Surabaya is provincial city of east java and Indonesia's second largest city to Jakarta in size, population and commerce. East Java is known for the most industrialized . East Java is known for the most industrialized province in the nation. Its economy is based on agriculture fishery, oil industries, coffee, mangoes and apples.

Surabaya and other city in east Java is well conected by good motor roads and train services, there are also air services between Surabaya and other major cities in the country including Bali which is only half hour flight a way. At the end of World War II many Indonesians believed that independence was imminent. Few realized that it would be another five years of fighting before the country became a fully independence republic. The area around Surabaya became the witness of some of the heaviest fighting, and the Battle of Surabaya in November 10, 1946, which cost the lives of thousands of Indonesians, is became a symbol of resistance of the re-imposition of Dutch colonial rule. Surabaya known as the ' City of Heroes' because of its role in the nation's independence struggle.

Custom & Traditions

Culturally, Surabaya is pluralistic city. Population in this city around 4 million people with innumerable ethnic groups live there. The major ones the Javanese and the Madurese. As far as art is concerned, actually there is no traditional arth which originally comes from Surabaya. But because Surabaya is most important city in all aspects of life in Eastern Java and the dynamic trait of the people, various branches of traditional art from other regions have found Surabaya as their new home. Because the people of Surabaya are open, all kind of art whose characteristics are in line with the characteristics of the people are welcome.

Surabaya Music & Dance

Tari Remo or local called Tari Ngeremo is a welcoming dance performed by single dancer or by group of dancer. Because the dancers are either men or women, Remo dance has two styles: masculine and feminine. Very often women dancers perform masculine-style Remo Dance and men dancers perform feminine-style Remo Dance.

Tari Remo was originally danced at the beginning of Ludruk performance, but later it is developed into a dance performed at parties, folk festivals or at the commemorations of national holidays.

Ludruk is popular traditional theatre at east Java, specially in Surabaya. Ludruk has spread fast from Surabaya to its contiguous towns, such as Jombang and Mojokerto. Ludruk performance settings usually are contemporary urban households and the human actors speak the local dialect.

Art & Home Industry

Gold and Silver modern industry can be found in Surabaya. The center of industries located at Rungkut area while the show room of original Gold and Silver product spread at many mall and plaza at the down town.

Leather craft can be found at Sidoarjo, Tanggulangin, almost 30 km south from Surabaya. It is the center of leather home industry. You can find bag, shoes, jacket, belt, wallet and leather products.

Around Kenjeran beach you can find shells or mollusc's handy craft made by the local people. In this places you can find traditional crafts made of cowries, shark tooth and variety shells.

Landmark and Museum

Surabaya Monument is symbol of the city officially found in 1293. The monument describes legendary battle between a shark (Sura) and a Crocodile (Baya)

Mpu Tantular Museum

is keeping the cultural treasures of Indonesia during the course of its history for centuries. The collection of the ancient Indonesian artifacts in the museum are classified in eleven separate rooms

Bambu Runcing

Monument located at Jl Sudirman. This is one of monument that describe traditional weapons used to fight Dutch army in 1945. At saturday night, many member of motor or car club meet in around here.

Monkasel (Monumen Kapal Selam)

Is submarine monument. The submarine monument is located in the bank of Kalimas river, on the east corner of Surabaya Plaza. The brief history of this submarine started a long time ago, this ship was called KRI Pasopati with the body number of 410 lt was one of the element of Indonesian submarine Army Unit on the east region. This submarine had done many operations to defend the Indonesian independence and even in the "Trikora" operation to gain Irian Jaya (Papua) back to its mother land. At this time this submarine was in the front line.

Majapahit Mandarin Oriental Hotel,

Opened in 1910 as Oranye Hotel and was Surabaya's finest. In 1942 the Japanese renamed the hotel into Yamato Hotel and after their defeat an attempt to make it Orange again precipitated an incident in 1945, Indonesian youth scaling the building's squat tower to tear off the blue strip from the Dutch tricolor on the flagpole, leaving the red and white flag of Indonesia.

Jembatan Merah (red bridge)

Is one of the most savage fighting ever in Surabaya after Indonesia Independence. Further down the Red Bridge is the China town, surrounding the are with of typical Chinese building. It is still the most crowded business and trade center.

