Trifter

Indonesia is a very interesting place, and I am told it is full of history, but lets look at Java-The Temple of Borobudur, on an island that is only 120 long and 600 miles wide, with most of Indonesia’s population on this island. Now that is pretty crowded, yet the do seem to work together under some very different conditions, that we in USA are not accustomed to.

From the East to the West, there are volcanoes that connect the regions, with the highest volcano being about 12,060 feet, which is Mt. Semeru. While in the valleys that surround these volcanoes is a monument dedicated to Buddha. These are the Borobudur. These structures were built during the ShriVijaija Dynasty during the 9th century. Borobudur means gigantic building, with four levels, representing the different stages of Buddha’s life, heading to what is felt to be his absolute perfection. On the lower levels, the material used makes it look like huge books, preparing for ones journey, or is it Buddha journey to perfection.

The people there at that time thought all was perfect, and I am sure they too had the struggles of everyday life, but today, even as people do go to see this Monument to Buddha, and other pray. This land is dedicated to serving Buddha, as their supreme being.

Then to the south is Afghanistan, which their religion and beliefs are very different, are the Moslem people. They believe that many of the natural forces of nature are believed to be the work of divine hands. In Afghanistan the mountain region of Hindu Kush, which forms a division of water, leading down the center of Central Asia. Kush is where the mountain range is dangerous and hard to maneuver, thus is the reason Kush mean death. In the center of the two rivers is a mountainous range called Tirich Mir, which at its highest peak is 25,240 feet high, making this also a very dangerous land to travel.

There are beautiful lakes west of the city of Kabul, which is the capital of Afghanistan.
Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan

Image via Wikipedia

There are seven lakes in all, and each one flows down into the next, creating a beautiful sight to see, bright blue water, flowing ever so lovely down into each lake. This is believed to be the work of Ali, a Prophet of Mohammed, who designed this beautiful landscape for himself; with a Mosque place perfectly within the area that this too is believe to have been the work of divine hands dedicated to Ali.

Indonesia and Afghanistan has so much history to reveal to the world, and when visitor do visit, they are at awe at these beautiful sites to be seen, of course the terrain is difficult to travel and almost anything can happen. A volcano eruption in Indonesia to a lake overflowing in Afghanistan, but they along with other countries in Asia, such as the Island of New Guinea and Salwati are about to face the extinction of the long beaked, Echidna. This animal’s population is unknown, and is only one of three species belonging to the monotremes family. They are primitive mammals, which means that they are warm blooded; produce milk for their offspring yet most of their anatomy resembles that of a bird or reptile. They lay eggs that have a thick leathery shell. When her egg hatches and she nurses her offspring, it is done through milk patches within her pouch, she does not have teats similar to that of other warm blood mammals. Her outside is similar to a porcupine to protect herself and her babies she will roll up into a ball, at that point her enemies choose to stay away from her because of the damages she could inflict if she was to roll herself in their direction. These long beaked echidna, can weight anywhere from about 14 pounds to a scary 35 pounds; at thirty five pounds I don’t think I would want to get too close to her, especially if she is protecting her babies.
Yep the Long Beak Echidna

Image via Wikipedia

So I look and read about this region of the world with all the fighting and anger, and yet when I look at photos of Buddha, or the lakes of Bandi-Amir flowing from one lake into the next, I can’t believe the stories of war; and yet they exist.
War in Afganistan

Image by Army.mil via Flickr

They exist among man, as well as in the wilderness where one of the few long beaked Echidna just may become extinct, and no one will even know.