Volcanic ash blankets villages near Indonesian volcano
The eruption at dawn on Tuesday sent lava and clouds of ash up to 4km high.
That followed an eruption on Monday that sent a column of volcanic materials up to 18km into the sky and an evening burst that spewed lava and send volcanic ash as high as 13km into the air.
Photos and videos circulating on social media showed terrified residents ran for their lives under the rain of ash and gravel and motorists struggled to drive motorbikes and cars in the reduced visibility as the ash clouds from Monday's eruption expanded into a mushroom shape.
No casualties have been reported from the latest eruptions of the volcano that has been at the highest alert level since June 18 when its no-go zone was expanded to a 7km radius, said Abdul Muhari, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson.
"People around the volcano have increasingly understood how to minimise the impact of disaster risks as eruptions became more frequent since the end of 2023," Muhari said in a statement.
The eruptions of the volcano on Flores Island affected more than 10,000 people in 10 villages in East Flores and Sikka districts, according to the local disaster management agency.
Thick volcanic ash and rocks were reported to have fallen in villages of Nawakote, Klantanio, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, Pululera and Wulanggitang, where roads and green rice fields were transformed into grey thick mud and rocks.
Authorities distributed 50,000 masks and urged residents to limit outdoor activities to protect themselves from volcanic materials.
The eruption of Lewotobi Laki Laki followed its eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens.
Muhari said two airports in the cities of Maumere and Larantuka in East Nusa Tenggara province remained closed on Tuesday.
Dozens of flights to and from the Ngurah Rai international airport on the resort island of Bali were delayed or cancelled since Monday's eruption, including from Australian carriers Virgin Australia and Jetstar, but airport spokesperson Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said the airport was running normally as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not affected Bali's airspace.
Indonesia has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the "Ring of Fire", a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
Residents are wearing masks to protect themselves from thick volcanic ash that has blanketed roads and green rice fields in Indonesia as rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupts for a second straight day.
The eruption at dawn on Tuesday sent lava and clouds of ash up to 4km high.
That followed an eruption on Monday that sent a column of volcanic materials up to 18km into the sky and an evening burst that spewed lava and send volcanic ash as high as 13km into the air.
Photos and videos circulating on social media showed terrified residents ran for their lives under the rain of ash and gravel and motorists struggled to drive motorbikes and cars in the reduced visibility as the ash clouds from Monday's eruption expanded into a mushroom shape.
No casualties have been reported from the latest eruptions of the volcano that has been at the highest alert level since June 18 when its no-go zone was expanded to a 7km radius, said Abdul Muhari, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson.
"People around the volcano have increasingly understood how to minimise the impact of disaster risks as eruptions became more frequent since the end of 2023," Muhari said in a statement.
The eruptions of the volcano on Flores Island affected more than 10,000 people in 10 villages in East Flores and Sikka districts, according to the local disaster management agency.
Thick volcanic ash and rocks were reported to have fallen in villages of Nawakote, Klantanio, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, Pululera and Wulanggitang, where roads and green rice fields were transformed into grey thick mud and rocks.
Authorities distributed 50,000 masks and urged residents to limit outdoor activities to protect themselves from volcanic materials.
The eruption of Lewotobi Laki Laki followed its eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens.
Muhari said two airports in the cities of Maumere and Larantuka in East Nusa Tenggara province remained closed on Tuesday.
Dozens of flights to and from the Ngurah Rai international airport on the resort island of Bali were delayed or cancelled since Monday's eruption, including from Australian carriers Virgin Australia and Jetstar, but airport spokesperson Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said the airport was running normally as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not affected Bali's airspace.
Indonesia has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the "Ring of Fire", a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
Residents are wearing masks to protect themselves from thick volcanic ash that has blanketed roads and green rice fields in Indonesia as rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupts for a second straight day.
The eruption at dawn on Tuesday sent lava and clouds of ash up to 4km high.
That followed an eruption on Monday that sent a column of volcanic materials up to 18km into the sky and an evening burst that spewed lava and send volcanic ash as high as 13km into the air.
