The situation with the Agung volcano in Bali and is it safe on the island now?
You won't believe it, but I am grateful to the eruption of Mount Agung for cleansing the island! It became so deserted and atmospheric, the hellish traffic jams on narrow roads disappeared, hotels and car rentals dropped sharply. For example, in the east of Bali, in the Amed area, we lived next to the sea in a villa with a pool for 12 euros with breakfast for two. The photo shows a view from the terrace of our Bayu Cottages hotel overlooking the volcano. Maybe the Balinese themselves, in pursuit of money, will remember the spiritual, the most important thing, since Agung gave them such a pause. Now is the time to feel the pulsation of the island, its atmosphere, as in the pre-tourist era.
I was here exactly a year ago, in December 2016 - there were a lot of tourists, although it seemed to be out of season due to periodic rains... In tourist places there is a riotous lifestyle, money flows like a river, discos and carousing until the morning. In 2017, the picture changed dramatically... I have been on the island since November 30, and for two weeks it seemed to be extinct... The media did their job - they exaggerated the danger as best they could, they lied about the evacuation of tourists, that everyone here was covered with ash, and will soon be covered with lava 🌋 
Flying from Montenegro to Bali, I knew that the plane to Denpasar would be canceled due to ash, as the wind was blowing towards the airport. During the flight to Jakarta on board the Turkish, I learned that it was finally opening. This was a sign over 0 everything will be fine! The next morning we landed on a paradise island under raindrops. 
Do you know why I didn’t trust the media? Since I myself live in tourist Montenegro, I’m tired of their lies... For example, because of joining NATO, Montenegrins suddenly fell out of love with Russians, they show hostility, that visas will soon be introduced and it is unclear what will happen to their real estate. Absolutely nothing has changed! You need to turn on your brain, and not watch TV, or read me, I immediately write a post on all current topics. The second theme of summer 2017 is fires in Montenegro. Allegedly, the whole country is on fire, tourists have been evacuated, and it’s dangerous to rest—that’s what the Russian media said. Can you imagine the flow of questions and panic from tourists I endured every day? Yes, the Lustica peninsula really burned for 2 months from 40-degree heat and winds, as did the Bar district and northern regions in some places. But not the resorts of the country! 
Therefore, my reaction to the panic of my friends before our flight to Bali ranged from laughter to nerves. All the 17 days that I have been here and will be 13 more, the air is clean, I have not been covered in ash, the sea and ocean are warm, food and housing are cheap. The volcano no longer exhibits aggressive eruptions. And only Agung knows what will happen to him next. Anyone interested in the topic of volcanoes in Indonesia, namely they created the country and there are about a hundred active here, should read Mikhail Tsygankov, here. And even a volcanologist won’t tell you whether everything has gone downhill or vice versa. For example, at night there was an earthquake off the ocean coast and in West Java - 7.3 and 6.9 on the Richter scale. This is a huge neighboring island, incomparable to Bali. Our volcano Agung reacted a little and there were even small earthquakes in the evening, but I didn’t feel it, although I live in this area. You can see the ring of fire with volcanoes and tremors. Photo of Agung at sunset is alien, our days, after the eruptions in November, part of the top broke off and fell into the crater
I advise you to relax and live ordinary life like the Balinese do 
They fish, sow rice, collect mangoes and rambutans 
If you are going to new year holidays to Bali, you don’t know whether to fly or return tickets - I would fly. By the way, for last days I saw a sharp increase in tourists in Ubud, which means the panic has passed. The Indonesian authorities assure that it is now safe to vacation in Bali, especially in the south of the country, where the main resorts and large hotels are, and the distance from Agung is at least 70 km. 
Only evacuated local residents 12 km, building tent cities. It's not far from mountain village Besakih, who was evacuated. I took a photo the other day 
The map shows the northeast of Bali and the area around the volcano, which is now in the danger zone, where the color is red - people have been evacuated. I vacationed in the south in Canggu, in Ubud in the center of the island (they are not on the map), then to the right of the yellow color, now to the left. Indeed, there are abandoned villages, a feeling of Balinese Chernobyl, but this is temporary, and this is not a region mass tourism, why should you worry? 
There are signs where there is a danger zone in Bali. But entry is free 
We went to a similar place - to the Besakih temple at an altitude of 1 km on the southern side of Agung - to the most important and largest in Bali. This magical place, shrouded in gray clouds, greeted us with a downpour. But we calmly leave our comfort zone, having fun everywhere. The atmosphere here is indescribable, you can feel the place being prayed for, although I am not a fan of other people’s religious buildings, but Besakih made an impression 
By the way, during the last eruptions of Agung in 1963-1964, the temple remained undamaged and the lava passed a few meters from the buildings. The Balinese considered it a miracle! And when visiting any temples, men and women need to wear a sarong; you can buy it everywhere. Or tie the pareo around your waist. 
