to miss it, Ethan bought a ticket and grabbed a quick dinner from a nearby food stall—a bowl of mie goreng (fried noodles) topped with a fried egg and served with a side of sambal. The simple meal was satisfying, the spicy kick waking him up after a long day.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the stage came alive with color and sound. Dancers clad in elaborate costumes moved gracefully to the rhythm of a traditional gamelan orchestra. The story of the Ramayana unfolded before Ethan's eyes—Rama's quest to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana, aided by the loyal Hanuman.
The combination of the powerful music, the dancers' intricate movements, and the illuminated temples in the background created a sense of magic. Ethan sat transfixed, feeling as though he had been transported into the epic itself.
A Quiet Reflection
Back at the guesthouse that night, Ethan found himself replaying the day's events in his mind. The towering majesty of Prambanan, the stories carved into its walls, the energy of the Ramayana Ballet—it was all a testament to the depth and richness of Southeast Asia's cultural heritage.
He opened his journal, intending to jot down a few notes, but instead, he found himself sketching one of Prambanan's spires. He wasn't much of an artist, but the act of drawing helped him process what he had experienced.
As he looked at his crude sketch, he realized that the beauty of Prambanan wasn't just in its architecture or its history. It was in the way it brought people together—locals, tourists, believers, and seekers—all united by the desire to connect with something greater than themselves.
Tomorrow, Ethan planned to explore the quieter side of Yogyakarta: its traditional villages, art studios, and coffee farms. But for now, he closed his journal and let sleep take over, his mind still full of ancient stories and timeless wonders.
End of Chapter 13
Ethan's exploration of Yogyakarta continues, diving deeper into the city's vibrant culture and quieter corners. What hidden gems will he uncover next?