mrsjono

The sunrise tour by jeep to Penanjakan and Bromo takes about 4 hours return. By 8.30am, most of the jeeps would have returned to Cemoro Lawang. If you're visiting Bromo on foot, you should set off at 8am and allow at least 2 to 3 hours return. Follow how the Tenggerese dress. Cover yourself up with a blanket, wear mask, beanie, boots and sunglasses (or better still motorcycle helmet). It's a sand storm out there. Ain't called Sea of Sand for nothing.

As soon as the passengers got down, they started flapping their jackets and knocking sand out of their shoes. They looked like they just had a fight in the sand. Gulp.


Ion waited with us for at least 30mins and managed to help us get a jeep that's willing to take us to PHKA post for Rp 10,000 pp. While waiting, I watched in envy as these school children skipped past us.


We started walking down to the Sea of Sand at 10am. Horse-men were heading home.


That's how strong the wind was.


Selling drinks on the Moon


We left the misleading stone markers leading to Mt Batok


and walked towards the Poten temple. A blue truck was parked outside


the newly constructed temple.


Dragon chefs guarding the Hindu temple


They followed me uphill for quite a distance, hoping I'll give up and take their horses. I didn't respond so one of them stopped following while the remaining one continued. He told me to take my time in Chinese. How'd he know reverse psychology works on me?


Just when we were looking for the stairs up the volcano, we met a solo traveller and he gladly pointed the way to the flight of crumbling stairs.


Standing on the edge of the windswept crater was more terrifying than I thought.


Workers rushed up at noon and looked into the volcano in silence.


I was staring at the smoke when somebody's cap flew into the volcano and everyone went "Woah~~~"


Can I slide my way down?


To avoid late checkout charges, we hopped onto his ojek back to Cemoro Lawang.


We were running really late and there wasn't any public transport in sight so we got on his ojek again. It was fun dangling my feet in the air as we zoomed our way back to Yoschi.


As soon as we got down at Yoschi, we did exactly what the guys in the first photo did - flap our jackets and knock sand out of our shoes. Can't wait to have a good hot shower!

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...

Tugu Pahlawan, Surabaya

As prices of accommodation in Cemoro Lawang continue to escalate, Yoschi becomes an obvious and popular choice for budget travellers, despite being situated 3km away from the national park.


Prices of rooms, tours and transport to Bromo, Ijen, Baluran, Sukamade, Alas Purwo. Watch out for the 15% tax. Disclaimer: I am not responsible or liable for the accuracy of the prices shown above.


The road to Yoschi passes Sukapura village. Public transport to Ngadisari was not as difficult as I thought.


I read mixed reviews of their economy room so I chose standard which could easily occupy four people!


The consistent good review was Yoschi's food. Some guests staying in Cemoro Lawang even made their way here specially for dinner.


Food takes at least 45 mins to be served so place your orders early. The restaurant was beautifully lit at night, the atmosphere was quiet and laid back so the wait was still bearable.


Recommended dishes include potato pancake with spicy tomato sauce (awesome), chicken soup with asparagus, nasi campur and mie goreng ayam. Hot ginger and fruits are also on the menu, good for guests feeling unwell.

After a wonderful dinner, we went to the reception to ask for travel advice. Staff were all energetic and hyped up after breaking fast. (When we asked a question, at least four of them answered us at the same time.) Amid the jovial atmosphere, we had a funny chat with Adi Bromo and Ion on a freezing night. Overall, a pleasant and enjoyable stay at Yoschi. 

S1. Da Rifi Hostel @ Jl Duku II /190, Pondok Candra Indah

Da Rifi is located within a quiet residential estate. There's a mosque opposite so it was exceptionally noisy during Ramadan. Bubbly Dyana is able to provide excellent travel information in East Java. Take HQ to Bungasarih (30mins).


WA serves reasonably good Chinese and Indonesian food in big portions. Menu available in Chinese. Look for the pink building along the main road.


Sparkling was not sparkling at all. I wouldn't stay here if not for the unbearable noise at Da Rifi. Worn out rooms, abandoned furniture along the corridor. No key to lock room. Standard+ (Rp 57,500 pp) was so spacious it could easily hold 6 beds. Young chap at the reception has zero travel knowledge. Handy for Gubeng train station and


1 min walk to Plaza Surabaya. Spot me?


Fond childhood memory for Singaporeans who grew up in the 70's and 80's.


Quadrangle design with a garden and dining area in the middle. I like Helios' chalet vibe, clever layout and free wifi. Take AT from Arjosari (30 mins) to get here.


Avoid. Bakso lose!

Indonesia does not have any metro system, yet existing public transport modes are as efficient and convenient as the metro. In the city, any time you need to travel somewhere, just wave your hand and someone will be eagerly offering you their service to take you there. You don't have to wait. In my country, trains travel fast but waiting time is slow and sometimes even break down during peak hours. Hence, I was fascinated with this just-in-time service I discovered when taking public transport in East Java.

Mini van is awesome because you can board and alight anywhere. High frequency. Rp 2,500-3,000 pp regardless of distance.


No wonder no one takes the taxi. I just have to show you what their taxis are called. Blue bird refers to the male genital in Hokkien.


No wonder no one takes the becak either. Slow and expensive. But environment friendly!


Damri bus fare costs Rp 5,500 (no A/C) - 6,500 (A/C) pp. Board and alight at bus stops only. Sometimes the bus will stop and pick up pedlars along the way. I'm surprised, at the same time guilty, that even students drop their coins into the pedlar's bag.


Ojeks are everywhere but it's not cheap and vary quite substantially so you should only take an ojek if you have no other choice.


Public transport in villages and mountainous area is infrequent and timing uncertain. Be sure to stop any vehicle that passes by and ask the driver how much he's willing to take you. Most of the time, they'll jack up the price but this driver didn't.

We met many kind folks like him while taking public transport in East Java. It's difficult to get lost because locals will point you to the right direction. Even if they don't know the way, they will ask around for you and go the extra mile to bring you to the spot where you can continue your journey to your final destination. If they are unable to guide you personally, they will get someone else to take you there. As a result, transfers were seamless. I had an unforgettable experience and a pleasant journey, thanks to the cheap and convenient public transport system and the good people we met.