When the sun break the sky - Kelimutu Mountain
" When the sun comes up…. it is when Heaven meets Earth. We call it Dawn"
8 November 2011
It is 3am. So freezing at the lodge. I washed my face to wake me up. Heat water and make a cup of hot tea. When I open the balcony, it is still so dark outside. I sit for a while. Enjoying the morning breeze, its stillness and its quietness. Not so long after, Vitalis and another tour guide has also woken up. I put on sneaker and load camera to my back pack.
It is 3.30am and we are heading up the hour long winding road in the blistering cold. Once on the top we continue the journey by foot. We have flashlight for the way and it was about 30 minutes to the 250 steps up to the crater. I'm running out of breath. By the time i stop to catch some more air, a woman passing me by. She carries big bowl in her head and water thermos in her hand. Yet, she walks like in a flat path. I feel humiliated. :p.
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| The viewpoint where we can see all the three lakes |
Finally we arrive to the viewpoint. There are some hikers. The world is small in Flores. Some of those are the people we've met in Maumere. We exchange hello while having a glass of hot instant coffee. The view here is so breathtaking and endless. Fog covers up the valley on the right side of the view point. Gives a mystical glimpse.
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| a little bit of heaven after the 250 stairs climbing |
The legend says, Kelimutu lakes is the place of the dead souls going. They head to the three different lake based on their longevity and virtue. The Lake of Old People ( Tiwu Ata Mbupu) at the western point of the volcano is typically blue. It is where the spirit of the old who have led righteous lives go to rest. The two other lakes, which is down of the viewpoint, are The Lake of Young Men and Maidens (Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai) and The Enchanted Lake (Tiwu Ata Polo). Both shares a crater wall and often has contrast colour like green vs blood red. But today I wasn't that lucky, both has nearly similar color.
It is said the lakes change colour according to the mood of the spirit. That's the spice of the story. In fact, the crater are full of sulphurous liquid and change colour based on what cocktail of earth gases happens to be sweeping from their volcanic source. The visitor is never quite sure what colour the lakes will be when they rich the top as they vary significantly and unpredicted.
The sun slowly rise. It gives us a lot of aaahs and oohs with its magical colour. Sooo.. breathtaking!!
6am and now morning is sunny bright. We step down and heading back to Ecolodge. I can't wait to have another dose of fruits in here. Mango, papaya, pineapple. Another bonus, today the staff make chicken soup and banana fritter. Give me another bunch of aaaaaahhhhs!! What a wonderful morning.
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INFO:
- Kelimutu Ecolodge (http://www.agoda.com/asia/indonesia/ende_flores/kelimutu_crater_lakes_eco_lodge.html). The lodge is located in between of tropical forest. It has outdoor bathroom. Mosquito's a bit of disturbance at night. So, It's better to always have mosquito repellant with you.
- Kelimutu National Park Entrance Fee : IDR 20.000 and Camera Fee IDR 50.000 (not regularly charged though).
- Weather is chill ( 15-18 degree Celcs). prepare for jacket/sweater.
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