SPECTACULAR SUNRISE AT MT BROMO

Mount Bromo or Gunung Bromo in Indonesian is one of the best places to visit in Java Island. It is an active volcano located nd part of the Tengger highland, East Java Indonesia. It is at 2,329 metres above sea level. Bromo is the the most visited tourist attractions in East Java as it offers an unforgettable thrill to its visitors.
Mount Bromo sits in the middle of a vast plain called the “Sea of Sand” as a part of massive area of The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. If you want to experience a magic surrounding of a volcano, a visit to Bromo is a must. It offers a pure beauty of nature as it a protected nature reserve since 1919.
One of the favorite ways to visit Mount Bromo is from the nearby mountain village of Cemoro Lawang (Door of Pine). A stop at the viewpoint on Mount Penanjakan (2,770 m above sea level) you can take incredible camera shot of the Bromo Mountain area. 

How to get there

By Plane from Jakarta, Bali or other countries in Asia. By Train or  bus from Surabaya to Probolinggo, and local transportation from Probolinggo train station to Probolinggo Bus terminal, and you can take a local transportation either minibus or bemo to Ngadisari or Cemoro Lawang. If you want a simpler and more comfortable trip, just go to one of Bromo Travel Agencies at Surabaya Airport, and let them arrange everything for you. 

Where to stay

You can choose to stay at nearest guesthouses at Cemoro Lawang mountain village, or some hotels around Mount Bromo. Other guesthouses are at Ngadisari that lies 3 km from the crater rim.
Another choice to stay overnight is Tretes or Prigen, Pasuruan, before climbing Mount Bromo in order to reach just there before sunrise, one of the most spectacular moment visitors want to see.

What to Do

Experience the spectacular view of the sun rising over volcanic peaks with an early morning trip to Mount Bromo. Do not forget to prepare your best camera to take perfect picture of the vista from Pananjakan viewpoint.  Cross the desert on a nice horse, climb the steep stairs right up to Mount. Bromo’s crater line, then watch the sun spectacularly rises over the horizon, you will se it like a jumping giant fire ball.  

Where else to go

Go to mount Semeru and climb its challenging cliff, it is the highest mountain peak in Java Island.

Some Tips

1. Do not forget to arm yourself with a torch, warm clothing, trekking shoes, and glove as a protection against the freezing temperature which is usually between zero to five degrees Celsius (33 to 41 F)
2. If its clear, sunrise is between 5.00 and 6.00 am, so make sure that your are not late to leave from your hotel, to reach there by 5.00 am
3. The best time to see the sunrise is in the dry season from April to October.
4. Do not forget to bring some drinking water and some food with you.

THE PRAMBANAN TEMPLE-YOGYAKARTA

“Oow, it’s wonderful!” shouted a European tourist as she reached the gate of Prambanan Temple at Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia. Yes, Prambanan is a genuine beautiful Hindu’s Temple stem from the golden era of Hindu Kingdoms in Java. Million people, both domestic and foreign tourists, visit this temple every year, not for praying but to see and feel the beauty of the temple.

Prambanan is a group of temples, also called Lorojonggrang with the main temple at the center of the ancient buildings. It is most beautiful when you see it from a distance, i.e. from the front yard just before the gate, as you can see all the temples at once, together forming a fantastic view. Therefore, paid photographers usually offer to take visitors photograph at this location.

As you enter inner complex of the temple, you can feel the strong thrill of Hindu’s culture, back to hundred years ago. I just can’t imagine how had people at the stone era sculpture such a creative relief and art of the temples. I imagined that thousands of people were praying in this place attended by the king of the ancient Java Hindu’s Kingdoms. “Amazing”, is the only word I can say about this fabulous temple.

In the afternoon or evening you can watch Ramayana dance performance in the complex of the temple. This will enrich your experience and imagination on the Hindus and Java culture back to hundred years ago :)

How to get there

This amazing temple is just 20 minutes from Yogyakarta Airport, Adisucipto, and 30 minutes from Yogyakarta train station. As a package of your day travel you can visit Parangtritis and Depok beach, and enjoy your night time at Malioboro. You can find any kind of souvenirs at this heart of Yogyakarta and check in a hotel you want to. At the next day you can continue your travel the famous Buddhist Temple, “Borobudur” at Magelang, Central Java.

Happy Traveling :)

Pantai Ayah (Ayah Beach) – Central Java

I remembered when I was a little girl, regularly visiting this beach. Stepping the white sand while watching the white broken waves is thing I like mostly about this beach to the moment. Go further, it is safe to ride a small boat available here as there are no big waves as it is located on a bay protected by rocks and a small island (delta). You may feel a sensation while you are on the boat exploring the bay down to the river feeding the ocean through this beach.

On the eastern part you will find a cliff line with rocks come up to the beach. While enjoying the beautiful view of the beach, the rocks and the hills surrounding, you will feel the thrill of the wind come out of the sea.

Where-else to go
While traveling to this beach, you can come down to Jatijajar Cave and Petruk Cave as well, laying inside foothills beside the road to this beach.  The two caves are quite famous for their unique structure and natural environment.

How to reach there

The beach is located at southern side of Gombong Town, Kebumen-Central Java , about 20 km apart.

You can make your own adventure to these beautiful natural places by taking a flight to Adi Sucipto Airport, Yogyakarta. You can take a train or bus from Yogyakarta to Gombong Kebumen, and take local transportation or rent car to this beach along with Jatijajar cave and Petruk Cave. It takes about 1.5 hours by train from Yogyakarta  to Gombong, or 3 hours by bus or rent car.

Enjoy your trip to Ayah Beach, and I hope to see you there sometimes :)

Where to stay
If you plan to stay at Gombong or Kebumen you can find a lot of hotels downtown from small hotels to star hotels. It is aobut 30 minutes drive from the Ayah  beach. You can enjoy javanese foods in your hotel or its surrounding.

Happy traveling :)

Maria