July 26, 2005
East Java, Indonesia – A Provincial Guide
A taste of Indonesia’s splendor, culture and style is what you’ll get during a visit to exotic East Java. It is one of the Indonesia’s 27 provinces.
Nestled between two world class destinations, Jogjakarta and Bali, East Java is a sparkling jewel where each mountain, temple or hotel has its own beauty to boast of. Each edifice has its own story to tell. Things not to miss when you’re in East Java:
Surabaya, East Java
1) Sample their delicacy “Kampung Ayam” or native chicken in thick coconut milk at the Pondok Tempo Dulu Restaurant.
2) Shop and tour the city. It is a bustling commercial center with world-class hotels, restaurants and shopping malls and quality transportation to accommodate tourists.
Sukapura, East Java
3) It is recommended that you stay at the Grand Bromo Hotel, because it is situated at the portal of East Java’s most magnificent tourist attraction – Mount Bromo. It is the highest mountain in the region at 2382 meters above sea level.
4) Drive to Mount Bromo’s lookout point and marvel at the sunrise greeting the three volcanoes of the Tengger massif and the vast caldera or “sand-sea.” The sand-sea is precisely what the name says it is, the sand is actually composed of volcanic ash. The formation of the caldera took place millions of years ago when a huge volcano exploded.
5) Receive blessings from a Hindu priest in Pura Agung Poten Bromo, a temple of sacred ground. As a place of worship, the poten contains several buildings and enclosures arranged in a specific composition. Special arrangements have to be made prior to entry.
6) Ride a pony to cross the great caldera of the Tengger massif.
7) Climb 200 steps to Mount Bromo’s active crater and marvel at its twin peak, Mt. Batok. Bromo’s crater that actively emits dense clouds of sulphur steam, meanwhile Batok’s sides rise in a perfect cone shape to a flat summit.
8) Offer flowers to Brahma, god of Mount Bromo, on the crater. And be awed by the spectacular view that is fit to be in the pages of National Georaphic Magazine.
Malang, East Java
9) Stay at Hotel Tugu Malang. The hotel has a vast collection of antiques that walks guests through the heritages of the Dutch colonial era, and the
gradual fusion of the Indonesian and the Chinese cultures. Each of its 49 rooms and suites are designed with individual character, some have been dedicated as tributes to the talents of Indonesian art heroes of the past.
Batu, East Java
10) Visit Kusuma Agro Wisata’s agropark and pick apples and oranges in their orchards. Batu is the “apple” capital of Indonesia.
Get to taste the Manalagi Apple. Manalagi is “give me more” in Javanese.
