Sulfur lake in the crater of the Kawah Ijen volcano in Indonesia. Sulfur Lake in Crater Volcano Kawah Ijen in Indonesia Incened Indonesia

Volcano island. Branch of hell on earth. February 1st, 2018

When we just started talking about our adventures in Indonesia, we were constantly writing "Be sure to go to Ident - this is where beauty!"

Do you know why? Because the usual Gentlemansky set of a tourist who decided to visit Indonesia volcanoes on Java includes bromo and ideally. The most easily accessible, beautiful and as a result - the most visited.

And although the Wolconography of our interests spread much wider than these two volcanoes, Intrivated and Bromo were also included in the mandatory program.

But if bromo - about what is beautiful, then Intrivated ... I don't even know how to formulate it.
No, it's beautiful. Especially for those who have not too many different volcanisms in their lives seen. But some sinister beauty is beautiful.
In addition, on Incented two in one: a place for the pilgrimage of tourists and the place of hellish work. Daily apart from hundreds of other curious tourists, dozens of workers mining sulfur descend here.

Yes, my personal list of hellish work has been replenished with a new item. Before that, it was in it, if you think that the list of hellish work is only about distant wild countries, now you will be surprised, it took two items in it.
Now this is the extraction of sulfur. As many years ago - hands, sledgehamps, in baskets, which then need to be taken up.

And so it is of course beautiful - giant crater, yellow sulfur, turquoise sulfur lake ...

I was asked here, and why this sulfur is mined?
I, as a person, not lazy, immediately climbed on the internet.
Since ancient times, ancient times was used as a heat source during the heat treatment of sinners. Where? Well, things are understandable - in hell.

In principle, the night descent to the crater of the volcano is the most reminds of the descent to hell.

Dark, strange people somewhere wand down the narrow path, sometimes very cool, nothing can also be smoke. A lot of smoke. And characteristic caustic sulfur smell.

You still do not understand where you are going and what you see, but all this is already starting hard to not like.
Especially when, such as us, suddenly covers a particularly dense sulfur cloud.

No, it's not always there. More often costs without too strong flue effects. And then descended can observe blue fire burning in the crater. For this, descend in the dark.
In general, there is a fire, sulfur is, smoke is. Adsis.

In our case, the smoke was such that nothing could be seen. Basically. In addition to strange outlines of people. And some stones.

We descended almost to Niza, when the cloud of sulfur smoke became completely unbearable. It became almost impossible to breathe, the eyes began to get pathne from caustic smoke.

Now imagine that all this happens on a narrow path leaving cool down, among the crowd of people. That is, if that, it is necessary to get out, respectively, upstairs. On the same path. There are no other options.

I walked and imagined how it could look if you need to get urgently. If a panic starts. If all this crowd breaks up ...

Apparently such thoughts visited not only my head, and gradually more and more people began to turn back.
So our team shared again. Reasonable half said that they are already enough, they are upstairs. And half of the ever curious adventurers in the face of me, my non-random fellow traveler e_KASPERSKY. And Shsh, decided to continue sulfur masochings.

The guide assured that all this should stretch in 15 minutes. We sat, breathed in a wet cloth, trying to breathe in times.

No blue lights speech did not go. But when it became light, and the smoke began to gradually leave, everything was slightly lilac.

And then, when with Dark, at the same time very successfully and smoke, we finally could see this branch of hell.

Here, by the way, you can see the edge of the crater, from where we came from.

Sulfur miners chop down huge pieces, sometimes crush them, fold in the basket and raise up.

Basket weight - 60-70 kilograms. Everyone can try on this wear.

Well? Do you still seem to be the chair in your office is not soft enough?
Then, welcome to this hellish cuisine.

All work is carried out in manual. There are some barrels in which something smokes, but no one could explain the technology of the process.

However, the question about how many years people work here before they die, I didn't get it too.

The crowds of tourists every day attending the volcano here have long been accustomed. Come calmly.

Sulfur miners apparently accepted as a given thing that they became part of the attraction. And even earn a little additionally, taking money from tourists for a photo.

Here are tourists and pose joyfully.

True, before the next cloud of caustic smoke.

I also take a photo. Of course not with serokarts. And with a volcano. Traditionally. So that then count on the photos, how many of them were.

And only there at the light of the day we see here such a sign. Very strange for a volcano where crowds are watering tourists.

And where the tourist business flourishes in all manifestations. Souvenirs from sulfur. Conditions. And for those who cannot go on their own - VIP trolley.

On the same trolleys there are bags with sulfur. In general, everything was mixed here in this hello boiler.

And choosing from there, I want to join our non-famous compatriots and subscribe under their words.

However...
You will not believe. On this, our Marathon volcano on Java ended. Six volcanoes seem to seem six days. Not sure. Everything was mixed in the head from impressions, seen, events, sleepless nights and endless roads.
Rest reached its apogee. There was no possibility to rest in this pace further.
But we are not monsters. We are kind. Therefore, I am with my no random coast of adventure ek generous hand slept our fellow travelers on the sea.

