a daydream

28
May

Bromo Mountain

Mount Bromo is one of the most famous and most beautiful volcanoes in Indonesia. It is located in Tengger, in East Java.

Mount Bromo is one of two volcanoes that were created following a massive eruption which created an enormous caldera in which are the active Mount Bromo and the non-active Mount Batok.

The caldera has seen been filled with grey sands, and is called Laut Pasir or Sand Sea. Trekkers walk through this expanse on their way to Mount Bromo. The scenery is reminiscent of earth in its primeval age or a moonscape. This is more so when a layer of mist carpets the caldera floor.

Standing at a height of 2392 meters, Mount Bromo isn’t the tallest mountain in Java. That title goes to 3676 meter tall Mount Semeru, located to the south of Mount Bromo and within sight. Also called Mahameru, meaning “great mountain”, Mount Semeru is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia constantly belching steam from its peak.

An undulating plateau interrupted by valleys and lakes reaches right to the foot of Mount Semeru. They are all located within the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park

writing source:www.worldgreatestsites.com
28
May

Visiting Bromo

Mount Bromo (Indonesian: Gunung Bromo), is an active volcano and part of the Tengger massif, in East Java, Indonesia. At 2,329 metres (7,641 ft) it is not the highest peak of the massif, but is the most well known. The massif area is one of the most visited tourist attractions in East Java, Indonesia. The volcano belongs to the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The name of Bromo derived from Javanese pronunciation of Brahma, the Hindu creator god.

Mount Bromo sits in the middle of a vast plain called the “Sea of Sand” (Javanese: Segara Wedi or Indonesian: Lautan Pasir), a protected nature reserve since 1919. The typical way to visit Mount Bromo is from the nearby mountain village of Cemoro Lawang. From there it is possible to walk to the volcano in about 45 minutes, but it is also possible to take an organized jeep tour, which includes a stop at the viewpoint on Mount Penanjakan (2,770 m or 9,088 ft) (Indonesian: Gunung Penanjakan). The best views from Mount Bromo to the Sand Sea below and the surrounding volcanoes are at sunrise. The viewpoint on Mount Penanjakan can also be reached on foot in about two hours.

The Tengger Caldera was still active in late January 2011, the activity being characterized by fluctuating ongoing eruptions. Eruptions and volcanic tremors were reported on 21 January and 22 January with activity subsiding on 23 January 2011. On 23 January 2011 at 06:00 am the alert status at Mount Bromo remained at (Level III)

On 23 January 2011 an exclusion zone was recommended for communities living around Mount Bromo. Tourists and hikers were to advised not to come within a radius of 2 km from the active crater.

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Last week (18/5/12), I have a chance to visit Bromo after eruptions. The best views from Mount Pananjakan 1 no longer could reached by jeep, since the road is completely ruinous. Furthermore, all activities diverted to Pananjakan 2 and It was pity the sunrise couldn’t clearly see from this spot.

View from Pananjakan 2, waiting for Sunrise.

Though you couldn’t see the sunrise, but you still could see orange tinge from the mountain which extremely beautiful.

Sun start shining behind Mount Batok

To chase the sunrise, we start the journey at 03.00 AM. And around 06.00 AM the guide asked us to leave Pananjakan 2 to go to Segara Wedi.

On the Segara Wedi sand plain sits a Hindu temple called Pura Luhur Poten. The temple holds a significant importance to the Tenggerese scatter across the mountainous villages such as Ngadisari, Wonokitri, Ngadas, Argosari, Ranu Prani, Ledok Ombo and Wonokerso. The temple organized annual Yadnya Kasada ceremony which lasts for about one month. On the 14th day, the Tenggerese will congregate at Pura Luhur Poten to ask for blessings from Ida Sang Hyang Widi Wasa and God of Mahameru (Mount Semeru).

From Segara Wedi to reach the crater, the visitors can ride a horse until the shell of the mountain or can do light trekking.

