Mt. Bromo and Semeru, A Spectacular Volcanic Landscape in East Java

The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park covers some 800 square kilometers in the centre of East Java. It is the largest volcanic region in the province and there stands Mt. Semeru, which rises 3676 meters above sea level. At its northern end is the spectacular Tengger Caldera, Java's largest, with its 10 km barren desert-like sea of sand. Within the caldera rise the deeply fissured volcanic cones of Batok and Bromo, the latter is still active with a cavernous crater from which smoke blows skyward. Temperatures at the top of mount Bromo range about 5 to 18 degrees Celcius . To the south is a rolling upland plateau dissected by valleys and dotted with several small scenic lakes, extending to the foot of Mount Semeru, a towering grey forest-skirted cone dominating the southern landscape.

Tengger sandy area has been protected since 1919, and its believed to be the only conservation area in Indonesia, even probably in the world possessing a unique ocean and sand at the attitude about 2000 m above sea level. There are several mountains inside the calderas namely: Mt Watangan (2,661 m asl)., Mt Batok (2,470 m asl), Mt Kursi (2,581 asl), Mt Watangan (2,661 m asl), and Mt Widadaren (2,650 m asl).

On the fourteenth day of the Month Kasada, the inhabitants of Tengger Mountain range gather at the rim of Mount Bromo's active crater to present annual offerings of rice, fruit, vegetables, flowers, live stock and other local produce to the God of the Mountain, as adherents of religion combining elements of Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism the Tenggerese ask for blessing from the supreme God, Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. This ceremony called Kesodo Ceremony.

While the Great Mountain or Semeru offer a wonderful place to 3 days hike. Serenity of small lakes and large meadows, a three hours struggling through loose screw to the peak and breathtaking views from peak Semeru explodes every half hour and sends billowing smoke upwards. These gases and belching lava make Semeru dangerous " stay well away from the vent. The fine scenery and bracing climate, easy access and reasonably visitor-oriented facilities make this one of the most popular reserves in Java.

Bromo Tengger Semeru can be reached by private and public vehicle. There are four gates to access the place, Probolinggo, Wonokitri, Ngadas and Lumajang. Probolinggo approach is the easiest and by fat the most popular route, especially if you go by public bus, Wonokitri is the closes and the easiest one if you go by private vehicle from Surabaya (5 hours journey). To get closer to Mt. Bromo you must rent 4x4 vehicles (there are many 4x4 vehicles rental there).

There are a few options that you can choose to stay. You can stay at The Bromo Guest House which is located at Ngadisari that lies 3 km from the crater rim. Or you can choose other hotels at Cemoro Lawang because it this situated at the crater rim.

Walking on the sea of sand and stepping up on the 249 steps to rim is worth to try. Enjoying the unique crater in crater, watching the dawn at Bromo is the main attractions in the area.

Its kindly hard to find some food at night, because mostly of warung are closed after 7.30 pm. If youre in Wonokitri area, theres some warung in Tosari market, which still open at 7-9 pm.

There are many souvenir shops around Mount Bromo viewpoints who are selling T-shirts, scarf that are made from wool and others. There are also street hawkers who are selling these things too at the caldera area.

You can moving around on foot and normally it will takes 2 hours, or you can ride a horse or even rent a jeep (for this two, you are suggested to ask first and make a negotiation)

• Necessities for the trip include a torch, warm clothing, comfortable trekking shoes, and glove as a protection against the freezing temperature which hovers between zero to five degrees Celsius (33 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit).
• If you buy or rent something please Bargain.
• Sunrise starts at 5.00 am till 6.00 am (If werent cloudy), so you may leave from your hotel or guesthouse at 3 am or even less than that.
• Before start trekking, hiking or climbing, be sure that you already eat, or you can bring some food and drink from your places of stay.
• Otherwise, you can buy some food and drink on the nearest markets for your supply before you start your activities on mountain.
• If youre come in the right time, you may possible to watch the annual ceremony of Kesodo.
  

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// Visit Bandung - The City Parks

The City Parks

"Paradisi in sole paradisus terrestris" Jon Parkinson, 1629

Since the Dwhich were made in the 1920's are Taman Maluku (Molukkenpark), Taman Citarum (Tjitaroemplein), Tamanutch times, Bandung already has many parks which were made for the beauty of the city. The city parks in Bandung Pramuka (Oranjeplein), Taman Ganeca (Ijzermanpark), Taman lalulintas (Insulindepark), Taman Balaikota/Merdeka (Pieter Sijthoffpark), Taman Cibeunying (Tjibeunjingplantsoen), Taman Kebon Binatang / Taman Sari (Jubileumpark), etc.

Taman Cibeunying (Tjibeunjingplantsoen)

It is located at Cibeunying street, around Gedung Sate complex. This beautiful parks is stretch along a length. There is the footpath for pedestrian and the small river inside.

Taman Balaikota (Pieterspark)

This park is located at Merdeka street, in the center of Bandung city. The photos were taken from the same spot in 1931 (top) and 1999 (below). You can see the cathedral church in the background, the oldest church in the city.

Taman Maluku (Molukkenpark)

It is located at the intersection Aceh Street and Maluku Street. There is a pond with the white lotus and the fountain in the middle of this park. This park has one guard, H.O. Verbraak (1835-1918) statue (right photo) .

