LandscapeShutter

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Bromo from Gardu Pandang & Madakaripura Waterfall - Kembara Jawa Timur Part III

Beautiful sunrise from Gardu Pandang, Cemoro Lowong, Bromo.

Kembara Jawa Timur Part I - Mount Bromo from Mount Penanjakan
Kembara Jawa Timur Part II - Mount Bromo & Ranupani Village
Kembara Jawa Timur Part III - Bromo from Gardu Pandang & Madakaripura Waterfall
Kembara Jawa Timur Part IV - Kawah Ijen - A mountain of surreal pain and beauty
Kembara Jawa Timur Part V - From Kalianyar Village to Papuma beach
Kembara Jawa Timur Part VI - Human interest around Surabaya

On the 3rd day, some of us went to another view post located at another hill near the village where we stay. Assisted by several ojet, we went to the start of the few hundred metres hike (i think the hike is around 300m vertical up). Unlike Mt Penanjakan where the sunrise and bromo is at different location, from this hill you can see both location combined (provided you reached the peak before sunrise). We were late a bit and the sun rise first before we managed to reach the peak (me myself even went to a wrong jalur). A total of 3 person managed to scaled to this mini peak which is Azri, Jasni & Zali. Few other friend scouting around the village for sunrise scenery.

Compared to Mt Penanjakan, this view point has its own strength also. From my observation this area were once used as the view point as there were some structure built there for this purpose.This abandon place should be revived as an alternative to the view point at Mt Penanjakan. I personally prefer this place more. From this location you can also catch and capture the misty atmosphere at the Cemoro Lowong village. Below is the picture series taken from this view point.

Sunrise from Pos Gardu Pandang, Bromo (Pano B&W)

Sunrise from Pos Gardu Pandang, Bromo (IR)

Misty morning at Cemoro Lawang, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park

Mt Bromo,Mt Batuk & Mt Semeru from Pos Gardu Pandang, Bromo-Tengger National-Semeru Park

Cemoro Lawang at sunrise, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park (IR)

After shooting sunrise, we continue shooting around the village. Vegetable farm, trees and people became our photography subject.

Kebun Sayur @ Cemoro Lawang, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park

Vegetable farm at Cemoro Lowong Village

Beautiful scenery OTW to Madakaripura Waterfall

Beautiful tree formation around the village

After taking the breakfast, we went to Madakaripura Waterfall , a great waterfall not far from Bromo. After a short trekking about 20-30 minutes when we finally reach the waterfall everyone suddenly became amazed with elegant waterfall. Some even said it were more like the scenery from avatar movie. Sadly the picture wont do justice to this magnificent place. The rain and water spray made it almost impossible to capture the beautiness of this place without exposing your camera to the risk plus with the wide range of exposure needed. One point that might be helpful for potential visitor is about the help extended by the villagers there. The help is not for free and they expected some tips from their help. During our trip most of them requested 50,000 rupiah. Their asisstance is very helpful considering the risky and slippering surface but agreeing on the rate at the beginning would be better than when you suddenly came into a situation where you dont actually need their help but requested to pay for it.

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Mount Bromo & Ranupani Village - Kembara Jawa Timur Part II

A scenery OTW to Ranupani Village, we'll be back for Mt Semeru :D

After spending a few hours at Mt Penanjakan (until every tourist gone back already), we went straight to Mount Bromo area. The jeep stop a about 500m distance from the crater and then we continue on foot. Some of us opted for horse riding towards the crater.

One thing that our authority should learn from them is how their local government distribute the wealth of tourism.The villager provide the accommodation, built some stall/warung for breakfast & lunch. Others provide the transport (jeep) from the accommodation to the Mt Penanjakan & Mt Bromo .. and then at Mt Bromo the jeep can only send to a certain distance only so villager with horse can provide horse riding services... everyone get a share of the cake..

In Malaysia how they do it? They simply privatised everything (accommodation,food catering, local guide & even porter) (read: MONOPOLY) to a single company that will dictate exorbitant price making local hiking far more expensive than oversea hiking.

