The Journey to Krakatoa (Son of Krakatoa - Krakatau) on 19-20 January 2013

Who doesn't know Mount Krakatoa or you also can call Son of Krakatoa (in Bahasa is Anak Krakatau)?

Well, please read our Journey to this amazing volcano..
FYI, this trip is requested by Liesel and her friends.

Our trip actually in between flood disaster in Jakarta, the flood happened on Thursday, 17 January 2013.
So, I thought the participants would cancel the trip, but all said "Let's go..!" - Like this (facebook version) :D

We start from Liesel's apartment at 5a.m where we all gathered on Saturday early morning.
When we arranged our bag pack into the car, then we were so ready to go.. no more flood on our way out from Jakarta. That was a good thing, thank God!

Since we leave early morning, so the road to reach Carita port was very friendly =D
We reached the port around 7.30 a.m and while we wait for the guide who bought supplies at the local market there, we had our breakfast in the small 'warung'

Finally around 8.30 a.m we were on the boat for 'Anak Krakatau', that morning was sunny day.. we were so happy about that, even though on our way, we had rain for like 20 minutes, but after that clear sky again.
It took 1,5 hour to reach Mount Krakatoa with speed boat (2 engines), if you use wooden boat, it takes 5 hours, even more if wavy seas.

Our speed boat and crew at Rakata Island

We had flat sea at that time, and we were so lucky to see 2 dolphins jumping by about 100 meters from us.
And when it's raining.. we enjoyed 'rain drops on the sea' view. (Truly beautiful)

When we couldn't see Java island behind us, that means we barely can see the volcano.
And everyone just very happy to see that, and can't hardly wait to see closer.

Rakata island, Son of Krakatoa and Long Island

Our first schedule for Saturday, 19 January 2013 is to explore Rakata Island with small trekking inside.

Rakata island is the only remain volcano with only half appearance of volcano, because the other 2 main volcanoes and half of Rakata were already 'dissapear', which means exploded.
I am talking about 800meters of volcano and two and a half of them disappeared.
And now Son of Krakatoa (Anak Krakatau) is about 500meters and keep growing until now.

When we trekked into the forest at Rakata island, we saw so many kind of flora and learn more less about the trees there.

mushroom

huge spider as big as my hand

'I don't know the name' fruit

beautiful flower on my hand

Spider and cricket

After the trek, we direct to our next schedule which is snorkeling at Rakata Island.
Since the wave was really friendly, so we enjoyed snorkeling a lot there.

After snorkeling and almost lunch time, so we head to Son of Krakatoa island, and let the crew cook for us.
While we were waiting for lunch, Phil and Lisa exploring the island by walk the beach until the end because there is huge tree blocking.
Mirna, Meena and myself were swimming.. just enjoy the beach.
Liesel was taking a nap.. =)
Honestly, I played with huge log near the beach.. hahaha.. (remembering child hood)

After lunch, we took a break for a while for few minutes before go to hot spring sea spot and snorkeling spot.
Hot spring sea happens only in some area where there is hot bubbles come out from the sands.
So when you put your ears into the sea, you can hear clearly the sounds of Music (Oops.. I mean sounds of the bubble) Lol..
And if you can dive in (for only 2-3 meters depth) and touch the sands, it is warm sands..
Awesome right?

After hot spring sea, we continued to snorkeling spot just east side of Son of Krakatoa island.
In this spot, all corals actually grow from the volcano rock, and very beautiful with so many kind of fishes and corals.
we spent like almost 2 hours snorkeling there, and then we head back to the base camp, where we built the tents near the beach.

the lizzard on the island

the lizzard on the island (another pose)

It was 4 p.m, and we took some break while enjoying fried cassava that the crew already prepared there.. Yummy =)
And finally, when it's about 5 p.m, we all prepared for trekking to the volcano.
It took less than 1 hour to reach to the half of the volcano, you can't go to the top, because it's very steep and dangerous.

