Jaraka, Indonesia is place that is largely compared to that of the infamous Durian Fruit (google it if you don’t know). A shock at first sight…with an empowering foul odor. It’s no kidding either, especially when you cramp 10 million people in a sweltering urban sprawl. After researching about the pollution and poverty issues in advance, it wasn’t a hard decision to make like a banana and split as this would leave more room for the more delightful places of the country.
First stop – Bangdung! Quoted as the "Paris of Java" by the Dutch, they couldn’t have been more wrong than ever! Maybe if Paris were tossed in a trash can and spit back out would this be a fair statement. Make your way by foot around the city and you will soon realize that there are no sidewalks anywhere. Road shoulders are fully occupied by decaying sewers, parked motorbikes, and local food stalls (Stalls – to be compared to the same level of cleanliness as a public bathroom). The public transportation system is quite interesting to point out though. Converted 1970’s Volkswagen like vans painted vibrant green with side-benched installed seating rule the streets everywhere and in every direction. Wave a hand in the air a few times on the side of the street and rest assured you will be picked up by one of these "cabs"… A city wide ride shouldn’t cost you more than 6000 Rupiahs ($1CAD = 8900 RP). For some retail therapy relief, this place is also renowned as the manufacturing and export town of merchandised goods (Jln. Cihampelas). Manufacturers which exceed their quotas or fail to pass the QA testing have their excess thrown onto the local markets for "cheap" sales. Walking through the streets though, you will soon realize that many of the clothing stores conveniently have the term "outlet" made within their signage which can make it difficult to distinguish between a legitimate outlet and one that is just reaping the benefit of the name. After freshening up ourselves and recharging our batteries, it was time to make a move. Next stop…Surabaya (1hr flight East)! This city was used as a connecting hub to eventually get to the beautiful Mt. Bromo (The active volcano site). A 4hr private taxi ride to the base of the mountain costed 400,000RP. If you’re in this neck of the woods, make sure that you clearly communicate that you want a ride to go up to the mountain and not just the base. We got screwed and had to pay extra. If you don’t mind being with a crowd, you can get a much cheaper rate at 25,000RP using a public shuttle bus. Once arriving at the peak, be prepared to pay some monopoly prices for accommodation and food. The guesthouse owners will catch you (and your wallet) by the hook and there’s not much you can do. However, the view is worth it. The hotel I stayed at sat on the tip of the adjacent mountain facing Mt. Bromo, viewpoint 1 & 2, as well as other surrounding giant mountains (300,000RP/night for a standard room). Any amateur taking a picture over the fence will be sure to grab a timeless postcard shot here. 
The word “panoramic” is put to a whole new definition here. Since the elevation above sea level is so high, you’re right up in the clouds. The mornings are quite foggy, but as the mid-day reaches, the vast white cape of clouds eventually dissipates. Look directly across from the hotel and you will see several mountains jetting up across the plain. Mt. Bromo, the active volcano, can be easily seen as it "passes gas" about every twenty minutes or so.
Time for some fun…trek to the top of Mt. Bromo’s Volcano. At 3am, be you will be awakened by local kids renting out jackets, winter hats and flashlights. Apparently it’s suppose to get as cold as zero degrees here...In reality, not so much. I wore shorts and a windbreaker jacket and was giving sweat a whole new meaning! A good LED headlamp or flashlight came in extremely handy though. From most hotels, you will have to climb down a mountain, before crossing a valley to climb back up another mountain (the actual volcano). The trail will be pitch black, so any light will definitely help. As your make your way crossing the middle valley, you will see a vague and gloomy image of the mountains. The ambiance is surreal but creepy at the same time. The only noise around will be your footsteps and surrounding night-life (insects?). So if you ate the spicy local food the night before, it’s safe enough to feel free that no one will hear you pass gas. As you make way to the base of the mountain, you will know you went the right direction when you see the upwards concrete steps…all two-hundred and fifty or so steps. After your glut’s are burning from the climb, you may also notice some burning in the lungs and the eyes. The smoke from the volcano gives away some toxic gases, so be sure to cover your face for the potent smell of sulphur! We lucked out on the weather and at 4:50AM, we saw enlightenment (literally…lol). The sun rose against the brilliant blue night’s sky before us! In my disillusionment of fatigue and hunger - if I had to describe the view with my appetite at the time…it was as though pink and blue cotton candy had been blended and mixed around a fresh orange creamsicle. I have never seen any sunrise as beautiful as this. On the way down, if your legs are still too tired to do the walk back to camp, know that there are many locals with donkeys for a brisk ride back. 
Volcano climb check! On to Bali………
Video of Mt. Bromo:
Video of Mt. Bromo:
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