Upon reaching the crater, instead of hiking the Mt Bromo crater, i with Jasni decided to venture to another part of the area. We scout the canyon like area between Bromo & Batuk. After spending around an hour in Mt Bromo area, we proceed to Ranupani Village. Ranupani village is the highest village in East Jawa. Residing at 2100m, it is the starting point to hike Mt Semeru. I always dream of hiking Mt Semeru but this hiking trip is simply not for beginner. We were told that hiking Mount Semeru is among the toughest hike compared to other more famous volcano mountain in Indonesia. Well, next year we target to hike Mt Merbabu (& most probabily Mount Merapi as well) followed by Mount Jade in Taiwan and then a repeat of Mount Rinjani. If all successful then can start thinking of Semeru hike in 2012 maybe. :D

The canyon like area between Mount Bromo and Mount Batuk

Horse rider at Bromo

Ranu Ranupani Lake

Regulo Lake

Ranupani is just an ordinary village. Located strategically at 2100m above sea level provide it with agriculture advantage coupled with its fertile land. There is two small lake here, name Ranu Ranupani and Regulo. Both are just an ordinary lake. Unlike Ranu Kumbulo Lake which is really beautiful with majestic scenery. I take this opportunity to snap some macro picture here.

Crab spider @ Ranupani Village, Mt Semeru

Unknown insect @ Ranupani Village, Mt Semeru

Unknown bug (spill bug?)@ Ranupani Village, Mt Semeru

Ranupani village boy, every boy bring sabit with them as they need to cut grass to feed their livestock

Before going home, we ate lunch at one of the houses in the village then proceed back to our hotel. I promised myself this would not be the last visit to Ranupani village, but we'll return to conquer Mount Semeru later... insyaAllah.

The Bromo jeep

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Monday, August 2, 2010

Mount Bromo from Mount Penanjakan - Kembara Jawa Timur Part I

A villager carrying grass with Mt Bromo as background (IR)

A villager carrying grass with Mt Bromo, Mt Semeru & Mt Batuk as background (IR)

In early April 2010 I join the Luarbiasa expedition to Jawa Timur. Our main destination is Bromo and also Kawah Ijen. I have always wanted to go to Kawah Ijen since i saw interesting human interest picture taken by a fellow fren Arey.

Our journey started from Surabaya. After landing we being picked up by our loyal yet humble & honest guide, Mas Kaboel aka Aruna Asa. Our first stop is Ibu Nuraini restaurant at Sedati, Surabaya (nearby the airport). My fellow friend had some fond memories of this restaurant since it is among the main pitstop whenever they visit Jawa Timur. The main popular dish in this restaurant is its Rujak Cingur (dish make from cow nose). After booking hotel at a nearby hotel for our stay later, we went straight to Bromo. The journey is quite a long one taking about 6 hours (if not mistaken).

Since we charted a mini bus (it was only 9 of us.. yet we charted this mini bus for comfort) , we need to change the bus midway as the bus cant go further through the steep road. We check in to a posh hotel Cemara Indah Hotel in Cemoro Lawang. It was among the most expensive hotel within the area (300,000 rupiah per room per night) but it is well worth it as it located just beside the crater overlooking Mt Bromo,Mt Semeru and Mt Batuk.

Ibu Nuraini preparing the rujak cingur herself

After arriving, we had only few hours to sleep as we need to start the journey to Mount penanjakan at 3:30 am. Mount Penanjakan is the main view point of Bromo. At 2770m, it provide excellent view of Bromo, Semeru and Batuk. The jeep bring us very near to its view point location. Just need to hike the cement staircase for 15 minutes and you'll reach the view point.

Mount Bromo is a very popular tourist destination in indonesia. The mountain is located witin the Bromo-Semeru-Tengger National Park. Bromo & Semeru is one of several mountain within this park and Tengger is the people tribe that exhibit this land. Some of the main mountain include

-Mount Bromo (2392m)

-Mount Semeru (3676m)

-Mount Batuk (height not sure but similar height to Bromo)

-Mount Penanjakan (2770m) - the main view point of Mt Bromo

Some of the pictures taken while we were in Mount Penanjakan