Kawah Ijen : The First Encounter

A few days before the Independence Day i've heard a plan to Kawah Ijen from my friend Eko and Tutde, but I  still doubt because on that date there was something I need to do. At first I feel sad can't take part with them to Ijen, because I  really wanted to go and when the chance come I can't go for it.
Suddenly on 16 August in the afternoon I have the chance to go, because something I need to do was postponed. Excited for sure! Then I packed few things to bring on my backpack get sleep early.

Ringggg..ding..ding the alarm was ringing and we ready to go, Ijen we're coming! In this trip I go with Tutde,Eko,Sukmana, and 8 other guys from their SHS friends. We ride motorbikes and arrive at the Gilimanuk Harbour arround 8AM. Then crossing with ferry about 45 Minutes. Bang..arrive at Ketapang, first time for me riding to java. First we go to Indra house in Banyuwangi, Indra is our friend and he guide as in this trip. We have lunch and rest at his house (Thx a lot Indra and fams!) and then go to Kawah Ijen. About 1,5 hours ride motorbike we arrive at Kawah Ijen entrance gate, entrance fee is cheap Only Rp.3000/motorbike. First tips, If you want to Kawah Ijen with motorbike I suggest the one with gears, don't use matic because the road is going up and up, I thought matic not a good choice here.

The Mountains brother of East Java, Ijen is among them.

The Passengers sighseeing.

Fellas, thanks for let me join the trip!

We park our motorbikes near Warung Bu'Im, and ask her for keeping our motorbikes safe in a night. Then we start to trekking from Paltuding to the Pos Bundar, the place we use for setting up the tents. After 2 hours walk finally we arrive at pos bundar, we start to set up the tents and cooked Pop Mie (Hiker's must bring supplies). After finish dinner, we all get rest early because at 2 AM, we will walk again to the crater.

One of our motorbike is broke, so few of us must walk wait for other friends picking up. Next time be sure your motorbike are totally ready.

Trekking start from Paltuding, before it let get's bit narcism (photo by Tutde)

Reload...Reload... halfway from pos bundar. (photo by Tutde)

Cup Mie save our stomach. (photo by Tutde)

2AM we're get ready to hike, it takes about 1 hour walk to the crater. The track from pos bundar to the crater is better, track from paltuding is more exhausting (IMHO).Second Tips, I suggest you set up a tent and sleep overnight at pos bundar, because if you track all the way from Paltuding to the crater you'll be too exhausted and spend more time (except you are Pro Hiker and have a strong physical). Finally we arrive at the crater rim, many people already here it was so crowded due to Independence Day many youth Hiking to the mountain to celebrate. It's about 3AM still dark, then we walk down into the crater to see the famous 'Blue Fire' and the Sulfur miners works. Here your adrenaline be pumped, the way down into the crater was very steep and rocky, be sure to bring headlight/flashlight. I put a big respect to the Sulfur Miner, everyday they go up and down (paltuding-crater) carrying about 75kg sulfur which just rewarded Rp. 55.000. 'Their life as rough as the rocky path to the crater, but they always tough like a mountain' Respect!.

The outerspace, the stars are beautiful from the crater.

Sulfur Miner on duty.

The Famous Blue Fire, unfortunately it was so crowd.

We wanted to step up closer, but the smoke is getting bigger.

Two miners carrying sulfurs, believe me it's Heavy!

The path to the crater, very steep and rocky but before see heaven you must pass the hell, right?.

The miner works from early morning, because at the noon the smoke getting bigger.

Mr.Play boy say thanks to APstuff Clothing for free Tshirt, stay awasome Sir!

Thanks for APstuff for the endorsement, we love u! (photo by Sukmana)

The smoke of sulfur.

The biggest acid lake of the world according to uncle google.

Warning, the risk is yours.

The crater rim, the best time to visit Ijen are in June,July and August.

Morning chat before go down to the crater.

Eko, Pur, Arwin, and ....(forget the name) hhaa...

We Love Indonesia!

See..the road is never flat.

Pano of Ijen, Merged from 12 photos.

After 'walk like grandma' down, finally we can saw the Blue Fire live in front of our Eyes, but we can't stay long enough because sometimes the wind change and blow the smoke toward us and it's happen a few times. Actually getting down to the crater is prohibited for the visitors, because it's dangerous way and the smoke of sulfur makes you hard to breath. But if you are don't care the rules the risk is yours, don't forget to use masker and cover it with wet towel it lil'bit help to filter the smoke. Hmmm..I think is not enough explore Ijen just one day, next time I'll come again..Well this just my First Encounter...see ya!!

Full team, (Left>Right) Adi, Wayan, Andi, Indra, Petruk, ... , Pur, Emon, Eko, Sukmana, Tutde, Arwin, Me....!

