Bromo Mountain

Mount Bromo is a convenient stop for travelers between Bali and Surabaya, and the most popular of all of East Java's travel destinations, this active 2,392-metre- (7,85 foot-) high volcano lies 112 kilometers (70 miles), about three hours, southeast of Surabaya. Enclosed by perpendicular walls 350 metres (1,150 feet) high, Bromo's awesome 2,200-metre- (7,220-foot-) high 'sand sea' caldera has three mountains within it, craters within one huge crater, the Bromo Semeru Massif.

There are also three small crater lakes inside the larger crater, with waterfowl and excellent hiking. The ideal time to visit is in the dry season (April-November) when you have a better chance of seeing a blood-red sunrise in the wet season; you might as well sleep late and stroll across the sand sea during the warmer part of the day, after the heavy fog has blown away. The temperature on top of Bromo is around 5°C (40°F); in July, it could drop to 0°C (32°F), so dress warmly.
Three times a year, the site is overrun by tourists in February when an annual festival takes place, over Christmas, and during July and August. So plan your visit for another time if you don't like crowds. From Bromo's peak are stunning views of active Gunung Semeru, Java's highest mountain.

Although Bromo can still vent steam and ash, smoke profusely and occasionally boom from the central crater, lava has not been ejected in recent history. Many local and foreign travelers make the trek for the mystical experience of watching the sunrise from the crest of the Bromo volcano. A pony ride from the village of Ngadisari takes you over a sea of sand to the foot of the volcano. Ascend the 50 steps to reach the rim. On the vast expanse of sands formerly a caldera, there are two volcanoes: the extinct Batok, which is a perfect cone and Bromo. Volcanic sulphur fumes and smoke still emanate from the depths, and when the God of Bromo begins to rumble, the surrounding population quickly brings their offerings. The annual offering ceremony of Kasada is held on the 14th day of Kasada, the twelfth month in the Tenggerese calendar year. It is a dazzling event where villagers from the surrounding areas bring their humble offerings to the holy volcano. No matter how much you have heard about it, you won't be prepared for this unforgettable spectacle.

Mount Bromo may be reached via Malang and Surabaya. From Surabaya's Joyoboyo Bus Station, take a bus or minibus for two-and-a half to three hours to Probolinggo (93 kilometres, or 58 miles). Leave Surabaya early so that you can make it to Ngadisari, below Bromo, the same day go to Ngadisari it is two hours by minibus, leaving every hour or The turn off to Ngadisari is four kilometres (2.5 miles) west of in the main highway between Surabaya and Banyuwangi. In April-November, this road is passable all the way to Ngadisari. From Ngadisari to sing, walk or take a horse. The ascent to the Bromo crater from Cemoro is about two hours by foot or one-and-a-half hours on horseback.

Where To Eat
There are no tourist-quality restaurants outside of the hotels; it is strongly recommended that you arrange your food and drink for your trek at your hotel.

Where To Stay
One of the best places to stay is Cemoro Lawang because it is situated at the crater rim.

Wayang Leather Puppet Show

Wayang
A Javanese word meaning 'shadow' or 'ghost', wayang is a theatrical performance of living actors, three dimensional puppets, or shadow images held before a screen lit from behind. The word can also refer to the puppets themselves. Most often the chants are in the Kawi (Old Javanese), as archaic a language today as Shakespearean English. Wayang performances are staged when a transitional event occurs in the life of a family (a birthday, wedding or important religious occasion), or as ritual entertainment during family feasts or selamatan. Coming of age (puberty, circumcision, a promotion in rank, even the building of a new swimming pool could be an excuse for a show. As well as providing entertainment, wayang teaches the meaning and purpose, as well as the contradictions and anomalies, of modern life. Even government policies are explained in terms of wayang theatre, not only by the puppet master, but also in newspaper editorials and even in government statements.

The Dalang
The Dalang, the wayang puppeteer, is the playwright, producer, principal narrator, conductor and director of this shadow world. He is an expert in languages and highly skilled in the techniques of ventriloquism. Some dalang even carve their own puppets, maintaining a cast of up to 200 which are kept in a katok, or big wooden box. He must be familiar with all levels of speech according to the dramatis personae, modulating his voice and employing up to nine tonal and pitch variations to suit each puppet's temperament. The dalang has a highly developed dramatic sense, and if he has a good voice, his chants are beautiful and captivating to hear. He must also be intimately versed in history (including complex royal genealogies) music (melodies, modes, phrases and song), recitation (both gamelan and spoken), eloquence (an extempore poet creating a warm or terrifying atmosphere) and posses a familiarity with metaphysics, spiritual knowledge and perfection of the soul. Traveling from village to village and city to city, he has as many fans as a film star.

