Mt. Bromo (East Java, Indonesia)

For an updated version of this post, go here. 

I left Surabaya and headed east. Riding a motorcycle in and out of Indonesia’s second largest city was glorious. I treasured every second, especially the many seconds spent driving through the dirt on the side of the road in order to circumvent a retarded traffic jam. 

Or the seconds spent dodging a head on collision because the truck driver coming from the opposite way decided that I am on a motorcycle and could not possibly be stupid enough to maintain my rightful place in a lane specifically designated for people driving in my direction of travel. After a couple of hours I arrived in Cemoro Lawang, a tiny mountain village in eastern Java. 
Have I mentioned the volcanoes? Thank you, sir. May I have another? This time it was Mt. Bromo (2392m) in Bromo-Tengger-Semuru National Park. It’s so breathtaking you’ll think you’re asthmatic.

'Bromo is one of three volcanoes to have emerged from a vast crater, stretching 10km across. Flanked by the peaks of Kursi (2582) and Batok (2440), the steaming cone of Bromo stands in a sea of ashen volcanic sand surrounded by the towering cliffs of the crater’s edge. Nearby, Mt. Semeru (3676m), Java’s highest peak and one of its most active volcanoes, throws its shadow and occasionally its ash over the whole scene.' See Lonely Planet.

Bromo to Bondowoso (East Java, Indonesia)

For an updated version of this post, go here.

April 30th, 2009 - I stuck around and visited Mt. Bromo again this morning. It was an excellent move. The views and the sunrise were well worth the 4 am wake up. I decided to drive my bike into the crater once again. Driving through pockets of sandy ash (or is it ashy sand?) in the dark was a real treat but I managed to keep the bike upright. 

I started my stroll in the dark and walked right into a ravine by mistake. A local horseman offered to bring me to the base of Bromo (where the stairs begin) for 20,000 rupiahs (about US $2). That was his response when I asked where the trail was. He never did tell me where to go. I am not big on guide-by-extortion. Prick.

After the slight detour I made it to the rim and awaited the rising sun. Thankfully, there were only a few tourists making the scene exceedingly pleasant. Nothing like the smell of sulfur in the morning.