At the airport and in surabaya
by veloz
before you arrive in juanda, surabaya's airport from overseas, you should prepare some Rupiahs (indonesian Currency) in case you need to bribe, pay for taxi, etc.
be very careful in there, don't wear jewelries, never carry large amount of cash, carry only what u need. be careful when u buy foods from street vendors if u don't want to be sick eventhough their foods are very delicious, if u want to buy food from street vendors prepare some medicine for stomachache, diarrhea, food poisoning. use taxi, don't use other means of transport as they are less safe for tourists. be careful when u drive as most indonesians don't do shoulder checks when they drive. be prepared for the air pollution.
ask for tips from the hotel where u are staying. although their english are rather poor. learn these useful words: Tolong (help), Rampok (robber(s)), Maling (thief/thieves), Jancok (the surabayans' foul word) use it reasonably, satpam (the security guard(s)), Polisi (police), Kobongan (if there is fire), aqua (the most used brand of bottled water, it also used to represent bottled waters, whenever u need to buy bottled water just ask for aqua, they'll give u whatever bottled water they sell).
never drink tap water (unsafe, bacterias, germ, high chemicals content) i was born and raised in surabaya, and i miss the foods, cheap stuff, the girls, old friends, the crazy driving, and the night live
Try the restaurants in my...
by lupit
Try the restaurants in my list. Surabaya doesn't have many sights to see so the best thing to do here is to extend your culinary experiences. Local food is great and very good value, even in big restaurants. Exception is 5-star hotel restaurants, they don't serve local food and will add 21% tax. pigging out
Packing List
by siung2
since Surabaya is hot, just take simple thin clothes with you. There's no need to bring a jacket. But it may be useful if you wish to visit, for instance, Mount Bromo, Tretes, or Batu (for visitors from europe or america, I'll tell you that it is not so cold for you. The temperature never falls below 10oC, except at peak of Bromo. if you go to surabaya in december until march, i recommend you to bring your umbrella, because of rainy season (it usually rains in the evening).
Mount Bromo
This city and...
by Goldenboy
Mount Bromo
This city and certainly it’s rural suroundings provide an abundance of interesting and adventurous opportunities for those wishing to explore the local culture and share the Indonesian experience. Mount Bromo, world famous for its sunrise, and the island of Madura, known the world over the annual Kerapan Sapi (bull race), are examples of these point of interest. Mount Pananjakan is the Pasuruan region, approximately 60 kilometers south of Surabaya, offers the best view of Mount Bromo‘s sunrise and is an ideal spot for photography. A visit to Mount Bromo’s “sea of sand” is a must! A breathtaking ride on sturdy mountain ponies to witness dawn over the fiery Bromo crater is an unforgettable event. Some sleep sacrifice is required for the 3.30 am start, but your will find the extra effort involved is eclipsed by the joy of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Bring a warm sweater, as Mount Bromo temperatures at this early hour are rather cool. A trip to Mount Bromo will take about three hours from Surabaya.
Another wonderful trip is the one to Mount Semeru, Java’s highest volcano (3.676 meter). In the Pasuruan region you can find a small industrial centers and handicraft workshops, the 13th century Jawi and Belahan temples as well as the Purwodadi Botanical Gardens and the magnificent open air theatre of Candra wilwatikta, where the classical ballet dances, based upon epic stories of Ramayana and Mahabarata, are performed during full moon (Saturday) nights from June to September. This trip will take you less than one hour, by coach, from Surabaya’s city center.
Cave and Waterfalls
East Java is famous for its caves and waterfalls. In the Kakek Bodo Recreational Forest you can find the 40 meters high waterfall of the same name. Since its located near Tretes, you should not forget to explore this refreshing mountain resort. Some 30 kilometers northwest of Malang the famous Coba Rondo waterfall is located near to the Pujon plantation, while Ngliman Village, 28 kilometers south of Nganjuk, is home to the 100 meter high Sedudo waterfall where the Prana Pratistha annual bathing ceremony, dating back to the Majapahit era and is believed to keep bathers forever young.
25 Kilometers west of Surabaya, in the Lamongan district, you can find the 2,500 square meters wide Maharani cave, only recently discovered, on August 6, 1992. Its located some 25 meters below ground level and is compared with world famous like the one in Altamira (Spain) and Coranche in France. In Tuban, some 60 kilometers northwest of Surabaya, is located the Akbar Cave, well known for having the origin of a river springing from a waterfall springing from the roof of cave. IN Kediri, west of Malang you can find the 10th century Selomangleng Cave, which dates back to the famous Kediri Empire of the same era. A relief on the wall of the cave depicts the story of Arjuna Wiwaha one of the rulers of the empire. O yeaaa, you can find also one of Indonesia’s most beautiful caves called the Lowo Cave in the little village of Trenggalek, toward southern coastline of Java. This 850 long cave is one of the longest in the country containing impressive formations of stalagmites and stalactites.
Malang, The Apple City
One of the most attractive town in East Java is Malang, located at the end of Surabaya-Malang toll road, ninety kilometers south of Surabaya. The well-maintained, and often completely restored Dutch-styles houses, the neat mainsquare and clean streets show a strong sense of civic pride. Malang is often called “the apple city” because the outsstaanding fruit produce for domestic and international consumpstion. Twenty kilometers from Malang, near Batu, and on the southern flank of Mount Arjuna, you can find the popular resorts, Selecta and Songgoriti with their hot springs.
Sega Rawon
by ukirsari about Any hawkers you can find this easily
Diced beef soup. The color is unique, a bit dark, because special seasoning called 'keluwak'. This soup is served with steamed rice in the same bowl, chilli sauce and fried accessories like tofu or tempe, salty-boiled egg and shrimp crackers. Nasi Rawon or Sega Rawon (local lingo)
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On Red Bridge near gateway to Chinatown.
This lady is a bit overdressed, but she's happy :)
plaza tunjungan... the other building
a taxi fare receipt...
