Monday, 17 June, 2019, Mt Bromo, Java
When Mt Bromo last erupted three years ago, it really blew its top. Now, what's left is an impressive jagged crater. Tonight, we're staying on a hill directly opposite the volcano, which I'm pleased to say has a warning of only 2, on a scale of 5.
Stretching between the mountain and us is what's been dubbed the "Sand Sea" - really just a lava field.
When we arrived this afternoon, the wind was a little bit stronger, and covered the mountains in a haze of volcanic ash (right), but as the afternoon went on, we were able to get better photos.
Our drive here this morning has done nothing to improve my opinion of Indonesian traffic. The drivers are obviously very skilful at avoiding actual collisions, but my nerves aren't handling the stint in the front passenger seat too well.
Plus the tarred road here was as bad as any I saw in the former Indonesian territory of East Timor (with the exception of actual erosions there), and the gradient up the mountain meant the car had to work really really hard. Dave says that's the longest uphill drive he's ever experienced. I think Malang, where we started this morning, was at about 350m, and we're now at about 2200. Here's how the gradient of today's drive was recorded on Dave's GPS:
Our hotel, with its view of Mt Bromo. The hotel looks OK, but is
really very basic - check out our bathroom (right), with
its combined shower/toilet area.
We're being warned that the planned expediiton in the morning for the
sunrise over Mt Bromo will see the temperature drop sharply, and
local lads were around the hotel this afternoon selling beanies and
scarves. We've bought a couple, although Dave has come well
equipped with rally jacket etc (mainly because he thought it might
get cold in the Morocco desert in April when he was there for the
Rally Morocco). I'll just have a fleece and a cardigan to
protect me, plus the beanie and scarf Dave just bought me from the
boys.
We've been told we have to be ready to go in the Jeep at 3.30am!!!
below: Just a few shots from today's drive:
A truck carrying sugar cane
One of the villages lining the road up the mountain
left: birds in cages are still very popular here.
Next: the volcano at sunrise