Ways to reach the bull fights

Ways to reach the bull fights

If you are in Bondowoso, you need only spend Rp 400 to reach
the "aduan sapi arena" (bull fighting arena). Bondowoso is a cool
town with an average temperature of 24 degrees Celsius. From the
Bondowoso bus station, you can take a bus or any other mode of
transport heading for Situbondo. Transport is available around
the clock.

Just tell the bus conductor that you want to get off at the
Aduan Sapi Arena. All local public transport crew know the place.
It's 16 km east of Bondowoso, near a fighting bull statue, about
a 15 minute bus ride. The stadium, which is 300 meters from the
statue, can be clearly seen. You can reach the stadium on foot or
by motorcycle taxis which are available near the statue.

If you come from Situbondo, take a bus which goes to Bondowoso
which only costs Rp 500 to the bull fighting stadium.

You can also come via Surabaya, which is about 250 kilometers
west of Bondowoso. From Surabaya, the starting point is the
Purabaya bus station, and for Rp 6,000 you will enjoy a four-hour
trip on an air-conditioned bus with adjustable seats. Before
reaching Bondowoso, the bus stops twice, at Pasuruan and
Probolinggo bus stations.

Unfortunately, the comfortable buses depart from the Purabaya
bus station only twice a day: at 6 a.m. and 12 a.m. Unair-
conditioned buses also go there and the fare is only Rp 3,500.
They take the same route but the trip takes one hour longer.

Caution is advised when buying tickets for the unair-
conditioned bus. There are many ticket scalpers and they prey
especially on those who look confused. They may sell the tickets
four to five times higher than the official rate. You'd be better
off asking a security officer or a uniformed member of the bus
crew if you aren't sure.

If you want to travel on an air-conditioned bus there are
other ways you can go. You can take a bus heading for Jember,
Situbondo or Banyuwangi. The buses depart every 15 minutes.

A bus to Jember costs Rp 6,000. From the Jember bus station
you take an unair-conditioned bus to Bondowoso for Rp 800.

If you catch a Situbondo or Banyuwangi bus, you alight in
Situbondo or Besuki. The way from Situbondo is easy and described
above. However, if you end up in Besuki you have to go to
Bondowoso by a transit vehicle. The fare is Rp 1,000. Usually
passengers are sandwiched into the vehicle which goes through
Mount Arak-Arak.

The view along the road is beautiful. The road winds through
dense teakwood forests and is a 45-minute ride.

The bull fighting is held on Saturdays and Sundays only. If
you need to spend the night in Bondowoso, there are hotels and
inns which cost between Rp 10,000 and Rp 100,000 per night.

K. Candra Negara/ X-T/ Feature Syndication