I am stoked to share with you my most recent trip to Mount Bromo and Kawah Ijen, Indonesia! I have seen many beautiful pictures of East Java, but only by experiencing it myself, I could witness two of the most magnificent landscapes I have ever seen in my life.

My partner and I booked a 3D2N Bromo-Ijen tour with OurTrip1st, which cost us about 2,700,000 rupiah (290sgd) per pax. The package fee is inclusive of accommodations, entrance fees to Bromo/Ijen and all other transportation. You can choose to explore Bromo/Ijen without a tour guide, but I would not recommend that as you will have to find your own transport, which isn’t easy to navigate. Each ride can be as long as 4-7 hours; just imagine how uncomfortable it will be!

Day 1 
Surabaya's weather - Hot (felt like 34 degrees)

We landed in Surabaya after a 2-hour morning flight from Singapore. Our local tour guide Barley brought us to get some cheap local grub before setting off on a 4-hour car ride to our accommodation at Cemoro Lawang village.



Cemoro Lawang's weather - Chilly (felt like 20 degrees)

We stayed at Cafe Lava Hostel, which was surprisingly pleasant. I read some crappy reviews about the hotel, so I was expecting the worst, but it was actually okay - except for the toilet, which looked quite disgusting.





Day 2 
Gunung Penanjakan's weather - Extremely cold (felt like zero degree) - Bring your winter wear, gloves, scarf & beanie

After a wakeup call at 3am, we had to prepare for our sunrise hike to Gunung Penanjakan (Mount Pananjakan). Of course, the sunrise wasn't until 5.30am, but the jeep ride up the mountain took about 45 minutes, and we needed to arrive early to get a good viewing spot as well.

There are two viewing points at Gunung Penanjakan - there is one at the front, but you can walk to the end to the right to get to the second one, which has lesser people.

Tip: About 5 minutes before you reach the viewing point by the jeep, there is an open area to view the sunset - which is perfect, since you don’t have to climb over any barrier, nor squeeze with the crowd. Too bad we found out of that spot only as we were driving down. 






Mount Bromo’s weather - Chilly (felt like 22 degrees)

After sunrise, we rode the jeep to The Sea of Sand, passing by the Teletubbies Hill. From there, we chose to pay 250,000 rupiah for the two of us for a pony ride to the foot of Mount Bromo. Otherwise, it is a 15-20 minutes walk. It was my first time on a pony/horse - quite an experience! As I am very petite, my feet could not even reach the stirrup - it was quite scary when we were going downhill as I had no support!










After we were done with Mount Bromo, we were sent back to our accommodation where we had breakfast, checked out, and prepared to set off for our 7-hour car ride to Bondowoso. We left Cafe Lava Hostel at about 10am, and reached our second accommodation in the late afternoon.

Bondowoso's weather - Hot (felt like 34 degrees)





Day 3
Kawah Ijen's weather - Cold (felt like 15 degrees)

The wakeup call was at 12 midnight, and we checked out straight from there. Upon reaching Paltuding trekking point, we met up with our local guide and started our 2-hour uphill climb to the top of the crater.

There are no toilets along the way - only “nature toilets” - so make sure you’ve done your “business” before the hike.

It is advisable to layer your clothing, instead of wearing just one thick sweater. It is very cold before you start the hike, but as you climb up, your body will start to get warmer. I was wearing 5 layers at the start of the hike, but 30 minutes into it, I was wearing only a spaghetti top. Of course, as you reach the top of the crater, it starts to get cold again, so you have to start putting on more layers.

We managed to catch the electric blue flames of Ijen that appear from the combustion of sulfuric gases but only from a distance. It was monsoon season and the government banned visitors from going too close to the sulphur lake as it was producing a high amount of CO2.


The view of Ijen was stunning. I have never seen anything like this.







On our way down, we saw some miners carrying heavy loads of sulphur, which weighed about 75kg. Most miners carry these sulphur stones up and down the crater twice a day, but only earn $11 per day. Although the job is physically demanding and hazardous, they depend on it for their livelihood. 



My legs were feeling like jelly by the time we reached the bottom, but it was all worth it.

Things to note:
1) Bring many layers of clothing, as the weather will vary from hot to cold. Uniqlo’s Heattech shirts are perfect as they really keep you warm, despite being so thin.

2) As both hikes start before sunrise, it is advisable to get a head lamp. I got mine from Decathalon for only $3 - cheap and good!

3) You don’t need a pair of good hiking shoes for the hike up to Kawah Ijen, but it is best to wear one with good grip as you may slip while going downhill.

4) Bring along some entertainment and snacks for the long journeys in the car.

5) Bring an insulated bottle and fill it up with hot water - it will really help when you are freezing from the cold.

6) If you plan to climb down to the rim of Ijen Crater to get close to the blue flames, make sure you rent a gas mask to protect yourself from smelling too much of the sulphur. Bring along some N65 masks for extra coverage!

I flew 14 hours to Hawaii in May last year. It was my first time to the US and needless to say, I was excited as hell! My partner is from Oahu and he tries to go back every year - this time with me tagging along. We had only about 8 days there, and in between visiting his family and friends and doing all the touristy stuff, time was definitely not on our side! We have a trip coming up in October and I can't wait to explore more of this beautiful island.

Below is a list of some of the amazing things that I have done in Oahu. Luana! 

1) Eat incredibly fresh and delicious Miso Poké at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel – This is the first dish I tried in Oahu, and since then, I had to have it every single day there. We have poke in Singapore, too, but whereas here in Singapore it is served with rice as a meal, it’s usually served as an appetizer in Hawaii. Trust me: if you have a chance to taste the real thing, it is 10x better. You can get it practically anywhere in Oahu - even at supermarkets - which makes it convenient to pack along to the beach or on a hike.


