Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Bromo-Tengger-Semeru - The Sea of Sand and climb of Bromo

We took the jeep down to the Sea of Sand; a vast and inhospital place covered in ash and marked by flows from the wet season rains. As we approached the place where the walk begins a number of riders on horseback wearing hooded blankets surrounded jeep and followed it in. Their hope was to have you hire them and ride the horse to the base of Bromo. I didn't but Jacqueline did as a treat. I was happy to walk along.


The cloud above you is the ash from the volcano with the faint hit of sky at times showing through.



Poten Temple; it is a perfect match for the landscape in its austerity and only open for worship.


These are the steps up to the rim of Bromo but there wasn't much in the way of steps other than the foot steps of those that had gone before. There is ash everywhere. Covering you and your gear in a fine layer. We brought face masks when we left Bali for the traffic but they were more useful here and regardless of how fit you are, the ash combined with the altitude and getting up at 3 am will test you.


Safety second! There is nothing between you and a steep fall down. Nothing because the railing, that may or may not be there, is buried beneath ash. The earth rumbles beneath you, smoke and ash continues to flow forth in large billowing clouds which you think are about to envelope you but only ascend upwards to be carried by the wind. How often do you really see something so new, something that is in no way familiar to any previous experience?


1 comment:

  1. Wow Mark - -these photos are such a contrast from all the others; however, they too are beautiful.

    That was very kind of you to walk while Jacqueline rode, did she have fun? Is it her on the horse in the photos?

    Incredible photography!!

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