Departure 2013-Nov-28 - 7.00     Arrival 2013-Nov-28 - 16.30

Traveling is all about planning your route and means of transportation, preferably in advance. It must be a sign of deep relaxation (at least for a German) that the only thing I felt I need to know to reach Cemoro Lawang in East Java was, that I had to change transportation around 4 times. I neither knew where nor if I would get all the connections to get to my destination. However, I was sure it would work out in some way - and it did. I left Pemuteran at 7AM in the morning and one bemo, one ferry, one train, one mini-van later I was up in Cemoro Lawang.

Departure 2013-Nov-29 - 3.30     Arrival 2013-Nov-29 - 21.00

To watch the sunrise at Mount Bromo I went for the easy option of renting a Toyota 4x4 (including a driver); in a group of 4 it was affordable and we made a deal with the driver to drop us off on the other side of the mountain afterwards, instead of going back to the same place. Thus, we could safe some time and kilometers.

The driver picked us up at 3.30 in the morning to bring us to a sunrise - viewpoint. Somehow, I had the idea there would only be a few people besides me watching the sunrise … Well, I was mistaken! A trail of 4x4's coming from Ceromo Lawang as well as all the villages further down were making their ways up. Even finding a spot to park the car was not easy! Again, arriving at the viewpoint, there was a lot of people and space pretty limited. I didn't want to be surrounded by people fighting for 'the best spot for the best picture' so I hiked up the hill a little and found a place where I could sit peacefully and apart from the crowd - with an amazing view.

The sunrise was beautiful, stunning even: I was standing on a crater rim, watching the sun rise above the clouds with two active volcanos right in front of me, one steaming every 30 minutes or so. Unbelievable .... Paradise!

Later, we (and everyone else that had watched the sun rise) took the car to the smaller crater right next to Mount Bromo to hike up to the rim. Indonesians regard this as a pilgrimage that you should do at least once in your lifetime. For me it was another excitement. Admittedly, after my volcano-experience in the Philippines I was a little worried my luck would make the thing erupt .... but it didn't!

The crater lies in a volcanic desert of black sand and with the crisp air, bright morning light and sand-dunes it felt like being on a different planet … if there wasn't all the other tourists. People were walking or riding up the hill to the staircase of 400steps or so. Yes, riding! … you can rent a pony to go up the few hundred meters, if you don't feel fit enough to walk. The view from the rim was beautiful but the sulfuric smell was so strong… After walking around half the crater I wanted to get off it, skipped the steps and just ran down through the black sands … FunFunFun!

After everyone had gathered at the car, we then made our way to Malang on the other side of the mountain. It was a picturesque ride through the larger crater and then through the fertile farmland along the volcano hills. The vegetation slowly changing the further we went down …. Paradise!

The guidebook recommends staying in Malang for at least a night, as apparently it is a beautiful place with lots to see and things to do. Instead, on arrival, I purchased a train-ticket bound for Jogjakarta the same day. Malang seemed to be just another small Javanese town.

After a short lunch-break I started my 8 hour train ride to the center of Java: Jogjakarta! Even though I slept a few hours this was yet another beautiful ride: landscapes, rice-fields, villages, farmers and volcanos passing by.

I decided Jogjakarta would be my last stop in Indonesia before making my way up to Singapore. Somehow, after 7 weeks I had enough of Indonesia, especially the food.

Jogjakarta is a vibrant little city, known to be the cultural heart of Java. The Guesthouse I chose, Delta Homestay, is peaceful with a large garden and a pool in the middle of the courtyard. It's south of the city, further away from the backpacker district and directly next to a food-street, perfect combination in my opinion!

Knowing I have four days here, I take it easy … I recover from the early mornings to view the sun rise, sleep a lot, cycle the city, check out all the handicrafts (batik clothes, fabric markets, silversmiths, puppet-makers … ), and go on a day-trip to Borobudur. I just enjoy hanging out and not having to move around with all my stuff, getting in and out of busses, ferries and trains! Brilliant...

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