The most spectacular landmark in Bali is Mt Agung, an active volcanoe that erupted in the last century causing damage and loss of life. The nearby caldera with its lake and lush vegetation is testimony to earlier and more violent eruptions in the past.
The volcanoes in Indonesia form part of the famous "circle of fire" around the rim of the Pacific. The constant jostling of the plates in the area lead to spectacular demonstrations of the restless earth. The explosion of Krakatoa in the 19th century sent waves all round the earth, and of course in more recent times the undersea quake to the west of Indonesia caused the Boxing Day tsunami which caused so much devastation and loss of life.
Bali was sheltered from that tsunami by other land masses, but the towering form of Mt Agung is a constant reminder that the island is situated in an unstable area.
Kintamani. Small town on the edge of a huge volcanic caldera with great views of the volcanoes.
Town on the edge of a caldera.. One way to enjoy the spectacular vistas afforded by Bali's volcanoes is to visit Kintamani, and sit by the window of a local restaurant. There you can see lush islands of vegetation surrounded by a sea of black lava from the most recent eruption, with the caldera lake in the distance.