Wayang Kulit
A shadow play using two-dimensional puppets. Handcrafted out of buffalo or goat parchment, the puppets have the appearance of paper dolls but with arms that swivel. The wayang kulit can be likened to a combination 'Punch and Judy Show' and Shadow Graph'. Since a wayang kulit puppet is a stylized exaggeration of a human shape, it is really a shadow of a shadow. Many different styles of wayang kulit exist. Palembang performs its own version, using its own dialect banjar is popular. In Jakarta, wayang kulit is performed in the local Batawi dialects. But by far the most popular is the wayang kulit form practiced in Central and East Java and on Bali, where it has been developed as a spellbinding medium for storytelling.

Wayang Topeng
This masked theatre mimes the stories of the wayang golek, using dancing men who act like puppets. Somtimes the dancers themselves speak their roles; at other time the dalang speaks for them, while the actors just march on and off the stage. Although classical Javanese language (kawi) is most often used, it is spoken in a less stylized form than in wayang orang. Troupes on Java consist of male dancers; female roles are taken by boys aged between eight and 14, before their voice changes. The masks, which are shiny and beautiful, are often similar to the heads of Golek puppets. Each region of Java and Bali features a different style of topeng masks, costume and dance. The most active topeng centers are in East Java and on Bali. On stage, the masks with their large and mysterious eyes seem suspended in the air. An entire wayang topeng troupe consists of perhaps 25 people, and a set of topeng traditionally contains 40-80 pieces.

Wayang Orang
Called wayang wong in Javanese, these are abstract, symbolic dance plays, with or without masks, employing actor-dancers that dress up like golek puppets. Masks are usually only worn by actors playing animals or monster roles (for example, the King of Demons in the Ramayana). A dalang may recite and chant, but the dialogue is most often spoken by live actors and actresses wearing shiny costumes of gold and black, and rich deep-coloured batik silks. Because of its hilarious antics, wayang orang is more of spectacle to Westerners than other wayang forms. But it is also by far the most expensive form to stage. A boxful of leather or wooden puppets is much cheaper to maintain than a whole troupe of live actors who have to be fed, clothed, transported and paid. Consequently, wayang orang is the rarest wayang form.

Where To Stay
There are a variety of places one can stay and enjoy such performances as those mentioned above. Many hotels provide in house entertainment. All of these places to stay offer somewhere to eat and drink, and many have restaurants that cater for tourists offering a good choice of food.

Getting Around

By Air:
There are several direct flights daily from Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya and Bali. Night trains from Jakarta, though comfortable, arrive at inconvenient hours.

By Bus:
Luxury buses with hotel pick-up and drop-off services operate from Bali via Surabaya.

By Rail:
Fast, comfortable trains run from Jakarta through Yogyakarta to Surabaya. First or executive class service includes air-conditioning, airline-style seats and complimentary beverage and meal service. The night trains from Jakarta, though comfortable, arrive in Yogya in the early hours of morning while the dawn service arrives in the late afternoon.

Many sites of interest are easy walking distance from Jl. Malioboro, the main tourist area where several hotels are located. Otherwise, metered taxis and chauffeur-driven rental automobiles are abundant. The typically innovative Yogyanese tourist authorities have been teaching rudimentary English to pedicab a pleasant option for visiting most attractions. There is also the option to rent a bicycle, a nice way to see the sights at ones own pace.

Activities

Wayang Orang (Human Wayang Theatre)
Purawisata
Located on Jl Brigjend Katamso (east of Kraton). Every evening performs wayang Ramayana.

Ambarukmo Palace Hotel
Located on Jl. Solo, west of Adisucipto Airport, every evening performs Ramayana Dance at the restaurant or in the garden.

Arjuna Plaza Hotel
Located on Jl. Mangkubumi, south of Tugu, every Thursday evening performs Ramayana Dance.

Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan Temple
It is a colossal live presentation with the backdrop of the grandiose Prambanan Temple, 15 km east of Yogya. The two hours ballet is presented alternately in Yogya and Solo dance style by five dance troupes of Wisan Murti, Cahyo Gumelar, Sekarpuri, Guwa Wijaya and Roro Jonggrang foundation led by Sri Paku Alam VIII. Formerly, the performance was organized only for dates under a full moon of May to October. The open area offers the complete Ballet, while the close arena presents aselection of different acts. The tickets are available at several Travel Agencies or could be purchased at the ticket windows just before the show.

Roro Jongrang Foundation provides Yogya-Prambanan, cheap round trip transportation.

Hanoman’s Forest Restaurant
Located on Jl. Prawirotaman . It performs wayang with different stories every evening.

Kraton Yogyakarta
Every Sunday morning performs a Classical Court Dance.

Wayang Kulit Yogyakarta
The name wayang comes from the Javanese word for ‘’shadow’’ of the puppets that the spectators are watching. The traditional repertoire is originated from classic Hindu mythologies, Ramayana and Mahabharata epics, adapted to the local traditions. Wayang shows usually last throughout the night.

Attractions
Yogyakarta is an ancient historical city; museums and a bustling nightlife will undoubtedly keep you entertained if not entranced at this marvellous place.