Photos and videos circulating on social media showed terrified residents ran for their lives under the rain of ash and gravel and motorists struggled to drive motorbikes and cars in the reduced visibility as the ash clouds from Monday's eruption expanded into a mushroom shape.
No casualties have been reported from the latest eruptions of the volcano that has been at the highest alert level since June 18 when its no-go zone was expanded to a 7km radius, said Abdul Muhari, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson.
"People around the volcano have increasingly understood how to minimise the impact of disaster risks as eruptions became more frequent since the end of 2023," Muhari said in a statement.
The eruptions of the volcano on Flores Island affected more than 10,000 people in 10 villages in East Flores and Sikka districts, according to the local disaster management agency.
Thick volcanic ash and rocks were reported to have fallen in villages of Nawakote, Klantanio, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, Pululera and Wulanggitang, where roads and green rice fields were transformed into grey thick mud and rocks.
Authorities distributed 50,000 masks and urged residents to limit outdoor activities to protect themselves from volcanic materials.
The eruption of Lewotobi Laki Laki followed its eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens.
Muhari said two airports in the cities of Maumere and Larantuka in East Nusa Tenggara province remained closed on Tuesday.
Dozens of flights to and from the Ngurah Rai international airport on the resort island of Bali were delayed or cancelled since Monday's eruption, including from Australian carriers Virgin Australia and Jetstar, but airport spokesperson Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said the airport was running normally as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not affected Bali's airspace.
Indonesia has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the "Ring of Fire", a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
Residents are wearing masks to protect themselves from thick volcanic ash that has blanketed roads and green rice fields in Indonesia as rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupts for a second straight day.
The eruption at dawn on Tuesday sent lava and clouds of ash up to 4km high.
That followed an eruption on Monday that sent a column of volcanic materials up to 18km into the sky and an evening burst that spewed lava and send volcanic ash as high as 13km into the air.
Photos and videos circulating on social media showed terrified residents ran for their lives under the rain of ash and gravel and motorists struggled to drive motorbikes and cars in the reduced visibility as the ash clouds from Monday's eruption expanded into a mushroom shape.
No casualties have been reported from the latest eruptions of the volcano that has been at the highest alert level since June 18 when its no-go zone was expanded to a 7km radius, said Abdul Muhari, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson.
"People around the volcano have increasingly understood how to minimise the impact of disaster risks as eruptions became more frequent since the end of 2023," Muhari said in a statement.
The eruptions of the volcano on Flores Island affected more than 10,000 people in 10 villages in East Flores and Sikka districts, according to the local disaster management agency.
Thick volcanic ash and rocks were reported to have fallen in villages of Nawakote, Klantanio, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, Pululera and Wulanggitang, where roads and green rice fields were transformed into grey thick mud and rocks.
Authorities distributed 50,000 masks and urged residents to limit outdoor activities to protect themselves from volcanic materials.
The eruption of Lewotobi Laki Laki followed its eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens.
Muhari said two airports in the cities of Maumere and Larantuka in East Nusa Tenggara province remained closed on Tuesday.
Dozens of flights to and from the Ngurah Rai international airport on the resort island of Bali were delayed or cancelled since Monday's eruption, including from Australian carriers Virgin Australia and Jetstar, but airport spokesperson Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said the airport was running normally as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not affected Bali's airspace.
