Old and New Surabaya, East Java Indonesia

Heroes Monument

OLD SURABAYA:

• Ujung Galuh is the name of the port in north part of Surabaya (before itsname is Surabaya). It is a port which has two watershed: Penggirian river and Kalimas river. The flow of the rivers connected the trade from Ujung Galuh Port to the center of the Singhasari Kingdom through Brantas river. Based on Von Faber Hypothesis, Surabaya was established in 1275 M by the last King of Singhasari Kertanegara, as a new village for soldiers who was succeed to stop Kemuruhan rebellion in 1270 M.
• But later Ujung Galuh change itsname became Surabaya. The oldest proof written in Trowulan incription that the words of "Surabaya" (churabaya) in 1358 M. And also Mpu Prapanca wrote in Kertagama literacy that the King of Majapahit, Hayam Wuruk, held a cruise in 1365 M. Mpu Prapanca also wrote the word " SURABAYA".
• Surabaya Government officially take anniversary of Surabaya from the event when Raden Wijaya, the fist King of Majapahit won the war fight again China troops and become a winner in 1293 M. That's why Surabaya has its anniversary On May 31, in 1293 M.
• Surabaya is derived their name from " SURO"/ "SURA" means a White Shark, "BOYO"/"BAYA" means a Crocodille.

The myth said that the words "Surabaya" that comes from the story of the great single fighter between Adipati Jayengrono and Sawunggaling. Adipati Jayengrono is a leader of Ujung Galuh where this area is still part of Majapahit Kingdom. Here Adipati Jayengrono learned (BOYO) Crocodile Power that this power can threatened the Majapahit kingdom. So, Raden Wijaya the King of Majapahit asked to Sawunggaling who had learned white shark (SURO) Power to fight againts Adipati Jayengrono. They fight seven days seven nights without stopping until they didn't realized that they run out their energy.

Another version said that Suroboyo is derived its name from "SURA ING BHAYA" which has meaning that "a brave to face danger" which taken from the event of the battle of Majapahit Kingdom face againts Mongol troops.

So, we can conclude that SUROBOYO is the place where the wars, the battles, the fights had happenned. Some comes from land versus comes from water or sea. The place where we can find many strungglers fight from Majapahit Era, Colonial Era, until Independent struggling. Perhaps, Surabaya nowadays also the place of battle where in modern Era that this place become a big city which many people who work very busy everyday to earn some money for living.

NEW SURABAYA:

In Majapahit Dinasty, The role of water transportation is very important. Surabaya as the port city and a gate for ships to enter another places in surrounding Surabaya. But modern Surabaya use the land transportation as faster and easier.

• Surabaya, the second largest city in Indonesia, is the capital city of East Java. Well known as Heroes city where we can find many monuments to commemorate the heroes who fought and died in the Independent war on 10th November 1945.
• In the North part of Surabaya, you may also still find some museums, old Ducth style buildings, Arabian quarter, Chinese Town, Old Port Kalimas as a part of old city of Surabaya. As we can see Nowadays Surabaya is not only the Naval base of Indonesia but also the center of Government, business and industry activities in the city.

Sempu Island; South Malang East Java

                       At Point of view; a lagoon of Sempu Island

Sempu Island, Untouched moment

By:

Desia Sasmito

Approximately 120 KM south Malang, we could enjoy the fisherman village called ‘Sendang Biru’. Just a short cross to the sea, we also have a camping ground in a small Island called “Sempu”. Even though this island is not Tourist Destination, but many teenagers likes to come here for camping or seizing their holidays. I said it is not Tourist Destination, because we could not find hotel, restaurant, toilet, transportation and others facilities that the Tourist Destination should have. It is just an inhabitant and untouched Island with modern equipments. To reach and enjoy this place, I suggested you to provide two days off.

The most wonderful site here is a lagoon which located in southernmost point of Sempu Island could be reached in two hours walking (normal speed), in very muddy footpath, and entering conserved rainforest. You would find this vacation is very exhausted, but it is paid when we could reach and enjoy scenery in the lagoon. We could hear clearly the Hindia ocean sound of the waves with the white sandy beach which is clean and calm, so that it is suitable for relax, recreation, sunbathing, and also swimming. It is like a natural swimming pool, but still in salty water as we know it is sea water, right? We find a lost beach here.

To get reach

It is so amazing moments if we reach this place with our friends, kind of close friends, our community, family, etc.

Start from Malang city, we could prepare our camping bags. We must make sure bring sufficient foods, clothes, Sandals or boot shoes, torches, etc. Well, it sounds like a camping stuff as our property to go.

Transportation

If you come from out of Java, you can take ticket to Surabaya, East Java. You will arrive in Surabaya International Airport then rent a car for 2 days. It takes about 2 hours driving then arrives in Malang city; prepare everything there before we go. You can leave for Sendang biru before afternoon, because we would like to see the sunset before dark in “Bajul Mati” beach. It is surround ‘Sendang Biru’; a fisherman village. ‘Sendang Biru’ is a place for fisherman come from sailing and grabs huge number of fish from the ocean. So, there you will find many boat and fisherman activity in the morning and afternoon. Some of the fisherman who has some boat also provide us a service to cross the sea go to Sempu Island.

Accommodation

Well, if you want to stay before crossing the sea we can stay in some local people’s house in “Sendang Biru” or you go straight crossing and entering the forest before dark, or find camping ground surrounding lagoon in Sempu Island. The most important stuff have to bring is Mosquito repellent, because there will be a lot of mosquitoes ready to bite you everywhere and anytime and do not forget to bring wet and dry tissue for everywhere toilet.

Foods

Prepare our foods such as “mie goreng” (noodles), instant coffee, milk, tea, bread and any foods that you think it is good for your body. Or we also can buy some fish from fisherman village and cook grilled fresh fish. If you want to eat “steamed rice”, we can bring from “warung” (foodstall) surround Sendang Biru, it is easier then we have to steam rice by ourselves.

TIPS:

-wear good shoes or sandals for muddy road in the forest

-bring raining coat is a must

-use sunblock or mosquitoes repellent

-bring enough mineral water

Go tourism go green

More and more people can afford to spend their holidays abroad. While this brings some advantages, it also brings a downside, particularly for local people and environment. On  the good side, people visiting foreign countries can become aware of diversity among countries, cultures, and tourism, and discover a various taste of foods whole over the world for instance. This might a head to be a pleasure to them, when they return home. Another benefit is being able to do something new that they can not so easily do at home, like sunbathing on a beach, enjoying mountain panorama, or visiting ancient ruins. In addition, countries or districts with a tourist industry could provide jobs for local people, whether working in hotels, restaurants or transportations service.

However, many regions that are famous have been spoilt with many hotels which sometimes ruins beautiful beaches or countryside, perpetual noise from discos, and local people having to learn the tourists’ languages instead of the other way round. These sites often become an artificial world, developing their own international tourist culture which has little to do with the culture of the area.

To conclude, tourism probably brings more advantages than drawbacks, but more attention should be paid to minimize the impact on tourist areas. Tourists should also be encouraged to treat the local people, culture and environment with respect. Unless something is done, many of world’s most beautiful places will be ruined and messed (ds).