Masjid Ampel (Ampel Mosque)

Masjid Ampel and Ampel Market is one of interest places in Surabaya, behind the mosque is Sunan Ampel tomb, one of the nine saints (Wali Songo) who built the mosque. On the left and right way to the mosque, there are market where typical Arabian souvenirs are sold complete with Madinah market atmosphere.

Tugu Pahlawan Monument

Is a hero monument. This monument stands, like za rocket pointed towards the moon, in Taman Kebunrojo opposite the East Java Governor's office in jl Pahlawan. The statue is 45 yards high stands on Pahlawan street is not ornate or even decorative, not particularly large, but its simplicity may have been the deliberate plan of its architect to convey humble, rather than bellicose, pride.

Jalesveva Jayamahe Monument

Describes a figure of a middle rank TNI AL (Indonesia National Navy) officer wearing a complete uniform, looking to the direction of the sea. The 30.8 meters high statue is standing on top of the 26,1 meters high building. On some part of the building, there are diorama of heroic history of the navy since the era of physical pre-revolution up until the 90's. This building is also function as an Executive Meeting Room.

Malioboro Yogyakarta is one of the interesting shopping place and unique in Yogyakarta, a long of jalan Malioboro have a modern and traditional market blended in one harmony, at the south of malioboro you will found the famous traditional market is Pasar Bering Harjo, its real traditional environment, old javanese women dressed with Javanese traditional clothes offer their goods in the small stall.

Along Jl Malioboro you able to found a lot of traditonal vendors sell the unique souvenir, artist (painting, gravier) this is the interesting place to visit especially for traveller who interest with unique sovenir, Traditional transportation such as Becak and Andong is easy found here.

Malioboro Yogya at Night Life

At the night after the shop is closed, along the Jl Malioboro change and many vendor sell food such as gudeg, Burung dara goreng. the buyer sit in the carpet (tikar) and many street singer with guitar offer the song.

Marco Polo discovered Java around 700 years ago and immediately likened it to ‘The Garden of Eden’.
In 1922, Gustav Van der Swan found a 20 hectare plot of, at that time, jungle, which he leased from the government. It was a stunning area, relatively unexplored and surrounded by eight volcanoes. He named his estate Karangredjo Coffee Plantation and complemented it with the construction of a plantation manor house in 1928. Robusta coffee seedlings were planted and production began in 1932. Forty years later, he sold the plantation to a Colonel Tjokroprawiro, who continued cultivating coffee until he died in 1988. His wife was then keen to sell the plantation and came upon Gabriella Teggia who had been in Indonesia since 1965, and was the former owner of Amandari in Ubud. She happened to be searching the area for old coffee plantations; she had a vision of creating a ‘different’ resort with a completely new style. With the help of her partner, Raden Ayu Anita Dewayani the plantation was purchased on 31st December 1991. They changed the name to Losari after the local village and Gabriella’s dream came true, there and then, on the coffee plantation right in the heart of the land of volcanoes.

Losari still functions as it did in the early 1900s. Thirty tons of organic Robusta coffee beans are produced annually. They are sun roasted, handpicked, sundried and finally, traditionally roasted.
The Plantation also produces organic vegetables, (romaine, arugula, cabbage, cauliflower, shallots, carrots, potatoes and cassava) fruits ( orange, papaya, durain, lychee, salak, mango, star fruit, jackfruit, sawo and guava) and spices (basil, coriander, ginseng, lemongrass, ginger, chilli, chives, nutmeg, mint, cinnamon, garlic, rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, and black pepper) All are used in the Losari kitchen.

Museum Ronggowarsito, this museum is located on Jalan Abdul Rahman Saleh. It is the most complete museum in Semarang that collects historical articles, environment, archeology, culture and record on the archipelago. The name of Ronggowarsito was taken from one of Indonesian literary man who was famous with his works on philosphy and culture.

