Have you heard about Ijen Crater? Or have
you gone there? What about “Blue Fire”? Have you seen it before?
Well, now, I’d like to tell you my experiences
at Mount Ijen which has a scarce “Blue Fire”.
Ijen is name of a mount which has a
crater on it’s top and it’s located in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java. It’s take
about 3 hours drive from Ketapang Harbour or about 2 hours drive from the city
of Banyuwangi. The entrance gate to Ijen Crater is called Paltuding which is
located on slopes of Mount Ijen about 1.850 M above sea level. In this place
also found some homestays, stall selling, camping ground, parking area and
public toilet. Before trekking to the crater, you have to buy the entrance
ticket here. The price will be different between the work days and weekend.
The entrance gate will be opened at
02:00 AM local time. From Paltuding, you have to walk for ± 3 Km to the top of
Mount Ijen. It’s take about 2 hours. Don’t forget to bring your own water. On the
way to the top, you’ll find some resting place and many garbage bin. So please
don’t throw your rubbish carelessly. Near of the top, you’ll find a stall
selling, you can buy some mineral water or other things here.
Well guys, the top of the mount is
located at 2.386 M above sea level, but it’s not the peak. The heist peak of
Mout Ijen is about 2.443 M above sea level. To reach the crater, you have to go
down through rocky cliff, it’s take about 15 – 30 minutes by walk. Don't forget
to prepare your mask because the smoke from the crater can be so dangerous. If
you don't have one, you can ask it to your local guide. Or if you are not using
guide, local people will ask you to rent it shortly before the way down to the
crater. Please be careful, beside of dangerous, there’s also some sulfur miner using
the same path. So, after arriving in the crater, what you will find?
You will find a miracle! A wonder of
the world. Yes, it’s a “Blue Fire”! So, what is “Blue Fire”? According to
National Geographic “The glow is actually the light from the combustion of
sulfuric gases. Those gases emerge from cracks in the volcano at high pressure
and temperature - up to 1,112°F (600°C). When they come in contact with the
air, they ignite, sending flames up to 16 feet (5 meters) high. Some of the
gases condense into liquid sulfur, which continues to burn as it flows down the
slopes”.
There are only 2 “Blue Fire” in the
world. One is located in Iceland, Europe and another one is located in Ijen
Crater, Indonesia. That’s way many people said it’s a natural wonder of the
world. You can see the amazing “Blue Fire” only in the dark. So, make sure you’re
already at the crater before the sunrise.
After you reach the top again in the
morning, you’ll see the beauty of Mont Ijen, Mount Meranti and also Mount Raung
in the distance. Local miners will also ask you some souvenirs which is made
from the sulfur. You can buy it if you want and it's admittedly cheap. It's
only as an additional income for them, because the sulfur which they take from
the crater is not as expensive as the struggles they go through.
Let's visit Ijen Crater and see the “Wonderful
Indonesia”
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