Visitor only allowed to be there before 10:30 AM. After 10.30 AM usually wind on top of the crater is unstable and dangerous.

Further, to see the crater, visitors can climb steep stairs or do light hiking through the sand.

at that time Bromo overrun by local tourist and foreigners, so I have to patiently wait in line to reach the top of the mountain. Because, after eruption stairs and crater line as a path line to caldera is in poor condition so that we have to very careful.

View into the mount Bromo crater

Segara Wedi view from the top

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After eruption, Mount Bromo still become one of the panoramic beauty in Indonesia.
22
May

Under Tenggarong Sky

A while a go with the intention of visiting a friend in Samarinda, finally I also could turn to the famous Tenggarong, which I heard has very pretty scenery.

The Kutai regency can be reached through the city of Balikpapan or the provincial capital, Samarinda. When the Kutaikartanegara bridge was still standing, journey from Samarinda can be reach ± 30 minutes. But after a Kutaikartanegara bridge collapsed, from Samarinda, the travel time ± 1.5 hours, plus additional waiting in line to take turns crossed by ferry.

My first impression of Tenggarong is very quiet city, so quiet and very calm, with a stretch of blue sky are incredibly beautiful, kinda like to stay in this city :)

Tenggarong is the capital of the Kutai Kartanegara Regency of East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The former Kutai Kartanegara Sultanate’s capital was located in Tenggarong.

Historically, the then capital was called Tepian Pandan. At some point, the Kutai Kartanegara Sultan, Aji Muhammad Muslihuddin, changed the name from Tepian Pandan to Tangga Arung (literally house of king). In application, the people of Kutai would then shorten this name by combining the two words Tangga Arung to Tenggarong.

If you want to find a peaceful city with some historical places, suppose Tenggarong sure do is an option :)
9
Apr

Message From Bangkirai

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Bangkirai hill is natural tourism area managed by PT. Inhutani I Unit I Balikpapan. This tourist area is located in District Samboja, Kutai regency, East Kalimantan. Bangkirai hill can be reached through a 1.5 hour road trip from the Balikpapan.

Little bit hard to find Bangkirai, since the road are the same with mining road. You cannot find the location if there’s no sign and asking to mining security guard.

If you like to trek, suppose the road challenging enough, but of course you have to go to this place on early morning and start trekking from first sign of Bangkirai Tourism take place. Because Bangkirai approximately has 18Km distance from the main road :)

Bangkirai offers the charm of a tropical rain forest that is still natural, which completed with tourism infrastructure and facilities such as restaurants, hall for meetings, swimming pool and jungle cottage or cabin. In this area there is a canopy bridge along 64 m, connecting 5 hanging trees at an altitude of 30 m.

To reach Canopy Bridge, again, you should do light trekking around 500 m. Trekking track divided into two part, 1st track is trek M. Prakosa with 150 m distance

To reach 2nd track, we’ve to pass road in forest, a bit climbing and a bit dark if trekking performed after 1 p.m…hmmm perhaps depend on the weather also. However based on my experience usually dark down quickly inside the forest :D

2nd Track is Trek Djamaludin with 350 m distance to canopy bridge.

Bangkirai Canopy bridge is the first editorial in Indonesia, both in Asia and the eighth in the world. Construction is made in the United States.

The short history, researchers from the United States has conducted a likasi survey and trees as well as the development environment then conducted the first phase in January 1998 and the second phase was completed in February 1998 when the bridge was completed approximately one month. Worked by American contractors who are members of CCA (Canopy Constraction Asosiated) with six field implementers and with the assistance of three local labors.

In addition, wood used in its construction are stainless steel or Galvanized from America. Age of completion of the bridge canopy is expected to be able to survive for 15-20 years based on the age and durability of materials.

Scenery from the canopy bridge…Fog between trees :D

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Visit to Bangkirai teach us how to appreciate nature and blend in it. Serenity inside the location as if they wanted to say: SAVE OUR FOREST