It makes sense to put this Ijen hiking trip in Day 3 cos it began at 01:00 wtf.
Our driver picked us up at 23:00 and it took 2-hour for us to reach the start point (damn far can).
Surprisingly, we were not so sleepy anymore once we stepped out from the car…
Cos it was so effing cooooolllddddd who would’ve thought gosh ❄
Our driver found us a guide (his kawan perhaps) and just left us to that guy.
As a city peep, we were super suspicious of this guy cos he’d gone disappeared sometimes.
Especially when after we gave him the entrance fee and he just went nowhere wtf ?
But in the end we were wrong la, he’s a nice guy actually just we cannot accept only lol.
Alright, so the Ijen hike was TOUGH (but the stars above us were AMAZING).
At the beginning of the trip it was all the way walking on flat terrain with gradient uphill.
For those who wish to visit Ijen, I’d suggest you to go train fast-walking/jogging a bit in every few days.
(for your own good k)
Halfway there was a rest house where you can find tea/biscuits before continuing the journey.
And it was flat > downhill after that, walking on rocky and rough path.
Then, this amazing view – the infamous blue flame.
We did not rent the gas mask as many others did as we did not feel the need.
However something to cover your nose is essential (thicker than disposable surgical mask la).
When I walked pass the thick cloud of sulfur fume, my eyes kena burnt and watering fml.
But the un-comfortableness only last for a while so not a big deal.
Then our guide took us down the staircases (many don’t) and he asked us to touch the highly acidic lake water.
The water was really warm, felt like dipping into it like onsen cos of the coldness lol ♨️
Then, our guide took one of my travel buddies phone and gone disappeared again wtf.
How to not become suspicious, it was a Huawei P20 Pro leh.
We have a lot of guessing in a bad way (mohon maaf! ?).
However, shortly, the guide returned and showed us the below photos.
MIND BLOWN WTF.
He actually gone near to the blue flame and took some close up shots. Video also by him.
I guess he must be a photographer wannabe lol.
The sky brighten up as we hiked back the original path.
And the sky looks pinkish!
Took lotsa photos here and ready to go back!
Below image taken by 3 different phone models. Which one do you prefer?
The hike down was TOUGH as well wtf.
This time it was the knees and toe nails (that I forgot to cut kudos ?)
After bathe, packing our luggage and got some sleep – time for lunch!
It took another 4.5 hour drive to reach Probolinggo (Mt Bromo area).
The accommodation is pretty bad tbh, but it is super cheap so can’t complain lol.
After settling down, we went nearby – Cafe Lava Hostel for dinner.
The restaurant ambience is good and westernize; lots of angmoh.
But the food is BAD ?
As long as our stomach is filled with food and not poisoned, it’s okay.
Here comes the most anticipating itinerary – Star Gazing & Milky Way!
We departed at 22:00, went nearby to a paddy field and waited for an hour.
THERE’S NOTHING TO SEE WTF ?
Seriously I think we got conned, where got people star gaze at such place one (minor light pollution exists)
With disappointment, we returned and waited until 03:30 for Mount Bromo.
Cheers to no sleep for 2 continuous days yay.
IMO Mount Bromo is colder than Ijen leh, maybe cos more walking at Ijen.
The temperature confirmed under 10C – salute to SBY who wore so thin lol.
2 Toyota jeeps waited us outside in time and here we go.
I saw very few Asians for the sun rise, mostly angmoh, strange.
And, I don’t have a thing for sunrise, no comment.
OK, I think I should stop here cos sunrise already lol.