The yard was on January 3. On this day we have appointed a solemn and final celebration of the New Year.

Sea! Holiday! Aircraft!
We flew to the sea and for the holiday.

The volcano is ideally one of the most amazing, and at the same time the most dangerous places on the globe. It is a whole volcanic complex, as it includes crater, starrels, volcanic cones, some of which are located at a 20-kilometer distance from each other. In the thirst for adventures, thousands of tourists come here every year, so that with their own eyes see an incredibly beautiful blue fire, the largest volcanic lake and inhuman conditions for sulfur production.

The volcano is located on the island of Java, on the border of two districts: Banuvanhibitions and Bondosovo. It represents a whole complex, which includes about 10 objects. From a tourist point of view, the crater volcano is the most noteworthy. Being permanent activity, he erupts a gray smoke tuber without a break.

Inthen differs significantly from other volcanoes. In its crater, an emerald lake is located instead of the raging lava. The size of the reservoir is 950 × 600 meters. But instead of ordinary water, the lake is filled with a mixture of hydrochloric and sulfuric acid. On the surface temperature of a mixture of 50-60 degrees. His color is constantly changing, he is turquoise, then malachitic, then emerald. On the shore and a little away from the lake there may be bodies of a bright yellow shade. This is just sulfur.

In the liquid form of sulfur has a bright red shade. Stacking along the slopes, it cools and brighten. After that, it becomes solid and becomes yellow. At night, as a result of sulfur oxidation, has a beautiful blue shade.

Near the lake, the local population is engaged in the mining of sulfur. This is a rather complicated and dangerous job. Fill in the basket with sulfur sulfur, the workers manually descend them down. The weight of one such tinsel is about 80 kilograms. During the day, the guys managed to do only two such descents, resulting in $ 10-13. According to the standards of Java Island - this is a very prestigious and highly paid job. The population density is high here, the unemployment rate reaches the maximum. Therefore, residents try to take for any job.

How to get to volcano from Bali?

You can get on the IMND with Bali in two ways. If you do not want to worry and worry about something, then you can order a group tour. You can take it. This area is very popular among tourists, so hiking is organized regularly. The cost of the program in a large group begins from $ 95. Such a tour is designed for 2 days.

There is nothing complicated in the independent journey. Initially, you need to get to BanuvanGi - this is the nearest settlement where tourist infrastructure is well developed. He is the basic point of departure to the volcano. By the way, contacting local travel agencies, you can also order a tour to climb to the top. Of course, it is not necessary to do it, since the volcano can be reached independently.

With the help of any transport you need to get to the Pos Paltuding camp, located at the foot of the mountain. The whole necessary infrastructure is concentrated here, cafes, shops, shops, there is parking. From the camp begins a hiking, the duration of the entire route is about 3 kilometers. Here you can use the guide services that will accompany you there and back. But taking into account the fact that the road is not so complicated, you can climb and without his help.

Distance from Banuvanha to Pos Paltuding 30 kilometers. There is only one road that is not better quality. Up to the right place, public transport does not run. And you will have to take advantage of a taxi, motorcycle, organized by a tour or leased bike. The last option is the cheapest, as the daily rental of transport on average costs 65 thousand rupees, plus you will not depend on the time.

Volcano Ident on the map

On this map, I noted the exact location of the volcano Incen.

How to climb the volcano?

As I already noted, a hiking campaign on the volcano starts from the Pos Paltuding camp at an altitude of 1875 meters. You need to go through 3 kilometers. You will have to overcome the height difference just 500 meters, it can take from 1 to 3 hours to this route, it all depends on your physical endurance.

Ascension can be both night and daily. The advantage of the night is that you can see the "blue fire" in the crater of the volcano, as well as to meet the dawn on the top of the mountain. Night travelers are always a lot. If you decide to go on the night at night, grab a flashlight with you, it's better that he is attached to his head.

It is unlikely to get lost, since the only wide path is leading to the top. It walks and sulfur getters, so, having met them on the way, try not to interfere, do not forget that each of them bears about 80 kg. If you decide to take a picture with them, then try to thank them for it. Usually 5-10 thousand rupees are enough.

After you raise to the top, you need to descend another 200 meters to the lake. This descent is steep enough, takes about half an hour, be careful. It is in the crater you will see a flame of blue, it is oxidized sulfur. Serious miners work here. Having in love with this spectacle, go up again to the top of the crater and go to the dawn meeting point.

Crater volcano

The volcanic crater with the acid-located acid lake has a width of 361 meters, its depth reaches up to 200 m. It is quite dangerous in it, but it does not stop tourists.

Rising to the top, you will see that the crater is filled with caustic gray smoke - sulfur couples, which extremely negatively affects human health. Near the pipes from which the sulfur flows, high temperature always keeps, it is dangerous not only for health, but also for life. That is why, rising to the ideal, be sure to take a protective mask with you, and the better it filters the air, the easier you will breathe.

