A December Surprised Trip, Jogjakarta (part 3 of 3)

Mt.Merapi

Lava Tour Kaliadem

We decided to spend our last day in Jogjakarta adventuring Kaliadem region. It's tourist's closest point to enjoy the mighty Mt.Merapi. Mt.Merapi is an active volcano that oftenly erupts. Its recent eruption was October 2010. Destroyed villages on its slope and killed many. Mbah Marijan, the guardian of Mt.Merapi, was also killed during 2010 eruption.

The tour started at dawn, but due to girls complexcity in preparing themself, we were late. The shining orange light was already on the horizon. There were also arguing in the number of person can get into the ugly jeep. The tour operator insisted only four could get into the car. We were eight, and three were on the Trail bikes. So five people left.

Finally, five of us could get in to the car if only two ladies must stand on the back of the car. Morning breeze touched our fair skin in the sudden when we reach the Kaliadem region. The surrounding scene was breathtaking. Sometimes we see lush jungle far on the other side of Kaliadem. Moreover, we could capture the clear picture of Mt.Merapi.

The road itself is a combination of both smooth and harsh road. It became harsh when the car going on bumpy road which full of big rocks on it. Our body was badly shaken by the car. Sometimes, I think the ugly jeep is to blame for the great shake during the journey. But no, I think it's more to the road condition. We found many holes filled with browny water. But none of them could stop me from capturing the scene and sometimes recording a video of the journey.

On trail bikes

Ladies on jeep

Ugly Jeep

Remaining sunrise

The Kaliadem Bunker

Finally, we've got to the end of the journey. The Kaliadem Bunker. It's a place, thought to be save place, for officers to watch the volcano activities prior to eruption time. Two people died in it when they couldn't escape the "Wedhus Gembel" or the hot cloud coming from the volcanic eruption. The thick wall of the bunker couldn't isolate the heat from the hot cloud. Such a tragic event I'd say.  

Many visitors were already on location when we arrived. More breathtaking view of the remaining sunrise still amazed us. The far horizon seem to greet us with smile, though sometimes the sun itself hide among the clouds. And yes, capturing the moment is all we do in such situation.

We walk heading to the bunker, which is now turned into a touristic venue where the words "Bunker Kaliadem" are written on it, big. Each of us were busy taking our own pictures, sometimes in group. The Mt.Merapi background was just irresistable

Ladies

The Bunker Sign

Posing in front of Mt.Merapi

Jeeps

A Broken Hand

Mas Andy was so eager to ride the trail bike. He wanted to show his fellow from the office that he had a great adventure during the Lava Tour Kaliadem. Sometimes it's exagerated.

He asked one of us to record video while he's riding the trail. He didn't wear any safety though, neither the helmet nor the boots. As he got a little bit far from the rest of us. He suddenly fell off the bike after passing a high mound of land.

Some of the girls spontanously scream when he fell. All of us witnessed the accident, first we thought he was okay. Mbak Fanty said "He is fine, need no worry" yet no one knows what really happened. Few minutes have passed and he didn't appear on the scene. The tour guide started to worry and went towards him. I was too, walked to see how he was doing. It turned out to be bad, very bad. He broke his hand.

Swollen hand

That's him alright

The 2010 Eruption Museum

So we went back with a complex situation, yet mas Andy insisted to continue the trip. The destinations are in the same way of going back to the basecamp. First is the Alien Stone, it's a location where we can find huge block of stone trhown away from the volcano during the eruption. The shape itself looks like an alien face, so they say, with eyes and nose and lips, if we get the right angle. I couldn't get it of course. For me it's just big stone with random shape.

So we continue to the last destination, the Museum of 2010 Eruption. Here the scene is rather creepy than to be called touristic. A half destroyed house with melting household and bones of livestock from the event. I see all stuff here were not in a good shape. They even have a clock sticked on wall half melted showing the exact time the day Mt.Merapi erupted.

Series of photograph showing the eruption event, the people whom were evacuated with face full of volcanic ash. Such a horrible situation shown in the photos. They even have variety of rock samples from the eruption.

This what we can learn from the place, that despite the fertile land and beautiful panoramic view from Mt.Merapi, it can also be the source of disasters.

House of memory

Animal skeleton

Melted houshold

Eruption time

Durian is the music of my country

We stopped for lunch after leaving the Lava Tour Basecamp. Then continue to accompany Mas Andy to get a traditional paramedic help from the therapist nearby. Then we continue heading to the Jogjakarta city.

One good idea popped up from Mbak Fanty. "Let's find durian" she said. I was the first person to agree to that idea. First we couldn't find it untill all of us given up. Then decided to go straight to the Lempuyangan Train Station.

God blessed us, just nearby the train station we saw piles of durian on the pedestrian, guarded by a sleeping woman turned out to be the seller. Once and twice effort of bergaining, she started to open them one by one once the price was agreed.

So yummy, it is the most delicious fruit ever. Some say it is fruit of heaven. Although many people hate it. I will be the one saying who dumb enough to resist its addicting taste. Well, durian is famous of its strong smell. One German guy told me it smells like stingy feet, when I was eating durian in Bangkok, Thailand. It's true somehow, but many people, like me, is crazy about it.

Durian fruit of heaven

Eating durian

Such a great gimmick from our unforgetable trip to enjoy durian. Time ticking fast, our train was already stand by. We don't want to repeat  the same mistake again. The problem was that we parked the car far away from the train station entrance, such a waste of energy.

So long Jogjakarta, we will see you again on the next trip with many more destinations to explore. Thanks to you guys had made me a back up plan for this trip. Please do so again in the future, I'll be glad to say "yes" right away.

This is us