Mount Bromo : A Peak of Spectacular Tengger Caldera

Mount Bromo is the most famous mountain on Java Island. It is an active volcano and part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. Mount Bromo is only one of many peaks inside the massive Tengger Caldera, but it's easily recognizable as the entire top has been blown off and the crater inside constantly belches white sulphurous smoke. Mount Bromo is about 2,382 meters above sea level. It is a vast mountain. An eruption of massive proportions blew off its top leaving a huge caldera in which two peaks are located. One is the active volcano of Mount Bromo and the other is the non-active of Mount Batok. The inside of the caldera, aptly dubbed the Laut Pasir (Sea of Sand) is coated with fine volcanic sand and the overall effect is unsettlingly unearthly, especially when compared to the lush green valleys all around the caldera.

As time goes by the caldera has been filled with grey sand and this expanse is known as the Sand Sea. It is about 10 km. Across the Sand Sea is Mount Batok with its almost perfect cone. To the south, Mount Semeru, the highest mountain in Java provides a fining backdrop for this unearthly scene. While crossing the Sand Sea, low-lying fog which often envelop the caldera's floor, adds to the mystery of the surroundings. As the temperature drops several degrees, the combination of cold air and the strange echoing of horse's hoofs create a fantastic sensation of walking across a huge frozen lake. Temperatures at the top of Mount Bromo range about 5 to 18 degrees Celsius.

Something make the area unique is that it is a volcano inside a volcano. The base of the mountain actually rises from an old volcanic crater of the bigger Mount Tengger. Another unique feature about Mount Bromo is a reminiscent of a moonscape rather than anything related to the earth offers such breathtaking experiences, like observing sunrises and gazing into the volcano's crater. Even the journey to the crater is an exciting experience in itself. Before arriving at the Mount Bromo visitor needs to get across the Sea of Sands (Lautan Pasir), another unique landmark of the national park. Mount Bromo is also well known for spectacular sunrises.

Mount Bromo was traditionally visited by the Buddhist Tenggerese to celebrate ceremony of Kasodo. The offering ceremony of Kasodo is held each year by Tenggerese on the 14th day of full moon Kasodo (Tenggerese Calendar). Inhabitants of Tengger Mountain gather at the rim of Mount Bromo's active crater to present annual offerings of rice, fruits, vegetables, flowers, livestock, and other local products to the God of the mountain. As adherents of religion combining elements of Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism, they ask for blessing from the supreme God Hyang Widi Wasa. According to legend, this practice started as the King Joko Seger and Queen Roro Anteng prayed for children, and in return, promised to sacrifice the last child. The Queen had 25 children, but refused at first to sacrifice the last child. When threatened by the gods with fire and brimstone, the queen finally did perform the sacrifice. As the child was being thrown into the crater, the voice of the child was heard ordering an annual ceremony to be performed at the volcano.

A Hindu temple is situated at the foot of the mountain, from which 250 steps lead to the edge of the crater.

Location of Destination
Mount Bromo is situated within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, about 145 km south of Surabaya, capital of East Java Province, Republic of Indonesia

Route to Get Destination
By plane to Sukarno-Hata Airport (Jakarta). Then by domestic flight about 70 minutes from Sukarno-Hatta Airport (Jakarta) to Juanda Airport (Surabaya).
Then by bus or train for 2 -3 hours from Surabaya to Probolinggo.
Then by minibus about 1 hour from Probolinggo to Ngadisari.
Then it will take about 2 hours on foot, or about an hour and a half on horse back, from Ngadisari to Cemorolawang and Mount Bromo.

Best Time to Visit
May to October, on dry seasons

Accommodation for Traveller
Bromo Cottages, Java Banana Bromo, Lava View Lodge, Cemoro Indah

Borobudur Temple

Borobudur Temple is a Mahayana Buddhist temple which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the greatest architectural monuments in Asia. The base of Borobudur is 123 x 123 meter squares in size. The highest point of Borobudur is about 35 m from ground level. The temple structure forms a sacred flower of Buddha, Lotus Flower. It is made up of three main structures. The lowest part of the temple structures is made up of six rectangular stories. This part is known as Kamadhatu. The walls of Kamadhatu are decorated with relief panels about story of Buddha. The middle part of the temple structures is three circular terraces, known as Rupadhatu. Around Rupadhatu are 72 openworks bell-shaped stupa, each of which contains a statue of Buddha. And third part is a great central stupa on the top of the temple, known as Arupadhatu.

Borobudur Temple was built at about eighth century and completed in 825 AD, during the reign of King Samaratungga of the Syailendra Dynasty, one of powerful kingdoms in Java Island on the period. Borobudur Temple resemble a microcosm of the universe and provide a visual image of the teachings of Buddha. It also shows the steps through the life that each person must follow to achieve enlightenment.

Every year Buddhists from some countries in South East Asia observe their Sacred Day of Waisak in Borobudur Temple. Waisak Festival at Borobudur basically celebrates the birth, enlightenment and the death of Lord Buddha. This religious festival is held on the evening of the full moon day in the month of May.

The Waisak Festival at Borobudur at Indonesia consists of a pilgrimage to this holy place. The monks dressed in saffron robes walk for five miles from Mendut to Borobudur. They carry candles and orange flowers as offerings with them. The procession starts in the evening. As soon as the soft white light of the moon illuminates the exterior of the temple, the monks light the candle and start chanting holy chants. They also pray and meditate at the same time. This holy ceremony is marked by its spirituality and tranquility. The true essence of the Buddhist religion can be easily understood from this Buddhist festival.

Location of Destination
Borobudur Temple is located in Magelang region, approximately 40 km northwest City of Yogyakarta, the capital of Yogyakarta Province in Java Island, Republic of Indonesia.

Route to Get Destination
By plane to Sukarno-Hata Airport (Jakarta).
Then by domestic flight about 45 minutes from Sukarno-Hatta Airport (Jakarta) to Adisucipto Airport (Yogyakarta), or by train about 10 hours from Gambir Station (Jakarta) to Tugu Station (Yogyakarta).
Then by car or bus approximately 1 hours from Bus Station (Yogyakarta) to the location of Borobudur Temple.

Best Time to Visit
April to October

Accommodation for Traveller
Near Borobudur : Manohara Hotel, Saraswati Borobudur Hotel, and Amanjiwo Resort.
In Yogyakarta City : Sheraton Mustika Hotel, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Inna Garuda Hotel, Novotel Hotel, Grand Mercure Hotel, Ibis Hotel, and Santika Hotel.

Others
There are some banks around city of Yogyakarta. Government-owned Bank such as Bank BNI 46 and Bank Mandiri. Non-Government-owned Bank such as Bank BCA.
There are also some book stores in Yogyakarta city that sell tourism information books, such as Gramedia Book Store.