Since this is an evacuation zone, there were only a few people there - and those locals were trying to make money by renting an umbrella, selling coffee, water, and even extorted an entrance fee, although they were not ticket takers 😉 But we are callous, we don’t respect extortionists... Feel the atmosphere of the place in the video
By the way, now the entrance to Besakih is really free, so do not give in to the provocations of the locals, and this is the only temple open to believers of any caste, of any social affiliation
The second temple overlooking the volcano is Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang. It is part of the huge Pura Lempuyang temple; if you wish, you can walk from the lower temple to the upper one through the jungle and more than 1,700 steps (the trail is described) is one of the canonical 6 most important temples in Bali. I advise you to go here early in the morning, we were there at 7, since we lived nearby Lipah beach. And then the volcano is shrouded in clouds... 
The split gate of Chandi Bentar symbolizes the balance of forces in the universe, nature, life 🙏🌍 One half is good, the other is evil, they are the founders of the energy of the Universe 🗺 We didn’t walk around the multi-level temple, there was no time. And this shot was not easy for us - persistent guys were waiting at the parking lot, extorting a “donation” without offering a ticket in return, trying to physically not let us in, ruining the whole impression of the spiritual place and the Balinese people😐 They threatened us with the police, chased us, pulled my hands, but Andrei’s broad back quickly put the impudent man in his place 😂 Despite the momentary scandal, we quickly found this gate and this scoundrel did not touch the car either. I believe that the donation should be brought to the temple itself, and not to the extortionists on the corner 🙏 At 7 am there were already several tourists here, the girl even drew the temple gates, everyone took pictures of her notebook against the backdrop of the real Chandi Bentaryu. Volcano Agung opens up in all its splendor from here, and it’s not at all scary to look at it or be close, even when it spits a little 🌋 
By the way, if a house in Bali is built according to local Feng Shui, then the bed in the bedroom will definitely have its head facing towards Agung. True, in our hotels it was not like this everywhere... Only now, when writing a post in a fishing village in the north of the island ✌ Thus, at night, among all the people sleeping correctly, the effect of group meditation is created 😇 That is, even those who do not even suspect it meditate 🤯 So At night, the general field of the island, your aura, is cleansed, and the vibration also increases - again the islands and your personal one.
To me, Agung with a light smoke on top seems a fascinating sight. It was the first time I lived with a view of a volcano, which frightened the whole world. One interesting fact— Balinese believe that Agung volcano is feminine😉 ⠀ 
Insurance in Bali - which is better?
If this is your first time flying to the island, the question will undoubtedly arise - Is insurance required in Bali? Of course, no one will check her at the airport; her health is your personal responsibility. But with a sudden change in climate, you may feel unwell, become allergic to some foods, do not forget that the water and food here are completely different, and this means stomach upsets. I was in Bali twice with friends, and everyone suffered from this problem... Indonesia is a country with natural disasters, volcanoes periodically erupt here, and we found ourselves at this historical moment. If you want to travel around Bali on a bike, remember that the roads are terrible traffic, driving on the left and non-compliance with traffic rules. But the biggest danger is Dengue fever, you can play it safe by constantly protecting yourself from mosquito bites, but during the rainy season they can bite where you don’t expect it - in a restaurant or in a spa.
I would recommend buying insurance for Bali from a company. Their assistance in Russia is the company Mondial, the most reliable in the insurance industry, the main office is in Paris, it recently renamed Allianz Global Assistance. This is the only assistance with an “AA” rating by Standard & Poor’s, and it is the one that will save you on the island in insurance cases, as well as pay for your treatment. You can check the price of insurance in Bali in this form by entering the flight dates and the country of Indonesia.
During our 1-month vacation in Bali, our friend went to the Ubud hospital twice - either she fell off her bike, or her dog bit her 😫 Medicine in Bali is at a good level, they give all medications, write instructions for use, and accept them for free (at the expense of the insurance).
Video of Mount Agung erupting in Bali
Its height is 3142 m, and when it erupted at the end of November, the height of the ash and smoke was 4 km above it. I'll show you a couple of amateur videos from Russian guys who caught the spectacle
Someone even decided to go to the crater of the volcano, watch the video, it’s from December 13. Many who live on the island, and not on the other side of the TV screen, believe that the eruption of Agung is a beautiful, mysterious and terrifying event at the same time. I honestly really enjoy being in Bali at this historical moment and I don't feel anxious or in danger. Only sea, sun, fruits, travel! I wish the same for you! 
