Today marks my arrival at IJen Resto & Guesthouse in Banyuwangi, serving as my gateway accommodation to Kawah Ijen. This morning, I roused at 7 am to drop off my laundry and grab some breakfast. At the reception, I inquired about transportation to Banyuwangi. A staff member mentioned he would take me to the bus terminal once I picked up the laundry. Since the laundry wasn’t due until noon, I opted to return to bed after breakfast, making the most of the wait.
At around 11 am, I woke up, took a final shower, and completed the check-out process. The driver honked, signaling his presence outside. In the back seat, two teenagers shared laughter, amused by the ‘bule’ joining them. After dropping the children off at school, the driver took me to the Situbondo bus terminal. I inquired about the bus fare, expressing my preference not to pay a tourist price. The driver estimated it to be around 10,000 IDR.
A Bus Ride to Banyuwangi
Upon arrival, the man inquired about the details for me. The fare was set at 20,000 IDR, and the journey to Banyuwangi was estimated to take two hours. Anticipating potential delays on a public bus that tends to stop frequently, I thought to myself that it might actually take three hours. Thankfully, luck was on my side as the bus departed promptly, contrary to my initial expectation of a 2-3 hour wait. Once again, I felt fortunate and blessed.
As I rode the public bus, I noticed many locals staring and smiling at me, and even those outside instantly spotted the unusual sight of a bule on the bus. I was certain that seeing a foreigner on a public bus was a rare occurrence for the people in this area. The bus followed the same route as I had taken yesterday. After a full two hours, we reached the entrance of Baluran National Park. Initially, I thought it would only take another 20 minutes from there, but I was mistaken. Another hour passed before the driver informed me it was time for me to disembark. I expressed my gratitude and bid farewell in Indonesian, and to my delight, the people on the bus thoroughly enjoyed it. Traveling in this country is truly awesome!
Taxi Trials: Unanticipated Twists on the Road to My Accommodation
For the last leg of today’s journey, I needed a taxi to reach the hotel. Little did I know that the hotel was situated quite a distance from civilization. Contrary to my assumption that the hotel would be in Banyuwangi, it turned out to be nestled in the highlands near Mount Ijen. The bus driver gestured across the street to a taxi stand. As I approached the stand, a humorous scene unfolded – five Indonesian men eagerly rushed towards me as I entered the gate of the area. Quite a comical sight!
‘Taxi, taxi’!? Attempting to negotiate, their rates seemed exorbitant – demanding 150,000 for a mere 20-minute drive. Frustrated with their unwillingness to haggle, I walked away, earning their ire but feeling equally annoyed. ‘If you’re not flexible, you’ll sit idle and earn nothing all day,’ I thought. Uncertain of my exact location, I maintained a positive outlook, trusting that things would fall into place as they always did.
The Final Stretch to the Accommodation
The ferry to Bali was three kilometers back in the direction I had arrived by bus, but circumstances required me to stay put. Bali would be my destination in a few days. The main road continued along the southern coast of East Java, a direction I didn’t wish to go. I needed to turn right, heading towards the highlands and Mount Ijen.
Continuing my walk along the main street, I approached a becak driver to inquire about his rates. Another man, fluent in English, approached me and asked about my destination. Sharing the address, he informed me that it was 20 kilometers away in the direction of Gunung Ijen, accessible only by a steep road requiring an ojek or taxi. Inquiring about his ojek price, it seemed a bit high. Despite my preference for a hotel in Banyuwangi, he claimed the only options were the two hotels up the mountain – a large paradise resort and the one I was headed to. Citing my prior knowledge of a paradise resort, we eventually settled on a price of 60,000 IDR.
Ijen Resto & Guesthouse
Anticipating a potentially hour-long ride, I hoped the driver possessed good skills. My substantial backpack rested on my back, and the smaller day pack occupied the space between his legs. Fortunately, we arrived safely and punctually. Just as I sought shelter under the reception roof, a sudden downpour began (it’s astonishing how fortunate I am at steering clear of rain showers in Indonesia). I had reached IJen Resto & Guesthouse. Gratefully, a room was available, and I assured the staff to take their time—I had ample time. While the girl prepared the room, I relaxed in the lobby. The journey from Situbondo turned out to be lengthier than my initial expectations.
Ultimate Convenience: All-In-One Package
Once the check-in formalities were sorted, I settled into my accommodation and inquired about the location of a nearby supermarket. Unfortunately, there was no supermarket in the vicinity, only a small kiosk. Despite my fatigue, I embarked on a 2-kilometer walk to the kiosk, where I purchased some inexpensive pastries. Later in the evening, I organized my excursion to Mount Ijen. The staff contacted a man, and within an hour, he arrived to assist with the arrangements.
We negotiated a final price of 300,000. Additionally, the man inquired about whether I needed transportation to the ferry from the hotel. Striking a fantastic deal, he agreed to pick me up at 1 am, drive me to the mountain over the course of an hour, guide me to the blue fire, and return to the hotel in the morning. Once I was prepared, he would then provide transportation to the ferry. We finalized our agreement, and I assured him I would be ready at 1 am later tonight. Tomorrow promises to be a beautiful yet eventful day, as I’ll be traveling to Lovina Beach in Bali, with an unexpected Valentine’s Day to be remembered.
