We’re staying in Cafe Lava which is just on the edge of the safety zone around mount Bromo and on the edge of the “sea of sand”.
Some people went up the the viewpoint for the sunrise. This is not something we’re going to be doing. Walking down a “private” path with many threats about tickets (or is it a toll?) works with no hassle. It’s only a half hour to cross the sea of sand to the temple and the path and staircase beyond. Closer to the volcano the rocks get bigger. They’re very light but still not the sort of thing you want to get hit by.
Emma and I soldier ahead while Alex and mummy are lagging a bit.
The Bromo crater looks a bit scary. It hisses and burps, and someone has died falling into it not so long ago. When the wind turns the smell is pretty unbearable. I accidentally drop my notes and they are now an official offering to the Gods of Bromo.
On the way down the kids have some coke. We are offered many rides, and one guy even goes for the “I have no money sir” when I refuse.
Back in the village we have lunch in Cafe Lava and get ready to climb to the viewpoints.
The first part is just a walk along a fairly flat road past fields and houses. We see some dogs and some impossibly steep fields full of produce. Even our driver the next day says these fields are crazy.
Lots of animals and construction materials on the way up.
We get to the first lookout point and meet some Polish guys from Krakow who make our photo. There is a tiny path up the mountain that should take us to the top. It’s getting a bit late so we agree to try the path for one hour, and then turn back so it won’t turn dark until we are on the main road.
We reach the top before dark! Everyone is exhausted.
Disappointingly this is the only view of Semaru we get!
We have to go down quickly so we’re on the main road before dark. Mum gets a bit lost and we have to send her back a bit so she finds the right path. As we descend the main path we find a place that has nice coffee and battered banana. We walk back in the dark and spot the southern cross.
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