Mt Ijen is located on the eastern tip of Java close to the town of Banyuwangi.
Over the past two years, tourist traffic to Ijen has exploded. Ever since the images of 'blue lava' were shown in National Geographic, hundreds of tourists make the climb in organised groups to see the phenomenon. The tours start at 1am, and the fire is visible in the dark until the sun rises.
I wanted to see the place without crowds so I stayed behind after the tourists left and was able to explore the crater without any interruptions.