A December Surprised Trip, Jogjakarta (part 3 of 3)

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Mt.Merapi

Lava Tour Kaliadem

We decided to spend our last day in Jogjakarta adventuring Kaliadem region. It's tourist's closest point to enjoy the mighty Mt.Merapi. Mt.Merapi is an active volcano that oftenly erupts. Its recent eruption was October 2010. Destroyed villages on its slope and killed many. Mbah Marijan, the guardian of Mt.Merapi, was also killed during 2010 eruption.

The tour started at dawn, but due to girls complexcity in preparing themself, we were late. The shining orange light was already on the horizon. There were also arguing in the number of person can get into the ugly jeep. The tour operator insisted only four could get into the car. We were eight, and three were on the Trail bikes. So five people left.

Finally, five of us could get in to the car if only two ladies must stand on the back of the car. Morning breeze touched our fair skin in the sudden when we reach the Kaliadem region. The surrounding scene was breathtaking. Sometimes we see lush jungle far on the other side of Kaliadem. Moreover, we could capture the clear picture of Mt.Merapi.

The road itself is a combination of both smooth and harsh road. It became harsh when the car going on bumpy road which full of big rocks on it. Our body was badly shaken by the car. Sometimes, I think the ugly jeep is to blame for the great shake during the journey. But no, I think it's more to the road condition. We found many holes filled with browny water. But none of them could stop me from capturing the scene and sometimes recording a video of the journey.

On trail bikes

Ladies on jeep

Ugly Jeep

Remaining sunrise

The Kaliadem Bunker

Finally, we've got to the end of the journey. The Kaliadem Bunker. It's a place, thought to be save place, for officers to watch the volcano activities prior to eruption time. Two people died in it when they couldn't escape the "Wedhus Gembel" or the hot cloud coming from the volcanic eruption. The thick wall of the bunker couldn't isolate the heat from the hot cloud. Such a tragic event I'd say.  

Many visitors were already on location when we arrived. More breathtaking view of the remaining sunrise still amazed us. The far horizon seem to greet us with smile, though sometimes the sun itself hide among the clouds. And yes, capturing the moment is all we do in such situation.

We walk heading to the bunker, which is now turned into a touristic venue where the words "Bunker Kaliadem" are written on it, big. Each of us were busy taking our own pictures, sometimes in group. The Mt.Merapi background was just irresistable

Ladies

The Bunker Sign

Posing in front of Mt.Merapi

Jeeps

A Broken Hand

Mas Andy was so eager to ride the trail bike. He wanted to show his fellow from the office that he had a great adventure during the Lava Tour Kaliadem. Sometimes it's exagerated.

He asked one of us to record video while he's riding the trail. He didn't wear any safety though, neither the helmet nor the boots. As he got a little bit far from the rest of us. He suddenly fell off the bike after passing a high mound of land.

Some of the girls spontanously scream when he fell. All of us witnessed the accident, first we thought he was okay. Mbak Fanty said "He is fine, need no worry" yet no one knows what really happened. Few minutes have passed and he didn't appear on the scene. The tour guide started to worry and went towards him. I was too, walked to see how he was doing. It turned out to be bad, very bad. He broke his hand.

Swollen hand

That's him alright

The 2010 Eruption Museum

So we went back with a complex situation, yet mas Andy insisted to continue the trip. The destinations are in the same way of going back to the basecamp. First is the Alien Stone, it's a location where we can find huge block of stone trhown away from the volcano during the eruption. The shape itself looks like an alien face, so they say, with eyes and nose and lips, if we get the right angle. I couldn't get it of course. For me it's just big stone with random shape.

So we continue to the last destination, the Museum of 2010 Eruption. Here the scene is rather creepy than to be called touristic. A half destroyed house with melting household and bones of livestock from the event. I see all stuff here were not in a good shape. They even have a clock sticked on wall half melted showing the exact time the day Mt.Merapi erupted.

Series of photograph showing the eruption event, the people whom were evacuated with face full of volcanic ash. Such a horrible situation shown in the photos. They even have variety of rock samples from the eruption.

This what we can learn from the place, that despite the fertile land and beautiful panoramic view from Mt.Merapi, it can also be the source of disasters.

House of memory

Animal skeleton

Melted houshold

Eruption time

Durian is the music of my country

We stopped for lunch after leaving the Lava Tour Basecamp. Then continue to accompany Mas Andy to get a traditional paramedic help from the therapist nearby. Then we continue heading to the Jogjakarta city.

One good idea popped up from Mbak Fanty. "Let's find durian" she said. I was the first person to agree to that idea. First we couldn't find it untill all of us given up. Then decided to go straight to the Lempuyangan Train Station.

