Climbind Mount Dooom mmwooohhhahahaa (or Mount Batur as it is more locally known..ahem)

As we set off through the undergrowth at the base of the semi-active Volcano, Mount Batur, we could only see what our little tourches allowed us to. After about 15 minutes of walking, the ascent began and you had to concentrate hard on where your next foot would land. The path was made up of volcanic rock and with all the trampling, many small boulders came free under your feet, making slipping very easy! Seeing as we were only 3 of us, we winded our way up to the half way point with not much problem.
Here, our guide told us to sit down and catch our breaths and we chatted about everything and nothing. The stars were very visible and sky quite clear making it a beautiful night.
But before long, we could see little groups of light winding up the mountain behind us, and i must admit that a tiny bit of the extrodinary feeling of being all alone on a volcano in the middle of Bali slipped away....other groups of tourists!

We picked ourselves up and pushed on. However....... our guide had not warned us that this part was the most difficult. Perpetual thigh killing stepping for about 45 minutes! After about 20mins, i could feel the sweat dripping down my face, my t-shirt clung and even my guide (who does this 5 times a week!!) was breathing hard! However the volcano had a serenity about it and even with the continuous slipping and rock clawing, i did not feel bothered. (just in need of a shower!)
The dew covered long grass brushed against my legs and the sounds of insects croacking and singing to each other was very soothing.

I cannot explain how if i had seen the size of the mountain in broad daylight while climbing it, i would have givin up long before the summit. But as it happened we couldn't see and we just followed the monotonious footsteps of our guide.

All of a sudden a little hut came into view 6m infront of us (i told you it was pitch black!!) and Pemerei explained that we had climbed well and had arrived 30m early that planned. (i was so blooming knackered that i could only smile weakly and guzzle sluggedly some water.)

Within the hour, the hut was swarming with about 25 tourists and as we all ate a hearty breakfast of eggs, bananas and sneakly packed peanut butter sandwhiches as we waited for the sun to rise.

6am: Sunrise! Stunning! (shame that the clouds decided to poke their heads outs!)

It was at this moment that Yann spotted some mouvement amongst the rocks near the hut.....Monkeys! Regulars apparently! Looking for a bite to eat....and maybe even a banana (and yes it's true they do ADORE bananas!)

Playful, but keeping their distance, they paraded in front of us and gave many a good photo.

We eventually pulled ourselves away and climbed down to see the crater which steamed in several areas. If you put your face over the hot steam, you not only feel refreshed but clean. ahhhhhhhh!

The descent was more dangerous than the ascent however! The volcanic rocks slipped and rolled out from under our feet and finding good footing was a time seeking adventure! Nevertheless, i was with two men in my group and ofcourse men when put in a situation of competition have to compete. So they galavanted off infront, overtaking the groups that they came upon, and i pulled up the rear, catching up with them at the half way point! (nearly killing myself and causing an avalanche, i must add!)

In any respect, we made it to the top and back down again and we are proud to have succeded! The view and the experience was amazing and even if Yann is now snoring next to me at 2 in the afternoon.....we would not have missed it for the world!