On our way, unfortunately Mirna had asthma, so she had to go back to the camp.
So only 5 of us hike up.. (Liesel, Phil, Lisa, Meena, me and Mr. Samsul our guide)
It's quite difficult because the wind was blow against us, so all the gases, the sulfur against us.
We could smell that really bad, so sometimes we had to stop and drink, also cover our nose with our clothes.

the view on our way to the top

Our journey to the top

But finally we made it, everyone just took a lot of pictures up there.

We are posing for the pictures =P

Phil and Liesel explored to the east and to the west while we all just enjoyed the view and took pictures.

Smoke all around the volcano

Liesel and the volcano

half side of volcano

Suddenly, about half an hour, someone climbed up to the volcano followed our path.
And she is MIRNA... Awesome.. she finally came back to the group.
We thought she would take some rest in the tent, but she grabbed her medicine and climbed back.
You are awesome, Mirna.. ^_^ (two thumbs up)

Mirna not a quitter

And we took group picture =) Happily ever after.. Haha..

We waited up there until sunset, and we were hoping to be able to see red light from volcano's mouth.
But we couldn't because so many smokes covered the peak.

Smoke all around the peak

So, we took decision to walk back, it got darker, but we all prepared with the flash light.
We also collected woods for bonfire on our way back, what a perfect team work here.. Thanks guys!

When we reached to the base, dinner already served on the table under the tree, near the beach..
what a perfect dinner. They prepared seafood for us, except for Meena, she is vegetarian, but veggies already there, don't worry ^_*

Our Dinner

With a full stomach and big smile.. I knew that everyone enjoyed the dinner so much.
Mr. Samsul prepared the bonfire for us..with 2 mats nearby.
Chit chat.. sleeping nearby.. It's not that cold at that night.

Around 9 p.m, everyone started to enter the tents for sleep. I choose to sleep outside because I just love the nature =D
but suddenly on 11 p.m, the rain came. So I ran quickly to the tent and continued to sleep.. *__^
The rain didn't last longer.. that was a good thing.

Morning comes.. it's 5.30 a.m.. I remembered.. I saw first light of the day.. and all the animals started to make noise, they were welcoming the day (I guess)..
Everyone started to walk out from their tents.. and we had an idea to watch sunrise.. so we walk to the east side of the island.. It's only Liesel, Mirna, Mr. Samsul and me.
Strangely, we were keep busy talking and suddenly the sun was already up there.. Hahaha..
Well, it was also because of the clouds.

Around 8 a.m everyone was ready for breakfast.. It's pancake with omelet.. PERFECTO! =D
after breakfast, Liesel and Meena wanted to go for a swim and the others just busy packing.



one of our tents

 We still had another snorkeling session.. Next spot was near Panjang island.
This spot also awesome..

For first, Mirna and me actually didn't want to do snorkeling anymore, but I couldn't help myself when I see this clear pure sea. And I was the first one who jumped into the sea..
And you know what? Mirna was tempted and join us snorkeling around.. haha..
For about 1 hour snorkeling and we were ready to back to the port..
Our way back was little bit up and down.. and Lisa had her sea sick.. but she's fine..

When we reached the port, some people took a bath.. after that we back to our car and head back to Jakarta.
Everyone was a little bit full, so we skip lunch and we reach Jakarta around 3 p.m
Just perfect time to take some more rest before Monday..

And Lisa flied back to Malaysia, thank you for coming this far to Jakarta for Krakatoa trip.
Thanks to Liesel for requesting this trip.
Thanks to Meena who knows my number from someone and pass to Liesel =D
Thanks to Phil and Mirna for joining the trip
Thanks for sharing the pictures (Phil and Liesel) and upcoming pictures from Mirna and Meena.



Me, Lisa, Meena, Liesel, Phil and Mirna (from left to right)


You guys are awesome, I do really hope that this trip will remain forever in your memory.
Because we have visited the amazing Krakatoa.

Keep growing Son of Krakatoa,

Didi
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