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Kaliadem lava walk
When at Kaliadem try to visualize the destructive force of nature when in 2006 a stream of hot lava ash came thundering down the narrow valley of Bebeng river and drowned a recreation and camping ground. Two people perished, who had sought shelter in a bunker built for the purpose - the bunker held, but they succombed to the heat.
Merapi volcano is quiet now, you can now walk around on the lava rock and ash. Where the bank of the valley has been reinforced, imagine how the lava stream could not follow the bend in the river, piled up on the bank, and spilled over on the camping ground. Or, see Tom Pfeiffer's photo's of that 5th of August.
That there were only two victims is due to the fact that this was not a residential area, but a camp ground north of the village. The remnants of the buildings you see were shops, not houses.
It is interesting to compare my pictures of 2008 with those of ricardoz in 2006. The bunker has been dug out, the bank of the river bend has been reinforced, and the tiles of the former shops have disappeared (no doubt put to good use by Kaliadem villagers).
If you are adventurous, you may walk on past the signboard indicating the border of the tour area, as far as you like up the valley. That should be safe as long as you see villagers around.
Address: Kaliadem hamlet, Cangkringan district, Sleman regency.
Directions: If you don't have your own transport, hire an ojeg. From Prambanan it is 24 km. Take the road direction Pakem at the most eastern traffic lights. After 6.6 km turn left direction Kaliurang, at 7.6 km turn right at the petrol station. Follow the road for 10 km, then turn left at the signboard. Cross a valley and after another km turn right, straight uphill through Kaliadem village until the former camp site. Altogether 24 km.
From Yogya it is about 20 km. Ask for the correct turnoff from the ringroad, then it is almost straight uphill toward Merapi mountain.
Entrance: Entrance fees are Rp 2000 p.p., and Rp 3000 for parking a car.
