With hardly any rest after the Gunung Semeru climb (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2012/06/gunung-semeru-27-30512-part-2_5.html) and a long 6 hours van journey to Catimor Guest Homestay, we were asked to wake up at 5 a.m. to prepare for Kawal Ijen climb.
We were at Paltuding (head trail) of Kawah Ijen at 6 a.m. to start the hike. Indeed as promised, the 3-km long trail to Kawal Ijen was an easy hike. We took our time to enjoy the cool and crisp atmosphere as well as the scenic surroundings. We hit the crater rim at 7.40 a.m. After the usual photography session, we left the crater at 8.40 a.m. We did not venture from the crater rim to the lake level owning to the nauseating sulphur vapour smell. The downhill trek took only 1 hour. To prove that the water from Kawal Ijen was the most acidic in the world, our guide took us to a waterfall nearby to demonstrate the litmus paper test.
Thereafter, we headed for Tanjung Papuma, arriving in time to witness the fabulous sunset over the Indian Ocean. In the morning, we got up early to witness the sunrise as well as to mingle with the women crowd waiting patiently for the boats to return from fishing. After breakfast, we immediately left for Kepanjen where we relaxed and prepared for the following day trip to explore Bangi Cave in Southern Malang.
The Bangi Cave is a small limestone cave located near a village. Except for some pre- and post-caving photographs, I did not to risk by bringing my camera into the wet underground cave. It was really a task crawling and worming through the narrow and low passage way while keeping our heads above water level. The passage dipped downwards as we progressed along. After 2 hours and at about 10m below ground level, we came to the first chamber housing beautiful white crystalline formations. We took a break here and decided not to continue with the exploration given the exceptional high water level and noting that it would take another 4 hours to reach the other end of the cave opening. It was about 2.15 p.m. when we returned to the base camp to clean up and have lunch.
We left for Surabaya Juanda Airport the following day after spending a night at dedaunan Cottage, a charming tastefully decorated residence complete with several open airy courtyards and private garden plots brimming with healthy green vegetable and plants.
For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/14751.
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