To ask if you would worry about an active volcano...

[Thelowquietsea]

We are going to Bali in July. I didn't even think about Mount Agung when I booked to be honest - it's a continually active volcano - and whilst it's not presenting any issues, it is continually active. Recent photos of some lava spewing is quite spectacular - and slightly terrifying.

I'm now doing the whole anxiety thing that it was irresponsible to take children there and what if...

Of course, I totally understand the world is full of unknown dangers before anyone reminds of this! Far more likely to be killed in a car accident than by a volcano

I went in December 2017 when it was having a bit of a wobbler.

Some flights were cancelled, in and out, but it didn't bother me too much.

I had booked for Sri Lanka this year and have amended it. I don't mind a giant volcano that's not moving, but suicide bombers are a little more difficult to spot...

Thinking about it, there seems to be a pattern emerging with my holidays...

When was the last proper eruption? I been to and stayed near many active volcanoes in Latin America. I could see the lava spewing out of the top of Arenal in Costa Rica from my hotel room.
A friend of mine was evacuated from
Baños in Ecuador as the volcano was showing real signs of erupting, but I've stayed there twice now with no problems.
Chances are it'll be absolutely fine, and will just be something spectacular to watch.

Well, the Foreign Office advises against travel to within 4km of the volcano - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia

The FO always advises against travel within 4km of Agung. It's a pretty small distance.

The last eruption was 2017

Went to Boscastle in 2004 wasn’t expecting that shit storm 😆

I've climbed etna when it was steaming. Plenty of people fly to Sicily specifically when it's erupting

Went to Iceland over 20 years ago, visited all the volcanic features. Big eruption 2 weeks after we left (not the one that paralysed all the airlines though..)

Went to Sicily a couple of years ago with the DCs and we climbed Mount Etna - there was smoke coming out of it! There had been a big eruption only a few years before.

I think as long as you are not actually staying on the slopes, you would have enough warning to get clear. There may be travel disruption afterwards though.

I went in 2017 when all the flights were cancelled due to eruptions. Ours was the first flight to actually go. It was okay. There's a well marked exclusion zone and we took face masks and things. It was a lot more "dirty" with soot and rubbish because of the tremors, and you couldn't get to everything, but DP and I didn't really want to change location. We just kept pretty flexible plans and explored as best we could.

Thanks all. That's really helpful. I have to say the recent pictures are spectacular

Ive always wanted to see an active volcano.
I did visit one in Greece m it had a fairly solid crust on top and tourists were able to walk over it.
I heard people saying they could feel the ground move beneath their feet but we couldn’t go on the crust as we had children with us and the fumes meant children could not walk across.
So I’m rather envious of your amazing adventure. (But not really as envy is not a nice trait, but you’re definitely what I’d call lucky) have an amazing holiday.

Yes I would and probably wouldn’t go. Sensible, realistic people probably wouldn’t and would have a lovely, uneventful holiday.

Well, @Langrish, you 'assume' you'd have a lovely, uneventful holiday but unless you have a crystal ball, I guess you have no clue where calamity could strike?

one life, it'll be great, i'd def go.

but unless you have a crystal ball, I guess you have no clue where calamity could strike?

That's true - whilst staying on Sicily, with smoking Etna in full view, we were more concerned about the showers of ash falling into the hotel grounds from forest fires raging all round. Tourists in a different part of the island had to be evacuated by boat from their resort!

I wouldn't worry too much about going to Bali. Mount Agung isn't very active and obviously we can't predict when or if any type of eruption will happen. I am a moderator on a live youtube volcano channel called Volcanoverse and we have our own camera that monitors Agung. Feel free to come visit us and use our channel to put your mind at ease.

Thelowquietsea

Can’t quite work out your tone there, sounds like you’re having a go at me 😁 no idea why? I’m agreeing with you. Yes, I would worry, ridiculously but acknowledge that I probably shouldn’t. Balance of probabilities, it’ll be fine.
You’re right, no idea where calamity will strike, in which case probably best not to get out of bed.
Right, I’m off to google duvet related accidents .,,,,

@Vixen91 - thank you, that's really reassuring. What a great job! I'll def come and check you out

Oh, sorry @Langrish - I didn't realise you were agreeing with me! Doh. Totally online fail. I wasn't having a go, though.