Traveling Solo, Exploring 4 Provinces of Indonesia in 22 days (Part 9)

Still Day 13 ,  December 20, 2011 // Probolingo Bus Station and Malang

Stop over in Malang city is my last minute decision I made when I was in Bali. I suddenly noticed my friend who lived in Sydney for working there, was having holiday in her hometown, Malang – East Java. I then gave her texts, and we made a plan to meet up in her hometown, Malang before I continue my journey to Jogjakarta.

Around 2 hours by bus from Probolinggo. I took a non AC  bus, and realized that the fact I’m really in East Java where Javanese is spoken around me. The journey from Probolinggo to Malang by public transport is a bit challenging. I think Indonesia is country for young backpackers who are keen on crazy and wild adventure. You know why I said so?? Uhhmm,  Indonesian drivers are crazy, which I suddenly becoming  more religious by praying along my journey in the bus, dear god please save me from this uncertain journey.

In the evening, I arrived at Malang Bus Station. I text-ed my friend I already arrived and she replied that she’s still in Surabaya, capital of East Java. Oh My….. The good thing is, she already booked a room for me in her hotel. What a generous friend, isn’t it…. She sent me her room hotel address and asked me to talk to the receptionist there and mention my name. I asked the taxi driver to bring me to my friend’s hotel address.

My friend’s hotel

So, for two days I stayed at this convenient room and the nicest thing is FREE. )))))   Thanks Sylvia, my college friend I met in Singapore. We used to spend a lot of time together in Singapore from 2005 to 2006. We used to make our design projects in her apartment, and I sometimes slept in her place when we’re in rush to complete our projects.

Also, we were the same boat, lived alone overseas without family and roomate.. so, we used to be lazy going back home on the weekend, … instead of exploring Singapore from midnite to morning by having endless talks from Esplanade to Lau Pa Sat.

Why we waited until morning.. killing the time by strolling around Singapore, because we just don’t want to spend much money for taxi with its after midnight tax. Bus and MRT closed from 12 am to 6 am. Nightlife in Singapore is virtually safe.. walking alone at night is secure, 24 hours 7Eleven and fast food such as McDonald, Burger King always open 24 hours. Spending time with her, always full of laughs and jokes. Knowing we both don’t live in the same country anymore…. arranging time to meet up, it’s a great time to be made. The last time we met in 2007, 4 years ago………..

Day 14 ,  December 21, 2011 //  Malang city, East Java Indonesia

Malang

It is a pity, I only spend 2 nights in Malang. The city is developed, the weather is mild and a bit cold when then rain comes, surrounded by mountains, Mount Bromo is not really far from this city. At last, it’s famous with its apple, located in mountainous climate, apples grow so well here.

In Malang, I traveled with my friend and her driver.. so, I don’t really feel as backpacker like I did in Bali and Bromo which I know how to go to this place and that place. From my 2 days quick visit I found in Malang;

1. Malang city is not flat, .. mild weather.

2. People are friendly.

3. Growing city, good for business.

4. People speak Javanese… I believe, 2 or 3 months I stay here, I would be able to speak Javanese with its special accent.

5. It’s quite at night, unlike Jakarta or Kuta, Bali.. cities never sleep.

6. I guess Dutch lived here in colonial era, I found several colonial buildings here from Church, Government office, Train station etc.

Okay, .. I don’t really know much about Malang yet.. I hope I’d get a chance to come back in the future…

Ricefield in Malang

Sylvia in front of BIG tree

Posing in the tunnel

haha… reminds me of Holland in spring.. , but no tulips here

at cafe, Java Dancer Coffee

Java Dancer Coffee

Day 15 ,  December 22, 2011 //  Malang city, East Java Indonesia

After going to sleep quite late due to long chats the whole nite with Sylvia, we woke up very late. I had a good time in Malang city with my friend.. Thanks sylvia for giving me a place to stay … ready to continue my journey to another city. Thanks for being such a great host in your hometown, by refusing me to pay everything from coffee, meal and two nites free accommodation in your comfy hotel.

In the train, on the way to Jogjakarta, around 8 hours from Malang to Jogjakarta.

Ticket, I arrived at Jojakarta train station in midnite. 

Next: Jogjakarta…..

Traveling Solo, Exploring 4 Provinces of Indonesia in 22 days (Part 8)

Sunrise ...

As the sun goes up… around 6 or 7 am, I went down to the foot of Mt.Penanjakan. When I climbed up the mountain early morning, It needs alot of energy… when I walked down from the peak, … it’s easier…

While walking down I met some visitors like me, Edelweiss sellers, locals and horses.

