This was a 4D3N East Java Volcanoes Exploration Trek.

It has been a long dream of mine to journey to see Mt Bromo.

After arriving in Surabaya, I took a 4 hour journey by private car to Sidoarjo region with a view overlooking the active volcano, Mount Bromo.

The next morning, I had to rise early at 02:30am and travelled by jeep to the world's most famous view point at Mt Pananjakan on the rim of the Tengger caldera to catch the sunrise with Mt Bromo and an active Mt Semeru in the background. As i arrived there at 4.00am, there were already scores of people there. I had to strive to find a good spot and was amazed by the view of Mt Bromo at sunrise (5.15am).

I then continued my journey to the base of Mt Bromo and attempted to climb up to the crater. You can get up to the crater by horse if you want. The horseman will charge you a sum of money to bring you up and then wait for you to bring you back down. It is really incredible to be able to see the inside of the crater.

After breakfast, I continue an 8 hour journey to Ijen Plateau. The road leading up is in need of repair.
At 05.00am the next day I departed to Paltuding,the start of the trail that leads up to the active beautiful crater of Kawah Ijen volcano. It takes about 2 hours trek to get up to the famous blue acid lake with extremely hot sulfur deposit, which workers collect the deposits in a tedious and difficult method. Unfortunately, it rained that day and photo taking was limited. The sky was cloudy and the visibility was poor. Furthermore, the sulphur vapours blowing toward us was overpowering and I had to shield my nose with a handkerchief.

The next day, i arrived back to Surabaya after a 10 hour journey.
I visited the markets, a cigarrette making factory, a ship dock and walls of an empty prison.
Travelling almost 20 hours in total, but the trip was indeed worthwhile.