So, my friends and I went go to Mount Ijen on 13th September 2018 . It was kind of a spontaneous trip , as we have no classes on Thursday and Friday, I thought that it will be a good getaway and explore this touristy place before the Mid Term exam and assignment that may hinder us from leaving ITS anytime soon.
We book the train Ticket using the Traveloka apps, you have to uninstall and reinstall for the Indonesia version of Traveloka to appear. If I am not mistaken, we all got 15% off the original price for first purchase . After we booked from the apps, we went to Alphamart to pay . It was our only option as they do not accept debit card or online banking via debit card, only accept Visa Mastercard. But it is alright as there is an Alphamart just situated near our hostel. The price of the ticket from Surabaya Gubeng to Karangsasem Station, both way total was around IDR 115000 .
We already book a tour package that costed RM315000 /pax for the 5 of us from Koko (Karangsasem Homestay ) , we negotiate to get that price and I kept telling him that we are students..Haha . I will list down his contact number below this blog. We took the 4am++ train if I am not mistaken , so we left the local student hostel at around 3am .We took Grab to Gubeng Railway station .
It was fast and easy for the check in process.
Pictures while waiting for the train to arrive , the train came on time , and it was a long 7 hours ride.
Along the way, we passed row and row of paddy fields , witness some beautiful scenery and some annoying kids shouting and singing.
Oh and because we went for the cheapest choice which was the economy seats, we were seated 3 person on a bench (mind you, there is no divider to separate the 3 person ) , and another 3 more person in front of you. It was already a long ride , and having so little space makes the whole journey became from bad to worse. No thanks to the mak cik in front of me that kept resting her leg on my seat , sometimes beside my legs , sometimes between my legs when my leg is open. So , nope , no more.
We vow to take the business class seats if there is a next time.
We almost missed the Karangasem station, luckily Mala was alert ,and we got off the train in a rush. It was sheer luck or else we will have to go down at the last station Banyuwangi and then would have to take the grab/gojek back to Karangasem station , which will cost us money and time.
Yesh!
We went out of the train station, called KOKO to inform him that we have arrived, and have a quick lunch over at one of the stall just outside the station. The owner was friendly, but food was so so only.
KOKO then drove us back to our homestay , which was just 5 minutes away from the train station. The guys share the bedroom for 2 , while the 3 girls got lucky , and was given the biggest room in the house , that was suppose to accommodate 4 people actually . Room and toilet was pretty clean and we were all satisfied.
We were extremely lucky this time around. Because as we will only be going to Ijen later that night, we have so many spare time to kill. Initially, I told KOKO that we might just go and visit the Luwak Cafe nearby as there have basically nothing else to visit or go to over there. And guess what, the place was close on that day, but KOKO told us that he is quiet familiar with the owner and that he can request him to let us just tour into the cafe area and also drink some coffee . KOKO even took us there for free. ( the price we paid for the tour and lodging didn't include this ) .
So we basically got a VIP tour in that cafe area as we were the only ones there, and even got to take pictures with their Luwak ( Civet ) , it was a bit sad to watch these furry animals living in a small concrete area , but , I am just gonna be positive and assume that these animals were treated well and given the right care and respect from the keepers over there .
This is the coffee beans that the Luwak will be eating, digested and poop out.
This is the drying process of their feces .
We actually had a private 1-1 lesson with the owner as well, he explained the steps in brewing a good cup of coffee and all those coffee stuff .
To tell the truth, I was expecting like maybe a normal coffee where they will serve it with sugar and creamer and all. Or maybe like Luwak Cofee Ice blended etc. But the guy actually told us the best way to taste a coffee, is when it is tasted in its original bitterness. The others were not fond of the coffee as it was bitter ( of course its bitter cause no sugar no creamer ) , I have tasted even bitter coffee , so the one we had over there was alright . But we did ask for a few bags of sugar , just to make the coffee experience a bit more bearable . But the high note of that visit was surely witnessing the Luwak and also the aroma and smell of the coffee was perfect!
After that, we went back to our home stay and rest till 12am, where we started our Journey to Mount Ijen. The drive from the home stay to the base of Mount Ijen was about 1 hour. Below is the picture before we started the hike, the temperature was around 10 degree , and we were literally freezing, cause we Malaysians never experience 4 seasons alright , it was way way colder than in Genting or Cameron Highlands.
Along the way, Mala was not able to keep up with the tour guide , and the tour guide was not able to wait for her as there are other tourist too in the group too, I decided to join and follow the tour guide , while Mirul, Mini , Mala and Dillah went on their own with their own pace . (Eventually some other tour guide helped them along the way, and Mala even took the Mountain Taxi as the hike was a little bit too hard for her) .
It took maybe around 2 hours to reach the blue flame , by then I was already exhausted. The thing is hiking Mount Ijen , you do need some stamina , and the rocks and pathway are uneven, quiet slippery at some places, so it was actually a challenge for me too. As we were constantly walking, the cold air did not really bother us.
Blue flame was pretty small, but witnessing it with my own eyes, it was something I am gonna remember for the rest of my life , and the poisonous sulfur gas , I brave them just to get this shot!
Along the way, I saw miners carrying the dried sulfur rocks , the hike itself is already so tough, I really cannot imagine how are the men doing this every single day , and they are suppose to like carry it the whole way, up and down the mountain. While I really sympathizes them, there is nothing else that can be done.
After the Blue Flame, we start ascending and reach the peak where we can get the panoramic view of the whole mountain , and the blue lake. ( As we were already quiet tired, we decided not to walk down to the Blue Lake ). This is where I rejoin with my friends.
The sky was so pretty, I would't mind getting this kind of view every other day.
We went and visit a Jagir waterfall after that . I can never get enough of waterfall , there is something about the sound of water that is so addicted, and calming to the soul
After that, we went back to our home stay and packed our stuff, waited till 2pm and KOKO sent us to the train station , got on the train and arrive back in Surabaya after another 7 hours. It was definitely a fun trip , I was already too tired when I arrive back in my hostel .
Why we did not go with the Bromo Ijen tour? Well , thankful we didn't. I was already so tired hiking Mount Ijen, and the girls are having a hard time too . Besides that , we still have like tons of time to visit Mount Bromo in the future as we will be in Surabaya till December . ( We actually went there on 6th October , will be blogging about that soon ).
Mount Ijen was amazing , the poisonous gas , not so. Will not come back anytime soon, but Mount Ijen is the first Volcano I have ever visited in my life.
And here are the details of the Tour that I book :
KOKO +6282247730535
The price only includes lodging, transport , entrance fee, tour guide , gas mask and touch light , Mineral water and a visit to the waterfall.
“ I'm in love with cities I've never been to and people I've never met.” – John Green.
Been listening to October by Jon D. One day I'll find where I belong .
Been reading and studying and just completed my Mid Term examination over here at ITS Surabaya, Indonesia.
Currently re-watching Games of Thrones again! Haha , because I saw this poster. Season 9, faster come please.
Stay tuned as I will be blogging about Oxwhite menswear , where you can get non iron , the best quality white shirt at a price of only RM69 ! (orginal priced at RM400 )
Till then,
Cheers.
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