Precious Sunrise Awakening on Kelimutu Crater

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Seeing the tri colour lakes on Flores Island had also been on our wish list ever since we first became aware of Flores two years earlier, so we were quite excited to finally be making the trek.
We were on our way at 4 a.m., driving 40 minutes up the volcanoe, on a narrow road best described as a winding snake. We arrived at the entrance to Kelimatu Park, and trekked the remaining thirty minute hike to Kelimatu Crater, where we would wait until sunrise for the magic to happen.

And magic it was. First, there was the witnessing of the sun rising over another of Flores's many volcanoes in the distance. Then came the magical appearance of first the aquamarine lake. Then a second lake slowly became visible in the crater behind it - this lake quite black in colour. Finally, on another side of our vantage point, there appeared a third crater lake, dark blue in colour. The setting was spectacular. I think I actually quietly cried out when the first aquamarine lake appeared, because the way in which it presented itself really was like a vision: you are staring right at it, then suddenly realize it actually is something. Something light blue, and misty, and large, just below you, encased in sheer rugged rock walls. One of those moments.

The clear sky conditions for the sunrise were optimum, even though the wind whistled a little, reminding us that we were on a mountain top, after all.

Its hard to find the words to describe the experience. Powerful. Beautiful. Magical. A little overwhelming. Maybe even spiritual. Definitely precious.

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Photos

Sunrise Over Kelimutu Volcano Crater Lakes
The aquamarine lake is the largest and nearest of the Kelimutu Volcano tri-colour crater lakes. It appeared magically "right in front of our eyes" as the sun arose. Shortly after, we noticed the black crater lake appear directly behind it. The third crater lake, a dark blue, would appear even later, as it was nestled behind us and last to catch the morning sun.

Comments

[Rowan]

Magical ...