Locals

Edelweiss, or Ever Lasting flowers, only grow on mountainous areas

Scenery

It looks in Fairy Tale

I walked down alone, on my way to the foot of Mt.Penanjakan… I stumbled upon a guy who rents a horse to ride. He offered me to rent his horse, at first.. I’m not really interested, but then I changed my mind, why NOT??  To be honest, I’ve never ridden a horse entire my life.

There is always the first time for everything, so.. It would be my first experience riding a horse, … in Mt.Bromo ..

The horse name is Untung, means Lucky in Indonesia

Passing the cliffs with a horse, ..it's like in the movie...

Desert on Tropical Country.. Isn't it beautiful... On the way to the foot of Mt.Bromo passing the sea sand...

Reaching on the foot of Mount Bromo, I parked Untung, my horse there… because I can’t climb to the peak with a horse….

Almost vertical stair to reach Bromo crater...

Hindu Temple on the foot of Mt.Bromo, On the fourteenth day of the Hindu festival of Yadnya Kasada, the Tenggerese people of Probolinggo, East Java, travel up the mountain in order to make offerings of fruit, rice, vegetables, flowers and sacrifices of livestock to the mountain gods by throwing them into the caldera of the volcano.

Ssst, Don't tell my mother with this pose ....

I know  standing close to the crater is highly dangerous… I’m not going to do this for the second times, people… I still value my own live, of course.. and , I don’t want to give a shock news to my parents at home, that her daughter who traveled alone fell into the Bromo crater… Oh NO!!  So, Don’t tell my mom and dad regarding this.. I just don’t want to let them worried…….

Sad things about Bromo, I can’t understand irresponsible people who throw their rubbish into the crater … C’mon Indonesians, …. it’s so pity and embarrassing..  seeing mineral bottle and plastic bag around the mouth of crater, it destroys the beauty of nature….

So, the last eruption of Bromo is January 2011. Due to the eruption, it destroyed the fence that circling the caldera, before eruption, it’s possible for visitor to see around the caldera. But, now… the fence is already gone, swept away by the volcanic ash, .. At the moment…. officially, visitors are not allowed to climb the Bromo crater….

Look like in Mars

Still Day 13 ,  December 20, 2011 // Probolingo + Cemoro Lawang, Bromo East Java ……… Back to the hostel for Breakfast and pack my stuff to check out.

I called it Brunch.... Toast, Egg, Fried rice and Coffee & Orange Juice, Edelweiss at the edge of table..

At the cafe hostel, while waiting for public transportation to bring me back to Probolinggo city, I met with three Germans who stayed next to my room. They were waiting for the bus, same as me. They saw me talking to the hostel staff asking about what time the transportation will be picking us in Indonesian.

One of them asked me: ‘ Do you speak Indonesian??’

Me: a bit confused… ‘Of course…, I’m Indonesian…’

Him: Oh.. I thought you’re Japanese….

Hmmm….. guys, do I look like Japanese??? Or , I found some western who are still new in Asia, still can’t differentiate between Chinese, Japanese or non East Asian face.

We are four now, waiting for the bus. As Indonesian, in the middle of German tourist, .. I felt abit embarrassed with my own country service. C’mon… Bromo is a beautiful place, don’t destroy tourist memory about this amazing place with our suck service like this.

We had to wait for the bus for 2/3 hours… and these Germans were about to take the train to Jogjakarta. One of German, female, get mad with the system.. how unprofessional, … the driver came, but he asked more fare to the city because the passenger only 4 of us. He said, he doesn’t want to waste the fuel to bring us to city with normal fare.

After bargaining, …. we had to pay more than normal price,.. cuz no option, and the weather was not really good, .. rainy and foggy.

Around 1 hour trip to the city, I had a good small chat with one of these German, he’s from Berlin. He just graduated from his university, he studied engineering, related to aeroplane. But he told me, he’s not smart… what a humble guy….

His next destination after Jakarta is Malaysia, then he asked me where to go in Malaysia. Uhhmmmm….. I told him about Malacca,  it’s a historical city with the Dutch, British and Portuguese heritage. It’s a nice place for just having a calm day for one or two nite chilling out at cafe for beer. Then he asked me about Tioman Island, .. I was about to go to Tioman island in February 2009,  but we stopped at Mersing, didn’t continue our journey to the island. The beach look so disspaointing due to wet season. So, I afraid his visit to Tioman is not in the best month.

Arriving in Probolinggo city, we separated.. I continued my own journey to Malang city and they headed to train terminal to get a train to Jogjakarta. Saying good bye one another.

