Probolinggo

We left Bali and headed back to Java, this time to Probolinggo to visit Gunung Bromo which is an active Volcano. We got the bus from Denpassar back to Gillimanuk to get the ferry back across the water to Banyuwangi, then the 5 hour bus to Probolinggo. When we arrived it was dark and raining very heavily, like a monsoon. We put on our waterproof jackets and set off to find a hotel. The pavements and roads were flooded and the water was up past our ankles. We went into the first one we saw, which turned out to be lovely, and after some noodles from the hotel restaurant, were soon dry and cosy in bed. Stuart had booked a driver for 4am the next morning to take us to Guning Bromo so we could be there for the sunrise. We got out of the car at the checkpoint and made the rest of the pitch black journey to the base of the volcano in a jeep. From there we walked on the almost black sand up the volcano; Jack went up it on a horse. The final climb was up some very steep steps, and I made it to the top first. At the top it smelt horrible, like rotten eggs, but then looking down into the crater with all the smoke coming out I didn’t care. It is one of the most amazing things we have ever seen, and once the mist had begun to clear the surrounding views were spectacular too. On the way down Jack and I went on a horse together, which I loved loved loved! We were all amazed by Bromo and it will go down as one of our most amazing experiences ever.