God blessed us, just nearby the train station we saw piles of durian on the pedestrian, guarded by a sleeping woman turned out to be the seller. Once and twice effort of bergaining, she started to open them one by one once the price was agreed.

So yummy, it is the most delicious fruit ever. Some say it is fruit of heaven. Although many people hate it. I will be the one saying who dumb enough to resist its addicting taste. Well, durian is famous of its strong smell. One German guy told me it smells like stingy feet, when I was eating durian in Bangkok, Thailand. It's true somehow, but many people, like me, is crazy about it.

Durian fruit of heaven

Eating durian

Such a great gimmick from our unforgetable trip to enjoy durian. Time ticking fast, our train was already stand by. We don't want to repeat  the same mistake again. The problem was that we parked the car far away from the train station entrance, such a waste of energy.

So long Jogjakarta, we will see you again on the next trip with many more destinations to explore. Thanks to you guys had made me a back up plan for this trip. Please do so again in the future, I'll be glad to say "yes" right away.

This is us

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Venturing the Fairy Tale land, Bromo (part 3 of 3)

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Silhouette of Gazebo in the middle of nowhere

Mountainous Road

It is now the time to go back home. I thought the adventure is already over, no, it even get worse. My friend took us to another unusual path. The normal path would be going to Malang regency since the main road is commonly taken by those who wishes to go to Mt.Bromo or Semeru from Malang, that starts from Tumpang District. He made us go straight to narrow road. Anyway, I had to trust him if I wanna go back safely and faster.

So we made the first ride to a very narrow, yet looking like the water flow, road. I'd never think that there is a pathways through this scary road. We were riding on the road made on hillside. There is only cliff on the left, and a deep chasm on the right. The road itself changing from sandy to rocky with sharp pointy stones everywhere. I had to hold my hand strong on my handle bar.

Some point of the road is slippery, so that I had to be extra careful. If not, God knows what will happen next. It turned left and right many times, a typical mountainous road. I was so afraid of anything happen to the bike back then. If I got a flat tire, no short term solution is available. I'd have to walk the bike to the f*cking long journey. Thanks God it didn't.

The scenery along the way is impossible to be missed. It is a bonus I'd say. Though we're already far from the caldera, it is seen beautifully on such distance. The mountain range that encircled the caldera is another stunning view. Clear sky have made it eye catching. It doesn't look green though, the vegetation is light brown in color. As the result of sun burn. I think the dry season is prolonged this year.

Blossoms of Ethernal Love, Edelweiss

So we stopped at some point where the scenery is good for pictures. My friend even took us to gazebo on top of the hill that offers a perfect 360' landscape view. We could even see the top of Mt.Semeru with surrounding mountain covered in haze. The haze even passing our location that made the whole view dark at the time. A mind blowing yet creepy scene, coz the sun was setting and we're still in the middle of nowhere. At this point, we could see the Edelweiss blossoms, a famous flower that symbolizes eternal love. Which only  grow on the high altitude such as on top of mountain.

The Caldera far view

The majestic clouds

Mountain ridge

Edelweiss Blossoms

From top of hill we then walked to find out if we can see the caldera from up here. That would be the furthest spot we could go. The sky is almost dark by sunset time. I was so afraid that we're still on the mountain ridge when it's already dark. We then continue our way home. Next scene, after the mountain ridge, would be a dense jungle until we found the main road. Once we're on the normal road, it's already dark. But it's fine to me, as long as I can see civilization around. Local houses and some vegetables farm are seen along the way.

The End of Journey

And again, I thought the challenge is over. The roads are still ups and down with many turns. For me, dark is not really matter. What matters is that, the haze that suddenly covering the whole area. I could see nothing but my friend's light. This was the creepiest situation of all. All the mystical yet scary thought came to my mind. I tried so hard to get rid of these thought, which I think only exist in my mind. But, what if it became true? what if some ghost sighting is suddenly appear somewhere along the way?

Oh my God, this truly is the scariest moment of my life. All I could do is to follow the light from my friend's bike. There were no many vehicles passing by though. As if we were all alone. Anyway, after the creeps comes the light from the local residents house. It was the sign that we're already close to home. I starved, luckily my friend took us to the famous Bakso shop before continuing to go home.

What an incredible journey of my life. Hope it won't end there. All I can see was the majestic pictures of nature created by the one truly God, the Almighty. I could not stop praising and thanking for such beauty blessed to our country. The volcanoes, the mountain, the haze, the clear sky and everything was perfect. As if I was on a fairy tale land.

