Serendipity in Bromo Surabaya
"I don't ask for success. I asked for wonder"
Profound Thought
19 March 2019 - Literally, I woke up in the middle of my sleepless sweet dream at 0200 AM in the morning and thinking about the most effective way of deactivating my Facebook and the rest of my social media account. Yes, I found the best solution for now. However, I'm not trying to talk about why I'm deactivating my Facebook here. It's just a matter of one step of digital detox I've been thinking lately to look forward. I found that I'm overwhelmed when I make myself available towards Facebook. Somehow it's always wasting my time. Anyhow, it's just a cheesy introduction I need to start with. Actually, I'm here to write about my experience travel to Pakistan oops no la to Surabaya. Do you know why I mentioned Pakistan in the first place?
The story begins, on 27 February 2019 which is one day before my departure to Islamabad. I had planned everything for my solo travel to Pakistan months ahead. I've managed to booked two ways flight ticket, exchange money to Pakistan Rupee, itinerary, lodging, and ground transportation since the main area I want to travel is at Northern of Pakistan. Start from zero contact with no one I know closely from Pakistan, I start to make contact with a few local people throughout Facebook group and Instagram. I forge the unknown and trust my instinct. Trust to unknown could lead you in trouble actually but while I contacted those people through an online platform, they helped me a lot with the source of advice and service. I managed to solve my ground transportation direct from Islamabad to Hunza (Northern Pakistan) whereby at first this a bit difficult for me to think off. I have no clue who could help me out with it because as far as my concerned when I checked online ground transportation to Northern Pakistan is very expensive and weird charges is levied. Otherwise, if I decided to take a public bus which is a bit tedious with the authority checkpoints along the journey to Northern Pakistan. For ground transportation to all the attractions in Hunza including to the highest international border in the world Khunjerab Pass also I managed to get affordable package according to my itinerary. It's advisable to all travelers who travel to Northern Pakistan is to have our own transportation for movement convenience. The truth is I was so excited to plan this trip even at first I supposed to plan it with a friend. End up I make it solo when something comes up between us.
Unexpectedly, on the same night that I knew my flight was canceled. On 26 February 2019 at night I received a notification on SCAAN informed crisis merged at the border of Pakistan-India (https://www.nst.com.my/world/2019/02/464243/pakistan-shoots-down-two-indian-aircraft). I nodded and just let the information floating on some part of my brain and continue with the excitement of the plan to Pakistan despite no matter what. The moment when my brain receiving the info about the cancellation, it took a while before that information absorbs to my heart. After sometimes, my heart feels broken inside that finally I really cannot go to Pakistan because PIA has canceled my flight and this is 100% sure. It's hard for me to accept this news at first. I'm a bit in the state of denial. In the end, I'm learning how to let it go. Yes, I did overcome those heartbroken moments slowly and surely until I made up my mind to compensate with plan B.
Therefore, I made a detour at the very last minute and short notice of planning. I know for something, I just need to go somewhere to heal my broken heart, oh Pakistan. You know what it's turned out pretty smooth journey. That's how "Serendipity in Bromo Surabaya" suits the title on this journey. When something is meant for you, eventually it'll make its way. One day after the cancellation, I said to my self I only have one day to decide what is my plan B and where should I go. I thought maybe I can just cancel my annual leave and return to work at first. My heart triggered me to check on AirAsia website. Well I thought, I might decide to travel somewhere if AirAsia gives me an affordable air flight ticket fee between MYR200-MYR300. As I said, it was meant to be. I finally check out and paid for the two ways flight ticket to Surabaya. Normally the price for return ticket Kuala Lumpur - Surabaya hardly to get that range for a last-minute deal. I think I'm just lucky. You know, getting lost is my forte, another two days I'll fly to Surabaya. My aim is absolutely to venture my way to Mt Bromo in Probolinggo. It's been a long time I wanted to visit that active volcano and here I come.
