Nyepi Escapade: to the “2386” Kawah Ijen, Banyuwangi-Bondowoso, East Java

We didn’t really plan this voyage actually. Grab the backpack and go! Travel at any cost! We were heading to Banyuwangi to avoid Bali Silent Day.

We got creepy hotel room that night for 60.000 rupiahs,because the hotel we've planned to stay is full. We had local cuisine for dinner, nasi tempong.We got up at 6, took a bath, and getting ready for Kawah Ijen.  We were heading to Licin, the gate of  Ijen Crater.It was okay at first. Until we reached the “high way to hell”, check out our photos here.  The last 17 kilometres to Ijen was impossible to reach with motorbike. We tripped from our motorbike, got bruised, so we decided to stop and tried to find another way. In the middle of nowhere, bruised legs and palms, and the last 17 kms which impossible to reach on foot, luckily we didn't run out of ideas. We dragged our butt to the starting point Licin and did the hitchhiking!!There were sulphur truck which depart from Licin to Paltuding regularly. 

Finally.2.30 we are leaving Licin..... Hello Paltuding!!

From Licin to Paltuding, the truck arrived for 1 hour jpurney. We can see the real gate of Ijen Crater. Thanks to God. Thanks to the truck driver. Thanks to our parents and everyone who pray for us to get this place. Hehehehehe...How much should we pay for this truck? Actually it's free. But our tradition teach us for not “leave” anything to the people who helped us, so we gave the driver little money. The driver happy. So we are :D

We have to spend the night on foothill. It was 3.30 and we didn’t feel cold yet. Fyi, Paltuding is 1800 above the sea level.  Fyi again, we didn’t pay for the hotel or hostel or whatever u called it that time and we don’t bring tent. We only bring ponco and blanket. 08.00 pm we can handle the coldness still. UNTIL... when it came to the 11.00 pm Oh God, it's 2 degreess!!!! We cannot sleep at all, we are freezing!

1.30 pm. we started to hike. It was easy at start. Until we found..ok I found (Joanne)  the 60 degress of tilt!! Yes it took my breath awayyyy~~

Honestly I am so slow about this kind of hiking, mountaineering, trekking stuff. -_-It was really coldup there.. and about the track, I think everyone can climb this mountain to see the crater. Only 60 degress of tilt, a bit sand mix with the red soil, dense vegetation,but when we are close to the crater the track was turning to flat. Oh thaaaaaanks Lord :

We climbed this mountain about 3 hours. FYI, the sulphur worker always bring AT LEAST 70 kilograms of sulphur On their back and climb this mountain twice a day. Do you know how much they get paid? They get paid only about 600 rupiah per kilograms!! So just multiply it with 70 kilograms.  They get paid about 42.000 rupiah per day. 

Please, if u wanna climb this mountain don’t forget to bring bread or maybe candy, little gift from you for them will really meaningful.

Yes, 3 hours later.. we were in the crater. Panoramic? Oh let the pictures talk

After climbing this mountain is completed. We were heading back to the city, Banyuwangi, and stayed one more night there because we are too tired. Enjoy our story and photos pals! J

Jacob and Joanne  hug you!!!

Summary

Gasoline             : rp 70.000

eat 9X                 : rp 144.000

Hotel in BWI     : rp. 120.000 (2nights)

Sulphur truck   : rp. 20.000

                Total : rp.354.000
(for two persons)