Time for Indonesia, Mount BROMO, Kawah Ijen, waterfalls at Madakaripura…
The planning began at a much earlier date… somewhere in February…. Airline tickets bought, fees to be collected and most the necessary research that is needed for the trip. The trip was planned by a friend who is the organizer and planner and he made the necessary arrangements and activity schedule, I accepted the invitation so there are a total of 11 of us going together, and I’d have to say that he’s really good at planning trips like these. All that we need to do was pay-up the RM700.00 cost of the trip not including air-fare. Since I will be taking a holiday, why not make worth of the trip, so I took the liberty of making some adjustments, which makes my trip longer and takes me to other places. That includes, Singapore, KL, Cambodia, so instead of just 4 days of holiday, I took 17 days leave from work.
A little something about Mount Bromo…
Mount Bromo is a part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park that covers a massive area of 800 square kilometres, 4 hours drive from Surabaya , the capital of East Java, 112 kilometres (70 miles). 2,392-metre- (7,85 foot-) high volcano lies 112 kilometres (70 miles), about three hours, southeast of Surabaya. An active volcano, awesome sunrise scene, which I hope to be able to capture, and super landscape, I learned that the best visiting time is in the dry season (April-November) when you have a better chance of seeing a blood-red sunrise. The temperature on top of Bromo is around 5 degree (40 degree); in July, it could drop to 0 degree (32 degree), so dress warmly.
source,
http://www.world-wildlife-adventures.com
another excerpt..:
From a vantage point on Mount Penanjakan (2,770 meters above sea level), 2.5 hours from Malang. visitors from around the world come to see the sunrise over Mt Bromo. From this spot the vista is magnificent. All you will hear is the click of cameras as visitors snap their camera’s hoping to capture the incredible scene of Mt Bromo in the foreground with Mt Semeru smoking in the distance and the sun shining brightly, quickly rising in the sky.
The eerie landscape has spurned countless legends and myths. Mt Bromo has particular significance for the Tengger people who believe that this was the site where a brave prince sacrificed his life for his family. The people here appease the Gods once a year during the annual Kasada festival where offerings of vegetables, chickens and money are thrown into the crater of the volcano.
Something about Kawah Ijen…
Next on the main event list was “kawah ijen”… From what I read online, it is a place to mine sulphur, with drastic conditions, acidic lake, and some writer says it’s like hell.. but still people want to go there. “I am lost for words… “
http://www.photovolcanica.com/VolcanoInfo/Kawah%20Ijen/Kawah%20Ijen.html .. uhh…sounds dangerous especially the last line..
*Further, sudden releases of large volumes of gas from the lake may be fatal to those near the bottom of the crater.
some information on the trip ..
Itinerary: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Day 1st (oct, 8th 2012): Arrive at Juanda International airport. Pick up in Surabaya. Using standard vehicle(2minibus) trips, to the hotel in the region of Mount ijen travel time approximately 10 hours (depending on traffic) and free program. Dinner will be ready at 7 pm. http://www.yomadic.com/mount-ijen-volcano-indonesia-kawah/ ------------------------------------------------------------------- Day 2nd ( Oct, 9th 2012) Wake up call at 4.30 am, breakfast and prepare to leave the hotel. At 6 am, by cars to the crater of Ijen (takes 45 minutes). Arriving at Paltuding (place to start the climb to the Ijen), do not forget to bring water to drink(mineral water provided). 2.5 hours to reach the Ijen crater, 30 minutes to get down into the crater, 1hour ride out of the crater, 1.5 hours down the peak toward Paltuding. At 12 noon to hotel at Mount Bromo( yoschi hotel). 7 hours drive . --------------------------------------------------------------------- Day 3rd ( Oct, 10th 2012): Wake up call at 03.00 am and depart at 03.30 am by using the jeep into the sunrise place at mount Penanjakan (the sun rise around 5 am). Around 6:30 am, jeep will take us back to the hotel at 8.30. Tour pick-up at 10 am to drive to rafting on the river Pekalen (takes 2,5 hours by car). Briefing about rafting. Rafting will be accompanied by an experienced guide. Rafting for about 2,5 hours. lunch at base camp. Around at 3 pm drive back to the hotel --------------------------------------------------------------------- Day 4th (Oct, 11th 2012) : Breakast 7am then drive 1 hour to waterfalls at Madakaripura . Walk 40 minutes for 1 way towards waterfall . At 12 noon, drive to surabaya air port.. What to bring: Warm clothes, clothes to change after rafting and after visit water falls, rain coat / umbrella, flip flop, swim suit, flashlight, sun glasses, sun block , good shoes.
All pretty neat and planned out, just can’t wait to get the scenery and experience…
Preparation, luggage…
I have to admit.. this is the part that I HATE the most….. Luggage, packing, wouldn’t it be so easy if the luggage just materialize at the destination..? so you can just bring EVERYTHING along..? To0 bad, this is a luxury most of us can’t afford, especially with our style of travelling…
So as before, I prepared a checklist for my forgetful self, it makes things easier, helps me visualize and makes the preparation not such a hassle…
