Post from Tim:
Gunung Bromo (Mt. Bromo) is a live volcano located in eastern Java and one of Java's must-see attractions. It shares a surreal sandy landscape with two other mountains, actually formed inside the 10 km wide crater of another ancient volcano named Tengger Massif.
It is said that mountains in Asia must be visited at sunrise. For us, this meant stumbling out of bed to meet a jeep at 3:30 AM. The driver took us 15 km: up the mountain to the rim of Tengger Massif, down into the giant crater to the Sand Sea, across the Sand Sea to another mountain called Gunung Penanjakan, and up a winding trail to the highest point in the area (2770 meters).
At 5 AM the path to the viewing area buzzed with activity. Along the way, vendors sold noodles and hot coffee; bluish light from their florescent lights lit the path. The chilly air was much colder than most Indonesians and tourists are used to, so other enterprising vendors sold hats and jackets.
We waited in the darkness with rows of other eager people. Minutes later, a thin warm line broke the blue horizon, the horizon grew from red to yellow, and Mt. Bromo's shape took form in the center of the caldera. The sun continued rising and topped the distant mountains, spreading a golden light along the top of the smoking volcano. The light crept slowly down the side, passing the mountain's base and spreading across the Sand Sea of the caldera.
It was a beautiful sight, worth the price of waking so early.
It is said that mountains in Asia must be visited at sunrise. For us, this meant stumbling out of bed to meet a jeep at 3:30 AM. The driver took us 15 km: up the mountain to the rim of Tengger Massif, down into the giant crater to the Sand Sea, across the Sand Sea to another mountain called Gunung Penanjakan, and up a winding trail to the highest point in the area (2770 meters).
At 5 AM the path to the viewing area buzzed with activity. Along the way, vendors sold noodles and hot coffee; bluish light from their florescent lights lit the path. The chilly air was much colder than most Indonesians and tourists are used to, so other enterprising vendors sold hats and jackets.
We waited in the darkness with rows of other eager people. Minutes later, a thin warm line broke the blue horizon, the horizon grew from red to yellow, and Mt. Bromo's shape took form in the center of the caldera. The sun continued rising and topped the distant mountains, spreading a golden light along the top of the smoking volcano. The light crept slowly down the side, passing the mountain's base and spreading across the Sand Sea of the caldera. It was a beautiful sight, worth the price of waking so early.