Here is the translation of the text:

Equipment: Sony A7Rii, 16-35 F4, 70-200 F4

Process: Capture One Pro (for Sony)

Thank you to all the trip participants, the lovely Buddy Trip (Brother Phoch, a young man from the south), Brother Jump, and Brother Ticket (TripChillChill).

If anyone asks what I was doing in Indonesia,

Why go? I don't know. To climb mountains and get tired, to stay up all night, to travel far, to leave my heart in Indonesia (just chill...). Or not?

10.05.2017 (Bali's Last Light "Tanah Lot")

Awakening in the dead of night, a departure from the ordinary. After showering and dressing, I dragged my luggage and hailed a taxi. Arriving at Don Mueang Airport around 4:00 AM, I reported to the group and completed the airport formalities. At 6:15 AM, the aircraft lifted us from Thailand, bound for Bali, Indonesia.

At 11:30 AM local time in Bali, Indonesia (one hour ahead of Thailand), we completed immigration procedures and boarded two vans for our journey. We stopped for lunch along the way, arriving at Tanah Lot around 4:00 PM. This temple sits on a rock formation jutting out into the sea, marking the first stop of our Balinese adventure. We strolled along the shore, letting the waves lap at our shoes, and set up our cameras to capture the sunset. (Thanks to P'Taew for the ND filter, or maybe it was just a sales pitch! 555) We used our mirrorless camera with a 16-35mm F4 lens to document the evening seascape, though we wished for a telephoto lens for certain angles. We concluded our first day by checking into our accommodation near Lake Bratan.


11.05.2017 (Bali Landmark: Bratan Temple)

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

The crisp morning air of Bali, Indonesia, greeted us as we embarked on our journey. Armed with cameras and equipment, we navigated the darkness, guided by moonlight and the beam of our flashlights. After a ten-minute walk, we arrived at the iconic Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple, its towering pavilion standing majestically amidst the serene lake. Each of us sought our ideal vantage point, meticulously setting up our gear. I surveyed the surroundings, checking the sunrise angle and capturing test shots. My arsenal included a mirrorless camera with a 16-35mm F4 lens and my trusty iPhone.

In the early hours of the morning, the rising water level from the lake obscured the path leading to the pavilion in the center. The pavilion appeared to be floating on the water, creating a surreal scene. As the sun began to rise, its rays illuminated the mountainside, teasing the mist that drifted from the lake. The breathtaking view captivated the observer, resembling a masterpiece painted by a skilled artist. Overwhelmed by the beauty before him, the observer's mind raced, contemplating how to capture the scene's magnificence through photography. "I doubt I can capture the same beauty with my camera as I see it with my own eyes," he thought to himself.


12.05.2017 (Blue Frame)

The biting cold remained unchanged from the previous day. We set off from our mountaintop accommodation in the early hours, taking a van to Kawah Ijen. We gathered at the starting point for the climb, handing over our belongings to the porters. Each porter was responsible for two members of our group. The distance to the top was around three kilometers from this point. We started our leisurely walk, the incline gradually increasing until we reached the summit. The cold air permeated the entire area, but it couldn't compete with the internal heat generated by our exertion. Combined with the clothes we were wearing, we were soon wiping away sweat. However, for those who couldn't keep up, there were taxis available for a price of around one million rupiah.

No matter how far, difficult, or tiring the journey may be, as long as we keep moving forward, our goals will not be out of reach. The gray smoke billowing from the distant depths and the blue flames (Blue Frame) created by nature are a testament to the power of the earth. The full moon's radiant glow illuminates the surrounding landscape, casting a wide swath of light that reveals the intricate details of the mountain's contours, eroded by volcanic lava over countless years. As we ascend the rim of the volcanic crater, the path gradually climbs higher and higher. The moonlight fades, replaced by the brilliance of the rising sun. The once-blurred image before us gradually becomes clearer, revealing the breathtaking beauty of the natural world that surrounds us.


"Could any camera capture the beauty that my eyes behold?" I pondered to myself.

All weariness and fatigue from walking vanished from my heart.

