Ijen Plateau- Home-Grown Sulfur

Ijen plateau or known as "Kawah Ijen" is highly recommended to mountain buffs and hikers. The Plateau was at one time a huge active crater, 134 sq km in area. Today, Ijen is a quiet but active volcano, and the landscape is dominated by the volcanic cones of Ijen (2,368 asl) and Merapi (2,800 asl) on the northeastern edge of the Plateau, and Raung (3,332 asl) on the southwest corner.

The magnificent turquoise sulfur lake of Kawah Ijen lies at 2148 m above sea level and is surrounded by the volcanos sheer crater walls. The vent is a source of sulfur and collectors work here, making the trek up to the crater and down to the lake every day. Sulfur collectors hike up in the morning and return around 1 pm when the clouds roll in. They carry shoulder basket of pure sulfur from a quarry on the lakes edge under the shadow of the sheer walls of the crater. The mineral at Kawah Ijen is purer and is worth commercial exploitation despite the horrendous labor involved: Javas homegrown sulfur is a natural source of sulfuric acid, in great demand in the oil-refining business and in the production of fertilizers.

Getting There

The Ijen Plateau can be reached through Bondowoso from either the northern or the southern coast. It is closer to Banyuwangi, but the road is very steep and badly deteriorated. A 4 WD is essential, although difficult to hire in Banyuwangi and outrageously expensive. Most people walk the last 8 km along the road to Pos Paltuding (the PHPA Post, the starting point or the trek to the crater).

Where to Stay

You can choose your places of stay at Bondowoso or Banyuwangi. There's a few type of accommodation with varied price and facilities.

Moving Around

You can take a walk for about 1-1 1/2 hour to the crater rim.

Dining Guide

Before start trekking, hiking or climbing, be sure that you have already eaten, or you can bring some food and drink from your places.of stay. Otherwise, you can buy some food and non alcoholic drink on the nearest supermarkets for your supply during your activities on
mountain.

Souvenir Tips

The sulphur diggers will approach you for playing a guide and sell some nice sulphur statues for 5.000 till 10.000 Rp (probably their day-income).

Other Things to See or Do

At the rim itself you have a nice view on the lake. You can walk around the rim or go immediately left so you can walk down to the lake for about 40 minutes.

Travel Tips

• The walk starts at Pal Tuding. Its a basic camp where you can stay overnight. There is a block with showers and toilets
  
• At night it can be pretty cold up there,(it is suggested that you carry a sleeping bag). Take your own picnic, since the food you can buy at the parking lot isn't up to much.
  
• The walk up to the crater rim takes 60-90 minutes. It's pretty steep. Halfway is a small post where the sulphurworkers take a break. A cup of tea is available here.
  
• The path is just one-way so there is no need for any guidance.
  
• An absolute must is a handkerchief to put in front of your mouth and nose to avoid inhalation of the sulphur gases.
  
• If you buy some souvenirs like statues, they are very breakable so tape them in with toilet paper and take precious care of it.
  

The volcanic caldera with its deep crater lake, Mount & Lake Batur- Kintamani,Bali

The mountainous region around Kintamani, centering on the spectacular volcanic caldera of Mt Batur with
its deep crater lake and bubbling hot springs, is rugged with a high and wild beauty.

Wonderful mountain air and dizzying views in all directions, as well as several important temples, are what makes Kintamani one of the most memorable stops on the Bali tourist itinerary.

Mount Batur is actually just a small volcano, but its setting is in the heart of a huge crater 14km in diameter. Adjacent to the volcano is the large crescent-shaped Batur Lake, all surrounded by the high walls of the crater rim. The sheer size of the crater conjures up images of the massive eruption of the original Mount Batur that occurred tens of thousands years ago.

The volcano is still active today as Balinese all over the island who still remember the great eruption of 1917 will testify. It claimed thousands of lives and destroyed hundreds of temples. Old people might tell you this was "the year when the world shook" Other eruptions have taken place since, forcing the local population to be relocated, along with several of their temples including one of the main Bali temples, Pura Ulun Danu. Initially inside the huge crater, this temple has been relocated to the top of the ridge overlooking it. Here it now offers an impressive view of Mount Batur.

