It was winter in the Northern Hemisphere. But as always, it was summer near the Equator. I was overwintering in the tropical latitudes of Southeast Asia. A good German friend had told me that he was about to head that way, too. He said a good party would take place on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.A total solar eclipse was to occur that winter over that exotic island. The … [Read more...]
When I Climbed Mount Kerinci Alone
Since that very first moment I set my foot on the fascinating land of Sumatra, the anticipation of one oncoming juncture was constantly prevailing in my wild fantasies. And that's so, only as far as it concerns anticipation. When it concerns fancies, that occurrence, that was, now, soon to take place, had been raging inside my ecstatic daydreams since some very early days of … [Read more...]
From Mount Marapi to Mount Singgalang
What a great joy it is for one to be situated on the top of a high mountain! And what twice as great joy it is to conquer two summits of two different high mountains in one and the same day! That's what I found out that day, when I finally reached Singgalang's top, having just started to descend from Marapi that very morning.As I was leaving the fuming craters of Marapi … [Read more...]
Mount Marapi in Sumatra – on Top of an Active Volcano
It always is a very tough task to choose among a multitude of equally splendid possibilities, and choosing mountains to climb in Sumatra makes a perfect example of this. This enormous island is full of great mountains from side to side, probably more than one could climb in an entire life. And me, having only one month to spare on this land, how weak I felt compromising … [Read more...]
My Stay in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra
Having already spent some unforgettable times in north Sumatra, the time to continue my adventure-hunting in the western province of this great island had come about. My first stop in this new, for me, world was to be the city of Bukittinggi. In order to reach there from Parapat, in North Sumatra, I had to get a night bus which covered nearly 500 km of the distance separating … [Read more...]
Climbing Mount Pangulubao (Bukit Manja) near Lake Toba
Lake Toba is the largest volcanic lake and caldera on our planet. That makes it one of Sumatra's most popular tourist destinations. What people usually do, they come to the coastal town of Parapat, where they can take a boat to Pulau Samosir, the great volcanic island situated in the middle of the lake. Myself, as I arrived in Parapat, I immediately noticed the prices getting … [Read more...]
Jungle Trekking in Bukit Lawang without a guide
Having just arrived in Medan, the provincial capital of North Sumatra and largest city in Sumatra altogether, I started right away investigating as to in which geographic coordinates of this great island my forthcoming adventures shall take place.One of the first places I got to hear of was the village of Bukit Lawang, a popular tourist destination in the general … [Read more...]
Climbing Sibayak Volcano in Sumatra
Mount Sibayak is an active stratovolcano located in North Sumatra. Its accessibility and its proximity to North Sumatra's capital, Medan, make it a very popular destination for Indonesian, as well as international hikers who want to marvel at its seething crater and enjoy the astonishing views from its top.Being in Medan, I wouldn't let the opportunity to visit that … [Read more...]
Impressions of my stay in Jakarta
Stopping by Indonesia's capital city for a few days some time ago, I didn't have the time to do any typical tourist activities - nor am I generally inclined to do any such anyway. Along the uncounted sweaty kilometers I got to cover through various of the city's districts, either walking or riding ojeks, though, I got the chance to observe several of the many curious stuff … [Read more...]
Living in a Traditional Market in Makassar, Sulawesi
How sadly, everything sooner or later needs to take an end. And when it concerns adventuring on an Indonesian island, this end could not outstrip the one month's validity of my Indonesian visa. So, my visa soon to expire, I ended up in Makassar, Sulawesi's largest city, where I spent my last few days on that magical island, before flying out in seek of new adventures … [Read more...]