I told myself, "It's more than worth the sleepless nights and the exhaustion of climbing to this point."

The breathtaking beauty of Kawah Ijen compels me to exclaim, "It is truly magnificent!"


13.05.2017 (Breath of God)

As people slumbered in the warmth of their beds, the air outside, embraced by the mountains, grew cold. A gentle breeze blew intermittently. Two jeeps, each accommodating six passengers, emerged from the resort nestled in the valley, heading towards the "Breath of God." We were among the first to arrive at the Penanjakan viewpoint, hoping to secure a prime spot for capturing the morning light.

We ascended the hillside, setting up our cameras and waiting (a shout-out to the Chill Chill Trip team, otherwise we'd be crying right now). Despite the late hour, the area remained illuminated by moonlight, allowing us to see the beauty of Bromo before us. This night was truly magical and awe-inspiring.

We stood and sat, talking and laughing, in the 10-13 degree weather. Our legs trembled from the occasional cold wind, but the warmth from the heating pad in my jacket pocket, a gift from a kind stranger I met on the journey, helped to alleviate the chill (thank you, Mr. Phoch). Sipping hot 3-in-1 coffee also warmed our bodies. Time flew by as the golden light from the horizon illuminated the thin fog below the valley. "Oh, the beauty of nature," Rachapun murmured to herself repeatedly.

The light comes, the fog comes, the sky explodes. Oh my god, it's amazing! At this moment, I can't help but press the shutter continuously. The magnificent view of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java is breathtaking. I don't care about anything else, my eyes are fixed on the scene in front of me. The villages on the hills, the active volcanoes, the smoke and fire billowing from the craters. I don't know how long it has been, but I only know that the warm sunlight has filled the sky. Turning around, I see people from all over the world, speaking different languages, crowding the top of the mountain. Everyone's face is filled with joy and excitement.

The morning sun found us satiating our hunger with instant noodles from a shop below. Bellies full, we embarked on a journey to the volcanic crater, traversing sandy plains known as the "breath of the gods." Hundreds of colorful jeeps stood in rows, and as our vehicle came to a halt, a man named Ma approached. From this point, we relied on horses as our mode of transport, journeying towards the staircase leading up the mountain. We ascended the long, winding steps, each step taking us closer to the windswept summit, a distance of roughly one kilometer. Our hearts pounded, our breaths grew heavy. Upon reaching the crater's rim, we inhaled deeply, the sulfurous air stinging our throats. "Oh my god," we exclaimed, "we've finally made it!"

In the afternoon, after a refreshing shower and a rest to regain our strength, we changed our clothes and set off for Madakaripura Waterfall. After a short van ride from our accommodation, we arrived at the parking lot. We hopped on motorbikes and rode through the forest for about ten minutes. After dismounting, we walked for another kilometer or so, enjoying the pleasant weather. The waterfall was now in sight. From this point on, we had to wear raincoats to avoid getting soaked as we passed through narrow gaps with varying amounts of spray from the cliffs. Once inside, we were free to choose our own angles for admiring and photographing the waterfall. It was a cool and refreshing day.


14.05.2017 (Breath of the Gods, and we shall meet again)

In the early hours of another day in Java, Indonesia, the air remained cool. The morning sky was still bright with moonlight, with no clouds to obscure it, revealing a multitude of stars of varying sizes across the expanse. Our journey continued with our vehicle carrying nine of us (some chose to rest at the resort) towards the hills to capture another image of Bromo. This time, however, the journey in the van was short, and we soon reached our destination. From the parking spot, we had to walk for about 15-30 minutes, enough to get our hearts racing. A test for those who refuse to give up. The light of the stars and the moon shimmered in the sky. Looking ahead, the mountains, complex and intricate, hid in the darkness, majestic and imposing. We sat, stood, and lay down, changing our positions until the first light of day appeared on the horizon to our right from where we stood. Bromo remained as beautiful as ever.

The sky has brightened, signaling the time for us to bid farewell to the living mountains, "The Breath of God," with cherished memories. Until we meet again, with hearts full of joy, Indonesia…

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