Bob - the Java Pony (trekking Mt. Bromo)

The bump was felt throughout all the wagons as the economic class was connected to the business and executive class. Somehow it must have been like that, when Richard Katz boarded the train to Probolinggo, a small station and popular approach to the Bromo region, already in the 20ies best known for its awesome volcanic scenery. Probably Katz booked a seat in the "Dutch" departments - corresponding with today’s executive class - but compensating for the different standards over time, I decided to join the busy economic wagons for less than 3 Euros for the next 10 hours along rice fields and majestic sleeping volcanoes.

Departing from Yogyakarta, one of the best preserved and most attractive cities in Java, I finally will have my first "in loco" encounter with Katz, exchanging impressions based on his chapter "Bob – the Java Pony" from his travel book "Ein Bummel um die Welt". 

We arrived late in Probolinggo and it was getting dark when I luckily caught the last local bus. A group of six students with backpacks and rolled sleeping bags not only was a good indicator for the right way, but more important, they offered the opportunity to join the trek up late night, sleeping in my tent at the edge of the volcanic caldera. 

And so it happened. What an exciting night - unfolding under a bright full moon and countless stars. Building up in darkness my tent for the first time during this trip was no challenge as I used it for several weeks in 2005 after the earthquake hit Gunung Sitoli. As I was not alone sleeping outdoors next a puffing volcano, I quickly fell asleep in the cold air after a long day on tour.

And what an amazing early morning: sunrise over the smoking Gunung Bromo and its great panoramic view of the crater - what a stunning sight!

But even such outstanding places on a journey around the world are not without hassles. Whereas Richard Katz had to convince his four-leg transport to move hill upwards, I was surprised by the armada of four-wheel-powered Toyota Landcruisers - proudly called Hardtop by its owners - carrying on weekends hundreds of visitors till to the foot of Mount Bromo and leaving hikers as myself behind in clouds of fine volcanic dust.

I spent hours on top of the volcano, enjoying the ever changing cloud formations above the crater and myriads of shades of colors and light.

And while “Bob” took Katz back to his safe-haven hotel, I joined the students to spend another night in a dry river bed just at the foot of the volcano, dirty from a day in dust with no shower, nor electricity, but at least with a few finger bites of hot plain rice offered from my travel companions.

Link to my pictures from the virtual meeting with Richard Katz at the Bromo volcano:
Trekking and camping on the Bromo volcano
From Yogya to Prombolino
Borobudur Temple