Airplane ticket Moscow — Bali, price
The peak season in Bali is summer and New Year's holidays, then the price of air tickets is the highest. The best time to relax here is in spring and autumn; there is little rain, and there are fewer tourists than usual. As you can see from the prices for air tickets to Bali, prices are also lower at this time
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Last day of Bali. How to avoid becoming a victim of a volcanic eruption
On the island of Bali, popular destination for tourists from all over the world, is about to wake up ancient volcano, dormant for more than half a century. Now there are a huge number of tourists there, including residents of Russia. 360 hopes everyone can get out of the eruption before it starts, but we've put together some guidance on how to stay as safe as possible before, during and after the disaster.
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What's happening? Volcano Agung on the island of Bali (Indonesia), dormant since 1963, has begun to awaken, with giant columns of ash flying from its vent into the air. The country's authorities announced the need to evacuate 100 thousand people from the surrounding area. Of these, more than 50 thousand are tourists, among whom there are Russians (300 people only according to official data). At the same time, the airport in Denpasar, largest city islands, stopped flights due to ash. They are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, but depending on the situation, this decision may be postponed.
How likely is a major eruption? The volcano has been assigned the fourth - highest - threat level. The previous eruption of Agung in 1963 killed about 1,700 people, but it is poorly known what signs preceded its eruption. Now the ash is rising to a height of more than three kilometers, the Indonesian Volcanology Center has announced the threat of a pyroclastic flow: a mixture of high-temperature volcanic gases, ash and lava, the speed of which can reach 700 kilometers per hour.
How is the evacuation going? Just last week, when the volcano just started spitting out ash, about 25 thousand people ran away. Now the sounds made by the volcano can be heard 11 kilometers around Agung, and the authorities are already talking about the need to remove 100 thousand people. It is noteworthy that 145 thousand people left their homes back in September, when seismic activity around the volcano increased sharply, but everyone returned in October, when the danger seemed to have subsided.
What signs indicate that you should immediately leave the eruption zone? It is necessary to listen carefully to the warnings of volcanologists and services responsible for evacuation. They have more information than an individual tourist or even a local resident, explains volcanologist, doctor of geological and mineralogical sciences Pavel Plechov. Only experts can determine areas that are safe during an eruption. If a person suddenly finds himself in a place where there are no appropriate warnings and services, he simply needs to leave the possible disaster zone as quickly as possible, go 10 kilometers from a living volcano.
How to survive if you are still in the zone of a volcanic eruption? The most important thing is to protect the airways. Volcanic ash is very dangerous for mucous membranes. Essentially, it is very finely crushed glass with sharp edges. To avoid inhaling ash, you need to cover yourself with cotton-gauze bandages or something similar, or at least a rag moistened with water, notes Pchelov. Water must be filtered and all hygienic precautions must be observed. There is no need to be afraid of lava; in the entire history of mankind, only a few have died from it during eruptions. However, it is better not to go down into lowlands and river valleys, because pyroclastic flows will go there first.
What should be done after the eruption? Again, all sanitary standards must be no less strictly observed - filter water, check the freshness of food, and under no circumstances eat anything covered with volcanic ash, Pchelov emphasizes. In general, if it is possible to stay in a safe room, it is better to stay there until the relevant services announce that you can go outside (via radio, Internet or something else). And even then, before you go out, you need to make sure that your body is completely covered, from head to toe, and your airways are covered - the air after an eruption is no less toxic than during it.
Just over half a century after the 1963 eruption, Mount Agung awoke in Bali.
In the fall of 2017, seismic activity was recorded in the Karangasem region. The volcanic eruption in Bali today entered the active phase.
On this page you will find the latest news about the Agung volcano, as well as information about its eruption, seismic activity now and the likely consequences in the future. Data will be updated regularly.
Volcano Agung: chronology of events
On the morning of November 26, 2017, a powerful ash emission occurred. It reached an altitude of 2500-3000 meters above the Agung crater. In the crater of the volcano there is hot magma. It reflects on the ash coming out of the crater, so it seems as if fire is coming from the volcano.
Due to increased seismic activity, the danger level for air travel near the island was changed from orange to red. In fact, this meant the impossibility of air traffic, but Nguur Ah Rai International Airport in Denpasar continued to operate as normal. Only some flights were cancelled.
On the evening of the same day, at around 22:00, it was officially confirmed that Agung was in the stage of active eruption. Volcanic ash quickly began to be carried by the wind, the bulk of it went east, towards the island of Lombok.