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A Journey To Bromo : First Time and Unforgotten

A set of Mountains, I called Bromo and Friends

Dream come True! Yes, that's the first sentence that came out when a friend invited me to join the trip to Bromo. Although there is some changes of personnel that will join in the journey and accommodation arrangements are rather complicated we do not give up. Finally after all the affairs of accommodation deal, we're ready to go to Bromo for the first time. Yes! first time! Me, Dedot, Sayoga, Agung, Apel and Edi will meet for the first time with Bromo. On 1 August, at 6 am, we set off together from Denpasar towards the Gilimanuk Harbor with our dashing driver that we call the 'masbrow'. Eh, I'm haven't say that this driver has not been to Bromo, but thankfully there is help from the GPS .Just Hit The Road bro ...!

Trip from Denpasar to Bromo, takes about 12 hours. around 5 pm we had reached the Ngadisari village, where we were staying was a homestay owned Hotel Oetjik. The first impression when I got here is "COLD", even very cold because we were coming from the area where the air is hot. We were all very tired and rested because tomorrow morning will see Sunrise at Penananjakan Bromo.

Villager house among The Onions field.

Old man watering his Onion Field in the morning.

At 4 am Clock show, we hurried up and preparing. because according to the info today we will go to Penanjakan around 4:30 with Hard-Top car 4x4. It's almost 5 o'clock am car had not yet arrived, he said was still on the way. a few minutes later, a blue car coming, and apparently the driver was Mr. Gitar, he was living next-door neighbor. Was surprised and then we all laugh. In fact this morning we had met when he was went from home, it turned out he took the letter of assignment and do not know who is going to take him with. Without further ado Mr. Gitar take us to Penanjakan, through the sea of sand at the foot of Mount Bromo. He was adept at reading the road here even though there are no roads just sand.

At about 5:30 am we arrived at Penanjakan, still dark and very cold. It was not just us who came that morning, dozens of domestic and foreign tourists also come to see the sunrise at Bromo that morning. We immediately find a place to capture the sunrise at Bromo. The sky began to blush sign the sun will soon rise, and a set of mountain in sight. Finally I saw it for the first time Beautiful panorama of God's creation. Unsatisfied take a photo from the top, we had come down among the trees a bit steep. angles we took some photos. After the shooting was over (actually not satisfied) we agreed to go back to the car, certainly gitar Mr. is waiting. Arriving in the parking lot, tempting aromas coming from a coffee shop finally we decided to take a break over breakfast and coffee. Then coffee merchants serve a snack, which in turn makes us addicted, the boiled / fried potatoes. It was not clear it was boiled or fried, but it feels very very good!.

'What you can see from here?' stone carved sign at Penanjakan.

I don't know what's the name, but I see it Wonderful covered by fogs.

Poten Temple, view from Penanjakan.

The Land over The Skyline, this one I prefer B&W.

Horseman, They rent horse for trip arround Poten Temple also take you up to the crater

Breakfast is over, time to continue our journey. Mr. Gitar offer 2 favorite spots, 'Padang Savanna' (Savanna) and 'Lautan Pasir' (Sea of Sands) with additional charge 300 thousand rupiah, without any compromise we just take his offer. Savanna known as 'Teletubies Hill ' because there are rows of Hills just like the Teletubies movie. As usually we took some pictures and then went to the area of Lautan Pasir (Sea of Sands). Just like the name this place is filled with sand very widely, every where is sand and the wind makes these sands form a unique pattern, Being around the Padang savanna and Lautan Pasir, finally we get tired and back to the homestay. Because in next days we will photograph, Yadnya Kasada ceremony at Poten Temple, and Bromo crater.

The Home of Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Lala, and Po'. (kidding..lol!)

Savanna, The grass are bit yellow cause of the season.

The villagers that pass the savanna and say hello to us, very friendly isn't it.

No Helmet, No Mask, No Sunglass, Balinese says 'Amah Debu' (eaten by dust).

Sea of Sands, with lil'bit savanna.

Batok Mountain seems like sinking in the sands.

Path of Life, It's never straight.

Mr. Gitar's Blue Jeep, Though!

Morning in foothill of Bromo, From this photo to bottom are  taken at the last day when we go to the crater.

I'am amaze when saw this, feels like paradise for me.

The stair is broken, people take other side.

Come and Go, To and From the Crater of Bromo.

And here are the squad, from left ; Me, Apel, Sayoga, Dedot, Agung, and the one hide behind is Edi. Thx to Mr.Gitar  help take this photo.

That's my Journey, Hope you like it and respect to our Homeland 'Indonesia' we have the 'paradise', why don't you 'explore' it. See ya on next journey.

*** Photos & Text by Haryadi Wijaya***

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