Dieng

The Dieng Plateau is a highland area NW of Yogyakarta that is blessed with a temperate climate and rich volcanic soil. As we see, the area is heavily terraced and cultivated.

And what exotic fruit of the good earth do they grow here in Paradise? Potatoes! Really tasty potatoes, exported all over Asia. That's what's in the white sacks. As in most of Asia, all work is done by hand.

Market day in Mayberry, Java. Note the woman casually holding a rooster under her arm, who no doubt did not greet another sunrise.

Local Mercado's anywhere in the world hold a special interest for us. As a child visiting the border towns of old Mexico, it was a singular delight. We can't get enough of open-air markets. This woman is peddling another exotic oriental item, eidelweiss.

Not everyone likes their picture taken as evidenced by this dear lady covering her face. We usually ask but the Captain was in a hurry so my manners were not up to par. lovely vegetables!

No, the sign doesn't refer to the giant hubasaurus, it says "Don't walk up to edge" of the volcanic lakes in the background. Would you believe that people actually do this?

This is the edge they have in mind. The waters in this furiously boiling cauldron of sulfurous mud may be good for the skin, but not at the temperature one would encounter upon falling in.

The Dieng Plateau is home to some 400 small Hindu temples like this one.

Here we see some lingas, part of the Hindu Fertility equation and the symbol of Shiva.

Here the admiral stands on the other part of the equation, a yoni. Indonesian kids just love to have their picture taken with exotic occidentals.

Top view of a temple looking skyward.

What's this? Cheap thrills, Indonesian style. The ride is called a "Flying Fox" after the large fruit bat. What makes this ride a big thrill is the water in the volcanic lake below is highly acidic and does not support life as we know it. Don't fall in! This ride would be very popular with trial lawyers in the US.

Well, that's our little trip to Yogyakarta. Hope you liked it!

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