May 29, 2013

The Great Volcano of the sea, Krakatau

It's been a couple of years since I saw Krakatau, so when my friend Barky visit the volcano,I volunteered my self to help out. We're bringing a group of tourist from USA and we acted as their guide and trip organizer. 

The Great Krakatau
Krakatau Nature reserve is located in sunda strait, 30KM out of Java's side, Anyer Beach, or 10 KM from Lampung side, Canti Village. Its one of the most active Volcano on the planet and the last time it erupt is in October 2012,  the mountain itself rose  about 400 meters and its actually growing by 6 meter each year.
The 1883 eruption is one of the biggest explosion in modern times and killed about 100.000 people, it is known as the year without summer in Europe.

We're departing from Canti Harbor in south Lampung in approximately 7 in the morning, our plan is doing island hoping and snorkeling around the Krakatau area, swimming in Sebuku island, Umang Sebesi and having lunch in Sebesi island. 
The boat we use is made of fiber with 10 meter long and having a V6 engine which can go up to 40 knot, so  it only took about 30 minutes from Canti to our first destination, the Sebuku island. 
We are on our way 
When  we arrive, the current was mild and the other tourist boat hasn't arrive yet, so we're enjoying the water by our self.
Nobody lives in Sebuku, but there are huts scattered along the coastline made by the local coconut plantation owner and foreman.

The corals are not as i expected, mostly dominated by hard coral and sponge like corals. It seems global warming and coral bleaching takes effect in the area, we saw lots of died coral and dead deer stag coral.
After about an hour in the area, we're going to next destination the Umang Sebesi island.
A small satellite island in front of Sebesi main island, probably only 300-400 square meter but its got beautiful beach and amazing soft sand, although nobody lives there but its a good stop anyways.
We spend about an hour swimming, relaxing and taking pictures of the island.


Hammocking in Umang Sebesi
After Umang, and a quick stop to see the treehouse of Sebesi, we had lunch in Sebesi, just near the pier, under the tree.
Fresh caught fish, vegetables , Kerupuk(chips) and bananas really makes the our stomach full.
After lunch and shower we all aboard the ship to continue the journey to see the Great Volcano of Krakatau, some of us decided to take a nap in the cabin.




Lunch on sebesi

When we finally arrive in Krakatau, the sea is smooth and the sky is clear, unlike in the Morning when we leave Canti where the black cloud is hanging in the horizon and there's no blue sky everywhere we look.
"We'll go around the island and then dock at the ranger's post" shout the captain.
We all stand ready with the camera on our hands and take multiple photos as we passed.
The lava flow and the fumes coming out of the caldera are scary yet a very rare sight for everyone.
The Krakatau Island Complex have several island scattered along the sunda strait, the old mama krakatau, panjang, and the son of krakatau, which still grow about 5 meter a year since its emerge from the sea  in 1927.


An 1888 lithograph of the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa.
The most notable eruptions of Krakatoa culminated in a series of massive explosions over August 26–27, 1883, which were among the most violent volcanic events in recorded history.
Eruptions in the area since 1927 have built a new island at the same location, named Anak Krakatau (which is Indonesian for "Child of Krakatoa"). Periodic eruptions have continued since, with recent eruptions in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. As of late 2011, this island has a radius of roughly 2 kilometres (1.2 mi), and a high point of about 324 metres (1,063 ft) above sea level.
Its one of the places that I like to call  "Dangerously beautiful".
The fact that i didn't dive there yet is very disturbing, cause I heard some people say that the dive site is awesome, especially the drop walls at Legon Bajo. 
Next time I hope...
Krakatau sequence



We set the camp at the foot of the volcano, near the ranger station.
The wind is blowing mild and the sound of the wave is so hypnotizing so some of us decided to sleep outside after barbecue and night cap.





In the morning after breakfast, we break camp and go snorkel in Legon Bajo. 20 minutes from Krakatau, near Mama Krakatau island.
Its a 3 to 5 meter slope and a drop off up to 54 meters. some say the wall is full with large gorgonian and hard corals. lots of anthias, small bumpheads and lots of reef fish and saw a couple of schools of small trevallies. 
Yunita, Barky, Me and Frank


View from the ship's cockpit



Close up view from the south

View from the Krakatau Ridge
so
Sunset over Krakatau
hmm
The Krakatau camp