Apologies for the borderline homophobic title, but once I spot a rubbish pun it's difficult to resist.
I skipped over to Java and climbed my second volcano today. If you can call it climbing when there are steps up the side that are only slightly perilous.
I woke at an unreasonable hour to enjoy a delightfully dislocating jeep ride, watch the sun rise, freeze to an unpleasant temperature even by my standards, breathe in loads of noxious sulphur and be annoyed by some Koreans who fancied themselves professional photographers. Today was amazing!
Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park,
East Java
This volcanic hoard has joined the list of my favourite scenic places in the world (so far), along with Taroko Gorge in Taiwan and Thailand's Ang Thong Marine Park. It was similarly tough to edit down the photos to acceptable blog quantity, so here are the best bits of my morning.
Icy cretins wait for the sun
Took your time, you nuclear bastard
Mount Bromo lets off steam
Mount Semeru (back) lets off stea- oh hang on, I already did that one
Misty
Hazy
Dave-y.
After six months in the tropics, I was grateful for the opportunity to wear a coat
After six months in the tropics, I was grateful for the opportunity to wear a coat
Mount Bromo
Looking at these photos (and video) is enough to trigger a nostalgic/traumatic cough reflex. I wouldn't recommend coming here if you're asthmatic - if the uphill climb doesn't kill you, getting a lungful of hellsmoke will.
Java is ace - I haven't seen so many different terrains back-to-back since last time I played through Sonic 3
The pilgrimage begins
Simultaneously impressive and annoying graffiti.
It's probably for the best that I don't understand it
It's probably for the best that I don't understand it
Notice how many come up, but few go back down...?
Human sacrifice is the only way to appease the Bromo hellgod
(at least, that's what I tell them)
(at least, that's what I tell them)
I feel I've now made up for a life of cigarette abstinence.
My lungs were on fire
My lungs were on fire
Look! It's that mountain that keeps showing up in all these photos and that I clearly don't know what its name is
Look! Legend or screwball?
Maybe we shouldn't judge - maybe he chose such outlandish facial topiary to direct attention away from the black box over his eyes? (I don't know why I'm concerned about protecting his anonymity - he clearly craves attention)
Maybe we shouldn't judge - maybe he chose such outlandish facial topiary to direct attention away from the black box over his eyes? (I don't know why I'm concerned about protecting his anonymity - he clearly craves attention)
