We set off from Catimor Homestay at 5:00. Mr Black had not told us that breakfast was included, so we missed it. He arranged for a takeaway - dry bread and boiled eggs. Back on the bumpy 'road' again for 45 minutes in the half light of dawn until we reached the start of our Ijen trek - about 5kms of steep walking to the top. We had read that Ijen was a volcano scaling 2368m and used for mining sulphur. At the top would be a sulphur lake in the crater, where 'free...

We set off for the Bromo area on our tour at 01:00. Our guide/taxi driver Mr Black took us in a Toyota MPV through the villages up to the volcanic crater. As we passed through the villages in the early hours, it was clear that Ramadan was in full swing. Groups of young men and boys banged drums - some makeshift (plastic containers) - very loudly. We wondered when people actually sleep at this time, the guidebooks say people rise at 3-4am to eat, and this drumming...

Yet another blue sky, blisteringly hot day - 30 degrees plus, yesterday. It was also the start of Ramadan so no eating during the day. We wanted an adventure, so we decided to make our own way to a couple of temples / stupas outside Melang. This means using the local transport - super cheap Angkots - mini vans. A guy outside our hotel, who we thought was probably a bit mad, but was actually very helpful, stopped the correct bus for us and ushered us on. The guys ...

Yet another blue sky, blisteringly hot day - 30 degrees plus, yesterday. It was also the start of Ramadan so no eating during the day. We wanted an adventure, so we decided to make our own way to a couple of temples / stupas outside Melang. This means using the local transport - super cheap Angkots - mini vans. A guy outside our hotel, who we thought was probably a bit mad, but was actually very helpful, stopped the correct bus for us and ushered us on. The guys ...

Last day in Yogya we relaxed and ate twice in our favourite Vegan restaurant Milas. It was time for another sleeper train aarghh.....We are eventually trying to get to Bali which is off the eastern coast of Java, so it is a huge trek. We were trying to get there in time for Ramadan (1st August) as eating during the day is a no no, but our trip has had some good diversions so it is taking a little longer. We were travelling eksekutif again, the train leaving Yogy ...