4 March 2019
Serendipity a deal from AirAsia completed my last minute plan B. At the end, I have somewhere to travel instead mending my broken heart at home. There's still have unfinished business where I have to make a refund from the PIA and exchange all my Pakistan Rupees to Ringgit Malaysia. I tell you I lost for about MYR700-800 for both. Since Indonesia is going to be my next travel destination, I also have to change into Rupiah. The backpack is ready, I'm making my way to KLIA2 and depart to Surabaya in the evening 1655 PM. Almost three hours flight, I safely touch down Juanda International Airport of Surabaya around 1900 PM. I have finally away from my country and being present in Surabaya, Alhamdulillah. I have booked a one-night guest house before my journey starts tomorrow to Probolinggo. Before I've booked any accommodation whenever I travel I was always concerned about the distance between the airport and the accommodation that I will stay on the first night in the country. Somehow for logistic concerned, I want to be safe and make sure I don't spend more money on ridiculous taxi fees. I google the distance between those two the airport and OYO 159 Santo Residence in JL Griyo Mapan, it was only 15 minutes walking distance from the airport. Oh, I'm glad I'm going just to walk then. In the airport, I turn on the navigation maps.me, it said 45 minutes to 1-hour walking distance. Oh God! I have no choice since I know how the taxi driver can scam you heartlessly in Indonesia. Start from the arrival gate I refused each of their offers. I make myself pass through that aisle of hell. I walk a bit far from the arrival gate, I pretend to relax at a bus stop near the airport's main gate. One local guy stops me and asks me to take off my shoes before I enter the bus stop. We ngobrol a bit then I found out he is also a taxi driver. Ngobrol means having a conversation in Indonesia language. He offered me a slightly standard price IDR75,000 for a taxi from the airport to the city. I bargained to IDR70,000 then he agreed. He drove me to Jl Griyo Mapan and I arrived safe and sound at the guest house. Nothing much on the plan that night, I just take time to rest and sleep before my journey to Probolinggo starting tomorrow.
5 March 2019
Good Morning Surabaya! It is my first morning in Surabaya. I wake up fresh and start to pack my backpack. I wish a good morning to the receptionist named Maarof. He is a very polite and educated guy. This is his new job with the guest house. I wondered by the family portrait on every corner of the guest house's wall. So I think it might be owned by that family. The receptionist guy, Maarof also helps me to order ojek from the apps to Bungurasih Bus Station. Ojek is actually a motorbike taxi application where you can order through your smartphone. Since this is my last minute unplanned trip to Surabaya, I don't expect much but just go with the flow. Whatever may come, it comes unexpectedly. My main mission of today is to Mt Bromo. If I want to go there like a local I should make a stop at Bungurasih Bus Station Surabaya City and take a local bus with IDR 25,000 fee to Probolinggo (Bayu Angga Bus Station). Fee comparison between a local bus and an express bus is IDR75,000. It's kind of authentic experiences in the local bus as I can see different scenarios. This local bus is making way to many stops at every place along the way to Probolinggo. While on the bus, in each stop I can see locals who are selling food with a basket approaching the passengers on the bus. Some of them intentionally just put the packet of food on my lap without my permission. At first, I clueless, is it free food for me? Haha. Luckily, I prevent myself not to eat if not I have to pay them. Most of the foods are locally made. There are kuih, tauhu, chips, nuts, pengtol (beef ball), water and other tidbits. Most of them are pre-packed food. In the same time, not only food but the passengers also will be entertaining by a street singer with a ukelele. The singer is singing Jawa song. As I can understand a bit of Java culture as my bloodline also from Java but proudly born in Malaysia.
As I'm traveling alone on the bus, I never get lonely by observing the locals. I like the exposure of closer to the reality of real life than being super comfortable in my travel. That's why I choose this way of traveling style. Only one thing of doubt as I get closer to the locals, they most likely have a tendency of taking advantage of foreigners. I must be extra careful especially in the mystical Java archipelago. Two to three hours journey to Probolinggo Bayu Angga Bus Station, on the bus a local old man I didn't get his name sitting beside me on the bus for rest of the hours left before we both down to Probolinggo. His aged between the 30s to 40s years old. He is such a very talkative old man. His plan of the journey to visit his family member in one of the areas near Probolinggo as well. He spends his time talking with me in Bahasa and Indonesia. He also knows some English which is very impressive. I have Q&A session on the bus with him. Lot of things he asks about me. He also expresses his feeling that he sympathizes with me because I'm traveling around alone by myself. I reply to him, "sudah biasa". A common question I will get when I travel solo is "Cowoknya mana?". I always replied, "He is far away". As for now, I'm enjoying the freedom of solo traveling. I don't really find someone that resonates with my soul to travel together. Traveling solo for me is very priceless to manifest my solitude and to gain clarity from the noise of the world. I and the old man step down from the bus and safely arrive in Probolinggo. He is also very helpful to show me where can I get bemo (a van) to go Cemoro Lawang village the closest village to Mt. Bromo. Bemo is actually is a type of public transportation to accommodate locals from Bayu Angga Bus Station to Cemoro Lawang village.