Silhouette portrait of Piether

Haze attack that made road to dissapear

Top of Mt.Semeru

Land above the sky

Haze attack at mountain range

The Bromo Caldera at the farthest view

Enjoying Sunset on top of mountain

Me and top of Mt.Semeru as background

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Venturing the Fairy Tale Land, Bromo (part 2 of 3)

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The vast Savanna and the caldera rim on right

The Majestic Landscapes

There are three different landscapes we can explore here at the core area of National Park. First is Mt.Bromo and the other volcanoes at the canter of caldera, second is the Sea of Sand or people prefer to call it the Whispering Sand. I didn't get why it is called so, until I was here myself. There was, however, the sound of the wind coming through me with flying sand, as if the sand storm occurs, only that it sound so loud, not like whispering sound. I wonder, why don't they call it the Screaming Sand instead? 

The third jaw dropping landscape is the Savanna area, which the scene is very contrast to the earlier one. If the Whispering Sand consist nothing but grey sand dune, here we can see a vast Savanna both on the plain and the hills to the caldera rim. It's like a huge green carpet covering the whole picture. There are also hills where people call them as Teletubbies Hills, referring to the similar landscape image from a children television program namely Teletubbies. It's like a compound of hills on the side of the main hills at the Savanna area.

Hardtop car parked outside the fence

Mt.Bromo on the left and Mt.Batok on the right

Indonesia's Largest Sand Dune, the Sea of Sand

The Whispering Sand

We went through those area with some epic pictures. The pictures that wont happen twice. Thank God there was no dark cloud or rain in the area. Everything looks perfect. Another good thing was that, there were less tourists visiting this place. A large number of tourist visits the National Park in daily basis, both locals and foreign tourists. Makes it the most visited volcano compound in Indonesia. At this particular day, when Indonesia's Muslim celebrating their holiday, there is only few people visits Mt.Bromo.

There are shops made of non-permanent tents nearby those three area. We can enjoy the scenery while drinking a good coffee or snacking around. Just to make sure to keep the place clean. Indonesian tourist is famous with littering habit. This we can find anywhere. I couldn't get more angry seeing those f*cking people throw their trashes anywhere they like. Even when they drive a car they just throw their trash off the car's window on the street. So unbelievable.

We stopped at the savanna for quite a while. there are many spots to get a good pictures. My friends drank their coffee while I ate some snacks. Horses are also available, if we want to climb up hills nearby, to enjoy a better view. It is green as far as the eyes could see. The hills covered in green carpet are breathtaking. Some pine trees are scattered around the hills. Makes it even more beautiful.

The Savanna block

Horse and beautiful green carpet hill

The main hill at Savanna

Caldera rim at the background

Time ticking fast, we need to get back before the sunset. A long journey is still ahead of us. I thought we'd return to the road we took before. I was wrong. We, actually, continue the ride approaching the caldera rim. I didn't know that there is a road going up the rim. This is the way where people going to Mt. Bromo from Malang territory. The road is in a good condition made of asphalt. It is not as steep as the road we took before. So, riding on this road is quite fun. Another jaw dropping scene accompanying us a long the way. The green carpet looks even wider than we see in Savanna area.

The Giant Caldera Rim

It is grandeur by design, I felt so small by looking at this scene. The caldera rim is made of mountain range that create circular wall, crafted beautifully, decorated with clusters of tree on its side. Yellow and purple flowers grow everywhere along the road. At this moment, I remember my dream I was telling you before It is the same scene. I wonder how my dream and this journey are connected.

We stopped again to get some pictures. I had never enjoyed Mt.Bromo like I did back then. Everything looks beautiful. I was so lucky to have such journey. I don't think there is an exact word that can describe what I was seeing. All I want is to do the journey all over again.

As we reached the top of the hill. We met a couple of Bule talking to the boys. It's funny how the bule respond to the questions of these children. I think the way Bule respect to other is much greater then the way we do. They tried to respond to silly questions with broken English, in a polite way. Sometimes I can see them laugh together. Then it was our turn to talk to the Bule, they said that the weather here is quite hot compared to one in Europe, they are from Poland. But for Indonesian, especially those who live in hot city like Surabaya, it is cold.

The road to Malang

The Teletubbies Hills

Vegetation that forms Savanna

Stunning view from up hill

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Venturing a Fairy Tale Land, Bromo (part 1 of 3)

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Dramatic far view of Mt. Batok at Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park

Muslim's Biggest Festivity

Indonesian Muslims were celebrating their Holiday after the fasting month which this year happened in June 2017. It is the most celebrated holiday in Indonesia where people, especially the Javanese, follows the tradition of Mudik. Mudik means going home to the hometown or parent's home after a long time of working or living in another city.

