Together with the Taj Mahal and Angkor, the Borobudur is probably one of the three most iconic WHS. I visited it at sunset. At first, I was amazed that the monument cannot be seen from the road - I had always thought that it is very big? Also, when I finally got it in my view, it looked much less spectacular than I had imagined. Most of the stones are dark from exposure to the elements.

I climbed the monument by going round clockwise at every level. That's when the site certainly started to grow on me. The sheer number of carvings on the walls, and their little details, kept me interested layer after layer. At some points there are whole reliefs, like paintings, displaying parts of a boddhisatva's life or a historic scene.

The top, the central stupa surrounded by little stupas, is where all the visitors congregate. It looks like a completely different place than the levels below. It's a fine spot to relax after the climb and to contemplate all that you've seen underway. There are great views over the surrounding fields and mountains too.