Friday 8 May 2015

Ranu Pani, Indonesia: Mt Semeru

After our Mt Penanjakan and Mt Bromo tour, we took a jeep and headed to Ranu Pani village, the nearest village to Mt Semeru. It was SUCH a bumpy ride, I was jolted left right center and bumped my head a few times.


It was even colder at Ranu Pani since it's located higher above sea level. We took a walk around the small village and visited a misty lake. Then we found our homestay and was welcomed warmly by the host, Thomas and his mother. It was near dinner time when we arrived so we went food hunting but there aren't too much food options around the small village so we had fried rice at the homestay. We played cards and then went out to the lake to star gaze and freeze ourselves. We managed to spot one or two shooting stars! It was my first time seeing shooting stars so you can imagine my excitement.


We really wanted to do the 2D1N hike up Mt Semeru but realised that we didn't have enough time so we opted for a hike to the Ranu Pani lake and then turn back. We began pretty early the next day and it was absolutely FREEZING when we woke up, the alarm rang and rang but nobody budged haha. My friend had half the mind to not join us but I managed to get her to come along and she did not regret it. :)



A part of the forest was burned. :( As we hiked, the sun came up and it got hot so we started stripping haha. And after about 4 hours, we finally saw the Ranu Pani lake. :)





We had our breakfast beside the lake which was sadly a bit polluted with rubbish left behind by the campers? :( Nonetheless, it was a view worth hiking 4 hours for. If we had done the 2D1N hike, this would have been the camping site. It would be a beautiful place to camp and spend a night, though I imagine it would be seriously cold during the night.

After we got back to our homestay, it was time to pack up and head back to Surabaya. We spent one night there and our host at Surabaya brought us out to eat. We didn't see much of Surabaya but we saw the "Singapore of Surabaya" and why you ask? Go and find out haha. We also passed by a super wealthy estate full of mansions. We asked our host if he has a house there, he was like, "No house, just a piece of land." Pff.

Then it was goodbye to the cold and hello sunny home!

2 comments:

  1. wow!!!!! it's beautiful!!!!

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  2. Hi Ally,
    I was enjoyed reading your blog about your past trekking tour to Volcanic mountain in Surabaya vicinity. We will be planning soon going to Mount Bromo, Peranankan for Sunrise, Madakaripura Waterfall and Ijen Crater (if the time allowed to Ijen). Would like to know how many days you spent your last trip? Also request for your itinerary for reference as we will travelling in budget if you have it. Hope to mention also your parasailing cost, lodging at every point, jeep rental price, tour guide fee and entrance fee for each mountain if do so. Appreciated your feedback.

    Ken Wong
    kenonmyway@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete