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Up at seven to meet with our guide - Awan. I had blown the electricity in the room with my iron and so we got ready in the dark and I came out unironed and with my top inside out. We didn't know quite how to dress for today, but were worried it may be cold. I wore a teashirt, a thin jumper and trousers - took my umbrella / parasol as usual. In the panic to get ready in the dark I did not put on my trainers, just had a pair of Converse. Paul was laden with our possessions in his backpaack. It was a beautiful day for the walk, blue skies and sunshine, but still nice and cool. We took the public bus up to the start of the trek, this cut it short by a couple of hours, we passed some westerners on the way. The buses are a bit like the one off the Scooby Doo cartoon. See photos. The trek up was pretty tiring, especially for Paul, carrying about 3 stone of weight on his back. The walk was steep for us and the air was thin also at that height (2094m). We passed locals coming back dowm on the way up, each saying "Hello Mister, hello Miss". Awan then took us off the beaten track through a jungle path, also frequented by the locals. The climb got trickier, we had to negotiate through slippy rocks, pumice stones loose under our feet and tree roots. A bit like our Taman Negara experience but trickier. My shoes were slipping and the umbrella was becoming a liability. We could smell the sulphur and hydrogen sulphide (rotten eggs) along the way. There were great views and puffs of steam all around. 2 hours to reach the sulphur vents - these were yellow holes blowing out steam and sulphur deposits. Awan took us to see them close up. We then headed for the crater - a flat plug hole that the locals cover with their names and messages in stones. We then moved up to the highest point with amazing views of the town, distant volcanoes, mountains and even as far as Lake Toba, where we will visit on Wednesday. We stopped for a break and some fruit that Awan had packed for us, Bananas and Mangosteen (see photos) amazingly refreshing sweet, white fleshy fruit. We saw an eagle, Paul just managed to capture it on photo in the distance. Then the trek down - this was going to be a challenge for me, as we headed down I slipped on the pumice stones, as they are light they just give way under you. I landed on my backside, slightly bruised, but more embarrassed. Paul now had to carry my umbrella as well as everything else which he hung from the chin strap of his hat. I continued to slip and slide down the steep, narrow stone covered track. I had to make my way down mainly on my backside using my arms to leverage myself down. Adrenalin pumping through fear and exhaustion - Sherpa Anderson was close behind, carrying water in one hand, camera around his neck, umbrella hanging from chin strap and three stone backpack, snapping away at insects and flora as he descended - bless him. Perhaps I am high maintenance?!? Because of his height, he was struggling with the narrow path and climbing under branches. Awan practically skipped down like a damn mountain goat, on his mobile most of the time! We reached a fallen tree and Awan did seem surprised at it - to me it looked like it had been there a while, so I was a bit concerned that he didn't use this path so often. He probably took us down this tricky one so that we felt like intrepid explorers. That was the last thing I felt like; my legs were like jelly by the time we reached the bottom. We passed the geothermal power plant at the bottom and visited the hot springs - much needed to soothe our aching feet and legs and clean my cuts. Then it was a Scooby Doo minivan back to town, this time it was packed with 20 people, four of which were on top with luggage, three on the front seat and one hanging out of the side door - that left 12 of us crammed in the back like sardines. When we got back to town Awan showed us some alternative accommodation which we will move to tomorrow, less than half the price of our current place. No wifi though so no blogs for a couple of days. Next stop Lake Toba. Enjoy the photos of our brilliant day!
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