Central Java Tour Begins with Mount Merapi

Mt. Merapi Volcano in Jogjakarta has been active for more than 10,000 years, is Indonesia's most active volcano and is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. It is also known as the sacred Mountain of Fire.

The volcano spews lava at a speed of 110 kms per hour. It destroyed homes and killed lots of people in the towns far from the foot of the volcano, but inspite of the eruptions, folks in these towns with their Javanese mysticism opted not to leave.

The first thing I asked my tour guide when I arrived in Jogjakarta is where Merapi could be found. He sugested to  visit  Borobodur and Prambanan first, but I insisted on going to Merapi that late afternoon. Something draws me to that place. I must go.... no one can stop me.

We arrived at the base of Mt.

Merapi a few minutes before 5 pm. As I got out of the car, I was met with the soft,gentle , cold mountain breeze. Isn't it supposed to be hot? I was near an active volcano but the climate was so refreshing. There was not much people around as it was almost sundown. The place was almost bare. It was almost just me and the volcano. The view was panoramic.  I followed the trekkers path moving up the slopes of the mountain and while I was walking I looked upwards to the direction of Mt. Merapi's summit but I saw nothing but clouds and the blue-green mountains surrounding the base of the summit. It was a beautiful heavenly sight infront of me -blue-green mountains with white clouds in contrast to the darkening sunset sky. I continued my trek upwards while thingking" Merapi, wherefore art thou? I came from afar to see thee. "  Haha! The beauty of the place can inspire you to make a quick poem. Thank God for this beautiful sight.

I walked up further until I reached the plateau where you can look down on the canyon covered with lahar.It looked like the remains of a lahar dam destroyed by continuous mud flow. From the plateau, I stopped and faced up, my eyes searching for the summit still covered with clouds. I stood there waiting, looking above, mesmerized by the mountain view, and imploring for Merapi to show her beauty. Suddenly, the clouds began to shift to the right side and the summit was beginning to show up. I was already talking loudly 'Oh my God, please show yourself to me'. The clouds moved farther right while I took photos with the summit already showing most of its body. Haha Merapi heard my prayer.

After some moment, the clouds started to move back to cover Merapi again. After it was fully enveloped with the clouds, I saw the golden sunset rays beginning to appear. I went down from the plateau and I was smiling. I saw a lady coming down from the mountain carrying grass on her back for the cattle. She smiled at me and I smiled back. 'Terimah kasi', I said and let her pass by.

I was lucky to have seen Mt. Merapi before she went to her night's rest. Maybe she knew that it will be a long time again before I come back to Java to see her beauty and that was my only chance to be in the mountain on that 4 days trip. Terimah kasi, Merapi.