But if you watch the crater from the side, that is, staying on its slopes, then you will open a picture of incredible beauty: devastated rocky slopes, sulfur eater tubers, rising up and immovable acidic lake, considered one of the most dangerous worldwide.

Hotels near Volcano

The best option where you can stay at night are the cities of Banuvanhibitions and Bondosovo. There will be no good tourist infrastructure in them, and there will be no problems with the choice of housing. If you are traveling from Bali, it is better to give preference to the city of Banuvanhibitions. By the number of the best hotels in this city include:

Also, several cozy guesthouses are located near Ijen. 2 of them are in the village of sample, 10 kilometers from the mountain, and one in the camp, from where the hiking route begins to Kratera. In the sample you can stay in the houses of the local population, they usually rent rooms.

If you are going to visit the volcano, pay attention to the following recommendations:

1. Ideal time for a trip - period from April to October, at this time dry and warm.
2. The cost of the entrance ticket is only 15 thousand rupees, but at the same time grab money on the road, food and overnight.
3. The hike to the volcano isolating physically. Therefore, it should be resolved in advance with the question overnight. Good hotels are located in Banuvanhai. You can also spend the night on the tea plantation that will meet you on the way. In addition to the place where you can spend the night, you will be offered a tasting of fragrant tea and a fascinating tour of the plantations.
4. The duration of the path from the foot to the top of only 3 kilometers, but this section of the path is just considered the most difficult. Due to the fact that the route consists of a gentle trail, people of any age, including children can travel on a journey. I advise you to get acquainted in advance with the weather forecast, during a strong wind and rain visibility will be limited. Of the unpleasant consequences - cold and poor well-being.
5. Please note that the mountain is high enough and literally in the middle of the way you will want to get dwelled. Accordingly, on top will be still cool. Therefore, take warm things with you.
6. The highlighted pairs of sulfur impregnate the air by a flicker aroma that annoys the mucous membranes and can provoke asthma attacks. Be sure to take with you masks, respirators or gas masks. The higher the protective properties of the fund you have chosen, the better for you. Cases of sulfur poisoning among tourists were recorded.
7. If you want to make a good deed, you can grab a few respirators or a gauze bandage with you for sulfur hotkers, as they even have such vital trivia lacks.
8. Take care of a comfortable equipment. You must have steady shoes, insulated clothes and preferably gloves.

Intrvis is such a popular place that residents of other countries come here to see one more natural miracle with their own eyes. If you relax on Bali, try to find time and get to the volcano. The main thing is not to forget about the basic safety rules, and you will get a sea of \u200b\u200bpositive emotions from such a journey.

Inthen is a valid volcano, which is located on the eastern part of the island of Java. Volcano Ident is known worldwide as a volcano with the largest acid lake (Kava Izden). The acidic lake of turquoise shades is in the crater of the volcano. You can go down to the lake and stand up on the shore of this fantastic nature attractions.

In general, Intned is a whole complex of volcanoes, the highest of them is

• ROUNG - 3332 M
• Merapy - 2800m
• Ident - 2368 m

The most interesting of them is of course it is ideally, since it is not easy for him to go up, and also go down to the crater itself, see the blue fire, burning sulfur, and of course the acid lake.

Blue Fire is a unique natural phenomenon that can be seen in the crater of the volcanic at night. What is it? Blue Fire is the burning of hydrogen sulfide with a temperature of 600 degrees Celsius, which is precisely the blue color of the fire. The glow is not strong, so you can only be seen at night. And that is why most people go to the volcano on the night at night, to first see how the sulfur is on the blue, and then at the occurrence of dawn, unusual types of volcanoes are ideal.

From Bali Island

From the island of Bali to Volcano Idren can be reached independently or as part of the excursion.

Alone can be reached on a rented moped or car. In this case, you will need to go to the ferry in the town of Gilimanuk. Ferry to Java runs every hour, water time is 60 minutes. For the crossing you will need to pay money. On the ferry you can sit, eat, in general, relax. After you step on the island of Java, you will need to go to the BanyaVanga and already from there to the volcano and the Pos Paltuding camp. It is from him that begins climbing the volcano. There is a toilet, parking for cars, a small store, and even a guesthouse.

In principle, as part of the excursion from the island of Bali you will find exactly the same way. We traveled with our familiar on the island, which organized a tour of us and another 5 people. The road from Cute to the ferry took about 6 hours, further a ferry for 1 hour, and then another one and a half hours in Java to the volcano.

From Java Island

If you are driven from Java Island, then you need to get to the city of Bondoso and after it to go to the volcano.

You can also arrive in advance to the volcano and stay in hotels closest to Him - Arabica Hotel (pos. Bondoso), HomeStay Anyar

With an excursion from Bali Island

You can buy a tour of the volcano in advance. Incen and comfortably reach and climb the volcano along with sightseeing guides.

