one of the big cats sporting a highly distinctive mane spent most of the time in the large enclosure being inactive, and a great opportunity for a model photoshoot at taman safari indonesia II. east java february 2012.

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reaching the top of the staircases, i put a glance to my right and there sitting on the rim of mt. bromo‘s crater, zack, alif and yomi with our guide enjoying the views while having their snacks.

looking straight ahead, the crater (last eruption in january 2011) gives an otherworldly landscape for the eyes to absorb.

and upon closer look.

bromo tengger semeru national park, east java. february 2012.

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a stairway leading the way for the final stretch to mt. bromo‘s crater rim. bromo tengger semeru national park february 2012.

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an axis deer approaching our vehicle through the rich giant brake ferns of the genus pteris at taman safari indonesia II. february 2012.

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a smiling hippo and a friend at taman safari indonesia II. february 2012.

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a close encounter with an elk and it was too close for comfort. taman safari indonesia II, east java. february 2012.

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hiking the slope of mt. bromo, we were given these majestic views of the plains, mt. batok, the hindu temple dedicated to the volcano and the inner caldera rim. bromo tengger semeru national park february 2012.

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a portrait of an ostrich taken from inside our vehicle at taman safari indonesia II near pasuruan, east java. february 2012.

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after dispatching our two kids on a horse for rp100,000 return fees and to meet them again near the foot of mt. bromo some 1.5km away, we were finally free to roam and explore the sea of sand on the plains of the caldera. it was a win-win situation! pics of alif and yomi getting mighty excited to be riding on a horse for the first time, and another lone horse vendor who missed the opportunity near mt. batok (2,470m). february 2012.

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