Once at
Bayuangga Bus Terminal, Probolinggo, our next public transport to
Cemoro Lawang @ Mt. Bromo was either an ojek (motorcycle) or a
bison (local green van) ride. As foretold, many individuals (mostly of
Orang Madura/Madurese ethnicity) mobbed us, trying to sell their tours and services. I have been warned beforehand that some of the
Orang Madura/Madurese can be quite rude, hostile, intimidating and vulgar.
My sister and I ignored them and walked swiftly towards the nearest
petrol station (SPBU Triwung), located about 100 metres away for directions and advice. There, we found
helpful locals who directed us to the
bison station located just several metres away. Wasting no time, we went straight to the
bison station located nearby
Depot Marinda and hung out at one of the
local food stalls while waiting for other travellers/passengers to fill up a
bison. For your information,
the rent for an entire bison is Rp. 450,000 per vehicle. The amount is divided equally to the number of passengers on board. It costs about
Rp. 35,000 per person for a one way, full car trip. Unfortunately, given the time my sister and I arrived there, most travellers have boarded the
early morning bison up to
Cemoro Lawang @ Mt. Bromo.
Out of the blue and by chance, came a man, our
angel in disguise on an
ojek and there were three of us now. Wanting to reach
Cemoro Lawang @ Mt. Bromo before nightfall, we decided to just pack and go – a move that costs us
Rp. 150,000 each for the bison ride. We paid the fare and off we went to
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park @ Cemoro Lawang, a 1-hour journey through green paddy fields, misty alpine forests, vegetable farms, hanging cliffs and more. It was one of the most beautiful rides I have ever taken in my life! The temperature dropped drastically as we ventured higher up into the mountain and needless to say, the stench of reeking rotten eggs signalled that we were close to our destination.
A simple Google map showing the exact location of the green/blue bison (van) stop located nearby Depot Marinda in Probolinggo to Mt. Bromo, East Java
A Google Earth map showing the exact location of the green/blue bison (van) stop at Probolinggo to Mt. Bromo, East Java. If you look carefully at the map, you'll be able to see the bisons lined up by the roadside, nearby Depot Marinda.
The bison and ojek stop at Probolinggo, East Java
Take a bison a.k.a green van ride up Cemoro Lawang @ Mt. Bromo, East Java
Our new found friend and angel in disguise, Mr. Erwin enjoying the ride in the front seat
Up next: An exciting, scenic ride up Cemoro Lawang @ Mt. Bromo, Bromo homestay and a delightful dinner by the caldera