I left you with a cliffhanger yesterday… will the skies clear? Might I finally glimpse Mt. Bromo after two failed attempts? Should I just move here and hope that someday the weather will change?

Here’s the answer:

How freaking gorgeous?!?!

Want to know the shocking thing? I took these photos at 2pm… not at sunrise. It’s possible that the clouds cleared on the two previous days and I could’ve seen Mt. Bromo on those afternoons too, but my accommodation was further down the mountain so I wasn’t able to check. Now I’m staying just around the corner from this overlook.

I AM SO HAPPY NOW!!

I return at sunset. I love that my hotel is only a five minute walk from this viewpoint.

Check out those rays of light…!

I understand why sunrise is considered the best time to see Mt. Bromo, but this mountain is a stunner any time of day. It’s so worth sticking around to see it in different light.

The next morning I decline to return to the high viewing points. After breathing in exhaust and getting harassed for rides yesterday, I’m happy to sleep in until 5am and then walk around the corner to watch sunrise from a lower (and hassle-free) vantage point.

It was SO worth it to stick around for good weather. I may have lost two days of travel, but I’d have regretted it for a long time if I moved on without witnessing the splendor of Mt. Bromo with my own eyes. Luckily my itinerary is flexible so it’s easy enough to extend my time in Java. But unfortunately for some of my tour mates, they had to move on to catch flights and couldn’t afford to wait for the weather to clear.

If you’re planning to visit Mt. Bromo, I’d suggest allowing for two nights on the mountain. This way you’ll have an extra chance to catch a clear sunrise, plus you can see Mt. Bromo at various times of day — if you only stay one night, you won’t get to see it in the afternoon light. And I’d recommend choosing accommodation close to the edge of town so you can easily walk to the local overlook any time you want.

Mt. Bromo, you were worth it!