The description of the volcano is ideal and the cost of visiting

You will need to get up to the height of 500 meters from the height of the volcano and the height of 1,568 meters from the height of 1875 meters to 2368 meters, the length of the road is about 3 km. By time it takes about 1.5-2 hours, it all depends on your physical training. After that, the descent into the crater is a height of 200 meters. The volcanic crater is ideally in a radius of 361 meters.

It is best to come and start climbing the volcano at night. Ticket for the rise of the volcano costs 150,000 rupees per person. Casses are here, at the foot of the volcano. Further, people stand and wait for the passage to the volcano. Usually it is opened for about an hour, but they can open and later due to the activity of the volcano, do not forget that the volcano acting. We were lucky, and the passage opened exactly at one o'clock. So we did not hurry and went to the top. To see the blue fire, you need to be in the crater about 4 in the morning. So you have time to enjoy an amazing spectacle. After 5 in the morning brighten and blue fire is almost not visible.

Be sure to take with me aspirator, because near the burning sulfur it will be difficult for you to breathe, take lanterns with you, and also get dull - there were 3 warm jackets on me, it is also fashionable to take gloves and cap. At night, it is very cold 10-12 degrees, and I even saw people in fur coats 🙂 most likely it is local. We also had a mask, but she did not need it.

Our rise to the volcano is and descending into the crater to the lake

We arrived at the volcano Izen in the area 12 o'clock in the morning, did not rush to buy tickets and waited for the opening of the passage. Exactly per hour, the pass opened and we, together with the crowd of other people, rushed to conquer the volcano idea. We walked a group of 5 people, but it's absolutely no place to wander here - the road is alone and it is wide enough. We walked in a pitch darkness, highlighting the lanterns to the right to the left, and thanks to this, we saw a little somewhere where we go. On the way back, we already walked when the sun rose and it was very interesting to see those places for which we went at night 🙂

We were wearing enough heat for 12 degrees of heat, stayed a couple of times to rest and moved again. As a result, our rise took only about one and a half hours. We were satisfied, because we fully managed to look at the blue fire in the crater of the volcano. The road was not complicated and it was quite comfortable - everyone chose his pace and the crowd quickly cleared.

But the descent to the crater volcano was not completely simple, I think it must be put on it about 45 minutes. We walked a chain, a man behind a man. They walked around the stones. We needed to be almost climbing, holding hands behind the protrusions from huge stones. Also here you can easily slip, so they constantly looked at your feet. Descended for a long time, about 45 minutes. At the very beginning of the descent, the blue fire was visited and we were closer to him approached.

The burning of sulfur is a very beautiful and unusual spectacle at night. Blue flame flames popped up here, then there. It `s very unusual. It is quite difficult here to make good photos, because a lot of smoke and in the photo everything floats. Gradually became the light and blue lights were no longer so clearly visible, but we began to look around and finally saw where we are.

Of course, it is very unusual, in the complete darkness to go around the terrain, and then, with the onset of dawn, finally see the entire landscape. We were in complete delighted, we were highly surrounded by large stones of different quantities and forms, and in general the landscape was some kind of cosmic, as if on another planet.

In the photo it can be seen as a snake for each other, we descended from the top of the volcano very much in his crater.

Around everything smoked, it burns sulfur. Immediately, the local mining it and fold into the device, which then carry first from the crater to the top of the volcano, and then descend to his foot. Next again go to the crater - and so 2 walkers per day. For this, they get 4-6 dollars a day, which is very little according to our standards, and by the standards of the island of Java they earn good money. All workers are basically thin and not high. Due to the fact that they constantly breathe gray, they also have no health, and 30-year-old guys look like 50-year-old. They do not use special protection, the maximum is covered with a cloth nose and mouth when they are very close to sulfur ignition.

We, at the bottom of the crater, all the same dressed our respirators. Of course, it is also not very comfortable in it, but it is much easier than without it.

We decided not to descend to the lake itself, but make beautiful photos against his background a little on the hill. Lake Idezen - Kava Izen is striking with its color, it is turquoise shades and very beautiful. Its depth of a whole 200 meters!

Even I can not believe that it is very dangerous. Although, it can even touch it. The surface temperature on the surface is 60 degrees Celsius, in the depths of all 200 degrees.

In the crater of the volcano, we stayed for about an hour and after that we started our way upstairs. I was as much easier for me how to descend, since it was still light and see each pebble, and on the descent I was very afraid of falling at the same time without seeing anything around myself.

From above, the volcanic crater looks even more unusual, in such a place I was the first time. As if it is true on another planet.

Here is such a weight weighing 70-80 kg workers 2 times a day we carry to the foot of the volcano for a completely meager salary.

By the way, local workers will offer you to buy figures from sulfur for a small cost. You can please them and buy figures for yourself.

And this is a view of the neighboring mountain, and in general, the return journey was very beautiful, we passed around the ground and saw as clouds are below us.

My offer will like those who love romance and unusual adventures. On the island of Java there is a fictional place. It is called the volcano idea. Once here, you will feel at the same time the interplanetary traveler and the hero of the Divine Comedy Dante.

