Bromo-bound and blown away

Hi,

I've officially crash-landed in Indonesia, and let me tell you, this place is already stealing my heart (and maybe a few hours of sleep, but totally worth it!). This is just Day Two, and I've already traded city lights for volcanic sights. I’m talking about a whirlwind pre-program adventure to the legendary Mount Bromo before my official bussiness with Brawijaya University!

How was Bromo? Let's just say "majestic" is what you call your neighbour's fancy lawn. This... this was a scene straight out of an actual other planet!

The journey started, as all good (and slightly insane) stories do, at midnight in a trusty jeep. This wasn't a gentle Sunday drive. This was an off-road, gravity-defying marathon! Seriously, if you're prone to motion sickness, pack an entire pharmacy, because this trip was an extreme sport. Luckily for me, my stomach has the resilience of a wrestler, and I absolutely loved the wild ride.

Okay, fine, I might have lied a tiny bit. Amidst the chaos of the bumpiest road on Earth, I actually managed to snag a quarterly power nap. Yes, you heard right. I was rocking asleep while being launched 3 feet in the air every 5 seconds. I don't know if I should be proud or concerned, but hey, it was a surprisingly refreshing snooze!

We finally arrived at the sunrise spot, and man, was it a chilly reception! The air was so crisp, it felt like Mother Nature was giving us a full-on, deep-freeze hug. I saw people wisely rocking huge, puffy jackets, looking like adorable, ready-for-the-arctic marshmallows.

Me? I only had my favourite jumper on. Why? Because I'm a temperature rebel! I wanted to fully appreciate this magnificent, mountain-top cold. The kind of chill that makes you feel alive. And to keep my internal raging while we waited for the sun's grand entrance, I engaged in a true Indonesian ritual. A a cup of boiling hot tea paired with instant noodles! Nothing, and I mean nothing, on this earth beats slurping on super-hot Indomie when the weather is trying to turn you into an ice sculpture. Pure, unadulterated bliss!

A little cup of heaven known as Instant Soto Ayam!

Around 5 AM, the guide signaled the main event. The weather was still playing hard-to-get. Super cold, and now a light drizzle decided to join the party! Thank goodness I had a raincoat (I'm basically a prepared adult... sometimes). I joined the pilgrimage, marching up the final peak with the eager crowd, ready for the spectacle.

The rain initially kept the sun's spotlight soft, but as the minutes ticked by and the day brightened, the clouds did a magnificent disappearing act. And then... BAM! The view unfolded.

Just a gallery sneak peek! This is the appetizer view. 

The main course is stuck on my memory card (and in my soul).

It was more than majestic. It was a sprawling, epic canvas of volcanic peaks, sandy plains, and a vibrant sky. Gazing down at the Bromo crater, I honestly felt like I could sprout wings and fly right into the scene. It was that unbelievably, spectacularly beautiful!

View so good, I felt like flying! (Must resist the urge to jump.) 😉

Phew! That was just the start, folks, and I'm practically vibrating with energy! There is so much more to spill, but my clock is ticking and my official work duties are calling (gotta earn that next travel ticket, right?). Next up: shifting focus to Brawijaya University, and then a quick exploration of the rest of Surabaya before I jet off.

Bromo adventure? Conquered it! Next challenge, please!