On November 27, due to ash settling in the Denpasar area, Ngurah Rai Airport was closed. According to official data, 445 flights were cancelled, including 249 domestic and 196 international. In total, about 59,000 passengers were unable to fly or land on the island that day.
The Indonesian government has advised local residents within a 10-kilometer radius of the volcano to wear masks and not go out unless necessary. Since it is now raining in the Agung area, volcanic ash flows down the slopes of the volcano and, with water flows, reaches the villages at the foot. This threatens to pollute local rivers and freshwater sources.
Everything is calm in the resort area now. The volcano is practically invisible from Denpasar and its environs, so many tourists learn about the eruption in news reports. However, for those who urgently need to leave the island, ferry crossing on neighboring islands(Java and Lombok). The airports there are still operating normally.
The Indonesian government continues to urge tourists not to panic and leave the island. The situation with the volcano in Bali is under control of seismologists, and if there was a real threat, evacuation measures would have been taken long ago.
Tourists whose permitted stay in the country is about to expire need to extend it. This can be done in international airport Ngur ah Rai, at the office of the migration authorities (second floor of the terminal). To renew, you just need to provide your passport and air ticket. The procedure is quite quick, and upon completion you will be given the opportunity to stay in Bali for another 7 days.
Against the backdrop of these events, tourists are asking the question: are travel packages being returned because of the eruption in Bali? On November 27, 2017, executive director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia Maya Lomidze reported that Russian air carriers in this moment provide refunds for tickets for everyone who has not yet had time to go on vacation. Also, a number of hotels in the Indonesian resort have announced their readiness to return the funds spent by tourists on bookings. However, this process is not quick; first you must submit an application, then confirm it, wait for approval - and only then will you be able to return the money. In addition, most Bali hotels operate through intermediaries in Russia, so the matter may drag on for a long time - it may be easier to wait for the restoration of air services.
Of course, it is best to refrain from traveling to the island altogether until the situation with the volcano calms down. But if, after all, you have already purchased tickets, or if the proximity to an active volcano does not bother you, then below I have given some recommendations for you.
- To protect yourself from volcanic ash, you need to have protective masks with you. Now they are in short supply on the island, so it’s better to bring your own. If the situation worsens, it could even lead to food shortages in stores. Already today, many local residents are stocking up on water and food.
- Don't try to commit independent ascent on the volcano during its activity. This can be deadly. Comply with all police requirements. If you are asked to leave the area adjacent to the volcano, you must comply with the request.
- When planning your trip, plan everything so that you don’t have to decide anything at the last moment. Please note that air traffic to the island may be interrupted more than once.
- For relaxation, choose hotels in the south of the island and on the Bukit Peninsula. Resorts such as Ubud (which are relatively close to the volcano) are not closed to the public, but that could change. In addition, such a vacation cannot be called pleasant - in these regions, tremors are felt quite strongly.
How did the Agung eruption begin?
From mid-August 2017, seismic activity in the area of the volcano increased, and by September 22 it reached critical levels. It became clear that the Agung volcano had awakened. Because of this, Indonesian authorities announced highest level danger. A state of emergency was introduced on the island. It still works today.
In the vicinity of Agung, tremors were recorded daily, and clouds consisting of volcanic vapors accumulated above the peak, near the crater. The likelihood of an eruption was minimal, but seismologists even then noticed the rise of magma from the depths to the surface.
From settlements At the foot of the volcano, about 60,000 people were evacuated in September. The evacuation was carried out by employees of the Indonesian Red Cross branch with the support of volunteers. 1 4 tons of humanitarian aid were delivered to evacuation centers. A logistics center was opened in Ubud, as well as a collection point for provisions and donations.
On September 25, Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited the island. He inspected the evacuation points and spent one night here.
Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar was operating normally all this time. In case of its closure, a plan was drawn up to reroute flights. As a last resort, it was planned to organize a ferry service between Bali and neighboring islands.
Based on the topography of the eastern part of the island, seismologists predicted a map of areas that could be affected in the event of an eruption. And, although no one could say for sure whether this would happen, it was known for sure that lava flows could pass along the southeastern slope, towards the city of Amlapura, along the eastern slope towards Tulamben, and also to the southwest - right up to the city Semarapura.
At the end of September, only the Kubu area in Karangasem district, as well as the 1-2 kilometer zone around the volcano, were closed to the public. Southern resorts There was no danger of an eruption. But many local residents, having learned about the evacuation from Karangasem, began to come to refugee centers in the hope of getting free food and things.