Excursion to the volcano idea includes:

• Transfer from the hotel to Port Hilimanuk
• Ferry crossing
• Moving from the port of Ket Apang to the volcano
• Climbing
• If desired - lunch in the restaurant

What is the interest of the volcano izhen

One of the most unusual volcanic complexes in the world consists of 1 4 cones, one crater and two stratululkanov. It covers an area of \u200b\u200babout 20 km². Located around the ancient caldera, inside of which the world's largest acid lake is located.

The depth of the reservoir is about 200 m, the radius is 361 m. The temperature on the surface of the lake 60 ° C-70 ° C, and in a depth of 170 ° C-245 ° C (sulfur boils with such numbers). The concentration of sulfur and hydrochloric acid is very high, life in such water is impossible.

Volcano Ident has a very high fumarial activity. Mineral crevices constantly stand out of sulfide clubs. Reacting with air, they focus. Fire is weak, it can be seen only at dusk. It has an amazing blue color. Sometimes the amount of gas and liquid sulfur is so large that a kind of blue lava is formed. For the first time, this phenomenon recorded on the film and showed the world a French photographer Oliver cm Yoonald in the 90s of the last century.

When condensation, hydrogen sulfide turns into an elementary sulfur. In a liquid state, it has a bright redhead color. Then gradually cools and harden, becoming half a half, with an amber tint, and then yellow.

Sulfur deposits on the slopes of the volcano are a source of income for many locals. It is extracted with an almost beautiful way. Men chip pieces of minerals with manual instruments, ship in the basket and carry in the near settlement. The weight of the cargo is 60-80 kg, and the distance to the point of reception is about 4 km. The work of miners is very harmful, and income is only 8-1 $ 3 per day.

Now I want to tell you about traveling to the volcano.

How is tour

I will take you from the hotel approximately 18: 00-18: 30. We need to start a trip in the evening to climb the slopes of the volcano at dusk and see the blue fire. We would ride a dode on a comfortable minivan with air conditioning.

First of all, you need to get to the port of Gilimanuk; It is located at the western point of Bali. The road will take 5 -5.5 hours and will be held along the most lively track of the island.

Closer to midnight we will sit on the ferry and go to Java, to the port of Ketapang. Swim for a short time - just 30 minutes. Upon arrival, we will meet my partner, English-speaking guide.

After acquaintance with my partner, we will stop in his all-wheel drive cars. Next to the volcano we will go on jeeps.

At 02:00 climb will begin. Before that, you will get protective masks and lights to prevent inhalation of poisonous gases and highlight the path.

The distance from the foot to the top is about 3 km. The path at the beginning of the rise is cooler than at the top. She wriggles between large stones and boulders. Having reached the peak, we will go down to 200-300 m, it can be done in 3 0 minutes. So on the road will leave 2-2.5 hours.

Reaching a sightseeing platform, we will admire the blue glow of burning hydrogen sulfide. It is unlikely that you can observe such a natural phenomenon elsewhere. If you are very lucky, we will see the real blue lava flowing from the acid lake.

Approximately 06:00 we will meet dawn. You will see the yellow-orange rocks, turquoise smooth lake and smoke clubs, rising above its surface. If desired, you can go down to the lake. Water in it is hot, with high acidity, but you can quite safely touch the surface and even rinse your hands.

In good weather from the top of the volcano, the neighboring island of Bali is visible. The surroundings of the caldera are very beautiful, the slopes from the outside are covered with a rainforest and cafe liquid plantations.

The descent will take us less time than the rise. With R A small varung open on the mountainside of the mountain, we can relax next to him, drink coffee and snack.

At the foot sell original souvenirs. Miners pour liquid sulfur into special forms when it cools, uncomplicated figures are obtained. So, if you wish, to acquire souvenirs will not work.

07: 30-08: 00 in the morning we will be in the parking lot. On the way to the port you can come to one of the local restaurants to have a snack. In the hotel on Bali we will return after lunch, about 16: 00-17: 00.

Important information!

The climbing on the volcano is not always possible.

There are two reasons for it:

1. High seismic activity
2. High concentration of gases in the valley

However, I always find out about it in advance. Therefore, if such a situation is to take place, I will warn you, and we will be able to schedule a trip the next day.

We planned our five-day trip to Java in Moscow, in February, when they bought air ticket tickets. The difficulty was that they are usually driving on Java since Djokyakarta towards the ferry before Bali visiting temples and volcanoes on the road, our route was exactly the opposite. And so, the plan turned out to be like this: get to the ferry from Bali to Java, twist the strait and first work to visit the volcano Izden. Then we wanted to see a panorama with a volcano Bromo, from him to go to Jokyakarta to the temples Bomborodour and Prambanan. And then from Joggeja by plane to return to Bali. It seems that everything is simple, but besides the ticket purchased by plane from Java to Bali, we had a vague idea over the rest of the way.

