Sacrifice, traveling to Bromo during the rainy season, alone, because I found a cheap ticket... so cheap, like taking a bus from Nakhon Chai to Bangkok. From AirAsia, only 1890 baht. What's there to hesitate? After getting the ticket, I started looking for information to prepare. I came across this sentence:

The best season to visit Bromo is during the dry season, between April and October. It is advisable to avoid January due to heavy rainfall.

Oh no! The ship is gone! I can't find any information about what the rainy season is like here. Most of the reviews are from people who visited during the hot season. If I want to know, I'll have to see for myself. Well, let's go and explore!

The journey begins.

From the Surabaya airport, head straight to the exit gate where you will find the Damri Bus that will take you to the Bungurasih Bus Terminal.

Fare Rp. 25,000. Staff will collect according to the price tag attached.

The bus will arrive at Bungurasih Bus Terminal in approximately 30 minutes. The terminal looks like this.

Upon exiting the vehicle, a swarm of taxis and motorbike taxis will aggressively approach you, reminiscent of a zombie horde in The Walking Dead. Remain composed and avoid succumbing to their pressure, as they may attempt to overcharge you. The bus terminal entrance is located behind you; turn around and proceed straight ahead.

Go straight.

A few moments later, several burly men were seen standing and pointing to the left turn, indicating the direction to catch the connecting bus.

Ascend the staircase to the second floor, enduring the relentless assault of zombies attempting to impede your progress. Ignore their desperate grasps and continue your ascent with unwavering determination.

Look for the sign to Probolinggo. The fare is Rp.30,000.

The journey to the destination was as described in the reviews, with a reasonable price and decent air conditioning. However, the return trip was a matter of luck. If you're unlucky, you might encounter an unofficial taxi that charges double the price. Unfortunately, I experienced this bad luck and was charged Rp. 60,000. The picture shows the condition of the return vehicle, with vendors selling mangoes, grilled chicken, aromatic oils, and inhalers at every stop. You can also request their services. Additionally, several guitarists took turns performing, and you could tip them if you enjoyed their music.

The journey to Probolinggo takes approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival, tour companies may approach you with their services. For budget-conscious travelers, it is recommended to walk further. Turn left when facing the street and walk for about 300 meters to find public transportation. The local transportation here is unique; vehicles will not depart until they are full, which can accommodate approximately 15 passengers. Be prepared to wait.

After waiting for approximately two hours as dusk approached, the four passengers were informed by the driver that they could depart immediately if they agreed to pay the full fare for the vehicle, which would be divided equally among them. Consequently, each passenger ended up paying Rp. 150,000.

It takes about 1.30 hours to reach Cemoro Lawang Village, a mountain village closest to Bromo. Tonight, I stayed at Bromo Otix, which costs Rp. 150,000. There are many accommodations in the village, so you don't need to book in advance. You can walk around and negotiate the price here.

Rear view of the accommodation

For dinner tonight, I'm planning to eat at Cafe Lava, the hotel's restaurant. The prices and flavors are excellent, a perfect 10 out of 10. If you're unsure, I recommend ordering the Nasi Goreng (fried rice) first. 555+

After dinner, we planned how to see the view, as we hadn't rented a jeep and it had been raining constantly since our arrival. We came up with a rough plan to walk to the Seruni Point viewpoint, then walk back to Camara Indah to regroup before walking to the volcanic crater.

For solo travelers, there's no need to worry as you'll encounter fellow hikers along the way. Despite the rain, we continued our trek to the viewpoint to catch the sunrise. However, as it's the rainy season, it's best to keep expectations in check.

The absence of sunlight cast a gloomy and oppressive atmosphere, creating a stark contrast to the vibrant reality experienced firsthand. Fortunately, the rainy season brought a reprieve from the usual tourist crowds, allowing for an unobstructed view of the magnificent scenery.

Village view accommodation

After enjoying the view from above, we descended the path we had taken the previous night. The surrounding slopes were dotted with the villagers' cabbage fields.

As you stroll along, you will reach the Camara Indah Hotel, where a statue of a man on horseback stands in front. There is a sloping path leading down to the volcanic crater. This path is free to enter, but it is quite challenging and not recommended for those who are not physically fit. Consider yourself warned! 555+

For those who do not want to walk, there are jeep services available. Due to the rainy season, we were fortunate not to encounter the dust clouds described in previous reviews. However, walking through the rain and taking photos was a bit challenging.

We have reached the halfway point. If you are feeling tired, you can use the horse service. The price is negotiable depending on your ability.

Along the way up, there is an old and abandoned Hindu temple. It's quite eerie to walk past it.

Along the way, there are shops selling things all the time, so you don't have to worry about being hungry.

The final hurdle, after walking almost to the point of exhaustion, is to climb these stairs.

And then it came, just like that... "The Breath of God." No words could describe it. All fatigue vanished, replaced by an overwhelming sense of awe. Humans are truly insignificant creatures when standing in its presence.

Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.

The fence is so low, I'm scared! The smell of sulfur isn't too strong, probably because of the constant drizzle.

After enjoying the view, it's time to return to your accommodation. Board the car at the three-way intersection near Cafe Lava. The car will depart around 9:00 AM, with the last round at approximately 11:00 AM or until the car is full. Plan your time accordingly. On the return trip, there are a total of 10 people, so the fare is reduced to Rp. 50,000 per person.

The rainy season in Bromo, from January to April, offers a unique experience. The atmosphere is cool and misty, with a touch of gray. The number of tourists is low, and the air is free of dust, creating a relaxed and tranquil ambiance.

Summary of expenses:

• Damri bus round trip Rp. 50,000
• Probolinggo bus one way Rp. 30,000, round trip Rp. 60,000 = Rp. 90,000
• Mini Bus one way Rp. 150,000, round trip Rp. 50,000 = Rp. 200,000
• Food and other expenses Rp. 200,000
• Flight ticket 1890 Baht
• Accommodation Rp. 150,000
• Total approximately 3512 Baht

Photo: Huawei Mate 9