Until the beginning of October, the situation remained tense, but by the middle of the month the activity of the Agung volcano was downgraded from the highest danger level 4 to level 3. Evacuated Balinese began to return to their homes, and tours began again in the Agung area. Until November 18, 2017, the volcanic activity of Agung was declining.
Observations of the volcano did not stop. Every day, drones circled over it, filming all the changes taking place in the crater. Basically, they recorded white smoke coming from the vent. Seismologists reported that this smoke is just water vapor, which rises to a height of about 7,00 meters. Steam arose from the contact of groundwater in the crater of the volcano with magma. This effect has been compared to throwing a spoonful of water onto hot oil.
On November 21, at approximately 17:15, Mount Agung began to erupt. And on November 25, gray smoke poured out of the crater of the volcano. It came from the crater of the volcano in a thick column about 1,000 meters high. Volcanic ash fell in several villages at the foot of Agung. The police received several thousand masks to distribute to the public. Village residents were again asked to leave the dangerous area.
On the same day, more than 20 flights were canceled at Ngurah Rai Airport. More than 2,000 passengers were unable to leave the island or fly here. Jetstar Australia canceled all flights to Bali, followed by several other carriers.
On November 27, the danger level was again raised to 4. Now one thing is clear: an eruption can no longer be avoided. However, the Indonesian government is asking Balinese and holiday tourists not to exaggerate what is happening on the island. Dangers for resort area still not.
Damage from the volcano's activity has already been estimated at more than 1 2 trillion Indonesian rupiah, or almost 15 0 million dollars. This is a colossal amount by local standards, and authorities are trying to do everything possible to avoid further losses.
Don't forget to visit this page - I will update the data as it becomes available.
In addition, you can see the latest information on the activity of the volcano on the Volcano Agung website: news now
(magma volcano agency website in Indonesian).
Volcanic activity of Agung online in real time -
Located in the eastern part of Bali, Volcano Agung is a very revered and significant place for Indonesians. The local population calls Mount Agung sacred and considers it one of the most important attractions in Indonesia. Every year thousands of tourists came to the foot of the volcano to admire the natural beauty and get in touch with the mystery that shrouds this place. This was the case until September 2017, when seismologists recorded strong tremors at the foot of the mountain.
Eruption of Mount Agung
People on duty at the observation post witnessed the release of a steam plume on September 29, 2017. However, no ash clouds were observed. Exactly the same plume of steam was noticed 3 weeks later. At the foot of the mountain at this time, 1052 tremors were recorded.
On November 21, 2017, the Indonesian disaster management agency issued a volcanic warning level four. This level indicated that a volcanic explosion could occur in the very near future. At the same time, at the end of November 2017, none of the experts could confidently name the exact date of the volcanic eruption.
Seismologists recorded the eruption of Mount Agung on November 21. On this day, volcanic ash rose to a height of approximately 700 meters from the crater. On November 27, the eruption repeated. A column of smoke rose above the sacred mountain to a height of 4000 meters from the crater. In connection with this, the eruption was assigned maximum level danger.
Indonesians living within a 7.5 km radius of Mount Agung were urgently evacuated. People were given special breathing masks. Some villages located in close proximity to the volcano were covered with a layer of ash. Despite the current situation, the authorities were unable to force some local residents to urgently leave their homes. People did not want to leave their pets unattended and evacuate to safer places to live.
But after the tallest smoke plume was recorded over the Bali volcano on November 27, seismologists have come to the general conclusion that a larger volcanic eruption, which could occur in the very near future, is almost inevitable.
In November 2017, approximately 40,000 Indonesians fled their homes that were in close proximity to the volcano. They set up temporary camps after an exclusion zone was established around the sacred Mount Agung, the length of which, according to various sources, reaches 10-12 km.
Fire flashes over the Agung volcano on the island of Bali were observed at night. The Indonesian Disaster Prevention Agency has made statements that it is very dangerous to be in the exclusion zone. Villages located within a radius of up to 10 km were covered with a dense layer of thick ash, which made visibility very difficult. The evacuation of people continued constantly.
The sky above the volcano was covered with clouds of ash. As is known, ash thrown into the air causes damage to aircraft engines. Due to the current conditions, dozens of flights were canceled every day.
The chronology of events taking place on the island of Bali has been compiled from September 2017 to the present:
- Late September 2017: a deep crack, about 80 m long, was formed in the crater of the volcano. Experts calculated that there may be about 15 million m³ of magma inside the volcano, which moves towards the crater, but cannot find a way out.
- Early October 2017: for 2 weeks, earthquakes regularly occur near the volcano, which indicate that magma cannot escape, breaking through the interfering solidified lava.