Ganeca Park (Ijzermanpark)

It is located at Ganeca Street, in the front of Bandung Instiute of Technology (ITB). This park has a pond with fountain also. In the upper section of the park, there is the half-circled platform. In the past, from this platform we can see the beautiful mountain range scenery; Manglayang Mountain (1611 m.), Tampomas Mountain (1683 m.), Mandalawangi Mountain (1650 m.), Graha Mountain (1159 m.), Jaya Mountain (2416 m.), Ppandayan Mountain (2660 m.), Kendang Mountain (2607 m.), Masigit Mountain (2076 m.), Dayeuhluhur Mountain (1010 m.), and Lalakon Mountain (970 m.), from the east toward the south until the west of Bandung. But currently we can not have the view like that. In 1928 (top), we can see two ITB buildings and Tangkuban Perahu mountain in the background (The north of Bandung), but now (below) those are covered by the denseness of the trees.

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Some of Old Buildings

Bank of Indonesia Building

This Beautiful building is located at the edge of Braga street. You can see the elegance of this building in the past (1925) with the very big banyan tree on the side. There's no traffic on the street, just one horse-drawn buggy and one cart were passing by...

Biofarma Building

It is located at Pasteur Street. The photos were taken in 1920 (top) and 1999 (below). This building is well known as The Pasteur Institute.

Mesjid Raya Kaum Cipaganti

It is located at Cipaganti Street. This is the oldest big mosque in Bandung city. There is no difference in the shape of building between 1934 and now.

Another picture of Masjid Raya Cipaganti in 1934. See Tangkuban Perahu Mountain in the background.

Catholic Cathedral

This old catholic cathedral is located on the south east side of Balaikota (Merdeka Park). The photo in the left was taken in 1925.

Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) Building

This is the landmark of ITB campus. The architect of this building is Ir. Mac Laine Pont (1920). This building is the combination between Indonesian traditional architecture style with modern western construction technique.

Villa Isola

This is the landmark of UPI campus. Beautiful building with interesting architecture.

Ex-Majestic Building

This old theater building is located at Jalan Braga

The Palace of Army Commandant

This old building located at Jalan Aceh, in the front of Taman Lalulintas

Bethel Church

This is another oldest church in Bandung, located on the west side of Balaikota, not too far from the Cathedral. You can see the picture of the church in 1920's (above) and now (below).

BMC Building

Bandoengsche Melk Centrale is one of the oldest restaurant in Bandung. You can see the picture in the 30's (left) and now. This Fancy Restaurant is located not too far from Merdeka Park (Balaikota).

// Visit Bandung -Gedung Sate

Gedung Sate

The decision of the government to move some departments from Batavia to Bandung was a big impulse for the development of the city. First, in 1914, the War Department was transported, and later in 1920 the Department of Government buildings (Gedung Sate) followed.

Gedung Sate (Satay Building).

Because of the special decoration on the roof, with somewhat resemblance to with a stick of sate, the building was known as Gedung Sate. It was built with total cost 6 million gulden. This is the first building that constructed by reinforced concrete technology in Indonesia.

Gedung Sate Complex in 1925

In the beautiful shaped building-complex, by design of the architect J. Gerber (1921), both elements of western and eastern architecture were assimilated.You can see Gedung Sate is the only one big building around its area in 1925.

Gedung Sate View From Back

This photo was taken from Cimanuk street in the back of Gedung Sate.

The Front of Gedung Sate in 1925 (left) and 1999 (right)

These photos was taken from Diponegoro Street in the front of Gedung Sate.

Gedung Sate Complex and Gasibu Square

Gasibu Square, in the front of Gedung Sate, is the place for every official ceremonial of West Java Province Government.

// Visit Bandung -Braga Street

Braga Street

Actually, today almost impossible to see horse drawn buggy in this street

Braga is the most famous Bandung street in the past. The street that lies north-south in Bandung city center was one of city landmark and once the pride of Bandung citizen.

Braga is one of the oldest street in Bandung city. The buildings in the left and the right side of the street are the old buildings with more than 100 years of age.

The buildings are the inheritance from Dutch-indies golden age in Indonesia. So, we can see Braga street as open museum of many classic architecture style, like classic romantic, art deco, indo-European, neo classic, till modern style.

Braga in 1911, very shady with trees on the left and right side of the street.

Braga in 1913

Braga in 1920

Braga in 1937, already densely by modern building in the left and the right side.

// Visit Bandung - Grote Postweg (Asia Afrika Street)

Grote Postweg (Asia Afrika Street)

The street divide Bandung city in two section; North of Bandung and South of Bandung. It was named after the Asia-Afrika conference which was held in Bandung back in the 1950s. Asia Afrika street is the part of Grote Postweg. The Grote Postweg (The Great Post Road) was constructed in 1808, as order of Governor General Daendles, with more than 1,000 km long and connected the westernmost of Java Island, Anyer with the easternmost of Java Island, Panarukan.

Asia-Afrika Street

Taken from the top of BRI tower building. The art deco building in the middle of the photo is Savoy Homann Hotel, which was built in 1917.

T-intersection Between Asia Afrika Street and Braga Street

1935

1999

Taken from the same position. The big building in the background of Merdeka Building is BRI tower building. The composition of the building in Asia afrika street is still the same but of course currently the traffic is more crowded than the past.

Gedung Merdeka (Merdeka Building)

This building was the place where the historical Asia Africa Conference held in 1955. That was the first ever conference of non-aligned nations from Asia and Africa Continents and attended by many world's leaders.

Preanger Hotel

1890 1930

2004

This historical hotel also has art deco style of building

Asia Africa Monument at Simpang Lima (five-way intersection).

This monument is located in the end of Asia Afrika Street. It was made as the symbols of the brotherhood among Asia and Africa nations. Simpang Lima Intersection connects Asia Afrika St., Gatot Subroto St., Ahmad Yani St., and Karapitan St.