The beautiful crater of Ijen
After yesterdays 0020 wakeup, this morning’s alarm for 0330 seemed like luxury. I put on yesterday’s dirty shirt, trousers and ash-laden socks … our guide said we’d be equally dirty today.
Soon after 0400 we took a short drive and walked about 90 minutes to the top of Ijen Crater. It seemed crazy that we’re on top of a mountain shortly after 0600 when on same days I’d still be sleeping! And people think I’m on a “holiday”!
The crater had a beautiful green lake which had steaming hot acidic water. In one “corner” (it is round, so it doesn’t really have corners) there were steam vents and lots of yellow sulphur deposits.
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- I couldn’t eat my breakfast at that ungodly time so I assembled it into a sandwich. Bread, egg and chocolate sprinkles 🙁
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- Scenery shortly after sunrise at 0515. I can’t believe I woke at 0330 to do this. We were on top of the mountain after 0600,
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- The first of many sulphur miners we see. They work at night to avoid the heat and make their last run after sunrise.
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- At the top of Ijen Crater.
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- At the top of Ijen Crater.
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- Ijen Crater before the sun’s ray hits it.
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- View from Ijen Crater.
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- View from Ijen Crater.
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- The sun starts to light up Ijen Crater’s hot acidic lake.
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- With my lovely Swiss companions.
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- Feeling on top of the world on top of Ijen Crater.
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- Feeling on top of the world on top of Ijen Crater.
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- Sulphur mine.
Sulphur miners of Ijen Crater
Men work through the night until shortly after sunrise to collect the sulphur and carry them downhill. Each load of two baskets weigh about 70-80 kg. They will do 2-3 per day trips for several days before going back to their hometown.
Walking back down, we slid a bit on the gravelly ground and I landed on my bum once. It’s a amazing that the miners walk in cheap rubber sandals without incident.
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- Close-up of sulphur mine with its workers carrying their loads.
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- Ijen Crater.
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- Sulphur miner taking a break; the two baskets weight about 70-80 kg.
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- Sulphur miner taking a break; the two baskets weight about 70-80 kg.
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- Ijen’s crater face.
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- Ijen’s crater face.
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- Sulphur waiting to be transported. Each load of two baskets weigh about 70-80 kg.
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- Sulphur miner carrying his load downhill.
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- Leaving Ijen for Banyuwangi/Ketapang (Bali ferry), we had to alight from the minivan as the road was too bad.
End of an adventure
We drove to Banyuwangi in the far east of Java to drop off my Swiss companions at its port Ketapang. It was 1130 and they would soon be on their way to beautiful Bali. I continued with the guide and driver on their homeward journey before getting dropped off at Pasuruan at 1630. It was a rather hair-raising ride with some close calls.
My nighstop in Pasuruan marks the end of my Javanese adventure. I’d overnight here before making my own way to Surabaya where I’ll fly out. I have had two adventure-filled days … I feel like I’m living the National Geographic life.