History has left its footprints across Central Java, an area rich in culture and tradition descending from a powerful Hindu and Buddhist past and more recent Islamic influences. Under the Cailendra and old Mataram kings in the 8th and 10th centuries the Hindu – Javanese culture flourished.

It has been two weeks now since Saturday, May 27 when a 6.2 scale earthquake struck Bantul, a region of Yogyakarta province some 25 kms south of the city of Yogyakarta (both city and province have the same name). Casualties to date have been reported at over 6000 killed, 20,000 injured, and over 200,000 made homeless. The earthquake destroyed several towns and many villages throughout the province of Yogyakarta. Although Bantul regency, a region filled with small craft villages, suffered the most, the earthquake also affected other […]