Mt Semeru - Mt Bromo - Kawah Ijen( 2-7 July 08)

The triggering point of this trip is the photos that we saw at Kok Yuen's house when we visited him during Chinese New Year early of this year. Kok Yuen showed us the photos that taken by one of his friend and suggested about the trip. After the Chinese New Year, Airasia was having promotion. So, we took the opportunity to book the flight to Surabaya.

2 July 2008 LCCT - Surabaya - Tumpang
9 of us took the 10.15am flight and reached Surabaya by 11.55am (local time). Local time is one hour earlier than Malaysia. The agent picked us up from Juanda airport. We had lunch at one of the restaurant while settled the payment with the agent. Surabaya is the 2nd largest city in Indonesia with over 3 million of people. For us, it's just the gateway for Mt Semeru and Mt Bromo. After lunch, we started our journey to Tumpang and stayed overnight there. Although Tumpang is only 600m above sea level, it reached 18 degree Celsius at night.

3 July 2008 - Tumpang - Ranupani Village - Ranukumbolo - Kalimati
We woke up at 5am (local time). After breakfast, we were transferred by 2 cars to Ranupani. It should take 1.5 hours to reach Ranupani village. However, one of the car broke down when started to drive on uphill road. So, all of us have to squeeze into 1 car for the rest of the journey. The scenery along the journey is beautiful. In average 15 minutes, we stopped the car to take the picture. Ranupani is the starting point of the trek. Vegetables farm are along the road. We were trekking uphill on the nicely built path on the 1st hour. Then, we moved into jungle trek and 1 hour later, the beautiful lake of Ranukumbolo came into sight. Another half an hour trek, we reached the campsite of Ranukumbolo. It's 1.30pm but the temperate was about 14 degree Celsius. The lunch that prepared for us are instant noodles, biscuits, tea, coffee and apples. We had the lunch beside the lake, like picnic. :D

There was another 2 hours walking from Ranukumbolo to Kalimati campsite where we stayed overnight. Mt Semeru is active volcano, stay 3676m above sea level. Small eruptions happen every 20-30 minutes. We will trek up Mt Semeru from North. We saw 2 mini eruptions on the way to Kalimati. Of course we wouldn't miss this opportunity to take some pictures. Seeing the smoky clouds spew out from the mountain, it's really a new experience for us. The wind at Kalimati campsite was very strong. It was 8 degree Celcius at night. 9 of us squeeze into a tent, playing cards while waiting the porters to prepare the dinner for us. Luckily our dinner is fried rice. If it's instant noodle again, I don't think we have energy to climb the mountain the next day. The sky was very clear that night. We went out from the tent after dinner to see the stars. After a short while, we were not able to stand the cold. So, everybody went back to tent and slept.

4 July 2008 - Kalimati - Mt Semeru Summit - Lava View Lodge
The day started with the trek to summit at 1.30am (local time). At first, we still trekked on the jungle trek. After Arcopodo campsite, soon we were stepping on the sandy ground. The most difficult and challenging part of the trek had begun. The route is very steep all the way to summit. As it's active volcano, most of time, there is no hand hold or foot hold that can help us to move up. With every step, I slid backwards in the sand. I stopped quite often to catch up my breath. But the rest time is short because the temperature is low, I have to keep on walking to stay warm.

The sky streaked with red and yellow, a sign the sun was about to rise. Although tired, I pushed hard to beat the sun to the summit. I am crawling up the volcano instead of trekking up. When I stepped onto the summit, I realized that it's a large flat ground. Wind is extremely strong. The strong wind moves the sand high into the air. I can hardly open my eyes. I saw our porters lay down and prayed. After the pray, the guide and porters came to shake hands with us and congrats each of us to have reach summit. The entire climb took us 4 hours. It was very cold at summit. The temperature is 3 degree Celsius with strong wind. We descended once the sun started to fill up the sky. I think we stayed less than half an hour at summit. We didn't really admire the scenery and enjoy the sunrise because the chill at summit is unbearable. The way down is easier, sliding down like skiing. While easier, a great deal of stress is put on the knees.

We back to Kalimati campsite around 8am-8.30am. After breakfast, we packed our things and leaving to Ranupani village.

5 July 2008 - Lava View Lodge - Mt Pananjakan - Mt Bromo
We arrived late at Lava View Lodge yesterday. Early morning before sunrise, we were on the 4 wheel drive again to Mt Pananjakan. Although it's a mountain, no trekking is required as the view point is only 10 minutes walk from the place that 4WD dropped us. Once went down from the car, we were surrounded by the people that trying to sell the warm hat, scarf or renting the jacket. The temperature is about 11 degree Celsius. This place is crowded with tourist because of its easy accessibility. Besides, the scenery it offered also made this place a famous view point. Just look at the photo above, don't you feel that it's as beautiful as drawings?

After Mt. Pananjakan, we went to Mt. Bromo to see the crater. There is a short distance from the dropping place of 4WD to the mountain foot of Bromo. Tourist can choose to ride on the horse to the mountain foot instead of walking. I don't know how much it cost because we choose to walk rather than ride on the horse. I never been to desert before but I had a feeling that I was in the desert. I covered my face with cloth, but still cannot prevent the dust and the sand went into my eyes. We climbed up the staircase to visit the crater of Mt. Bromo. The smell of the sulphur is very strong. After took some pictures, I quickly went down from Mt Bromo to run away from the smell.

We were then back to Lava View Lodge. After breakfast, we packed our things and proceed to our next destination - Ijen, which is 6 hours away from Mt Bromo. We spent the night at Catimor Homestay - a lodge that located far inside the coffee plantation.

6 July 2008 - Kawah Ijen
Early morning 6am, we checked out the lodge and heading to Mt Ijen. Around 7am, we were trekking on the trail to the crater. There is a lake at the crater. The sulfur is mined at the lake's edge, which had made the lake become the acid lake. The porters carrying the sulphur (in the form of yellow colored rock) to the top of the crater and then down the mountain. They were paid by weight. According to our guide, the porter can carry up to 100kg for each trip. Unfortunately the weather is not so good, very cloudy. We were not able to see the clear view of the lake and the crater.

7 July 2008 - Surabaya - KL

We spent one night at Surabaya before back to Malaysia.

Trip Expenses:

Flight by Airasia = MYR 282

5D4N package with Global Adventure Indonesia = USD 225 ( MYR 738)

Airport Tax = IDR 150000 (MYR 54)

1 night accomodation at Surabaya = IDR 87000 (MYR 32)

Taxi from Surabaya to airport = IDR 150000 / 9 => MYR 6

Miscellaneous = IDR 181000 (MYR 60)

Total = MYR 1171