Indonesia has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the "Ring of Fire", a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
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Picture: Maria Lara Bright and fresh, we begin walking together through the old town of Sarria and into the countryside, where the path turns to dirt beside a rushing stream and an old man sells hand-carved walking sticks for a mere 10 euros. We climb a hill through a forest of oak and chestnut trees and stop to get our first Camino passport stamp from a local who's offering fresh fruit for a donation. I chat with Susanne from New York and Susana from Wollongong in our group. Both tell me that the Camino has been on their bucket list for ages. Out into the sunshine, walking past just-ploughed fields framed with apple blossoms, I smile at three teenage girls in short shorts walking with linked arms. A priest in black prays with his rosary as a farmer forks hay. Blond Galician cows chew green grass. A spring gurgles beneath a stone wall. 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Picture: Getty Images Our accommodations are varied and comfortable, with standouts being the modern two-star Hotel Vistalegre in Portomarin, with a sundeck and hot tub that can be reserved to soothe aching muscles, and Pazo Santa Maria, a beautifully restored 18th century stone manor house surrounded by gardens on the outskirts of Arzua. Along the way, we savour specialties like boiled octopus with paprika, Galician steak, grilled scallops, Galician broth made with vegetables, beans and pork, and tarta de Santiago almond cake. Bring Vaseline to prevent blisters, Moleskine to put on sore spots before they become blisters and Compeed Second Skin once blisters start. Also bring antiseptic ointment, gauze and scissors. Invest in good-quality seamless, moisture-wicking socks to help prevent sweaty feet, which can be a primary cause for blisters. Wear good-quality, comfortable hiking shoes that have been broken in and are waterproofed. Take off your hiking shoes and wear sandals once your hiking for the day is finished so your feet can air out. Dress in layers. Carry waterproof gear. Wear a hat and sunscreen, and drink plenty of water. Stretch before, during and after each day's walk. To the metronome of our footsteps, my fellow travellers and I toggle between grunt and glory, discussing the mundane (blisters and aches) then sharing intimate reflections about our lives. There's a refreshing lack of small talk. When we stop at one of the many Camino bars, I notice a Canadian who has passed his pilgrim staff to a German asking her what is singing in her heart at that moment. Okay, maybe this is veering a little too close to schmaltz, but everyone is genuinely more openhearted, precisely because they've committed to this journey, which feels like a collaborative endeavour. Indeed, it seems that even if people are walking solo (as many are), there's no sense that they're walking alone since there are so many opportunities to connect with others. My new friend Sol tells me that one of the things she's learned from her Camino pilgrimages is that it's okay not to be perfect. I think she's leaning into what it means to be human. From my research about Saint James, whose story is fuzzy at best, it appears that, despite his best efforts, he was not a very successful missionary in Spain. Perhaps he's the ideal role model for all of us walking the Camino. Posing with a statue of Saint James. Picture: Susan Gough Henly As we get closer to Santiago, I find myself savouring walking meditations on my own. I marvel at purple foxgloves and white calla lilies; pass shrines to saints and sinners, that is, ordinary people; smile at advertisements for the Gloria tattoo parlour in Santiago; and take a freeway underpass where a giant, spray-painted yellow-and-black butterfly wishes me a Buen Camino. On the penultimate day with the most kilometres to walk (18), I come to the sudden and surprising realisation that, despite my blisters and sore muscles, I don't want the Camino to end. Maybe it's the adrenaline. Maybe it's the endorphins. Or maybe it's just the elimination of the inessentials of everyday life and putting one foot in front of the other to just keep on going? I ask 79-year-old Yvonne, the oldest and - dare I say - one of the fittest people in our group, "Are you ever too old to walk the Camino?" A stamp provider along the Camino dresses as Saint James. Picture: Susan Gough Henly "That's a tricky question," she tells me. "Before booking the trip last year, I thought, 'I must do this before I get too old. I hope I can manage it.' However now that I've walked it, my mind has changed. I now think I could walk it easily enough next year, the year after next, even the year after that. We're all travellers on our journey through time." A friend sent me pilgrim blessings written by a nun at the Church of St Stephen on the Camino. Three of them really resonated. "Blessed are you pilgrim, if you discover that the Camino opens your eyes to what is not seen. Blessed are you pilgrim, if what concerns you most is not to arrive, as to arrive with others. Blessed are you pilgrim, because you have discovered that the authentic Camino begins when it is completed." So, are you ever too old to walk the Camino? Are you ever too old for connection, community and comradeship? The question answers itself. Getting there: Qatar Airways flies via Doha and Barcelona, to Santiago de Compostela, for around $3200. You can take a taxi or bus from the airport to the Santiago train station, and then take the train to Sarria, the UTrack hike's starting point. Doing the hike: The 12-day UTracks Guided Camino Walk for Senior Travellers, which includes all accommodation, 11 breakfasts, 10 dinners and luggage transfer, is $3851 per person, twin share. Explore more: The writer was a guest of UTracks
