Unforgettable sun rise over volcanoes from Gunung Penanjakan, Java

Location: Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park , East Java, Indonesia (7�45'8?S, 110�29'30?E)
Date: 25 December 1995; 5.50am
Camera: (analogue) Canon EOS 500N on negatives and scanned.

One of the most popular tourist destination on Java island Indonesia, has to be the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. The National Park offers great experience of proximity and view of a couple of mighty volcanoes, including the highest mountain, Mount Semeru, of Java. For the more energetic and adventurous (and I really mean adventurous) the National Park also offers an up-close-and personal encounter of the regular eruptions at the summit of Mount Semeru as well as an experience of standing above the clouds to enjoy a majestic sunrise view. Yet one can still enjoy a more laid-back, albeit early-rise and unforgettable Indonesia sunrise over the volcanoes from Gunung Penanjakan. However don�t forget your woollies- it is very cold at the mountainside at that time in the morning.

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Enjoying the sun rise above the clouds- Mount Semeru, Java, Indonesia

Location: At the summit of Mount Semeru, Indonesia (7�59'7.19"S 112�59'9.64"E)
Date: 18 July 2008; 6.15am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

One of the reasons people trek up to mountains is to enjoy the fabulous scenery and amazing sunset or sunrise. Mount Semeru is one of those places, as it is the highest mountain in Java. The sunrise at the top the peak is stupendous as one is virtually above the cloud covers. Often, depending on the direction of the sun, one can see his/her own shadow being casts on the clouds floating below them. Of course, one of the added excitement to trek up to the peak of Mount Semeru is the challenge (not easy to climb a volcano due to the deep ashes) and the adventure of standing beside a constantly-erupting active volcano. In fact lately it has been so actively erupting that the relevant authorities has banned any trekking to its summit.

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Blue, Yellow And Orange Sunrise

A Unearthly Sunrise...

Check Out Sun Up Till Sun Down
Or
Something Different

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My inaugural photo: Sunrise over Tingri Plains

Location: Tingri Town (??), Tibet, China (N 28� 34.991 E 086� 36.269)

Date taken: 28 April 2003, 7.35am
Camera: Canon G1

Tingri town (Tibetan: Tingri Shekar) is a small town of only about 600 people at approximately 4,335m in Tingri County, Shigatse. It is less than 60km from both Mount Quomolongma and Cho Oyu (which is visible from the town). It has a heavy military presence, presumably due to the proximity of the border. (Everest) and Nepali border. The town is often used as a base by climbers of Quomolongma and Cho Oyu.
When I went there in 2003, it was really a very small garrison town. However I will not be surprise if it has developed into something bigger and more modern with more Han Chinese, like everywhere else in Tibet. Not surprise because it has great tourism potential, with its proximity to the mountains, trekking potential and on the road to/fro Nepal and Everest Base Camp (EBC). Furthermore roads in Tibet had improved tremendously, therefore getting there is so much easier now. Moreover the Chinese government is currently building a paved road all the way to EBC to facilitate the Olympic torch relay.

This photo was taken from the toilet of the only guesthouse in town then- the Muslim Guesthouse! In 2003 it was still customary for residents to bolt the doors to their compound. The guesthouse owner locked the main door leading to their parking compound (and has two huge dogs guarding them). We just got up and waiting for breakfast when I noticed that the sky was brightening up. The only vantage point I have towards the direction of the rising sun from inside the compound was from the window of the (primitive) toilet. And this is what I saw.

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