This museum inhabits 1.8 hectares wide and it is opened everyday from 08:00 am - 14.00 pm except on Sunday

Simpang Lima is one of a special place that adds to Semarang's icon. This place is a square that located at the center of crossroad of Jl. Pandanaran (the west) and Jl Ahmad Yani (the east). Jl. Gajah mada and Jl Pahlawan (the east) and jl KH Ahmad Dahlan (the east-north). Nowadays Simpang Lima is a square as well as a shopping center in Semarang. In addition Simpang Lima is also used for a concert, recreational place and even for "Pasar Tiban" (sudden market) at particular times. All sort of foods, both heavy and light meals are sold with "lesehan" style (served on the sidewalk using only a mat and table) along the square.

Tugu Muda is a historical monument that is located right in the hearth of Semarang. This monument was built as reminiscence to all the heroes that died in five days battle againts Japanese soldiers on 14ht to 19th October 1945 in Semarang when a lot of Semarang's youngsters died in this battle.

The monument shape like candle and has a relief that describes the people's suffering at that time. This monument was officially announced on 20th May 1953 by the previous president of Indonesia, Soekarno.

Peti Mas Type Room

Tipe	Remarks
Standard	Capacity: 2 persons, AC, hot and cold water, shower/bathup
Deluxe	Capacity: 2 persons, AC, TV, hot and cold water, shower/bathup

Peti mas Hotel Service & Facilities
- Airconditioning
- Bathroom
- Shower
- Tea or Coffee (morning)
- Restoran
- Swimming pool
- Laundry
- 24 hours security

Gedung Lawang Sewu in the beginning this building was the central office of Nederlandsch Indishe Spoorweg Naatschappij or used to be called NIS. its Dutch train company.

The magnificent building is styled in art deco and obtains an exclusive feature. Art Deco style was developed from 1850 to 1940 in Europe. The local people call this building Gedung Lawang Sewu because this building has a specific characteristic which posesses many doors, "lawang" in Javanese means a door, while "sewu" means a thousand. So lawang sewu analogically describes the numerous doors this building have; despite the fact that they re not exactly a thousand.

Its not difficult to reach this location, because its close to Tugu Muda Monument at the corner of the city. Gedung Lawang Sewu is a monumental as well as gorgeous building and the design concept follows the principle of curve architecture that apply Gothics twin tower on the left and right side of the main gate.

Further more this building stretches lenghtwise that makes it looks firm, huge and beautiful. According to the history this ancient building was built in 1903 and officially finished on 1st July 1907

Gereja Blenduk or Blenduk church was built in 1750 and renovated in 1894. This church is a left over from the Dutch during its annexation here. Its called Blenduk because the shape of its dome looks like a ball thats being sliced in half, that why a local people call it "mblenduk".
wiht 400 acres wide, this building is a hexagonal with quadrangular rooms and there is a Greece crucifix hang on the side of the room.

The interior is decorated wholly in Dutch style and beauty with well arranged plants; meanwhile the balcony has unique interior design. As one of old buildings at Old town Semarang, this building is worth seeing, The visiting time is at all times.

Traditional music and dance, leather puppet shows, architectural art, wood carvings, hand made batik designs and accesories represent the many flovours of Javanese culture.
Gambang Semarangan is the performance dance with traditional music called Gambang which made from wooden mold.

Most of the people in Semarang are Javanese. They are pleasant people; cheerful, unwilling to give offense or seemingly, to take offense.
Javanese language or called Bahasa Jawa is used as the every day language in this city.

Similiar with Sundanese, Javanese language has level of usage; language ranges from highly refined and formalized, to down-right vulgar and ribald. All are performed according to the society status.

Ruwatan is one of famous tradition at Semarang. Ruwatan is an exorcistic ritual, performed to release victim or potential victim from dangerous condition that leaves them open to attack from god Kal (Batara Kala).

The origin and meaning this tradition lie embedded in the wayang story, Murwakala, which is performed at this ritual.

Dug Der is the traditional music and festival with basic equipment called bedug (drum mosque) and the old cannon called meriem.
The name Dugder, came from the sound of fire crackers from old cannon. This ceremony since at 1881 as sign the beginning day of fasting month (bulan puasa)

SEMARANG is the little Dutch city

Semarang is the only city in Indonesia that still have an old town with lots of ancient building in certain places. even though the security of these old buildings is still not well, yet visitors are still safe to enjoy this tourist attraction.

As the capital city of Central Java, Semarang still develops itself become not only as a trading and industrial city but also as a tourist city.

