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| Hikers at the Oro-oro Ombo |
The New Friends, or I would say The Saviors
The time I arrived at Ranu Kumbolo lake, it was already crowded with tents. Many kept coming to the camping ground and set up their tents. So exhausted with the journey, I laid my body down near the lake while waiting my friends to come. There I met a guy named Dana. It has become my habit that I talked to any person near me during my trip. Just a light chat would suffice, only to get rid of loneliness when I travel alone. Sometimes I don't even know their name, just remembering the face would be enough, coz I wouldn't think we would meet again.
But, this time is different, a funny story I would say. At first, it was just a one time chat and a little bit introduction of ourselves, normal. Things got different when among hundreds of hikers and campers, I met the same guy for at least three times, coincidentally. It's like we're destined to be together haha. No, I'm just kidding. Anyway, this one guy I met and his group, turn out to be Savior in my next story of hiking Semeru.
Oro-oro Ombo, the Vast Wild Savanna
The second day, many hikers continued their journey to the next spot called Kalimati. I was so eager to join them. But my friends didn't like the idea, they had bad experience in the past. Only then, they let me go. They remind me to get back on the evening, I agreed. I depart as soon as I got ready with the stuff I will carry. I didn't plan to stay overnight at Kalimati, that's why I only carry my sleeping bed, but not my tent.
Tanjakan Cinta is the first obstacle I had to go through, not to steep though. Only that, I had to be in line with others. As I said, hundreds of hikers continued their way in the same day, same hour. At top of Tanjakan Cinta, I enjoyed for quite sometime the stunning Ranu Kumbolo. Such a peaceful place. When I continued, I got another beautiful scene a head of me. It's Oro-oro Ombo, a vast prairie filled with purple wild flowers, turned out to be an invading species that originated elsewhere. So that, original species was losing the territory.
For me, it doesn't matter where the flowers come from. As long as it looks good, that's enough. The hills surrounding this vast savanna are filled with green forest. The sun shine brightly, makes the picture even more perfect. Ah, I can stay here for as long as I can. Just to enjoy the scenery and drink a cup of coffee. Such a perfect place with a perfect scene. For a second I thought, this look like those scene in Bollywood movies where the actor and the actress start to sing with their weird dance in a middle of a Savanna filled with colorful flowers. Yes, it looks like Kashmir valley in India.
Unfortunately, there are some spots on the prairie, where the man-tall plants crumple. This make me sad, those amateur hikers, when they tried to get a good angle for their photos, they break down the plants by stepping their feet on them. Also those who tried to make new route or shortcuts, such a dumb move. I think, the rangers should do something to stop this damage created by those irresponsible hikers.
Seeing many other hikers around, I forgot that I was in the wild. I heard that sometimes a leopard or a puma is seen hunting their prey on this prairie. For sure, human cannot see one if they are in hunt. The thick purple flower plant is as high as a grown up man. I wonder if there was any incident involving wild animals around here. Today is an exceptional I guess, the crowed may scare the wild away. But, what if there's a predator around?
So I woke up from my daydreaming about the dancing Bollywood movie and the leopard hunt. I had to continue my journey. My friend said it would take two hours. But, looking at the crowd and the energy I have from my breakfast earlier, I would say it will take longer. Despite, I want to enjoy being in the wild. Only that, I had nobody to talk to. It's okay, I'll be with myself for the next three hours. I guess!
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| Looking like Kashmir Valley |
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| Oro-oro Ombo Far View |
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| Invasive Purple Flower |
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| Would you dance here? |
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| First Step at Oro-oro Ombo |
The Second Meeting in Cemoro Kandang
Walking at the Oro-oro Ombo for about 1,5 km is not that hard for me, coz the road is flat. The challenge came when we reach Cemoro Kandang, it's the next hiking route where we can see different vegetation. It's a jungle with less density of big trees. The road itself started to be steep. But not too steep, so it's fine by me. In the middle of my way at Cemoro Kandang, I met Dana, again. Here the chat became more intense, he offered me help when we reach Kalimati point later. I wouldn't say no of course. At this time, we introduced our name to each other, so that we won't be stranger again in the future. Cause help is all I need later on.
So he continue the walk a head of me and become too far a head, I couldn't catch him up. I guess he's an experienced hiker. I, on the other hand, make a stop for many times. My legs got really exhausted, I can see that the journey is longer than I expected. I found myself get passed by many other hikers, as if I was at the end of the line. No, I won't give up, I had to continue the journey. Until I reach the destination. Kalimati I'm coming!
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| Scenery at Cemoro Kandang |
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