Mountains of Java

Our last couple of nights up in Java were spent in the mountains.  Again incredibly beautiful jungle.  Our first night was at Seloliman Nature Preserve which is a little environmental education complex situated in the middle of the rain forest on the side of a mountain.  The bungalows were awesome...I had the Tiger suite complete with furniture from local wood, mosquito nets, and an outdoor bathroom/shower.  The Preserve is all about teaching local farmers, residents, and tourists about organic farming and respect for the jungle and its wildlife.  Really cool spot since it was secluded on the mountain and the whole operation is totally sustainable including all of the food that is grown on site.  The area was also home to some amazing rice paddies.  Overall a very cool spot off the beaten path and one night was not nearly enough.  The only drawback was the gigantic spider in my room!

From the Preserve we headed further into the mountains up to Mt. Bromo which is one of the largest active volcanoes in Indonesia.  We had one night there but there wasn't much sleep to be had since we had to wake up at 3:30 to make our way to the top of Bromo.  I love my sleep but it was worth the early morning!

At 3:30 we hopped into some ancient Jeep 4x4's and drove up the mountain in the dark on roads covered in fine white ash.  After a short ride we hike a ways up to a viewpoint looking down over the mountain and into the valley.  We were so high that we were above the cloud-line and watched the sunrise over the mountains and sea of clouds below.  No doubt the best and most unique sunrise I have ever seen.

After another Jeep ride to the base of the crater we hiked through what looked like a desert in the Middle East although it was not sand but dunes of ash.  In the middle of this desert was a Hindu temple standing all alone before the many steps up to the crater of Mt. Bromo.  The whole journey to the top felt very surreal as there were still not many tourists and it felt like we were actually in another country altogether.  Finally on a precarious ledge overlooking the crater you can look down at the volcano and the sulfuric smoke pouring out of the top.  Bromo was one of the most memorable experiences of the trip and something I will never forget.

It was a great way to leave Java as the next day we head to Bali by ferry.  Really looking forward to Bali as the pace will be a bit slower there and I can hit the beach again!  The party scene shouldn't be too bad either...