Surabaya
A booming city of over 3 million, Surabaya offers many good hotels,
shopping centres and entertainment. Its well stocked zoological garden include several
species of Indonesian fauna like "orang utan", komodo dragon and a collection of
nocturnal animals.Kalimas is an old
traditional harbour for the world famous Bugis schooner "pinisi" which sailed
the Indonesia seas for hundreds of years. At present those praus can still be seen in
their former glory with big colourful sails.
Mpu Tantular Museum, well-stocked with archaelogical art and
cultural items from prehistoric times until independence.
Across the Strait Madura, half an hour by ferry from Surabaya
is an island of Madura, famous for its unique bull races held each year after harvest
season.
For groups, the races can be arranged on request. The
Regional Tourism Offices of East Java provides a monthly calendar of events of the races.
Trowulan-Pandaan-Tretes
The surrounding of Trowulan village is believed to be the site of the
ancient capital of Majapahit.
Archaeological excavation in the area has recovered many
terracotta ornaments, statues, pottery and stone carving which are displayed at the
Trowulan Museum. The map in the museum is a guide to nearby sites of historical interest.
The Chandra Wilwatika open-air theatre in Pandaan, 45 km
south of Surabaya presents classical East Javanese ballet performances on each full moon
night from June to November. The performances are based either on Ramayana stories or East
Java’s legends and folklore. The backdrop of Mt. Pananggungan gives the performances
an enchanting experience.
Up to ten km from Chandra Wilwatika is Tretes, one of the
most beautiful mountain resorts of East Java. Hotels and roads cling to the hillside with
swimming pools for a dip in the cool climate. Horses here are also available for hire.
Camping ground is available near the Kakek Bodo waterfall.
Malang
Ninety km south of Surabaya lies Malang, one of the most attractive towns
in Java. A strong sense of civic pride can be noticed from the well-maintained and painted
becaks, the neat main square, buildings and streets. The cool climate is one reason why it
is highly desirable among the East Javanese as a place to retire. Twenty km from Malang on
the southern flack of Mt. Arjuna, are Selecta and Songgoriti, popular hill resorts with
hot springs. The climate is cool and (five km nearby) is Batu, fomous for its apples and
flowers. Sports facilities at Selecta include horse riding, swimming, and tennis.
Purwodadi Botanical Garden
Founded in 1941 for the study plants growing under relatively dry
conditions, the Purwodadi gardens lie about 30 kms north-east of Malang just off
Surabaya-Malang main road on the lowest slopes of Mt. Arjuna at about 300 metres altitude.
It covers an area of about 85 ha (212 acres).
Mount Kawi Fortunate Hunting
A sage’s grave on Mt. Kawi, near Malang, has for decades enjoyed
unrivalled fame among those who seek to increase their worldly blessing through
pilgrimages, offerings, and meditations besides hard work.
Most of the pilgrims to to Gunung Kawi are Chinese, but even
to nonbelievers the place is worth a visit for its intensely Javanese atmosphere, with
frequent Wayang and Gamelan performances and a quaint mixture of Javanese and Chinese
influences.
The grave itself is built on a hilltop, but to it left and
right of the long stairway is an assortment of sacred springs, Chinese housesof worship,
flowers and souvenirs stalls and other interesting sights.
Mount Bromo
One of the most exciting experiences is watching the sun rise from the crest of the
Bromo volcano which is a three-hour drive from Surabaya, followed by a pony ride from the
village of Ngadisari over a sea of sand to the foot of the volcano. Ascent the 50 steps to
reach the rim. On the vast expanse of sands formerly a caldera, there are two volcanoes:
the extinct Batok which is a perfect cone and the Bromo.
Volcanic sulphur fumes and smoke still emanate from its
depth, while during intense rumbling sounds the surrounding population who believes in the
God of Bromo quickly brings offerings.
The annual offering ceremony of Kasada is held on the 14th
day of Kasada, the twelfth month in the Tenggerese calendar year.
In 1991 it was held on November 23-24. It is a colorful event
where villagers from the surrounding areas bring their produce of sacrifice to the holy
volcanoes.
Baluran National Park/Wildlife Reserve
Located at the eastern tip of East Java, just off the Surabaya-Banyuwangi
mainroad, it is dry country-side of open forest and scrubland, bordered at the coast by
marshes, swampy groves and white beaches. A landrover or jeep is perhaps the only vehicle
that can stand the long hauls acrooss these rugged grassy plains. Here, the banteng wild
ox, deer and birds can be photographed in their natural habitat.
