Over the Crater’s Edge

The only time when you can get to the volcanoes of Indonesia is May-September. For the remainder of the year or the roads are poor or the tops of the mountains are hidden behind the dense fog.
This always happens at least one of the 3000 Indonesian islands volcano wakes up, producing clouds of smoke and tourists come from all over the world here with their cameras. One of the most popular types of travel is in the last few years the volcano climbing is. Both the famous Mount Bromo in East Java and the wonderful Kelimutu on the island of Flores are equipped with viewing platforms and stairs. People are running to the spot with hot coffee. But what is most difficult to wake up early in the morning you will wake up to have about 3 clock and then attended a 2-hour ride in a jeep through the other extreme tourists. However, you need not travel in a group - the other way is to rent a car with driver.
Bromo
The trip starts at Surabaya - administrative centre of the East Java province – from which tourists get to the Cemoro Lawang village. Here they can rent jeep or a pony and in the morning they put on warm clothes and move to where the crater is. But Jeep will take you only to the observation platform, then you will have to make an unmounted trip through the “sandy sea” (which is in fact only 3 kilometers long). Then you will have to climb up the ladder that leads to the crater. Puffs of smoke rising from it look like they’re solid – it seems that you can touch them. Most tourists visit the observation platform only, others venture for an 11-km trip around the crater (during your walk you will enjoy stunning views). Local guides offer a 2-day trip to the neighbouring volcano, Semeru, but this needs a more serious training.
Kelimutu
But a raise on Kelimutu volcano which is in the Flores Island is easy and pleasant. Here you can hire a Jeep or a motorcycle. At dawn you will meet a guide and spend the following 1,5 hours on a mountain path which lies between bamboo groves, past rivers and waterfalls . At the mountain top there are three lakes lying in the extinct crater, which change colours depending on what mineral salts they contain. According to a legend, when people die, their souls get to the lakes: innocent to the turquoise one, sinful – the black, whereas brown lake is a kind of a purgatory.
What else can you see here?
In Surabaya, you will find an excellent zoo, where rare species of birds and orang-utans. You are also advised to visit the old, in the north of the city - Masjid Ampel Arab district Skip Pabean Market and Chinatown, with little temples in the quiet lanes.
Labuanbajo coast of Flores in particular provide a great diving. You can also take a boat here to go to the famous Komodo dragons huge island.
Maumere is known for its colorful markets popular with strange fruit, red sugar cane, sugar and cocoa shipped directly from the plantations. There are also beautiful shawls and carpets with clean geometric patterns.
You should also visit Ngada heathen villages with stone altars and
Prices here are really low. The most expensive entertainment is diving in Maumere which costs $50.