When:  May 2014                                       Weather: hot  25-30C

Pictures:  Leica M9P 35mm F1.4 summilux

Between Mt Bromo and our final destination of Trawas, we stopped by at Madakalipura Waterfalls on the recommendation of our local friends…I’m very glad we did! Waterfalls usually involve a bit of a trek and whether it’s worth the trek or not is usually only found out after you get to the falls…in this case, I would say it is indeed worth the trek of about an hour to get to the ‘action’.

Arriving at the falls area, you are greeted by a giant statue

statue at madakalipura

The hour long trek to the waterfall is actually quite interesting and fun but you need to be prepared..you are going to get wet from crossing the many river crossings…so wear slippers….what’s more, as you near the waterfall, you are going to have to traverse right under a series of waterfalls ..you read it right….under a series of waterfalls….so you are going to get wet.   You either accept that you will get very wet and just change after the visit or you bring an umbrella or wear a rain coat or poncho…I chose the poncho more to keep my camera dry than to keep myself dry. You also have to decide if you are going to fear for the water ruining your camera and not bring it along(wrong move!) or bring a waterproof camera..or just be careful and shoot quickly trying to keep your camera as dry as you can….which is what I did.  Most of my friends think I’m crazy bringing my Leica M9P under a waterfall esp as it’s not weather sealed like the M240….

So off we went along the river…there’s lots of human traffic so be patient…

the little rock strewn stream leading to the falls

unfinished hut along the way

the part where an arc of waterfalls sprays onto visitors below

shooting up at the water falling down on me…

and another view…

and yet another..so it’s a quick lift up, focus and shoot..wipe lens

And then the main part of the falls comes into view….you need to scramble up a rather steep wall to get into an almost hidden grotto where several waterfalls end up in a pool  below…v pretty indeed…

a narrow gorge leading into the grotto

pool at the bottom of the grotto

a beautiful place indeed, well worth the trek..

Oh…and my camera survived the wetness without the slightest hiccup…..