While waiting for another 12 passengers to fit into the bemo, I sit under the tree in front of a row of shops. They have a seating area made from hardwood where I can enjoy the sunny breezy air. I'm not the only passenger who shows up to take the bemo. The precondition of taking bemo is they must complete fit in 15 passengers before go up to Cemoro Lawang village. 15-1+2 = 12 passengers are needed. I want to feel leisure and not to rush I guess it's fine for me to wait. Two Caucasian men are waiting at the same waiting area. I saw one of them sitting when I bypass to the seating area. Another one appears from the end of the shops. Well at first I just ignore them and just concern of waiting for the bemo to Cemoro Lawang village. One of them, the one who is older than my age sitting near me and talk. He said, "I'm happy to meet a beautiful girl like you". What a dramatic introduction to start to talk with a girl huh. I believed he is sincere hehe. Out of sudden, he starts to show me his travel photos on his phone. He is traveling quite a lot-lot of countries. Most of them are European countries. Impressive! I still didn't get his name and I don't have the intention to know as well. I only know that he is from Poland (mistakenly I thought he is Italian from his English) traveling to SEA with his neighbor (mistakenly introducing his nephew actually). I'm having a conversation with him in broken English which I don't judge that. I still acting friendly but yet I'm still reserved. Then after a few minutes, he left me and back to his travel partner. A local guy name Cepol come to me after that. He is trying to promote his tour service which I totally understand his goal. I let him talk with hesitate not to accept the offer.
The minutes go by and it comes to hours. I'm still patiently waiting for the passengers to fill in the bemo. But I know there is someone who can't patiently wait because they were waiting for 3 hours longer than me. The old Caucasian guy who I don't get his name come back to me with a red face. He starts complaining this is ridiculous as they were waiting very long. Both of them can't wait any longer as this is wasting their time. So they dragged me to share the bemo and I agree. That's how I start to click with both of them until the end of my travel from Bromo in Surabaya until back home to Kuala Lumpur. We got the bemo share for IDR 75,000 and move straight up to the Cemoro Lawang village. In the bemo, we start to let our name disclose to each other. The old guy with a red face is Johnny and his nephew is Wojtek. They have a positive vibe to be around which I kind of like it. It makes me comfortable and safe. Almost two hours drive up to Cemoro Lawang village, finally, we arrive safely and straight to the guest house. Check-in and rest. In the evening I made Mt. Bromo sneak peek from the viewpoint of Cemoro Lawang village. As the weather not promising in the evening, the mountain hideaway by the clouds. Nothing much I plan for the evening except waiting for tomorrow's adventure.
6 March 2019
The shivering cold of the tap water makes me refuse to shower. Get up 0200 AM in the morning and get ready with three layers of clothes doesn't make me feel the temperature is a bit warmer. Cold air breezing in the morning is very challenging to me. Three of us has booked sharing jeep tour to Mt. Bromo yesterday. Each of us paid IDR300,000 including the fee for the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The jeep arrives a bit later than the promised time. Anyway even a bit late, they still keep their promise to drive us to the mountains area. The jeep can fit 5 people in it. We also share the jeep with another two tourists from China. I grateful every bumping and spinning road the jeep go through all the way. It's very dark outside and I wonder how can the driver know the possibility of the exact road? At some point, the jeep drives along a wide sandy area called Pasir Berbisik. Metaphorically, What I can learn from that experience? Life can be so blind we don't know which direction will lead us to abundant life. Trust in God, everything is possible for us to go through even in the darkest direction. Hence by mastering life skill and emotion resilience helps us to endure its challenge.
