The blue fire
Burning sulphur gas.
madras91 — CC BY 2.0 · Sheikh Izham from Malaysia — CC BY 2.0 · Sam kawah ijen — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ivuvisual — CC BY-SA 4.0
One of the strangest natural sights on earth: a volcano rising about two thousand eight hundred metres in Java's far east, whose crater holds a turquoise acid lake counted among the world's largest highly acidic lakes, wreathed in yellow sulphur smoke. Before dawn the sulphur gases ignite as they leave the vents, producing blue flames in the darkness, the rare blue fire. The trip starts around midnight from Banyuwangi to the Paltuding base, followed by a climb of about three kilometres in an hour and a half to two hours to the crater rim. On the way visitors see the sulphur miners carrying heavy baskets of yellow sulphur on their shoulders, gruelling work that has gone on for decades. At sunrise the lake's stunning turquoise is revealed. The foreigners' fee is higher at weekends, a guide is usually required, and a gas mask is essential and can be rented at the base. The descent to the blue fire may be banned, or the whole mountain closed, when gas levels rise. The night is bitterly cold, so bring warm clothes, a torch and good walking shoes. The trip does not suit anyone with breathing problems; check the volcano's status before setting out.
Burning sulphur gas.
A stunning turquoise.
Gruelling work for decades.
Ijen reserve, on the Banyuwangi-Bondowoso border
It shows only in the dark before dawn, and the descent into the crater is sometimes banned for safety. Even without it, the lake at sunrise is worth the trip.