Now when I write this post, driving throughout the route, we already know how it could be done somewhere cheaper, and somewhere more comfortable. But what is done that is done, and I am glad that everything happened exactly! And you still write alternative versions of movement.

If you decide to get to Java on the ferry, it will be a fairly budget option to buy a bus ticket to the ferry in Denpasar. Some buses ship and on the ferry, but where they follow later I do not know exactly. On Java near the port of Ketapang you can take a taxi to Izhen. Our friend, a guide to Bali named whiskey, said that the price of such a move will come out about 350 thousand rupees (about $ 40). Since we did not want to go early in the morning of Cute in Denpasar and run there to look for where to buy, it was decided to take a car with a driver. The path from the cute to the port of Gilimanuk (Gilimanuk) will cost about 400 thousand rupees. The price of ferry to Java for a car 100 thousand rupees ($ 10), for people and is less. Now you will understand what I am writing it all)))
While in the normal Balinese state "on the relaxation", we postponed the driver's search until the latter. As a result, in the evening before departure, bought a tour in the usual tourist office in Kuta. For a long time, they agreed that for 1,300,000 rupees we were brought to one of the hotels on the slopes of Ijen. How it is not difficult to calculate we, of course, overpaid. I do not know why we did not turn to whiskey, I think it would be cheaper. But as they say to Bali: it means so necessary))
At 6.30 in the morning the car was near our home, and we had a phone every two minutes, with the question where we are and when we leave! They came out, and it turned out that, in addition to the driver, our friend will go with us, who last night sold a trip! We asked what he did here, it turned out that the driver does not know the road to the volcano. This is certainly not true, well, okay together more! Got into the car, went!
Watches at 10 We were already in the port of Gilimanuk. In this place between the islands is a very small strait, and a picturesque look opens to Java.

about. Java, view from about. Bali Port Hilimanuk (Gilimanuk)

Since we woke up very early, and before leaving did not have time to have breakfast, I really wanted to eat. You know, in general, I love rice and chicken, and all sorts of Nasi Goreng from local cuisine I like, but the hardest thing in the whole trip on Java was that in addition, we practically did not eat anything else. Even for breakfast! And one more feature of any Asian cuisine is an acute food. And for a long time I explain to the lady in Varunga (local cafe) that you need not at all the spice so that neither the droplets, and in the end I get my noodles, which is not possible without tears, guess why ... Dima eating fried with vegetables and he It seems not to be so sharp, lucky!
After breakfast, we plunged on the ferry, and moved along the strait to Java. During this move, I was once again struck and strongly upset a huge amount of garbage in the ocean.
After the ferry, we went to the side of Izhen. Dima has a navigator in the phone, but the paths for which we were lucky our friends there was noted, the picture showed that we were going directly through the jungle. And soon the Internet and disappeared at all, so if you get here to keep yourself here, or print yourself just in case!
Previously, the road on which we drove was available only for travel on the jeep, now it was put in order, put asphalt and you can drive on any transport. Our car hardly climbed into the steep slides, so we went rather slowly and for a long time, but they managed to consider the beauty around us!

Along the way, we drove the place from where it begins to rise to the volcano. A couple of times got lost, which is strange, as the road is only one and diverge to the parties only once. In the mountains next to Identic, many checkpoints, driving that Dima every time was recorded in a notebook visits.
Approximately half an hour from Ijen are two small hotels: Arabica (Arabica Homestay) and Catimor Homestay, in our opinion these are optimal options for accommodation.

I think the difference between them is small, Catimor is kind of more expensive and we chose Arabica. We arrived at the hotel, it turned out to be practically empty and we decided that it would help us to bring down the price of housing. The hotel has three options: economy with facilities in the courtyard, the standard shower with toilet in the room, and the so-called VIP numbers they are a bit extensive standard and with a TV. Man administrator announced us prices and we went to watch rooms. Chose between standard and VIP, the view of the standard rooms is quite deplorable, but the VIP does not particularly shine comfort. We decided to take the VIP throwing a bit of the price, but ... After viewing, the price suddenly changed, of course, in the most side, such as ignorance, the administrator was mistaken in numbers! As a result, the prices were released. Such: Economy room 150 thousand rupees ($ 17) But we did not consider it, the standard for 250 thousand rupees ($ 28) and the VIP room cost 350 thousand ($ 39). All our attempts to reduce the price is not rolled. How then we understood it first because of the lack of competition and secondly from complete confidence that with this price all rooms will be occupied, as in the end and left! We took the standard room, in general, to spend the night will come down.
The next case began to find transport to get to Izhen and find out how to leave this deafdomani to the bromo volcano.
With the first point it was decided everything quickly offered a bike for 150 thousand rupees ($ 16), although usually a bike for a day costs 50 thousand) as well as with housing, they slipped flatly refused. Although they were offered to take a bike for 100 thousand but with the driver, that is, 2 bike would come! Here is a mathematics, transportation with the driver is cheaper, transport without it :)
But with an expensive from this village, it was not so easy. The easiest option to take the driver with the car disappeared, since there is no car here. We were told that you could go early in the morning by bus to one of the cities at the foot of the mountains, and there already to look for the way to go on, on this and stopped.
I found out everything we donate fried rice with chicken, drove tea, he, by the way, here is free at any time, and went to exploration the road to Ijen.
As I already wrote the road here alone, but we decided that it was better to drive on it while lightly, so that at night it was easier to navigate. Yes, and the bike was driven by an old, Dima speeds had to switch themselves, it was necessary to get used to it. On the way, we opened a huge number of beautiful species. The vertices of the mountains and coffee plantations on their slopes, clouds floating between the rocks, each turn wanted to stop and remove these expanses.