Getting There

You can go there by taxi or just rent a car. You can also join a tour to visit Mount Batur and Lake Batur. Tourist shuttle buses between southern Bali and Lovina stop off at Kintamani.

Where to Stay

There are several accommodations ranges from star hotels to Home stays in Kintamani. You may choose one of them to stay.

Moving Around

To move around Batur area, you just need to take a walk or you can rent a bike also.

Dining Guide

At Penelokan (translated as 'viewing spot') there are several restaurants from where to repose and get a well-deserved bite.

Souvenir Tips

Up the road going north is a market, busy every three days on Hari Paseh in the Balinese calendar. This is interesting to visit to see the variety of produce from surrounding mountain farms - oranges, corn, vegetable, fruit and the usual vast array of flowers, dried fish, tools, livestock, pots and baskets, plus a big clothing market. You may also see men cuddling big furry Kintamani puppies highly prized all over Bali.

Other Things to See or Do

• Pura Ulun Danu Batur - near Batur village. This is the most important temple after Besakih, housing more than 90 shrines. Worth visiting at any time of year, especially during the Odalan festival, usually in March depending on the full moon, which is dedicated to the goddess of the crater lake, who is said to control the irrigation systems for the entire island.
  
• Trunyan Village - mortuary traditions. From Toya Bungkah, lot of boats will cross the lake to a
  Bali Aga village called Trunyan. This place is notorious for its mortuary traditions. Instead of cremating the dead, as Balinese do throughout most of the island, the Trunyan communities leave the bodies to decompose naturally in a special cemetery.
  
• Trekking Around Gunung Batur. The most popular trek is from Toya Bungkah to the top of Gunung Batur for sunrise. You may ask for this to a group of local guides or some of tourist service there.

Travel Tips

• Theres a brilliant view from Penelokan, if its clear. But prepared for wet, cold and cloudy conditions and
  aggressive souvenir selling.
  
• Remember to bring along a camera, as the breathtaking view is one to be cherished and shared back home.
  
• There are many street hawkers selling some souvenirs. If you don't want to buy from them, don't make any contact to them otherwise you will be followed until you give up and buy from them.
  
• Its better to visit mount and lake Batur in a dry season. It would make lakeside activities available and
  enjoyable. The rainy season was just too foggy and wet to enjoy to its fullest.
  

The Green and Lush Puncak Pass - WEST JAVA

Puncak Pass area has long been the foremost weekend retreat for residents of Indonesias capital city. The cool, fresh air, and the magnificent view offers you a calm, fresh and peaceful feeling. In the afternoon, sunsets from the top of the pass can be quite spectacular. This area also surrounded by many attractions, such as Taman Safari Park or known as Taman Safari park at Cisarua, Flower Park or Taman Bunga Nusantara at Cipanas, Cibodas Botanical Gardens, the Gede and Pangrango national park and other tourist attractions nearby Puncak Pass Area.

Getting There

Located only one or two hours drive from Jakarta. You can visit this area by using taxi, private or rent a car.

Where to Stay

Along Puncak Pass road, you will find many hotels and villas with varied price and facilities.

Dining Guide

Good varieties of restaurants are situated on or close to the city. Many of them provide local dishes. There are also warungs or food stalls that provide light meals such as toast, roasted corn and traditional drinks which can make your body warm at night, like bajigur and bandrek.

Moving Around

You can move around Puncak Pass area by car.

Other Things to See or Do

Halfway between Taman Safari and Puncak, lays Gunung Mas tea plantation area and tea factory. Here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of green velvet tea plantation covering over the hills and see tea processing. The site also offers a refreshing overnight stay at cool mountain breeze. The stunning mountain scenery and picturesque tea plantations also make this an ideal spot for hiking or simply a stroll through the tea plantations.

Souvenir Tips

Since Puncak Pass Area known as an agriculture producer, along the road side of Puncak, you can find many
local stalls are selling agriculture crops like fruits, vegetables, various tubers like sweet potatoes and others. But, you may also find local stalls are selling other souvenirs.

Travel Tips

• At night it can be pretty cold up there, so you better equipped yourself with warm clothes.
  
• If youre planned to rent some villas, it is suggested to bargain the price at the beginning.

Source:

• www.visitbandung.net
  
• www.okeaja.com