I made it out to Mount Bromo, but the most picturesque views were hidden behind clouds. Sometimes the weather just doesn't cooperate. There was at least something visible from the base, but it wasn't nearly as impressive.

On the bright side, I managed to peek right into the crater itself and see what's going on down there. If I'd been here in July, I would've witnessed the sacrificial rituals of the local Tengger people. Unlike most of the island's inhabitants, they didn't convert to Islam—they've held onto Hinduism.

According to local legend, a king and queen once lived near the volcano and couldn't have children no matter how hard they tried. They prayed extensively, and the gods, moved by their deep faith, granted them children on one condition: they had to sacrifice their youngest son. After that, the royal family had 25 (!) children. And the twenty-fifth one was thrown into the crater. Ever since, people continue to leave offerings for the gods at the bottom of Bromo, but now they stick to food, flowers, and money. No more human sacrifices.