Tiles with spirit

Sunan Gunungjati (1448–1580), one of the Wali Songo, or Nine Javanese Apostles of Islam died close to Cirebon and his tomb is still one of the remaining spiritual places on Java. The tomb site reminded me of Sufi places I visited in Pakistan where a more tolerant version of Islam is being taught.   

Cirebon, Java, Indonesia, October 2009.

Safety more than a gender issue

Cirebon, Java, Indonesia, October 2009.

Where's the driver?

Cirebon, West Java, October 2009.

No eternal peace: Clock still ticking

Sufism?

One of the burial grounds around the tomb of the important sufi saint Sunan Gunung Jati. Cirebon, West Java, October 2009.

Eggman on the road

Cirebon, West-Java, October 2009.

Batik from Cirebon

Cirebon (3 hours by train from Jakarta) is a multicultural place: a Sultan's kraton full of Hinduistic past; a museum covering relicts from the short-lived Portugese period; one of the oldest Chinese temples on Java; a remarkable sufi shrine where non-Muslim Chinese also go to pray and are buried.

This multiculturalism shows in the Batik tradition of Trusmi, a whole kampung dedicated to the design, the production and sale of Batik. Above the Batik heritage we brought back to Jakarta.

Jakarta, November 2009.