Tomohon to Siladen Island

June 20, 2018

Today is the day that we get up close and personal with the volcano that we have been admiring during our meals at the Gardenia Inn. There are actually twin volcanos within 2K of each other, Mt Lokon and Mt. Empung that are both still active and are among the most active volcanos of Sulawesi.
Mt. Empung last erupted in the 18th century but Mt. Lokon's most recent eruption was in 2015. We rose before the sun this morning to hike to the crater's edge of the higher peak of Mt. Lokon.

The 2 hour trek up took us along this dry river bed which is an old pyroclastic (lava) flow

It was fairly steep and the smooth rock was pretty slippery

Nearly there...

At the crater's edge!
(the patch of bright yellow on the rock face is sulfur) 

Photos of course do not allow for the full sensory experience-
...the sound of the hissing plume and the smell of sulfur from the fumarole...
We really couldn't even imagine what was boiling underneath-

With the sun high in the sky and the heat bearing down, we headed back to the base

Breakfast awaits! Our last delicous meal at the Gardenia Inn-

We have one last hike to a waterfall before we travel to the small island of Siladen.

Quite a contrast from the landscape of the hike this morning-

Kali Falls
Another experience that a photo cannot do justice-
...the booming sound & vibration of the force of the water & it's cooling spray...

We even get a smile from Matt

As was mentioned earlier, this area of the world played a large part in the history of the spice trade-
our guide climbed up a tree & picked this to show us what nutmeg looks like before we buy it in little jars of brown granules.

Wori Harbor-
Our "taxi" to Palau Siladen and our introduction to the underwater world of Bunaken National Park

When they said "small", they meant "tiny" island!
It reminds us of our visit to Heron Island in Australia.

The Nusa Indah Villa-
our home for the next 3 nights

Siladen Resort really means it-

Just walking along the beach at the water's edge, the sea stars welcome us too.
(These are known as chocolate chip sea stars)

Difficult to leave the beach, even when the light is leaving

No explanation needed for this one-

Yes, that is lightening captured on film by Matt

...and the rain that followed.

We haven't even stayed the night yet but already love this place!

Indonesian Green Coconut Pudding, called Klaptertart, is the signature dessert dish of Manado.
There are many evidences of the influence of the Dutch in this region and this dessert is one of them.  It was delicious!

Another perk of the resort- a TV for watching FIFA!
It was a special treat for this soccer-loving teenager-