It's a rarity, actually. Think of some of the mountains you've seen or climbed; they tend to become more narrow and steep the higher up they become until a peak forms. Bromo doesn't play that.
There is a plain of open field lining this mountain top. There, a village rest comfortably. Lost in thick fog and forming clouds obscuring a healthy green landscape marked by impressive farm land, people are well adapted to the cold save their hearts which are conversely warm with character. Bromo hangs overhead, it's open crater exposed, an unattended planetary wound.
More on that in a moment. The trek up into the clouds is also worth noting. Remember my spiel on Ijen? Technically, by the numbers, this Bromo climb is a larger challenge because we began right at sea level and climbed 2,438 meters in just over 40km. Rough I tell ya, rough. I had not wanted to stop off and take pictures since the hills are too difficult to start and stop along the way. Only one picture here of a flower that is too perfectly well positioned against the country side backdrop to miss. Enjoy.
Also recall back in my Bali post, On The Road To Amed, (I hinted under picture number fifteen) that much bigger spiders will be found along the way. Sure enough, they have been found.
It's really hard to describe these huge, delicate insects without seeing them in person. Not intimidating, yet rare by their size to this city boy. Their webs alone are the size of a beach umbrella top, their legs position naturally and patiently, ready to pounce on the slightest vibration along any of the silver geometric patterning strings. They begin to rustle and shift in their hairy stance as I encroach their welcoming and prolific feeding ground, signaling that they sense my presence as I try and steal a shot away.
Again, it's just hard to imagine the real size of these creatures form this picture alone. You'll maybe get a better sense of the spider's size if you ask Chris what they eat from day to day. "I don't know; human babies?" He might be joking.
The next three pictures are the view from the room we rented after reaching the top. Side note: in case you are assuming that stand-up showers and flushing toilets are had along this trip, don't. Everything is manual here. No big deal. Dumping a pale of water over your head before lathering up doesn't take long to get used to.
However, mountain water is cold. Very cold. Especially after the water pale had been resting among the cold for who knows how long. I had a shower here after our long climb - it was nothing short of "refreshing."
I really like what the eighth overall picture below captures. A little island of floating land lost in the sky with no direction to go.
Up next, sights of Bromo.
Be Well,
-A
No comments:
Post a Comment