In the Dutch colonial regime this city used to be a harbor town, making this city as a fundamental place for doing trading among islands and even countries.
You still can see many building with Dutch architecture at the Old Semarang Town on 70 hectares wide which also called "Oude Staad" (Little Dutch)

As a prove that the city used to be a big city in previous time, there is a Dutch train company in Semarang. The first train track was built here which was officially used on 17th june 1864. At that time the trail connected Kamijen and Tanggung with the lenght of 26 kilometers.

As the capital city of Central Java, Semarang is also major seaport and commercial center for central java, with excellent harbor. The city contains shipyard, railroad workshop and industries in which machinery, electrical equipment, shoes, textile and glassware manufacture

Savouring Appetite

Semarang's famous light meals is Lumpia (spring roll) Semarang, It is one of the most popular food in this city. When you come to Semarang, this food is "a must try" food. Another what you can try are Wingko, Bandeng Presto (tendered fish), Tahu Pong (fried Tofu), Gimbal Udang which contains cut of fried tofu, egg, fried schrimp with spicy peanut sauce. Another light meal what was very popular on local are Bolang Baling, Untir untir and Cakwe, the three of them have the same ingredients such as flour, water and sugar. There are a lot of restorant in this city offering delicious food of Indonesian, Chinese and European cuisine. The area of Gang Lombok and Jl Gajah mada are famous with its Chinese restorants, in Jl Ahmad Yani there are tasteful Javanese restorants.

Accomodation

There are number of starred hotel in Semarang. But if you want a different atmosphere then try Gombel Area which is located at the upper side of Semarang.. Here you will find numerous hotels and inns that are not starred hotels. Staying in this area is quite interesting because it has splendid view at nights where you can watch from far flickering light of Semarang, the beach and Tanjung Mas harbor.

Shopping

Pasar Johar is very popular market in this city. The market sell everyday's need, clothes, copperworks and small funny things. West of the pasar johar is the busy crossing with jalan Pemuda, Semarang shopping street. In the colonial time this was the well known' Bodjongweg' (Bodjong road).

Surrounding Areas

Demak and Kudus

The holy town of Demak located 24 km east of Semarang. It is a famous city for the spread of Islam in Java (the first Islamic kingdom in Java was born in 1511 in this city). In the center of the town facing the Alun - Alun (Square), is the famous oldest mosque in Central Java called Mesjid Demak, built by the Wali Songo (nine saints). The mosque combines the elements of Javanese Hindu and Islam

Kudus, about halfway between Jepara and Semarang, could be taken in on the same trip, as well as Demak, So Kudus and Demak are two towns having the same direction as to Jepara, and both having historical significance.

Kudus are 55 km east from Semarang. A rich clove - town, famed as center for the clove cigarette industry. Though a stauch islamic town, some old pre - Hindu customs. Kudus have the Minaret Mosque called Menara Kudus which was built in the 15th century. Menara Kudus and Masdjid Demak are very interesting structure from the architecture point of view.

Jepara

Jepara is northeast of Semarang, is a town with white sandy beaches, that is famous for its wood carving industry. Most master of this sophisticated are come from around this area which is also the birth place of Indonesia's heroine of the national women's liberation movement; Kartini.

Karimun Jawa Islands

Karimun Jawa is the Marine National Park, There comprises an area of 110,000 ha and lies 90 km north east of Jepara in Central Java. You can reach Jepara by bus from Semarang. The ferry from Jepara harbor takes about 6 hours (ferry depart twice a week). The park consists of group of 27 small coral island covered by mangrove and beach forest. Only seven of the island are inhabit. The park is named after the largest island Karimun Jawa. A number of endemic animals live on the island while on the beaches sea turtles lay their eggs. The attraction is really not in this main island but in other island such as snorkeling, enjoying the white beach and coral reefs but you can do these activities only by chatered small boat. Karimun Jawa can best be visited during the dry season: May - September.

Ambarawa

Ambarawa are 40km south of Semarang, there is a Railway Museum housing locomotives - some of them dating the 19th century - which is interesting to see. But what even better is taking a 10km ride on an old German cogwheel train.

Passing through plantations and villages, it is easy to imagine how different life must have been back in the days when the train was in regular use