Indonesia | Ijen Volcano.

| Ijen Volcano. ❗️Absolutely worth it❗️ The blue flames are the most unique feature of Ijen Volcano, but the green sulfuric acid lake, rolling sulfur mist, and workers transporting sulfur are also part of the unique landscape of Ijen. If Bromo Volcano is desolate and spectacular, then Ijen is more like a post-apocalyptic world. I think Ijen is the most photogenic place on this trip. The reason I didn't see the blue flames is kind of funny. We arrived at the entrance of Ijen at 1:30 am. After getting our goggles and gas masks, we waited for a long time for no reason. Where did the guides go? To buy tickets? No one knew. Later, we heard that there were too many tickets to be issued, so many guides were waiting in line at the ticket office. At 3:45 am, we finally started climbing. The path up the mountain was a steep dirt slope in the dark. After turning a corner, we saw other tourists' headlamps flashing higher up. The air was very humid and windless, making us sweat and fogging up our glasses. After walking for about an hour, I reached the open area on the ridge at 4:45 am. The sky was already bright, so there was no chance of seeing the blue flames, but I still followed the crowd to the sulfuric acid lake, which was glowing green in the dim morning light. 🗻The path down the crater was very steep, and after a short section of guardrail, it was just a wild path. We could see many people gathering where the sulfur smoke was rising. Some people who arrived early saw the blue flames. I was curious about how they got there so fast. Here are some tips for exploring Ijen Volcano, based on my personal experience: If possible, bring a good gas mask and goggles. The protective gear provided by the park is better than nothing, but when taking photos in the sulfur smoke, you will inevitably be enveloped in thick smoke. Even if you hold your breath, the smoke will seep in through all the gaps, causing a strong sense of suffocation. Take photos with the sulfur smoke as the background, but don't go too far into the smoke. The heat is scorching, and the ground may not be solid. Some people have fallen in before. Also, pay attention to the wind direction. When enveloped in sulfur smoke, you will feel suffocated and disoriented (you can't see anything and your brain shuts down), so retreat in time. Wear a pair of well-fitting hiking shoes. Don't wear slippers, sneakers, or thick-soled shoes to Ijen. You will need to walk a lot of steep dirt and rocky paths to reach the sulfuric acid lake and the top of the mountain. A pair of outdoor shoes will protect you better. Wear a headlamp to free your hands and take better photos. Ijen is still a wild attraction, and many photogenic spots don't have guardrails. Be careful when taking photos and stay safe. A safe return home is the best footnote to a perfect trip.