Exploring Mount Papandayan

Mount Papandayan, one of Java’s most active volcanoes, last erupted in 2002 and has been on a high warning status ever since. However visitors can, if the conditions are safe, walk across the crater and view phenomena such as bubbling mud pools, steam vents and sulphur deposits. A guide is essential here as crossing the crater is extremely treacherous, and I was extremely thankful to my guide as we explored far beyond the normal tours and nothing seemed to be an issue for him, even lending me his coat to protect my camera when we got trapped in a huge sulphur cloud!

Rather than try to explain everything we saw I’ll just show you some of my favourite images from the trip. Thankfully my camera survived the sulfurous clouds and is ready to take more images in my next destination – Sydney!

Just as a small side note for those of you planning to visit this particular volcano – beware of the vents which spray steam on to your skin… We assumed, wrongly, that it was just water – although what happened over the next few days made us realise it was probably mild sulphuric acid!! Off came our skin in patches and I am now the proud owner of an inverted tan line on my arms. On the plus side, those fancying a chemical peel can get it free here which makes the transport and entry costs seem like a real bargain! Don’t say I didn’t warn you…

To see the full gallery of images from Indonesia please click here