Note

For foreigners who want to travel to Bromo, it’s better get a travel bus… It’s a pity, government don’t really concern about this. Bromo National park is a great place I’ve been so far. I hope they can provide foreigner public transportation friendly.

NEXT: My two days visit in Malang city, East Java

Traveling Solo, Exploring 4 Provinces of Indonesia in 22 days (Part 7)

Day 13 ,  December 20, 2011 // Probolingo + Cemoro Lawang, Bromo East Java

A nice sleep in a village style room

At 3 AM, I woke up to get ready for capturing sunrise via Mount Penanjakan, to see sunrise emerged from the back of Mt.Bromo. I hope the weather is great, no raining or cloudy. When I was about to go out for sunrise, .. I met three of western guests who stayed next to my room. Two males, one female, I met them before when I had a small chat with two Vietnamese girls sat next to our table at cafe. Listened to their language.. well, they speak German.

They rented 2 motorcycles to reach mount penanjakan. We had small greeting, smile each another and asking how the way you guys to get mt.Penanjakan etc etc. Then, I continued my journey alone. Yesterday, our jeep driver asked me to send me to the foot of mount Penanjakan. He offered me for 2 way drive by ojek, but I refused. I’d find my own way to go back to hostel. Because I don’t like being scheduled on my trip,… I don’t want there’s somebody waiting for me to send me back to the hostel. I want to be free, .. being scheduled, give me a feeling like I’m under tour travel trip..

So, .. I met our yesterday jeep driver, .. I forgot how much I paid for him. If, I’m not wrong not that much, less than 50 thousand rupiah, and I rented a jacket. Ha Ha… I didn’t bring my own jacket in this trip. C’mon….. Jacket is not comfortable to carry on my back pack, it will take much space in my back pack for a jacket only… then, we don’re really need thick jacket in tropical country.. so, its better just rent them.. it’s only 15.000 rupiah. It’s comfy and clean.

Two Vietnamese girls already done with sunrise part, so .. they told me, they are not going to climb mt.Penanjakan for the second time anymore….

Foot of Mt. Penanjakan not really far from my hostel apparantly, around 2 minutes by motorcycle. But, it’s just too dark, and I didn’t know how to get there if I go alone…….. without a guide, …. and of course, BRRRRRRRR…. so cold, man!!!!

He dropped me at the foot of mountain,…. there are many domestic and foreign tourist there.. Well, I like to see this crowds.. at least, I’m not going to be afraid of being alone to climb the trek. … Okay,…. I can’t say climbing up is an easy way to do… NOOO.. Hell no…… It’s two times harder than my work out at the gym. Gasping breath, bathed in sweat,…… my heart beat so fast.. my legs have to struggle to climb up…………. I’m not sure how much calorie I burnt for this activity. I can’t say it’s tiring…. It’s fun, more fun than work out at the Gym…. It’s the real work out in nature……………..

However, … I still think…. I need to do more exercise…. Because, Mt. Penanjakan is in easy category trekking. But, honestly… I still feel abit tired and need to take a breath deeply, drinking water and stop for a while to gain my energy and stamina, which I’ve seen some caucasians .. girls or boys,… middle aged..they don’t seem overwhelmed…. I think it’s because they do jogging or walking constantly.

And it was the dark, around 4 am.. Probably it takes around 40 minutes to reach the spot to see the sunrise. While climbing up, locals offered me to ride a horse to climb up. I refused many times, that my intention is to test my stamina and of course, burning this ugly fat on my tummy.

Mt.Bromo view from Mt. Penanjakan

Then, I finally reached it!!!!!!!    there are some locals who open stall for hot coffee and tea, also fried banana……..  While waiting for the sunrise comes up from behind Mt.Bromo back, I ordered a cup of hot coffee from a boiled water and some pieces of fried banana. Sorry, I forgot how much all together, but it doesn’t expensive at all.

I adore these sellers, they carried their clean water to be boiled, all their apparatus such as kettle, stove from  mountain to mountain. Man, they are really a group of highlanders, male or female…  I almost run out of breath only for an easy trek, to reach this spot,without any burden to carry, myself only. Shame on me!!!

I’ve seen western tourists also ordered hot coffee or tea while enjoying  Bromo scenery at the dawn. I remember my Dutch friend, ah…. these tourists are not as paranoid as my Dutch friend. My Dutch friend said, they don’t believe Indonesian water, so he always buys mineral water.

