Malang, an underrated city in East Java

Hello!

I am back with travel stories 🙂

I love Malang! I have visited it few times by now, and it never fail me so far. Here are some things that I did and visited during my trips that you may want to check too when you are around.

1. Bromo

I mean.. Of course. Why would you want to miss Bromo when you are around? You can get beautiful view with only few hours ride from Malang..

Spots to check out…

Pananjakan

A famous spot for sunrise viewing.. You should leave Malang as early as 2-3 am to reach this place and in time for the sunrise. You will need to walk a bit, and the temperature can be as low as 10 degrees Celsius in the morning, so prepare yourself. I would recommend layers, because it will get much warmer in the noon.

Bring your headlamp, because walking on your way up is much better with some lights on! And be patient, the high number of tourists can make this place very uncomfortable. The motor taxi (ojek) and visitor vehicles can pollute the air so bad, you will need to wear a mask. And on the top, while waiting for the sunrise to come up, you will need to be very competitive to take a nice spot to wait and enjoy the view (I’ll recommend go straight to the left front for a nice view of the sunrise, and afterward move to far right donwstairs for a nice view of Semeru, Bromo and surrounding mountains.

But with this kind of view.. it’s all worthy.

One time I was unlucky and could not see the view clearly because of the cloudy weather. So check the weather and cross your fingers to wish you can get clear view when you visit this place.

What I like to do after enjoying the sunrise is walk down and visit one of the local stores and have pisang goreng (banana fritters) with hot coffee or tea, or even order some indomie or pop mie to warm myself up. yum!!!

Bromo 

After enjoying the sunrise, the next spot that you should visit is the Bromo mountain itself. Using the same jeep you take to Pananjakan, the view on the way to Bromo is also very nice to enjoy.

You need to walk a bit from the jeep parks and the mountain, but you can opt to ride a pony like this!

And when you’re there.. don’t forget to wear your mask again because the sulfur is so strong.. and prepare your feet to hike the stairs!

The stairs 🙂

You can take your mask off a minute for a pose in some nice spots 😉

my favorite spot, 2014 vs 2017

And.. what you see from the top

surprise.. a sulfur crater! :p

Savana

Also known as Bukit Teletubbies due to its resemblance with the hills in teletubbies show, this hill is a famous destination too when you are in the area. However, last time I went there this year, the place is not as green as before..

Pasir Berbisik

Lastly, a place that is well known because of the famous movie starred by Dian Sastro..

That a photo from my last trip with my colleagues. But honestly, this place is also nice to visit if you are alone. I don’t know why but the nothingness of the place, only vast grey sands and the sounds of the wind.. It brought some feelings I can’t describe! 🙂

2. Museum Tempo Doeloe

Located in the city center, you will never imagine what can this place offer until you step your feet inside! It’s everything about history, culture and fun! I loooove it 🙂

3. Museum Angkut

I am not a car person but I looove this place! It’s so huge with many interesting vehicles to see.

4. Batu

For apple statues :p

or a visit to apple fields to have a simple picnic and sing dangdut songs with your friends 😉

 

5. Waterfalls and instagramable spots 

Legend has it, you will break up if you come to Coban Rondo waterfalls with your boyfriend/girlfriend. Well, lucky me.. :p

6. The beaches!

If you have spare time, Malang is home to some interesting beaches.. We visit one of them, called Balekambang (because it’s the nearer). It’s not impressive but worth to visit if you have a spare day in Malang 🙂

The interesting part is they a Hindu Temple in the beach. I loved sitting outside the temple and looking to the vastness of the sea.

7. The fooooood

No, I don’t know either why do I mention it the last, but Malang is surely a heaven for my tongue! My favorite is Sate Kambing Cairo which just.. undescribeable (if that even a word). Loved it.

That’s it, all! I’ll see you in my next post. xx

Love,