BUNKER KALIADEM
Location of Bunker Kaliadem
Bunker Kaliadem is located on the southern slope of Mount Merapi, in the Sleman area, Jogja. From the center of Jogja, it takes about 1 hour by car, depending on the traffic jam. But when we arrived... wow! The view was amazing. If you're lucky, you can see Mount Merapi which looks really majestic... although there's also a feeling of nervousness imagining its history. Too bad when I went there, Mount Merapi was covered in fog.
Entering the Bunker, Makes me goosebumps
As soon as I got out of the car, the cold air immediately greeted me... All around were only large rocks, black sand, and traces of lava that had become part of the landscape. And finally... we arrived in front of the tiny, legendary building.
I thought, "Why is it so small?" But when I entered, the feeling immediately changed. Dark, stuffy, and quiet. There's only one room inside, and the walls are really thick. No wonder, this was built to withstand hot clouds. But yeah... the aura inside the bunker is a bit hair-raising, especially after knowing its heartbreaking history.
Tragic Story Behind the Bunker
Well, this is what makes this place different from ordinary tourist attractions. In 2006, two volunteers managed to take shelter from the hot clouds commonly called "Wedus Gembel" in this bunker when Merapi erupted. But unfortunately, it wasn't just the hot clouds, but also the hot lava that was spewed by Merapi. As a result... both of them could not be saved. In 2010, there was another eruption, this bunker was buried under volcanic material up to 4 meters! Imagine, that's how fierce Merapi was at that time. It was even said that the rescue team needed heavy equipment and more than 2 days just to dig the bunker out again.
After getting out of the bunker, I sat for a while while looking around. On the one hand, this place is really cool for taking pictures, the view is epic! But on the other hand, my heart was like... yes, sad too. Because this is not only a tourist spot, but also a silent witness to the struggle and sacrifice of people in the midst of a disaster. Many of my office friends also said, "This place is different, it's like a pilgrimage". And I agree... this is indeed a pilgrimage to honor the victims of the eruption of Mount Merapi.
I have some tips for you if you want to go there. Come in the morning or evening so it's not too hot. Bring a mask because there is a lot of volcanic dust... and wear comfortable shoes! Because the road is rocky and sandy.
The trip to the Kaliadem Bunker is one of the moments that I will never forget. Apart from the majestic Merapi vibes, this place also teaches us about the importance of disaster preparedness. And... about appreciating people who have struggled amidst the ferocity of nature.
Have you ever been here too? Or do you have another place with a similar vibe? By the way... thank you in advance for stopping by and reading my story about the Kaliadem bunker! See you in my next travel story!
Devy Swan is an ordinary person. She has many dreams that have not been achieved but she still tries to make them come true one by one. Becoming a writer is one of her dreams. Being able to write on this platform is one of her prides and she is very grateful. Devy's hobbies are cooking, singing, and traveling.