- November 27, 2017: seismologists set danger level 4; a magma eruption is expected any day now. Ngurah Rai Airport is closed due to the current situation. The volcano smokes and releases huge columns of ash. Lava eruptions are observed at night.
- November 30, 2017: a column of light gray ash appeared above the crater. In the afternoon, the amount of ash emissions decreased significantly. The airport has resumed its operations.
- Early December 2017: there are no visual signs of volcanic activity; transparent water vapor periodically appears, spreading over a distance of up to 1.5 km.
- Mid-December 2017: experts noted a sharp reduction in harmful emissions, the height of the ash column decreased to 500-1000 m. Seismologists reduced the danger level to two.
- End of December 2017 – mid-January 2018: most At the time of day, the volcano is in a calm state, but sometimes ash columns are released, 2-3 thousand meters high.
- Mid-February 2018: the situation continues to remain calm, and therefore local authorities allowed Indonesians to return to their homes.
- March 2018: after a relative calm that lasted several months, the volcano began to be active again.
Agung's last eruption occurred in 1963. The natural disaster claimed the lives of more than 2,000 people.
Actual news
On March 15, the following news came from the island of Bali: at the moment, the Indonesian Disaster Prevention Agency has again recorded a small eruption of Mount Agung. Grayish smoke appeared from the crater of the volcano; the maximum height of the smoke column was approximately 700 m.
Authorities urge local residents not to lose calm and not succumb to general panic. The exclusion zone currently reaches 6-7.5 km.
According to Indonesia's chief seismologist, there are many examples in which the peak of volcanic activity lasted for 6 years. And a large-scale eruption that destroys everything in its path may ultimately not happen at all. After the specified period, the activity of tremors gradually begins to subside.
Is it possible to fly on vacation?
Due to the latest news, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a special warning for tourists who are currently in Bali. According to this warning, if ash clouds appear from the crater of a volcano, before leaving for the airport, the tourist must coordinate departure from the country with his travel agent or airline representatives.
The Russian embassy in Indonesia calls on Russian citizens to temporarily refrain from traveling to Bali.
Volcano Batur
The most high point Another famous volcano in Bali, called Batur, is located at an altitude of 1717 m above sea level. Batur has three craters that periodically emit small bursts of grayish smoke and ash, and tremors can be felt at the base of the volcano. The top of the volcano is covered with dark spots. These are traces of solidified lava that remained after destructive volcanic eruptions that date back to 1917, 1926-1929, 1947 and 2000.
In 2000, the smoke column rose 300 m above the crater. There was no serious damage, but the Indonesians were very alarmed by the activity of the volcano, because until that moment no eruptions had been observed for half a century. Seismic activity was recorded by specialists in the fall of 2009. For several months, there was an increase in volcanic activity, but by the summer of 2010, seismologists made a statement that an eruption of the Batur volcano was not expected in the near future.
Indonesians use numerous rituals to appease the spirits of Mount Batur. The territory in which it is located is very revered by local residents. No wonder a large number of temples were built along its perimeter. To avoid volcanic activity, Indonesians held a special ceremony. The people sewed a large sarong and wrapped it around Mount Batur. They prayed at the foot of the volcano and came to him with offerings.
Climbing volcanoes
Does not require any specific preparation. However, it is not recommended to climb to heights on your own. Before you start climbing, you need to find an experienced guide. You can climb the Batur volcano within two hours, making several stops along the way for a short rest and a snack.
Guides accompanying tourists to the volcano crater must have a walkie-talkie with them in order to signal for help if necessary. These people are well versed in the area and know how to reach the volcano crater in the shortest possible way.
The main experience for which people strive to get to the top of the volcano is the sunrise. The sunrise seen in the crater of the volcano will remain in the memory for a long time, and the magnificent photographs taken in this place will leave the best memories of your trip to Bali.
Ah, Bali - Bali! The island is a fairy tale... The island is a dream... But since the beginning of August 2017, the tourist flow here has turned from rich to very narrow. Especially before the beginning of November. And the reason for this is the Agung volcano and its probable eruption.
Agung is a volcano that stands here on the island and periodically tickles the nerves of all local residents and tourists at the same time. The last time the Agung volcano tickled their people was about 54 years ago, and now it began to wake up again in August 2017. And for a second, this is not just a volcano. This is a super volcano! And this means that if he shy away, it won’t seem like much!
Who and what will not seem enough, how to behave on the island if it does start to erupt? And in general: is it dangerous to vacation in Bali in 2017-2018? In today’s article, first-hand, from an employee of our editorial office, who has been there for a month and has no plans to leave yet. 🙂
By the way, if you want to visit one of the volcanoes of Bali, then this can be done. — approx. editors.