The case was nearing in the evening, and since we were high in the mountains noticeably colded. We began to return to the hotel and enjoyed a beautiful sunset on the way!

In the village of sample, where our hotel is located, there is a small square near the mosque, they sell all sorts of things. If you did not prepare for the rise of warm clothes, here you can buy pants and sweaters, liver and water on the road. We bought Dima Sports pants and some food.
In the hotel, asking one of the administrators, what time is it better to go out to have time to see the Blue Fire (Blue Fire) burning in the crater, made a plan of the trip.
Calculate approximately like this: Dawn in this part of Java begins about 4.30 in the morning, that is, at 4 exactly (and better a little earlier to go down to the crater) it is necessary to be on top. On the rise takes 1.5 hours. So far from the foot start at 2.30. The road from the hotel to the start of the tracking takes about 40 minutes, it means to leave the hotel with a small margin of 1.30. The rise goes to the hour of the night, I usually go to bed at this time :) But since we got up early in the morning, they were tired of a long day, and there is nothing to do when it is dark, there is nothing more, after the snack and collecting things, we quickly fell asleep.
And now the moment of the Iks come! We woke up, drank in a cup of tea, dressed Walking, grabbed a hot warm plaid to do not climb on top, and started their way to Ident.
The first difficulty did not make himself wait. At night, Rosa fell out, our bike apparently dumped, cooled and refused to start. Dima took advantage of the starter pedal. Several attempts to start with its help, our arrows were not crowned with success, we tried it to extract it either did not help. Returned to the pedal, Dima, with all her strength, pressed it, His leg slipped and he ran into the edge of the pedal. Strongly pick out my leg sole, and we still go to the mountain! On our happiness soon, the bike started and we went along the night road, looked from the cold in the raincoats.
Further everything went according to plan and about 40 minutes we were at the point of start. We saw the light in a small house drove up to him, a man came to meet us and suggested where to put a bike. He agreed to be our guide. For this, we paid 150 thousand rupees. I will immediately say that he and for 100 would go, and maybe less if you are fundamentally trapped, but we decided to agree.
It is worth noting here that some time ago, from for increasing the activity of the volcano, the official tracking on it was closed. Tickets because of this are not sold here, there are no special guides, our turned out to be a sulfur bread! You can certainly climb there and yourself, so many go, but still do not forget that this is an active volcano, and we still have a night, besides, it is better if there is a person who is well focused on the terrain!
In Moscow, preparing for the trip, we bought naked lanterns, but we were lucky on this night with the moon, she was almost full and well covered everything around! The road here is widely tumped. The rise is not steep due to the fact that the path is looping horizontally along the slope, and does not go straight to the top. But because of this, the path becomes longer, although it is not scary. At that moment I decided that this is the easiest my tracking! But, closing a little ahead, I will say that in a few days on the volcano Bromo, I learned that it happens even easier!
We rose to the top on the schedule, overtaking on the road a couple of companies of tourists. And now we have a black abrasion of the crater, and on her day burning the blue fire or how everyone says Blue Fire!

Blue Fire (Blue Fire), volcano is ideal, oh. Java

If you look at, then small people are visible in the photo, and the scale of this fire immediately is clear. Stunning spectacle! Fire can only be seen as dark, in the light of the day it can be seen only smoke. There's a lake at the bottom of the crater. When light, it is incredible light green color, and from a large amount of sulfur its acidity is increased. Some write that the lake is filled with sulfuric acid, but it is not quite true, I for example there is soap hands. Water in it was quite hot.
Then we began to descend into the crater, we already dawned out and incredibly space species opened.

Crater volcano is ideal, o. Java

The descent to the bottom is quite steep, the hitter, and the meeting is also the case of sulfur miners with a basket loaded to failure. Hell work!

Sulfur minider, volcano ijen

And here we are downstairs, shocked what we see around. I will not even try to describe the types of crater with the words, look better than the photo!
Our conductor began to tell how sulfur production occurs.
From the holes in the mountain volcanic gases, which are actually burning. Huge ceramic pipes are laid here, in which condensate and sulfur pairs are settled.

Due to the high temperature, almost 250 ° C, sulfur, which fell into the pipe, does not freeze, and flows out. At first she is a fiery red color when cooled becomes amber-transparent, and after some time bright yellow.

