"This story article was featured on We Said Go Travel Travel Writing Contest on December 17, 2014"
It was a very tired office week. I felt that I have no energy left to face another day. Out of the sudden, a friend from my college called and asked me to go to Mt. Bromo with him and another friend. I instantly agreed because of one reason. I’d never been to Bromo, period. In addition to make a perfect excuse, It was just the right time to escape for a while from work activity. “It’s now or never, let’s do it!” I said to myself to overcome my doubt, since I learned from several reviews that the track is difficult. We decided to go there the next week after.
The journey was never
been easy. We had a lot of disagreement almost in everything, like who
will be the driver for the night shift, where to stop to buy meal, which
way was the shortest way, and some other ridiculous things. Despite of
that, I felt that the different characters among us complete each others
along the journey. One thing that still unites us until now is the
passion to share the experience and togetherness. After 12 hours
overland trip from Jakarta, we finally arrived at Ngadisari village, the
nearest village to Mt. Bromo. We got a best deal to book nice and cozy
backpacker hostel at the slope of the mountain, which was only Rp 75.000
per room for one night (USD 7 per night). We also had an arrangement
for the jeep tour at reasonable price. The local villagers were very
friendly and communicative. Nice cold weather combined with the
villagers’ friendliness made us very enthusiast with our journey.
On the next day, we
woke at 3 AM and rode a 6 passenger four-wheel drive jeep to catch the
sunrise. It was about 45 minutes to reach Mount Penanjakan, the first
stop that was the perfect spot to see the sunrise. It was very bumpy and
winding track, but it worth every inch as we reached the destination.
It was magnificence and breathtaking. At that time, a lot of food
stalls was already in service. They offered boiled noodle, steamed corn,
fried banana and hot drinks. Local people also make money from selling
or renting jacket since it was very cold and the wind was so breezy. In
about 5 degrees Celsius, we all drowned in silence while watching the
first ray of light appeared from behind of the mountain. Camera was the
most wanted gadget and nobody wanted to miss their pose in that dramatic
moment.
As the day turned into
a bright morning, our tour guide who also our jeep driver once again
told us to ride the jeep heading to Mt. Bromo’s crater. However, the
jeep only brought us to a spacious parking area right below the crater.
From there, we still have to walk about 30 minutes to reach the first
step of the crater’s stair. We saw a lot of horses with passenger on its
back; it had been a favorite choice for tourists who don’t want to get
tired of walking. Still, everyone had to walk along a hundred of stairs
with 60 degrees angle to reach the top of the crater. As we got there,
we never stop gasped and amazed by the scenery. The layer of clear blue
sky, white cotton mist and grey gigantic volcano rock was spread
perfectly in front of us. God made this beautiful view as a reminder for
human being to appreciate His creation, to keep grateful with His
gifts; the soul we live and the air we breathe. It made me realize that
lately I never thank enough to God, I always complaint in most of my
time. The source of the negative attitude was because I have married for
4 years but have no children yet. The moment after, I called my wife on
the phone and said that she is the most precious gift that God had sent
to me and told her that everything will be alright as long as we have
each other. My wife, clueless, only answered:”I love you too”. My
friends told me I was so sentimental, but aren’t we all?
It was a journey that
we would never forget. It might not be served with luxury facility, but
we got all we need, we got the views and a reminder to keep positive in
live, so it’s priceless. I wish I could visit Mt. Bromo again with my
wife so we can share and embrace that amazing moment together.
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