My another Dutch friends said.. some Dutch are like that, they really obey all what do’s and don’ts in Indonesia through booklet for European should avoid in developing countries. To prevent them from diarrhea or stuff like that, but.. it’s because they don’t have a brave to try. It’s normal you’ll get some stomach problem when your bowel not really used to foreign bacterium visit your body. It just takes some times to adapt, mates……   (but, some.. are not really lucky to have very sensitive stomach)..

But I believe the water is clean,.. it’s mountainous water!!!!!!!

To Be Continued, …. next: My adventure in exploring Mt.Bromo, …. standing at the edge of Bromo crater,… riding a horse over the cliffs and sea sand… STAY TUNED

Sunrise from Mount Penanjakan

Couple enjoying the sunrise, so romantic place, isn't it?

Traveling Solo, Exploring 4 Provinces of Indonesia in 22 days (Part 6)

Day 12 ,  December 19, 2011 // Probolingo + Cemoro Lawang, Bromo East Java

While having breakfast at my hostel cafe, I met two Vietnamese girls. I just arrived at Cemoro Lawang, then I joined them exploring Semeru National Park by Jeep. So, we shared the jeep rental together. I paid around 100.000 rupiah to them, cheaper than I rent a jeep by myself only.

It’s great, meeting another travelers from different country on my solo journey.When we travel alone, we can do and decide whatever we want to do without asking another opinion in our group. Sometimes, traveling alone get us more friends than traveling in a group..

So, we started to get to know one another, .. one of this Vietnamese girl always carried her DSLR camera, and she took great pictures. I found we have some in common, traveling and taking pictures are more than anything for me.

I can’t separate between traveling and capturing photographs. Traveling without camera in my hand, it’s like swimming in an empty swimming pool,- swimming without water… it’s a mistake!!! I do love narrating pictures I’ve taken from my camera.

Back to my adventure with two Vietnamese girls,… …………………..So, with the jeep and the driver we explored Semeru National Park. The scenery is extremely amazing, … I love this place so much. We passed sea sand or whispering sand, savanna telletubies, and offroad where there are cliff on our right and left side. Man, I’m not sure I would have a gut to drive in this place.

The Jeep

Cliffs on our left and right side

After 40 minutes of driving a jeep on off road, the driver dropped us at Coban Pelangi waterfall. We need to walk up and down hill to reach the waterfall. It’s enough to burn hundreds of calorie I think!!!

Trekking at Semeru National Park

A Little mosque on our way, there's a toilet and the water is sooo collldd.... okay, I'm around 2000 meter above sea level

While trekking to reach the waterfall, we had some chats … One of this Vietnamese girl told me, she saw some rubbish on mount Bromo that she thinks, Indonesians are not really aware of  keeping their environment clean.

Wow, That’s true…. But, I’ve never been to Vietnam and become more curious in this country, which I’ve read the fact is …. most developing countries are not really well managed, corrupt government and the people itself are kinda ignorant to keep the better environment by not throwing their rubbish whenever they want to throw.

So I asked them, ‘How about in Vietnam?? Do people care about keeping the environment clean??’

Vietnamese girl #1:’ In Vietnam, young generation are taught at school about how important to throw rubbish in litter bin, but…. old generations are terrible…….’

I’d respect if Indonesian young generation do the same things as Vietnamese young generation…. What I’ve seen so far is, most of us don’t really care about keeping the environment clean, whether it’s from old or young generations.. I often saw random people throw their rubbish from their private car.  What a bastard attitude, and I got totally annoyed seeing this….

Can’t they just keep their trash in their own car, instead of throwing their own rubbish outside . It’s such a selfish attitude.. It’s just like normal in Indonesia, whether they are rich or not rich throwing their rubbish not in litter bin. We can see everywhere, it’s easy to see rubbish on the road.

I don’t think it’s because we are a group of dirty nation.. no, I don’t think so. I think it’s because we have mindset it’s not our task to keep the environment clean. Or we just don’t care, or it’s just normal in public places throwing rubbish everywhere, there’s no litter bin easy to get.. instead of keeping rubbish on our own just throw them away anywhere…….. some had mindset, that’s what cleaning services are for….

I feel a bit embarrassed to these Vietnamese girls. In fact, Vietnam just become an independent country after Vietnam War in 1970′s .. but, they are more educated than us in this matters, especially young generation!!

***

Some moments later…..Whoaaa…  we eventually reached the Waterfall!!!

After enjoying the Waterfall and taking pictures, we’re back to our Jeep, meaning we had to climb up again……

Trekking at Semeru National Park

Then,…… we started exploring another places… we stopped at some places to take pictures.. the scenery just awesome, you can’t skip to snip snap!!!

