Indonesia
Java
Tumpak Sewu was the first of 3 main stops through East Java
The hike down to the base of the falls was really cool
We were traversing falls virtually all the way down
We actually got pretty soaked between all of the water crossings and water seemingly coming down from everywhere
Taking a moment to take in the waterfall from the base
I sent the drone up and was even more impressed by the aerial views
It was the most incredible waterfall I've ever seen
The next morning we woke up at 2am to enjoy the sunrise over Mt Bromo
After sunrise, a local guide in an old Toyota Land Cruiser took us to the base of Bromo for us to climb to the crater rim
View from the drone looking into the active volcano smoke plume
The following morning we had a 12am wakeup call
Our guide fitted us with our gas masks and explained how to use it to avoid breathing in toxic sulfuric gases at Ijen Crater
In pitch darkness, we hiked 4km uphill to the top of Ijen
Then down into the crater
This is were we witnessed the rare naturally occurring blue flames
Extremely hot pressurized sulfuric gases released from volcanic fissures ignite upon contact with the oxygen in the air, creating the blue flame
The ignited gases "run" down the side of the volcano and collect into pools of burning gases
After enjoying the flames, we hiked back up to enjoy the sunrise
Once the sun was out, Ijen's electric blue acid crater lake was the final marvel to enjoy
Komodo
I spent 3 days on the ship getting to explore the Lesser Sunda region
The crew was kind enough to let me in the helm
I got to watch them operate and navigate the ship while I took some videos
I enjoyed getting to watch the crew drop the anchor each night
The sky ignited, as if on fire, as the sun set near Kalong Island
The island is a mangrove forest, home to thousands of fruit bats
At dusk, they fly off the island in search of food, creating a mesmerizing spectacle
In the morning, I got to hike up Padar Island to enjoy the sunrise
Komodo Island is 1 of 2 islands in the world home to the infamous Komodo dragon
The guides freaked out thinking this one was coming towards me
The pink beach is the result of a microscopic organism that lives on the coral
Sumatra
I spent 4 days living with the Mentawai Jungle Tribe getting to see their traditions and way of life
This is Aman Ja with the skull of a gibbon that he killed earlier that day. I actually got to try monkey
We got to take a picture with the whole family and our guide/translator before we left
This is the matriarch, she stays active all day tending to various things
Bali
