It's a relatively easy climb up to the viewpoint which takes about 2 hours return. No need to drag yourself up at 3.30am, gobble down your toast in the jeep, stand in the cold waiting for something that doesn't exist and vie with tourists for photographs. You may not even have to pay for entrance fees (Rp 25,000) because no one checks! ;)

We started at 10am. It's a quiet and pleasant walk to the top


except for the occasional clouds of sand. She ain't bothered by it though.


Past wooden cottages,


lovely hills


and a bed of flowers.


Halfway up, I was thrilled to see smoke rising out of Semeru!


Anybody up there?


Nobody


That's Cemoro Lawang where we just came up from.


Penanjakan after sunrise. Happy Volcano Birthday!


Lunch was at Cafe Lava. Lalapan Ayam (Rp 20,000) was filled with raw vegetables (later I found out that lalapan means fresh vegetables) neatly arranged on a big plate. The saving grace was that small plate of chilli sauce.


We had planned to visit Bromo after lunch but by mid day, the sun had disappeared and it was all foggy. Waited at least 45 mins to an hour for public transport back to Yoschi. I started having a temperature and slept the rest of the afternoon till the prayers woke me up...