Hunting clouds on Mount Bromo

Ngoc Vu - VietnamAirlines Heritage

Among the more than 18,000 large and small islands that comprise Indonesia, the island of Java is a highlight. Visitors should not miss Mount Bromo, the most famous volcano on Java. Although it’s not the highest peak in the Tengger mountain range, many visitors describe it as “special” since it’s an active volcano. Coming here to watch the sunrise was my most memorable experience on Java.

Mount Bromo stands 2,392 meters high and is located in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. To the Indonesian people, this volcano is sacred. The name Bromo is derived from the Javanese pronunciation of Brahma, the Hindu god known as “the creator”.

I began my cloud-hunting adventure at 1:30 a.m.. I had to take a special jeep up the mountain and hike a long distance to reach the lookout. At times, I even had to crawl and cling to trees in order to climb the steep, sandy slope. From that viewpoint, I gazed out at a vast expanse before me. The Tengger mountain range loomed in the misty distance. Occasionally, a column of grey smoke rose into the sky.

Indonesia has two seasons: the wet season and the dry season. With heavy rains, the wet season can be unpleasant, as it can rain for months on end. The dry season, which lasts from May to October, is better for tourists but can be quite sunny. The scorching sun can be a challenge when exploring this region. Although it’s hot during the day, the temperature drops at night and can even get cold. Fortunately, I visited Mount Bromo during the dry season when there was a full moon. The moon shone brightly, illuminating the entire landscape. Stars filled the sky, which looked mysterious and otherworldly. On the morning I visited, I was especially lucky, since low clouds drifted in, forming a swirling stream below me in the valley at the foot of the mountain. The peaks of distant mountains loomed up, adding to the ambiance.

Jeeps appeared, bringing tourists to the viewpoint, and creating streaks of light in my night photos. As I’d set up my camera in the biting cold, my hands and feet were shaking. But I soon forgot about the cold and grew absorbed in taking pictures and enjoying the golden moments of the day.

As the sun rose, Mount Bromo took on a different beauty than at night. The bright rays of the sun filtered through a sea of white clouds. Behind the trees in the foreground, the mountain loomed like a scene in a fairytale. The excitement of this setting cannot be fully captured in a photo but must be witnessed in person. I lingered over this beautiful scene before turning back.

The car rolled through the pine forests that lined the road, each bend revealing a new landscape. As the sun rose, the fog began to clear and reveal the surrounding scenery more clearly. From the valley, looking up, I could see the towering and challenging mountain slope. Driving through a desert, dust rose in the hot and dry sunshine, adding to this strange experience.

While the road leading to the Tengger mountains and Mount Bromo is challenging, each year, during the tourist season, it welcomes tens of thousands of visitors. If you love nature and adventures, Mount Bromo is a worthy destination to experience this summer or fall.