Volcano Agung in Bali
Volcano Agung is translated from Indonesian as “big”. And it was right next to (only 50 km) from this dangerous colossus that we settled exactly 1.5 months ago. While still in Russia, we already heard that a large dangerous mountain began to wake up and could begin to erupt at any moment. When we found out about this, the tickets had already been purchased, and we decided not to change our plans, despite the danger.
In addition, this is not our first time on the island and we have already made several Russian friends who live here permanently. They told us that the danger only exists for people directly next to the volcano. This means that the situation is very local. The worst thing that can happen is that the airport will be closed. But even in this case, you can get here from the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta, by water.
In general, after weighing all the pros and cons, we realized that we would go. The last few days before departure, we feverishly followed news from the media, realizing that journalists were forced to exaggerate everything. Today, news about Agung still keeps many Russians in suspense. But! First things first...
Volcano Agung has awakened
Agung has woken up! Like a bolt from the blue, this news broke out on the Internet and on the radio since August 2017. I personally am still surprised - how did this information not end up on TV?! It is thanks to this that my mother still knows nothing about this and lives quietly in the Arctic Circle, unaware of the danger that roams 50 km from her beloved daughter. 🙂 But on the radio and on the Internet, journalists painted a very sad picture...
What do they say today the Agung volcano woke up and if anything happens, it won’t spare anyone! Someone, of course, was incredibly happy: “It’s too good for all those who go to Bali! Let them suffer too, bastards! :-)” Others got wildly scared and handed over their tickets, others decided to relax in a safer place, and others, like scumbags like us, packed their bags and went at their own risk. What, exactly, was the risk?
And here's what it is:
- could close the airport, and for a long time. I would have to fuss with tickets and look for a way through the ferry from Jakarta - and this whole adventure is not very comfortable and very long.
- The volcano can still really explode at any moment, and no one guarantees anything for sure. Well, that is, it will be hard not only for those in the affected area. The airport will be closed, there will be problems with the supply of food on the island, volcanic ash will fall on your head for some time... The real Silent Hill (those who are in the know understand).:)
- and to the heap: toxic substances can spread through the water from the volcano throughout the island, and poisonous rain may well fall on the heads of locals and tourists... And then it will not be good for everyone! Not only for mountain residents...
“Beauty”... Isn't it?!
At least that’s how the situation was described in the media. Yes, the media, of course, likes to embellish everything, but damn... After all, no one can guarantee that everything will be completely wrong! 🙂 We understood this.
But upon arrival on the island we were met by a smiling Balinese who assured us that there was no danger. That Agung changed his mind about erupting and decided to fall asleep again... And like there is no real threat to tourists, and then in 1963, no one else really had cars or motorcycles - so people found themselves in a situation in which many died... They just didn’t fully believe that it would explode and, as a result, they didn’t have time to leave the affected area in time... Something like that!
He finally reassured us by saying that his family was living 4 km away right now. from the epicenter and there is no need to worry at all!
Of course, this encouraged us - I’ll say it straight away. But doubts still remained... Then we decided to go straight to the affected area and see the handsome man with our own eyes! So, Agung Volcano and the latest events in Bali - through the eyes of eyewitnesses :).
Latest news about Agung by the beginning of November
News about Agung on the Internet had already died down in early November. The latest dates back to mid-October. It was at this time that the young man and I went there. We waited for the full moon, since volcanologists were afraid that the greatest risk of an explosion would be during the full moon, so we got on the bike and rode off.
Locals told us that the most best view The view of the mountain opens from the neighboring super-volcano - Batur. Which, by the way, has been sleeping soundly for a long time, for the benefit of everyone. He is many times larger than Agung. And if Batur explodes, then the whole island could accidentally actually go under water... But the current news story is Agung in Bali today.
Journey to active Agung
News about the Agung volcano in Bali, as I already said, did not stop us from traveling straight to the affected area - that is, 9 km. from his mouth. On our way to meet the “scarer” of a million tourists, we met:
1. Gorgeous tangerine grove with fresh tangerines.
2. Stunning views of the neighboring mountains from Mount Batur.
3. Bush! Oh Gods, this bright bush.
As always: super - beautiful road to the place and stunning views along the way. We took plenty of photos, filmed them on camera and headed directly to Agung.
UPD from November 28: Eruption of Mount Agung
And it would seem that everyone had already relaxed, but Agung still caused an eruption! To be honest, when I just sat down to write this article, local residents were already saying in unison that that was it - there would be no eruption. Just take it and start!
