Krakatoa, an Island Volcano

On the weekend of 17 September 2011 we set out for the famed volcano-island of Krakatoa with Horst, Alice and Farina. Located in the Sunda Straight, Krakatoa is only a few hours away from Jakarta.


The boat ride

The volcano achieved infamy in 1883 when it erupted killing approximately 40,000 people and affecting the world’s weather and skies for the next 3 years. Extraordinary sunsets and skies could be seen as far away as Northern Europe. The eruption was so great that it blew the whole island apart, leaving nothing in the middle but sea. Decades later in 1927, an island began to emerge from the sea in place of the old crater and it was aptly named Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatoa). This newer addition now forms the centrepiece of the Krakatoa islands and regularly erupts. Other than lizards, birds and insects, the island is uninhabited and still highly volatile.

Krakatoa

After a 1 ½ hour boat ride, we spent time snorkelling around Rakata Island and then hanging out on Krakatoa itself. The islands themselves are uninhabited and but the fertile soil ensures quick growth after each eruption. The sand was black. After a barrage of 'crack' jokes, we pitched our tents for the night and proceeded to climb the mountain. The ascent was relatively easy except we were not able to go all the way to the summit as it was too dangerous.


At Rakata

Jetstar jumps on Krakatoa

View of the smoky summit as we climb

Climbing the volcano


View of Rakata Island from the mountain

Krakatoa looms out of the sea like an angry chimney. Lined with sulphur, it looks like it is snow or ice-capped. In fact the higher you climb, the hotter it gets. From the high ground we were able to see the other three islands in the group: Sertung, Panjang and Rakata.

Our guide, "Black" recounted an incident a few months prior when he was climbing the volcano with two French tourists and it suddenly erupted, hurling head-sized boulders down the mountainside. The three of them ran for their lives and thankfully nobody was injured. He predicted the volcano would erupt in approximately two weeks time. Sure enough, two weeks later we read that it was a no-go zone.




Cheesy video evidence that we've been to the Big Krak

Great snorkelling around Krakatoa


Lunch in Carita the next day