Have you ever imagined standing on the edge of an active volcano's crater? Or do you want to feel the thrill of adventure amid stunning natural beauty? If so, my trip to Merapi Lava Tour and Bukit Klangon will inspire you.

Indonesia has the most active volcanoes in the world due to its geographical location at the confluence of three major tectonic plates: Indo-Australia, Eurasia, and the Pacific. One of the active volcanoes today is Mount Merapi. Mount Merapi is located in Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This mountain has a deep history attached to the people of Yogyakarta, Java, and its surroundings.

Merapi lava tour

Yogyakarta is one of those cities that has a serenity and natural beauty that is very memorable. When I first visited the city, I fell in love with its city structure, tourist attractions, and delicious street food. Many tourists come from different countries to explore the city's culture, nature, and food. It's no wonder that the city's culinary and tourist attractions turnover is relatively fast. One of them is the Merapi Lava Tour.

Merapi Lava Tour is a tourist attraction and historical place rooted in Mount Merapi's eruption in 2010. This was one of the most devastating eruptions in Merapi's history. Behind the sadness and devastation of this event, it brought significant changes to the lives of the people around the slopes of this mountain. Thus, this tour was created, becoming one of the favourite places for locals and foreigners.

People began to utilize the remnants of objects, bunkers, etc., destroyed by this disaster to become educational objects while remembering this event. Using jeeps for exploration will take us through the scene, and we can also enjoy the natural beauty around it. This place not only provides entertainment but also education about the history of Mount Merapi.

When I visited the Merapi Lava Tour, I could feel how devastated the people living on the slopes of Mount Merapi were by the events that occurred at that time. Riding in a jeep, the tour guide and I began our journey to explore the places affected by the eruption of Mount Merapi. Along the way, there are still large stones and sand from the volcanic ash that the locals keep as a legacy of this disaster.

Finally, I came to a place that caught my attention. While chatting with one of the villagers and the tour guide, I noticed that a house was owned by one of the villagers. Inside the simple house, I see the remnants of a life that was halted by the devastating eruption of Mount Merapi. A clock, an old motorbike, melted cutlery, and a cow's skeleton bear witness to nature's immense power. They say that Mbah Marijan, the highly respected caretaker (the person who guards the Mount Merapi area) of the mountain, once lived in this house. His story of closeness to nature and courage in the face of natural disasters inspires many.

Not only did I see the objects affected by this disaster, but I also enjoyed how beautiful the natural scenery and the surrounding environment were along the way. It's amazing how the villagers have risen from the depths of their despair to turn this place into an economic development that is good for the people in the village.

Bukit Klangon

Moving on to the next place, Bukit Klangon. When I visited this place, I was greeted with cool air and stunning natural panoramas. Although popular, I was lucky many people had not visited it then, so it made me feel calm.

Bukit Klingon is also a place used as a tourist attraction by residents due to the Merapi volcanic eruption. This place has become one of the silent witnesses of the community's struggle against colonialism at that time. The high fighting spirit of the community is also felt today by changing the downturn of the community due to the eruption of Mount Merapi into a significant change in the lives of local people.

The location at the foot of Mount Merapi is an attraction of this place because we can see Mount Merapi quite clearly. The cool air made me feel calm and grateful for God's creation. There were many things I could do while I was there, apart from enjoying the beautiful natural scenery of Mount Merapi and its surroundings. I also did other activities, such as capturing moments to take photos and doing short trekking.

There are other things to do at Bukit Klangon that I still need to have the chance to do, namely camping. Unfortunately, I haven't tried camping in this place. It will be very memorable and exciting because it can feel a new atmosphere and what situations will occur, such as at night, enjoying the sunset and sunrise. In addition, I also tried some of the food that was sold around this place.

The 2010 eruption of Mount Merapi was one of the most devastating in history, leaving a significant impact on the local community. However, an incredible transformation has occurred from the ashes of that destruction. My trip to Merapi Lava Tour and Bukit Klangon has been an unforgettable experience.

Behind its natural beauty is a story of struggle and the unyielding spirit of the local community. Every corner of these places holds inspiring stories. With cool air, stunning views, and inspiring stories, these places will give you an unforgettable experience. It taught me always to respect each country's history and cultural diversity.