Okay enough with my cheesy philosophical about life. The jeep arrived at our first pit-stop before our grandeur adventure on top of Mt. Bromo. As earlier as 0430 AM in the morning three of us a bit clueless and not sure what is the place. Since it is dark and cold the only thing for sure there are many people kind of waiting for something. I'm wondering also. Then I remembered from the blog. They mentioned whoever taking the tour in Mt. Bromo will be enjoying sunrise at Penanjakan viewpoint. So I guess this is the place when I finally found out that is true. The driver requests us to go down from the jeep and meet him again at 0530 AM. I, Johnny and Wojtek are wondering around at the top of Penanjakan viewpoint. Obviously, we cannot see any view yet. We decide to kill the time by having morning coffee and enjoying shivering cold meanwhile awaiting for sunrise. Surprisingly people kind of having an overnight session at the top. Some put up the mat and laying around the area with friends and family. It is very crowded. The only thing I can barely remember is I'm shivering like I'm in the icebox. After a while, the sun is showing its light to the world and smile brightly to us. From the viewpoint, I'm fascinated by the magnificent of Mt. Bromo from far. Taking some photos for memories back home then we have to move back into the jeep.
I'm glad we finally arrive at the Bungurasih bus station in Surabaya. The moment the bus arrives at the station, I told Wojtek I need the toilet and ask him to wait for me. We are planning to take the taxi together to the capsule hostel. Just a moment I left both of them for a toilet, once I'm back looking for them, they've been surrounded by all the taxi drivers. Looking at them is quite funny. I hate this experience when I'm in Indonesia where taxi driver likes to overcharges you. I believe those taxi drivers try to bargain with both of them. We have some intense situation with a taxi driver but we managed to get away from his taxi and find reasonable taxi fee afterward. We check into a nice and modern capsule hostel in the evening. All I wanted to do is just having hot nice shower and rest after been in the mountain area for one night.
7 March 2019
I'm still tagging along with Johnny and Wojtek. Two guys from Poland I've met in Probolinggo. I have absolutely enjoyed their companionship. I really appreciate their presence at this moment. A moment of serendipity like this healing my broken wishful to Pakistan. They started to travel in around SEA in February then by chance we end up meeting at Probolinggo in Surabaya. So they almost going to end their travel in SEA in the middle of March. By the time I meet them in Surabaya, I'm spending my time walking with both of them around the city. We go visit the Heroes Monument and Russian Military Submarine. We visit a secluded aisle in the city. Therefore, this is my chance to mingle with locals that live in the area. I photographed my picture with them. Then we had lunch in the Japanese Restaurant in the mall. Before nesting in the capsule hostel, I follow Johnny for fishing at the river. It's just walking distance from our capsule hostel. He brought the fishing rod all the way from Poland. It's drizzling a bit as we walk towards the river but that doesn't stop Johnny from fishing. I see many locals as well as fishing at the same river. I sat beside Johnny while he is fixing the bait (bread) on the fishhook. I didn't manage to accompany Johnny for a long time then I make an excuse to go back to the hostel. Basically, for the remains day in Surabaya, I just spend it with both of them from walking in the city, lunch to dinner and karaoke. Today is the last day before my flight back to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow. Coincidently, our flight will depart on the same day which is tomorrow. Only they will fly to Singapore but they promise me to meet in Kuala Lumpur.
8 March 2019
I'm back home sound and safe with three hours in flight. On 10 March 2019 - Our time together not just end in Surabaya. I continue to be their host in Kuala Lumpur by bringing them to Petronas Twin Tower and Batu Caves Temple. It's my pleasure that I can show them around Kuala Lumpur city even just for a while because they're heading to Thailand tomorrow. They will also end their travel in SEA soon in Bangkok and back home to Poland. So far I can conclude maybe both of them are the reason my trip to Pakistan is canceled. God has a way to save me from any circumstance that might happen if I continue my trip to Pakistan. I learn from this circumstance to be grateful and be in the flow.
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