On Sunday morning some of us got up early to go to where we had arranged for a speed boat to take us to Krakatoa. We were soon on the boat travelling across Sunda Straight. The water was calm at first but soon the water got rough and there were about 6-8 foot swells. We all put on life jackets and hoped the captain knew what he was doing. It was neat to see what is left of Krakatoa rising out of the water ahead of us. To the right of Krakatoa, we could see Anak (child of) Krakatoa, the volcano that was formed after the huge eruption of 1873. When that happened 2/3 of what was Krakatoa Island was destroyed. The sound was apparently louder than any previously or since, even louder than the nuclear bombs of WW2. It was followed by a tsunami that destroyed many villages on Java and then a wave of poisonous gas that killed many who had survived the tsunami. We were told that the weather changed world wide for more than a year after the eruption. Anak Krakatoa is where we went ashore. There were a few other people there, some who had spent the night. They greeted us with the news that a boat with 12 people on it had gone missing and coast guard and police were out looking for it. That made the nervous boaters among us even more nervous. We were able to walk up to the first level, part way up the volcano. There is a crater there with great views out to the ocean and islands. We were able to swim in the beautiful water and the crew supplied a lunch, (nasi goring of course) while waiting to see if we would be able to make the trip back. After a couple of hours the decision was made that we should go. Unfortunately, once we were out on the open water, it was even rougher than the first crossing. One of the waves actually crashed over the top of the boat and where I was sitting at the back, the spray was constant and I was soaked from head to foot, my eyes burning from the salt. It took about 2 1/2 hours but we finally got back safe and sound. We heard later that the missing boat had been found and everyone was safe. We got back to Jakarta to hear that while we were at Krakatoa, a volcano was erupting on Sumatra, just a short boat ride away. Maybe that explains the rough seas!
The cottage from the beach side.
The living room.
Kara chatting up a fisherman.
The beach outside the door.
Sheridan, Kristin and Erica.
A Javanese princess bed!
Tara and Erica walking to the boat.
Kara, Liz, me, Tara on one side of the boat...
Michael, Erica, Kathy and Annie on the other.
A fishing hut. There was a big net under the
platform that could be raised and lowered.
This was a very colourful fishing boat.
Approaching what is left of Krakatoa.
Krakatoa from Anak Krakatoa.
Anak Krakatoa.
