Tourist places
Five things to see, ordered by how early you have to get up.
1. Mount Bromo — 02.00
A live volcano inside the caldera of a bigger, dead one. You leave Malang in the dark, stand on a cold ridge at Penanjakan, and watch the sun come up over a sea of sand with three cones standing in it. Bring a jacket; it is close to freezing at the viewpoint.
2. Jodipan Colorful Village — 08.00
In 2016 a group of students painted an entire riverside kampung in every color they could buy. It worked: the village now charges a small entry fee and the money maintains it. The bridge between Jodipan and Tridi has a glass floor, which is either the best or the worst part.
3. Jalan Ijen — any time
The colonial boulevard. Walk it on a Sunday morning when the road closes to cars and the whole city is out buying snacks.
4. Batu — a whole day
A separate small city up the hill: apple orchards, hot springs, and an enormous theme park that is visible from most of the valley.
5. The south coast — three hours out
Balekambang, Ngliyep, Sendang Biru. Indian Ocean beaches with real surf and very few people. The road is slow and worth it.