Ancient temples, textile arts, and Southeast Asian food in Java, Indonesia

[This is an informational message, not a meetup/meeting, so please disregard the date/time.] I am visiting the lesser-known island of Java in Indonesia in the second half of July this year, 2025 (during the dry and cool season there). Java is a larger island next to the famous Bali, and you can begin or continue your trip in Bali, just a short flight away. Java was the seat of ancient and sophisticated Hindu and Buddhist empires that I plan to explore in reconstructed ruins, as well as sculpture at the National Museum. Prambanan is the second largest ancient Hindu temple in the world, after the more famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world, built as a three dimensional mandala (like Tibetan mandalas) that can be climbed.

Java is culturally very rich. There are richly dressed dance performances of the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, against the backdrop of Prambanan; musical performances by gamelan orchestra; and the most beautiful and intricate resist-dyed textiles in the world--batik and ikat.

I also plan to explore the food, not just of Indonesia, but also of other Southeast Asian countries plus Java's colonial Dutch heritage. Southeast Asia often has atmospheric restaurant dining experiences.

I have been to Bali in Indonesia twice, but not to Java, and I have been to four other Southeast Asian countries, also twice. If you are interested in joining this trip, please contact me via Meetup to discuss, either through this group, or by going to the profile page (link below) to send a message:

https://www.meetup.com/members/9946965/