Blog 50

After another smokey squashy minibus ride we climbed up and into the hills to arrive in the village of Beristagi. Immediately greeted by masses of people, pointing fingers and laughs, we tried to get our bearings and headed up the road to our hostel which we'd been recommended and rightly so. This homestay was ran by Awan and his 70 year old mum, and they couldn't do enough to make you feel welcome. Cups of tea on demand and morning chats to check we'd slept well.

So there are 2 volcanoes just outside Beristagi, one of which had blown it's top a few days before we arrived and the white ash was still falling. We did two excursions with Awan to see the volcanoes. On the first night we went to see the molten lava erupting from Mount Sinabung in the darkness. A pretty special experience but actually Sinabung wasn't feeling too active and we just saw a few coughs and splutters of erupting lava. I guess that could be considered lucky seeing as we were only 5km away from the base and we were near villages that has been evacuated. That night we were absolutely covered in white volcanic ash!

Beristagi although not a massive town was constantly full of people. Firstly, because this was where all the evacuees from the neighbouring villages had come to to retreat from the volcano, and secondly because the president (from Jakarta) was visiting and everyone wanted to get a glimpse.

Ascending Mount Sibayak was a hot sweaty slog especially as we tried to keep up 2 extremely fit and nimble guides. The ash blowing across from Sinabung meant we were supposed to be wearing surgical masks but after overheating and not being able to gulp enough air we ditched 'em. Awan was saying that the volcanoes were like twins and generally erupted together. Sibayak was dejectedly starting to show signs with boiling water puddles and shoots of hot air, which were fun to throw things into and watch them erupt out again.

The route down led us via a hot spring, just what you don't need when you're sweating out of every pore. After a dip and dinner at the springs we headed 'home' to get on top of our backpack full of washing and get it out in the sunshine and to make our first meal on the trangia! An almighty tomato soup/broth! Delish!

Love Jo x