I arrive from the west by train. There are many taxis that wish to drive me to Mount Ijen, but I decide to hire a moped to climb up this mythical volcano from where men extract sulphur that they carry back up on their backs in loads of 176 lb. Incredible atmosphere especially at night's end to see the flames before the arrival of tourist coaches and the heavy heat.
I spend the rest of the day enjoying the shade of the trees in Taman Blambangan Park, sipping mango and coconut juice while watching Indonesian families who have come to relax. Here you can discover the ordinary Indonesia.
The town in itself holds no great appeal, it is the region that is magnificent. In the evening at the hostel, I come across many travellers heading down south to go and surf, the atmosphere is very friendly.