Kalikatak
A privately owned plantation with an elevation of 450-750 m above sea
level, on the slope of Mt. Merapi covering a 2.500 acres of land producing coffee, rubber,
cocoa and species. Cloves begin as flowers on the clove tree, cinnamon is ground bark,
pepper grown on vines and nutmeg like golf-ball size pears hanging on broad leafted trees,
are to be seen.
Touring the plantation is a rip through a vast, exotic spice
machine process which ends with neat packages ready for export.
Sadengan
A famous wildlife reserve and feeding ground but of a smaller size than
that of Baluran. Located in the forest of Hutan Purwo, 81 km to the south of Banyuwangi.
It is in possession of 700 wild buffaloes and varieties of other wild animal, all of which
can be seen grazing in the late afternoon from the viewing tower.
Triangulasi
13 km south of Sadengan on the coast with a beautiful beach view. A nice
location to watch the sunset and a place where turtles lay eggs.
Sukamade Turtle Beach
78 km south of Banyuwangi with its deep turquoise water, 250 kg sea turtle
and a long beach, surrounded by vast cocoa, coffee and rubber plantations, are to be found
here.
Meru Betiri Reserve
After a 30 km very rough road which crosses half a dozen rivers through
dense jungle and a rubber plantation, you finally arrive here on the southern tip of the
province, where the last of the Javanese tigers had sought refugee. A hundred and fifty
years ago Javanese tiger inhabited most of Java and was even considered a nuisance in some
populated areas. But through the 1800s and early 1990s it was hunted mercilessly and its
habitat destroyed by plantation builders. By the beginning of the Second World War it
survived only in the most remote mountain and forests, and today, the last four or five
live on the brink of extinction in a remote region.
The government and the World Wildlife Fund have mounted a
determined effort to save the tigers and their environment. And to do so, the authorities
are even prepared to relocate a few thousand humans. But Meru Betiri is not simply a tiger
reserve. Wildlife of all kind abounds, like black panthers, leopard and turtles.
Temples
Between Surabaya and Malang is the town of Singosari where remnants of the
early 13th century Singosari Kingdom include a temple and two gigantic statue
of guardians to what many believed to be the main gateway to the capital of the kingdom.
Jago temple dates back to 1268, and is one of the most attractive temples in East Java.
Scenes from folktales as well as from the Mahabrata epic decorate the side panels.
Kidal temple, not far from Jago temple, was complated in 1260
to honour one the kings, and is a gem of Singosari temple art. Located 120 km south west
of Malang and 11 km North of Blitar, is Penataran temple in the Singosari – Majapahit
temple complex, dating from the mid fourteenth century. Its structure are laid on a large
and vast field. The temple terraces are decorated with Ramayana base reliefs. The main
temple is well preserved.
Pasir Putih Beach, Situbondo
If you happen to be driving in a private car between Surabaya and Bali,
this lovly beach may be worth visiting for a few hours or, if you prefer, an overnight
stay relax after driving long hours coming from either way. For you to enjoy here is
fishing, sailing, swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing, water-skiing or just simply
sunbathing. Good seafood is available at some beach-front restaurants where nearby small
souvenirs are for sale.
This place is suitable for transiting tourist, rather than a
destination point.
Mount Ijen Crater
Not exactly the most accessible of all craters, this Ijen crater may
become of great interest to the adventurous tourist. It is located for enough from Bali as
well as from Surabaya, whereas an overnight stay is recommended either at Banyuwangi if
coming from Surabaya. The trip to the crater should start early in the morning the next
day because road accessibility only gets you up to 14 km from the crater which you have to
do on foot, and up hill for that matter.
Special about this crater is its wide gaping mouth having a
diameter of 1 km, whereas its depth all the way to the bottom is 175 meters, where a
turquoise is found with its impressive surrounding.
Ponorogo
Ponorogo is located southwest of Surabaya at a distance of 200 km. A
bigger town closest to it is Madiun, which lies on the main highway between Surabaya and
point west of it in Central Java. So, out of Madiun it would be a sidetrip to Ponorogo, if
you care to witness the Festival Reyog, held here on the 17th of August each
year, highlighting the area’s traditional drama and dance. Otherwise you may want to
visit Ngabel Lake nearby, whereas batiks and basketry of this region are also well known. |