Casting sulfur, volcano ijen

Breathe normally due to gases and vaporsat the bottom of the crater It was not possible. It smells very very much, and after a while it begins to last the throat and cough appears. We knew about it and, again, they bought good respiratory masks in Moscow in advance. But those who do not have such luxury there, and you can easily guess how such work affects the health of the miners! One of my masks at the end of the campaign, we, of course, gave our conductor. And so Dima looked like.

After the sulfur cools, it is collected and folded into the basket. Their weight on average is from 70 to 90 kg! And then on his hump all this, all this is first on top of the crater, and the way down.

In the meantime, it became completely light and we approached the lake. It literally hypnotized us, the feeling that we were on another planet!

Volcanic sulfur lake, Incen, Java

It's time to return, our conductor asked not against whether it would simply grab the basket with gray, of course, we were not against.

Sulfur earner and our part-time conductor

Dima decided to help our friend and took one of the baskets. But he did not go far! If you look at, on the baskets you will see the inscription Play Boy. It's nice to see that even in such difficult conditions, people do not lose sense of humor, joking, pushed each other and laugh. Do not fall in spirit, in general.
Our friend picked up the basket and looked quite cheerfully on a stony slope. At that moment I realized that my job is just eternal vacation!

I went behind him, with a blanket for the advantage.

And for me Dima. In my opinion he was upset that without a basket goes;)

Crater volcano is ideal, o. Java

On the way, we were constantly stopped and looked at the sulfur production site from afar. And every time we opened a new look!

Sulfur mining, volcano ijen

Rising to the top of the crater, we sat down to wait for the dawn. Here, just, we were useful to the plaid grabbed at the hotel.

The sun slowly crawled out of the mountains. And again the feeling that we are on another planet appeared!

By this time, other tourists began to pull up on the volcano, not everyone is ready to climb here at night, and some do not know about the blue fire. In any case, the day of tourists is much more. And these are local entrepreneurs. At night, we did not notice this, but at the beginning of the way to Crater there is a sign that down to go is very dangerous, and this is a pure truth, and how the guard appeared near the sign, who did not miss anyone down without a conductor. And, of course, for a certain amount, he either spoke himself at the bottom of tourists, or sent his friend.

The sun continued not to rush to rise, more and more illuminating the crater ....

And on the opposite side, the moon was seen, slowly leaving behind the slope.

Stunning contrast!

View from another angle to the crater volcano island.

And this is the road to which we have to go, the most edge of the crater!

And again the crater of the volcano.

We sat down a little and began to descend from the volcano. With us on the way, sulfur night shifts came down a quick step.

And to the meeting, with empty baskets, there were more and more people working in the morning.

I was very glad to come out the sun and became warm. I decided to take pictures against the background of the view of an almost 2400 meters open from the height. It certainly is not Agung from Rindjani, but also very beautiful!

The tops are tested around everywhere, I don't know volcanoes or not, but very similar.

On the way, we had one sulfur getter, he was without fingers. It is not known to be connected with his work or not, but everything can be.

Slightly below, there are control scales on the slope, here the miners weigh their baskets. Although in fact, their weight, they definitely feel like a dressing, hands.

Here they are satisfied with the ferment, and tourists drink tea and snack.
More here you can buy figures from sulfur. They are made by the hotels themselves. There are figures from the molds in the form of beasts and hearts, there is as icicles as sulfur flowed. And there are bugs such as anthills, it is from sulfur dripping into the water. We replaced for the second respirator one similar to the anthill, and another as an icicle was presented to us by our conductor. If you buy them, you can bargain, prices they come up with themselves, focusing on the size of the figures.

But first, the most important "boss" everything is checked!

At the point of delivery, everyone is patiently sitting, waiting when they come to weigh the baskets.

Two people near the weights help raise the goods on the scales, and one more weighed, writes data and gives the earlieves of the chatters, along which they receive money in the window. An average is 75 thousand rupees (approximately $ 7.5) at a time. Two lifting leaves in shift. Some for one walker bring two rockers, they carry one at first one, leave him and go after the second, so they change their all the way.

After weighing, the contents of the baskets are sent to the truck.

We said goodbye to our conductor, it was necessary to return to the hotel and gather a bus. But before sitting on the bike, we went to look for a toilet. There is generally normal, but due to the fact that the volcano is officially closed, the water supply is not working and the toilet is respectively. And since tourists here a lot of this problem was solved like this.

And so while we were looking for this place, I stumbled upon a minibus driver on the car park. He asked if we needed to go somewhere, we were hardly explained that first on the bike will return to Arabica, and after we need to the side of the Volcano Bromo, in the town of Trialing. On our happiness, it was going there. The driver declared us first the price of 600 thousand rupees ($ 65), we spun this figure to 400 thousand ($ 45) for two. Joyful sat on her bike, who again refused to start, plotting him from the slides, quickly drove to the hotel. Missed their belongings and soon drove a minibus. We sat down on the rear seat and on the way a little more looked at the types of the mountains around us.