Candi Borobudur and Candi Mendut Trip

If you haven't heard about Borobudur, here is a little information about it that I took from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/592:

"This famous Buddhist temple, dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, is located in central Java. It was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m2. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. The monument was restored with UNESCO's help in the 1970s."

What I can say about Candi Borobudur are:
- It is a must visit place. Imagine how the people from 8th-9th centuries built this magnificent temple with simple technology, paid attention to the details, designed and measured it carefully, etc, etc.
- Take a guide to tell you the information and the history or read it before you go there. The knowlede of the temple may enhance the experience in tracing the reliefs.
- Avoid the peak seasons, especially on the school holidays [July and December]. Not only tourists come to the temple, but the schools in Indonesia often send their students to have a field trip there. They might flood the temple and bother you by asking to take a picture with you *sorry*. It might lessen your enjoyment.
- If you are interested in buying souvenirs, there are lots of stalls. If you want a best deal, try to bargain 30% from the price the vendors offer then increase it a little. If you are not interested, just say "no, thank you" firmly to the vendors who approach you. They are pushy sometimes, or most of the time :-(

Candi Mendut is less famous than Candi Borobudur. If you haven't heard about it, here is a little information that I took from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendut:
"Mendut is a ninth century Buddhist temple, located about three kilometres east from Borobudur. Mendut, Borobudur and Pawon, all of which are Buddhist temples, are located in one straight line. Mendut is the oldest among them. In 1836 it was discovered as a ruins covered with bushes. The restoration of this temple was started at 1897 and it was finished at 1925. Until now the top of the roof part is still unfinished yet, because some of its original stones are lost. The outer walls are adorned with bas-reliefs of Boddhisattvas. Originally the temple had two chambers, a small chamber in the front, and the large main chamber in the center. The inner wall of front chamber is adorned with bas-relief of Hariti surrounds by children, Atavaka on the other side, Kalpataru, also groups of devatas divinities flying in heaven. The main room housed three beautifully carved large stone statues. The three statues are the Buddhist main divinities revered in the temple which can explain the spiritual purpose of the establishment of this temple."

If you go to Candi Borobudur, you may also visit Candi Mendut. Cause you pass it when you go to Candi Borobudur. The temple is much much smaller than Borobudur. There is also less crowded. When you visit it, you can take rest under the big banyan tree, sit on the bench while you enjoying the temple from the distance. It is cool and relaxing after visiting shadeless Borobudur.

If you forget to buy souvenirs in Borobudur, there are some stalls that sell the same things in Borobudur.