The activity of Sulfur Mining in Ijen Crater that started from the colonization of Dutch in Indonesia, has faced many changes in its journey. The porters of sulfur there use a traditional basket carried by shoulder (weights 70-100 kg) for about 3 km then use the carts/trolley to bring the sulfur down to Paltuding.
The Origin of Ijen Crater’s Trolley
A simple wood and iron trolley was first used in Ijen to assist sulfur porters to transport the heavy load throughout the steep and rocky hills of Ijen. As stated above, the load a porter carries per day is about 70-100 kilograms and it is initially carried by shoulder using wooden baskets. After the invention of the trolley, the porters only carry the load over their shoulder from the mining site to the rim, and then use the trolley to transport it to Paltuding. It is the initial use of trolley in Ijen Crater.
The Shifting of Sulfur Trolley to Tourist Taxi
Over time, the price of sulfur didn’t grow much in value, so it’s reasonable that the porters would need another source of income. On the other hand, the numbers of tourists visiting Ijen increased exponentially over the years, some of them aren’t fit enough to hike the steep hills of Ijen Crater. That’s when the idea of an alternative source of income by transporting tourists comes. The trolley in Ijen Crater starting to transform into a mean of transport for tourist.
Instead of doing the rough work with sulfur, the porters rather transport tourists and gain more income in the holiday season. For climbing up, they pull the trolley with 2-3 people due to the difficulty of the track. For going down usually just one person is enough as it is easier than climbing up.
Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Luxury Car Brands as Marketing
The locals have a creative and fun way to offer their trolley service. They sometimes called it Lamborghini, Ferrari, other Luxury Car Brands, or Taxi. This creative way of marketing their service is now well-known by tourists from all around the world that visited Ijen.
For those of you who want to enjoy Ijen Crater’s magnificent view without having to lose that much energy hiking, you could consider using their trolley service. Their service ranges from IDR 1.000.000 for climbing to the crater, IDR 600.000 for going down to Paltuding, and IDR 1.500.000 for a round-trip, although prices may vary depending on where/when you take the trolley. By using their service, you not only benefit from the ease of access to the crater, but also supports the local economy as it is a great source of income for the locals/porters.
It sure is fascinating how a means of sulfur mining evolved into a tourist’s transport over the years. The trolley in Ijen Crater has evolved throughout the years. So the next time you visit Ijen Crater, you don’t have to worry that you can’t reach the crater, you’re just one call away from the Lamborghinis!