They use mostly public transportation like plane, train or busses. Many of them were also driving their own cars or even riding motorbike when Mudik-ing. Often, this happen in a quite distance. This also require a good stamina and good vehicle condition for the safety riding. Many of them riding bike carrying a lot of stuff or even carrying the whole family, which sometimes consists of both husband and wife with two or more children in one bike. Can you imagine how crazy that is? The rate of accidents on the road increases following the more vehicles using the roads.

I, on the other hand, had left the culture of Mudik-ing for many years, due to many reasons I couldn't possibly tell. I replace the Mudik culture to my passion, traveling. Off days with money in hand means traveling. I had as long as 9 days off, during the Idul Fitri Festive. Though there is one day that I had to come working by the company's demand. It was so regrettable, since I couldn't do a long trip.

Anyway, I managed to do 2 trips in a week during those days I mentioned. The first will be the story that I'm about to tell you. Yes, indeed. I went to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. When you hear the word Bromo, you must think of sunrise, penanjakan view, teletubies hills and the whispering sand. Those are destinations in Bromo that are included in tour package.

The Journey Just Get Started

For me, Bromo is much more than that. I went riding a motorbike, which was my first time. I did not worry coz I was accompanied by a friend which currently lives in a nearby area. He took us to the different path that the common tourists do not take. As the result, we could enjoy our way much more than usual.

A breathtaking view along the way has become its own attraction. We, could not only enjoy the Bromo caldera, but also the mountain and hills around it. First thing on scene was beautiful farm of variation vegetables planted by local farmer on the hillside, which sometimes on narrow land as narrow as 60'. It is amazing how the farmer managed to plant them on such location.

We climbed up and down hills upon hills. Sometimes the road lead us to the high ridge, with lush vegetation on both sides. "It truly is about the journey, not the destination" I said. Some wild flower in multi colors can be seen along the way. I could not stop praising the Lord who created such beauty.

In the middle of the road trip, we met a lot of Indonesian army walk through the ridge. The commander said to us that they have been walking from Mt.Ijen in Banyuwangi, through Mt. Argopuro with some stops for physical training. They then continue walking to Bromo and finally met us here. The end of their journey would be in Malang regency. "Wow" I said, "I couldn't possibly do that"

Vegetables farm

Breathtaking view along the way

Bunch of Indonesian Army on the ridge

First glimpse of Mt.Batok on Bromo Caldera

Glimpse of Mt.BAtok

For the first time we could see Mt.Batok in far view. We were very lucky, since the weather was alright. A clear blue sky with some moving white clouds become the best photos background. "We cannot see this kinda clear sky everyday here in Bromo" said Piether. After some pictures of the first glimpse of Mt. Batok, we continue riding, until we saw the main road ahead. Only a few minutes riding in main road, we see the whole scene of Mt.Batok. This time looks much bigger. We stopped by to get some pictures and resting for a couple of minutes.

Here we can see part of caldera which mostly consist of grey sand. It is huge, impossible for us to explore such huge place in a day. Some hardtop cars moving down to the caldera carrying tourists. The next road is going to be tricky, it is very steep. I had to be extra careful this time since I am riding a matic motorbike. I prayed along the way, so that bad thing wont happen to us. There are stories where amateur drivers got accident on this dangerous road. It is literally going down from top of hills on the edge of the caldera.

I felt so much relieve when we reach the caldera. Next obstacle is to be able to ride on the sandy road. There is no well developed road on the caldera, we had to follow tracks made by cars through time. I was having a hard time riding my bike on this sandy road. My bike slipped every time I move faster, so I had to move slower to get balance. We were looking for the next spot to get best view of Mt.Batok. I have never been so close to this volcano before. Though it is not as big as other Hikers favorite volcanoes in Indonesia, I still feel small in front of it. Such a beauty blessed by the God himself to our region. I remember a nice saying says "God was smiling when He created the Islands of Indonesia" and it's so true by looking at this Mt.Batok.

Such a stunning image I would say. Enjoying the scene of Mt.Batok up close is so satisfying. The clear sky made it even more adorable. This is one of volcano compound in the center of Bromo Caldera, encircled by mountain range at all directions. The caldera and the volcano compound are considered as core zone to the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. Therefore, no animals and vegetation are harmed at this point, and no permanent building or whatsoever. The purpose is to preserve its natural existence.

The Bromo Caldera with Mt.Batok at the center

A closer look of Mt. Batok at Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park

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