On November 21, just after we met my boyfriend’s mother, who came to visit us from Russia, Agung began to erupt. Just as ordered! 🙂 But I hasten to reassure all those suffering from blood and sensation: nothing terrible is happening yet.
The volcano stands still and slowly soars. This is the steam eruption of Agung. The only thing that really bothers tourists and local residents is a small flood. Due to the huge amount of hot evaporation, such a large-scale tropical rain fell on the island that they say that even slippers floated on the road! 🙂
Why do they say? Yes, because we ourselves are not in Bali now, but nearby on the Gili Islands. And today we even saw a small tornado over Bali from the island of Gili-Eir. I hope that in a couple of days before our arrival, this whole apocalypse will be over and we can safely move to Thailand! 🙂
Agung in Bali today
Agung's activity in August - September 2017 forced many local residents to seriously strain themselves. They regularly prayed to local spirits to put them to sleep again. dangerous mountain. They held magnificent ceremonies in their temples. And it seems that their collective determination is bearing fruit. Volcano Agung - erupts only with steam. The ceremonies themselves are held in the following temples:
The eruption of Agung in Bali really does not cause serious damage to the island, just by some miracle!
That's probably why it's 3 km away. before the affected area, when we went to the volcano in October, some Balinese women stopped us, stuck rice on our foreheads, illuminated our bike, put some wooden beads around my neck, twirled around, whispered something and let me go with God further! 🙂
That's probably why it's 3 km away. before the destruction zone, some Balinese women stopped us, stuck rice on our foreheads, illuminated our bike, put some wooden beads around my neck, twirled around, whispered something and let us go on with God! 🙂
It didn’t seem to calm us down much, of course, but it became somehow easier... Both in our souls and in our pockets... So - like the priestesses of the island of dreams, naturally, they carried out the procedure for cleansing karma, well, not for free. Cleaning karma these days costs about 400 rubles with our money. Well, you must agree - life is more valuable! 🙂
Eruption of Mount Agung in 1963
On the way to Mount Agung, my husband and I, of course, once again discussed the history of 1963, when people (several hundred) actually suffered. Did they really pray to their Gods near the vent until the very end, hoping that he would change his mind?! Getting acquainted with the local mentality, we are increasingly coming to the conclusion that yes. And so it was. The local people honor their land, their home, precisely their place of birth. And it doesn’t matter to them even if this place is in such a dangerous zone.
The possible eruption of Agung in Bali does not prevent them from living a normal life. The one that their ancestors lived. Here is an inscription that right now we are in the zone of defeat or exclusion, as it is also called:
But people who continue to fall asleep and wake up here... Take their children to school, work, have breakfast, lunch and dinner... Life goes on:
To this day, there is a forum about Agung in Bali, where people discuss whether it will explode or not. Many members of the island's VKontakte community also raise this topic. But recently, most have agreed that the danger has passed...
But, you know, when you stand so close to the mountain... The sensations are simply unimaginable...
I would have gone further, right there to the foot, but my young man turned out to be wiser and more prudent, however, as always :). We drove past, and for dessert there was a beautiful beach waiting for us, which is also located in the exclusion zone. Its name is Virgin Beach. Here he is - handsome...
They say that the sand here used to be completely white. But after the Agung eruption in 1968, it mixed with volcanic lava and became like this - with black inclusions. But this is also wonderful... I will write soon great review all the beaches of the island and, perhaps, I will give it an honorable first place in the top of my heart :).
And here is the view of Volcano Agung from the entrance to the beach - Virgin Beach:
Conclusions about Agung in 2017
Agung on the map paradise island Bali is a thorn in the head of many tourists... This dangerous neighbor does not allow all residents from Karangasem to Ubud to sleep, he makes everyone remember and realize very well: life is just a journey, and we, the guests, are on this earth. No matter how important we may think to ourselves, such a large volcano as Agung can dramatically intervene in everyone’s fate and disrupt that very “solid” tomorrow, cross out all our plans, tear to pieces all ideas, dreams and hopes...
For now, it just stands and releases powerful columns of steam, but not a single person could guarantee that the Agung eruption will stop... Anything can happen! Any time…
This is probably why the inhabitants of the island are closest to the life of Buddhists and all kinds of enlightened people. The main wisdom tells us: “the past has passed, the future has not yet come, there is only here and now...” And not a single force in the world guarantees any of us that we will live in this world for at least another minute... That is why, Balinese rejoice! Smile every day. They smile even during the funeral of their relatives. They don’t just smile, they sing and dance! 🙂
But somehow I completely went into philosophy... Let's get back to the facts:
Volcano Agung- steam is erupting right now. So far nothing serious is happening, but no one is giving any guarantees.
