Join Me in Exploring the Crater of Mount Jaboi—Standing Upon the Earth as It Still Breathes
Pulau Weh is an island located at the westernmost tip of Indonesia. During my visit, I was truly captivated by its beauty; the island boasts crystal-clear waters, lush green forests, and a volcanic crater that remains active. It is no wonder that so many people—from various regions across Indonesia and even from abroad—travel great distances to vacation here. Indeed, the island is well-deservedly recognized as one of Indonesia’s enchanting gems.
Hello, my dear friends, wherever you may be! I truly hope you are all healthy and happy, allowing you to go about your daily activities with ease—may you all have a wonderful day.
In my previous blog post, I took you on a journey to explore the Jaboi tourism village, where we admired its pristine pine forest and its iconic entrance and atmosphere. This time, I’d like to take you even deeper—to a place I had previously only heard about from others. It’s a spot that reveals there is more to Sabang than just beaches; it’s also home to a volcano—specifically, the crater of Mount Jaboi.
So, please stay tuned to my humble blog as I share a glimpse of this crater through the photos I’ve captured, accompanied by a few brief notes from me.
To be honest, before setting off, I felt a bit nervous. I had heard that craters are often associated with thick smoke and danger, and the thought crossed my mind: would it actually be safe for me to explore this area?
My friends...
The journey to the crater wasn't very far from the edge of the village. I simply followed a designated footpath. At first, the path was easy to navigate—firm ground, with lush greenery on both sides and towering trees. Every now and then, I could clearly hear the sounds of birds; it felt just like a typical walk through the woods. But as I approached the main site, the atmosphere began to shift. The vibrant green forest gradually faded away, replaced by dry, leafless trees with blackened trunks. The ground, too, changed—shifting from ordinary brown soil to a rough, grayish expanse. The air, once fresh, began to carry a faint, distinct scent of sulfur. That was when I realized I had finally arrived at the crater itself.
And sure enough, as soon as I rounded a small bend, a vast, white, and smoke-filled expanse opened up before me—the crater. I stopped in my tracks; I didn’t immediately reach for my camera—I simply stood there and watched.
Right before my eyes, the ground seemed alive. White smoke billowed from crevices in the rocks, rising upward before vanishing into the air. I also noticed small vents in the rock—discolored by sulfur—releasing plumes of steam. In that moment, it felt as though I were no longer in a village, nor even in Aceh; it felt as if I were in an entirely different world.
After I had my fill of taking in the atmosphere at Jaboi, I snapped a selfie. If you glance at the photo, you’ll see me smiling—but that smile doesn’t mean I’m brave for standing in the middle of an active volcanic crater. Rather, it’s a smile of pure wonder. How could it be otherwise? Beneath my feet lies geothermal energy that has existed for thousands of years—long before I was born, and likely to remain for thousands of years to come—while we are merely passing through for a brief moment.
I then continued to explore the area, making my way toward the second crater. While I felt capable of reaching this second crater, I decided not to proceed to the final one; the smell of sulfur had become so pungent that it was quite uncomfortable—especially since I hadn’t brought a mask, an essential piece of gear for exploring and viewing the craters up close.
Here are some photos I took while in the Jaboi area. I hope these images give you a glimpse into the beauty of Jaboi and its truly remarkable, unique atmosphere.
That is all I have to share for this post. I hope you enjoyed it and found it entertaining! If you ever have the chance to visit Weh Island, be sure to stop by Jaboi and experience for yourself what it’s like to stand on earth that is still "breathing." Believe me, it’s a unique sensation—one that simply cannot be captured or replaced by photos or videos alone.
Please feel free to leave comments, words of support, or feedback; it all means a great deal to me and will help me create even better blog posts in the future. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to check out my blog and read it all the way through.
See you in my next travel story within this wonderful community!
| Camera used | Handphone |
|---|---|
| Lens | 64 mp |
| F-stop | |
| Iso speed | ISO |
| Focal length | MM |
| community | worldmappin |
| Photographer |  @antonydossantos |
A Little About Me
My name is Maulizar Mawardi, also known as
I am a student and nature lover who enjoys documenting my travels through writing and photography. While not a professional photographer, I believe that every journey and every simple image, no matter how small, has value and a story worth sharing
Through this blockchain, I want to share my experiences, observations, and appreciation for nature and the simple moments that are often overlooked