Bromo, Java

We got up at 3.30 am this morning to climb the still partly active volcano Gunung Bromo. Equipped with our torches and all warm clothes we could wear - interesting feeling this "cold" as you Europeans call it - and started our way first through the vast, pitch black plateau toward the volcano where no path or anything resembling that marked our way. We had to get rid of a couple of motorcycle drivers who wanted to make us believe that there was no way at all we would make it to the top in time for sunrise. One would only leave after we made more than clear that he couldn't expect any money from us.

But after finding our way across the plateau and pretty much running up the really steep, sandy (in fact the ground was covered in ashes) climb including 250 steps we made it and were rewarded with a magnificent view on the sunset, the plateau still veiled in mist, and the great surrounding landscape. Totally worth it!

After, we hopped back on a minibus for 12 hours - with 4 passengers for 12 seats pretty bearable - and are now in Yogjakarta, the cultural centre of Java.Read more