Being a “yes girl” — it’s a philosophy I live by, and it’s also how I found myself on a three day expedition to hike Lombok’s sacred volcano, Gunung Rinjani, on less than forty eight hours notice. It’s been three days since we returned and I’m still walking like a robot thanks to stiff muscles.
We had a rough time upon arrival back to Gili Trawangan. Anders and I returned to a house that — surprise! — had no running water. Not really the most welcome discovery while caked in three days of dirt, sweat, and tears. After finally getting a shower around 10pm, I collapsed into bed only to wake up three hours later when the power went out. High altitude sunburns and a lack of a fan do not mix, and I spent the rest of the night rolling around in a feverish misery. With morning came the realization that my laptop charger was practically in two pieces and with the nearest Apple retailer over a day’s trav — oh wait, sorry, did you not come here to listen to me complain about a comically bad twenty four hour period culminating in me lying in the fetal position sobbing on the ground? You came here for travel photos instead? Mkay. Let’s move on then.
I’m still flicking through my photos and marveling that I was really looking at those sights with my own two eyes not so long ago. I’m itching to blog about this experience as soon as possible. For now, here’s a little preview in the form of Photo of the Week!
Photo A
Anders and one of our Herculean porters high above the clouds
Photo B
Inside the caldera
Photo C
Ascending through the rainforest, and the view of Bali and the Gilis from the crater rim
Photo D
A monkey hanging out at the base of the summit
Photo E
Beautiful flowers welcoming us back down to sea level
Which photo is your favorite?
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They are all fantastic!!! I can’t wait to read the blog.
I think photo D is my favorite… my they really all are amazing π
Thanks Lily! Photos with monkeys always have an advantage… I think they need to have some kind of cuteness handicap π
Tough choice between A and D… love the silhouette, but the vibrant colours are nice too… hmmmm
Thanks for voting Dave! I’m a sucker for silhouettes.
All photos are great, Alex!
For me Photo D would be #1 for its uniqueness. Photo A would be #2.
Yeah, we all commented when we were there how we liked the monkeys, as they reminded us we weren’t in Canada π Definitely gives a unique sense of place!
Wow, that looks like an amazing hike! I can definitely imagine how hard it must have been, though! π My favorite are B and C – I love the view in B and the light in C is incredible!
I actually just started a Photo of the Week series as well – inspired by your blog, of course! Thanks for the inspiration! π
I’m so happy to hear that Melanie! You’re the second reader who has done so π I’m honored.
I can just see that porter doing squats or lunges with that load….So A is my fave!
And believe it or not… they did it all in flip flops!
Love them all! Great work. If I have to pick a favourite I’ll go with D, but they’re all fantastic.
Thanks so much Paul! The photography opportunities got me through the tough hiking bits π Appreciate the kind words.
Holy moly. These photos are all amazing, it’s so hard to choose a favourite! Think it may have to be A though- I’m a sucker for above the cloud pictures! I remember another you took hiking in Hawaii (maybe Maui?) and it was breathtaking.
This hike definitely looks like one of those ‘Oh my God why am I doing this? *3 hours later at the top* Oh right yeh, that’s why!” ones… stunning!
Yup, I was thinking on this hike that the last time I was above the clouds (and not in an airplane!) I was in Maui. Good memory!
Um, this may be my favorite POTW ever! I can’t decide between B and D, but these are all amazing! What an awesome experience.
Thanks Kaitie! I have to say it is one of my favorites ever as well. Thanks for voting!
I’ll go for photo D.
Looks like the readers have spoken π So far, it’s D this week!
MONKEY!!!!!!!!
Ah, it’s not often I can get a definitive vote out of you! Success!
Man that hike sounds brutal! I can’t decide if photo d or the second photo c is my favourite. Looks like an absolutely magical experience π
Thanks Lindsey! It really was, can’t wait to share the rest of the photos and stories.
Looking forward to this! Your photo’s look ridiculously awesome!
I’m possibly gonna try this in Indonesia in December! Some pricing details would be great.
Hey Ben, I’ll put a lot more details into my full post on Rinjani, but I paid 1,000,000 rupiah in total including transport from Gili, food, porters, everything. Hope that helps!
Sounds like pretty good value, looking forward to the big post. thanks.
Hmmm, this might be the first photo of the week I can’t decide on! Well done!
Nice π Thanks Rika!
We’ve been thinking about doing that volcano trek when we reach Lombok, but I’m worried it might be too tough for us, so looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it! The views look stunning!
It was a CHALLENGE! Definitely full details coming soon. But whew.
Great photos Alex!! I thought the man with the baskets in the first photo was a statue! Silly me. I’m torn… I like them all so much!
Ha, no statues on Rinjani π Just super strong porters!
I like D also but not just for the Monkey, but because it reminds me of Crater Lake in Oregon. I have good memories as a kid hiking there.
There was no Monkey and that does add! LOL
Thanks
Exactly! The monkeys were really the only thing keeping this like looking from any other hike in North America!
All great and look forward to the post of the hike. I like C best because of the view from the rim
I think I’m going to have that one framed. It shows all the places I’ve been to in Indonesia in just one photo!
Definitely B. It looks out of this world.Love it, can’t wait to read the full story.
Thanks Caty! Glad to see a vote for that one, I love it too π
Photo D definitely my favourite with C a very close second! What an amazing adventure, looking forward to reading all about it!
Thanks Yvonne! I’m excited to get writing!
Wow!!! Amazing photos!!! I definitely wish I had done this hike! Will have to go back.
I always like to leave a place with a few un-ticked bucket list items. Not that I need excuses to come back π
Dear Alex,In my humble opinion, A,B,C,D are as good or better than most photos that I have seen in National Geographic ….ETC…Really good…any kin to that Adams guy ?
Thanks John, that’s a big compliment and I appreciate it!
What!!! These photos are brilliant… I can usually narrow it down to two if I can’t pick a favorite, but nope, not this time.
You just must not have the ability to turn down a challenge, I love that.
Ha, thanks Kristen π I had a hard time narrowing it down to just these to post!
I like the monkay! Because monkeys=fun
Ha, I usually agree, though I have come across some fairly aggressive ones across Southeast Asia!
A!!!!!!!!!!!!