While on the road, I had some communication with our jeep driver. He doesn’t speak English quite much, so … I became an emergency translator for him when these Vietnamese asking something. He’s a local here, he told me.. only locals who are allowed to drive Jeep in this area. I understood, because it’s not an easy trek to drive…

I observed people here are very friendly, patience and they respect each other while driving … for example, when they met there’ s another jeep in front of them, on the opposite direction and the fact is the road is so narrow, not able to pass two 4 wheels vehicle at the same path, both of them were so cooperative to share the road, and at the end they are smiling or just greeting each other.

There’s no attitude like in Indonesian telenovela!!!!!! On Indonesian soap opera picturing people are bad, and we can’t trust one another…. and the world is just about money and status!!!

I like living in this place, it’s very peaceful place to stay .. as long as The Bromo doesn’t smoke hard and cause some major damages

He’s a Hindu, He told me there are three religions in this place living together. Moslem, Hindu and Buddhist!!!!   At the end, he told me…… the best month to visit Bromo is in August, or from May to September. The weather is great in dry season, the sand dry and you can hear the sand movement when the wind blow.. as if the sand is whispering…… And, in full moon is also a higly recommended to visit Mt. Bromo…

Yes.. I hope, I’d get a chance to visit this place again!!!!! in August and full moon!!

Hindu Temple in front of my hostel

In the afternoon, we finished our Jeep journey.. then he dropped us nearby our hostel. I went to the cafe to get my big lunch and dinner… I ordered ‘Nasi Campur’ which is nice and inexpensive.

32.000 rupiah Nasi Campur, it's so complete!!

Meanwhile, Vietnamese girls tried a bowl of Meatball from the street vendor around the hostel. They were eating the meatball soup in front of Bromo as a view!!!

Traveling Solo, Exploring 4 Provinces of Indonesia in 22 days (Part 5)

Day 09 ,  December 16, 2011 // Bali

Kepang Bali, at Kuta Beach

Day 11 ,  December 18, 2011 // Bali

It’s the last day in Bali before leaving for Probolingo city, East Java. I didn’t take a bus to travel out of island but I took a travel agent bus. It’s cheaper than I travel by taxi first, and reach inconvenience Ubung Terminal. After elaborating the prices, if I took a bus, at first I need to pay around 60.000 rupiah taxi fee from Kuta to Ubung Terminal, Denpasar. Then, 150.000 rupiah for bus to Probolinggo, so, all together becomes 210.000 rupiah. The conclusion, taking travel agent bus is cheaper than taking a public bus at bus station, it’s only 150.000 rupiah from Kuta, including ferry at Gilimanuk to Java island.

Day 12 ,  December 19, 2011 // Probolingo + Cemoro Lawang, Bromo East Java

After spending 10 hours on the road I finally reached Probolingo at the dawn. From probolingo city, I stopped at Probolingo bus station, knowing I have to wait until noon to get a bus to Cemoro Lawang, I asked ojek driver to take me to Cemoro Lawang. It was early morning around 6 am!!! So, after bargaining and I got the price 80.000 rupiah from Probolingo to Cemoro Lawang by ojek, which the latter I gave him 100.000 rupiah because the journey is not an easy drive

… I was off to Cemoro Lawang, I was so excited … Bromo, here I come!!!!

But, before heading to probolingo,… I asked the ojek driver to get me to BII ATM card, because I was running out of cash. And, he’s so helpful and kind … brought me to ATM station… Probolingo is more developed, the city is clean and quite. I love the fresh air in the morning.

Reaching Cemoro Lawang from probolingo by motorcycle is not an easy drive, I just realized that the journey is climbing up …. I found my ojek driver got problem to drive his motorcycle and I felt so pity for him, and let him go first on ascend part. I then tried hard to hike the road… WOW, What a morning….. I was sweating, walking uphill …I adore people who live in this area, which I saw they are used to this way….

Ojek driver waits for me.. I hiked so hard to go uphill

…………………………………….

So, It took around almost 2 hours by motorcycle from Probolingo to Cemoro Lawang. He finally took me to the spot I wanted, I stopped at Lava Hostel, which is nice and cozy, … The room is not like my budget.. , … but hey, I’m totally tired already from my 10 hours journey from Bali to Bromo and.. you guys might know, Indonesian drivers are kinda crazy… , I deserved to pamper myself at proper place to stay even though for one night only.

Hostel

Around 9 am.. I realized I haven’t changed my watch time zone. Bali and East Java is one hour time different, so change your time as soon as you remember. I was having my breakfast and met 2 Vietnamese girls. Then, the adventure started.     TO BECONTINUED