2) Hike down the steep and rocky trail to Makapu'u tide pools – The hike down was definitely no easy feat - especially for someone like me, who has phobia of heights - but I made it down in one piece anyway. While it is amazing to snorkel in crystal clear blue water and get up close to little sea creatures there, it is also extremely dangerous with the high tides and strong waves that could pull you into the ocean anytime. I can’t stress enough how important it is to look out for your safety. Don’t forget to wear proper hiking shoes with good grip; the rocks can get very slippery, especially on a wet day!

Tip: To get there, hike up the Makapu’u Lighthouse trail and at the second Whale Lookout Point, you will see a rocky trail leading down to the tide pools. 






3) Enjoy the breathtaking view at Lanikai Pillboxes - This was my favorite hiking spot in Oahu! It was quick and relatively easy, and ended off with such an awesome view! I highly recommend this hike to everybody - both the young and old can do it!

Tips: Gloves might come in handy as you will definitely be doing some climbing uphill. Use the tree branches and fences along the way to pull you up!

4) Fly above the clouds and fall through the Hawaiian skies tandem skydiving – I can’t believe I survived free-falling 14,000 feet in the sky! It was such an insane experience! I was happy to get my bucket list checked, but once is definitely more than enough for me. I recommend this to anyone looking for some heart-stopping adrenaline rush! I think skydiving rates in Hawaii are lower compared to other countries as well – I paid about 180 USD for my skydiving experience + a photographer to fly along with me + a thumb drive of my photos. My partner did not want to pay for a photographer to shoot his experience, especially since it was his second time there, but I think it was worth it. How else to show off on instagram right?

We did tandem skydiving with http://www.skydivehawaii.com/


5) Shop til you drop at Waikele Premium Outlets – This is the only outlet store in Oahu. They have a good selection of stores with brands like Kate Spade, Calvin Klein and Coach, just to name a few. Kate Spade was having a 70% storewide sale when I was there and I literally went crazy in the shop – it was so hard to decide what to get when everything was so pretty and largely discounted! Calvin Klein is half the price of Singapore’s. Parking is easy and the best part – no crowd. I usually avoid sales because I cannot stand shops that are packed with people, so Waikele was just perfect for me!

6) Take a domestic flight to the island of Hawaii – Commonly called the Big Island, it is also home to the popular Big Island Candies which is one of the top favorite souvenir snacks among tourists. In less than an hour away from Oahu, you will be treated to the lush and green countryside of Hawaii.

7) Indulge in a plate of super rich and savory Loco Moco – This comfort dish invented by Café 100 in Hilo can be found in many restaurants island wide. It consists of steaming white rice, topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and lots of brown gravy. Try this when you are looking for a big tasty meal – you won’t be disappointed!


8) Get the best snorkeling experience at Kapoho Tide Pools - The tide pools are located at a very unique location - right at the back of a residential area. To get in the water, you will have to step on slippery and sharp rocks, so take extra care and mind your feet. Once you get in, you will be greeted with more than 50 different species of sea creatures - truly an amazing experience! I have read many reviews commenting on how nice and warm the water is, but the water was freezing cold when I was there. It was quite impossible for me to stay in the water for too long. Also, some parts of the pool are very deep, so if you can’t swim very well, make sure you bring along some floaties like I did! Overall, this is the perfect place to relax and unwind, and definitely a must-go for people who love snorkeling! It might get quite confusing on the drive there - GPS is recommended!

Directions: From Pahoa, take Highway 132 east. Where Highway 137 intersects Highway 132, make a right turn. Right before mile marker 9, make a left turn onto Kapoho Kai Road. Continue driving straight ahead through this neighborhood until you reach a T in the road. Turn left and follow the sign that says "Reef Parking." There is a small parking lot (unpaved and rocky) fronting the Wai'opae Tidepools Marine Life Conservation District, a public access snorkeling area. Parking is $3 (this is not a park and the community maintains this parking area).
Source - www.to-hawaii.com/ 



9) Walk along the endless stretch of cooled lava to Kaimu Black Sand Beach - Kalapana used to be a fishing village before it was destroyed by the Kilauea volcano, which buried everything under 80 feet of lava. 20 years later, a small beach with fine, jet black sand was created by a lava flow - Mother Nature is amazing isn’t it?! In the recent years, locals and visitors have been bringing sprouted coconuts and planting them in an effort to restore the lost trees. I wish I had more time to explore this hidden gem, but the rain came pouring in and we had to make a dash for the shelter!

Tip: While on the lava rock, follow a path made of red rocks that will lead you right to the beach.

Directions: Drive Highway 130 or Highway 137 all the way to the end at Kalapana. Park at the parking lot near the Kalapana Village Café.
 Source - www.to-hawaii.com/ 




10) Watch the sunset at 14,000 ft above sea level - Mauna Kea is one of the only places in the world where you can drive from sea level to 14,000 feet in about 2 hours. Once you reach the information center, there’s a couple of hills that you can climb up to get a better view. The walk up to the top of these hills is not very difficult, but due to the thin air, you might have some difficulty in breathing. Take your time and walk up slowly. It will get quite crowded once the sun is about to set, so go earlier and pick a good viewing spot. It was a very cool experience seeing the clouds below me, and the view of the sunset was spectacular. Stop by the information center after the sun has set as there will be a free star gazing light show.

Tips: Bring warm clothes as it is very cold at the summit, and even colder as night falls. It is advisable to drive with a 4x4 vehicle - like a jeep - as you will be driving on a gravel road, and it can get really steep. 



Ps: Public transport is not very connected in Hawaii, so you should definitely rent a car to get around!