Friday 26 April 2013

Surabaya trip – Prologue

I wasn’t inclined to plan any trips in 2013 but due to a change of plan, I decided to continue pursuing my travel dreams.

Luxiang asked me way back in mid 2012 whether I’m planning any trips next year as we travel together once a year. As Luxiang is an adventurous person, I suggested a trip to Surabaya to climb Mount Bromo. At that time, Jetstar was having promotion and the airtix for a return trip is only S$108. Initially I wanted to return on 1 May since it is a public holiday but there was no return flight on this day. Hence this will be a four days trip departing on Saturday and returning on Tuesday. This trip will comprise of me, my sis, my niece and nephew Huiping and Zi Qin, Luxiang and his friend, Endrew.

Surabaya is situated on the east of Java and is the 3rd largest city in Indonesia with 3 million people. Surabaya’s name actually derives from the Javanese words Suro, meaning shark, and Boyo, meaning crocodile. Surabaya is also the gateway city to Mount Bromo. Mount Bromo is an active volcano located at Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park which is 4 hours drive from Surabaya. Mount Bromo is not the highest volcano in Indonesia but is well known for it’s spectacular views and landscape.
Map of East Java (Wikitravel)

In Surabaya, I choose to stay at Artotel Surabaya which has numerous good reviews on TripAdvisor. It is a new hotel opened in late 2012 hence the facilities are relatively new. The cheapest room Studio 20 cost US$60 ~ S$75 a night and includes breakfast and WIFI.

For the Mount Bromo trip, I decided to engage Bromo Adventureland (email: bromoadventureland@yahoo.com) which was recommended by a forummer in TripAdvisor. The package of IDR 1,150,000 (after discount of IDR 50,000) includes one night accommodation at Lava View,  transportation for 4 days, Jeep 4wd for Bromo Tour and Bromo entrance fee.


Itinerary for the trip:

Day 1: Arrive @ 12.45pm
Day 2: Sunrise at Bromo, The Poten, Whispering Savannah, Madakaripura waterfall, Sidoarjo mud flow
Day 3: Suramadu Bridge, Masjid Ampel, Hotel Majapahit, Masjid Al Akbar Surabaya, Monument Kapal Selam, Masjid Cheng Ho
Day 4: House of Sampoerna, Depart @ 1.25pm

Budget for the trip is S$400:
- S$20 for departure tax
- S$80 for accommodation
- S$150 for Mount Bromo package & transport
- S$100 for meals
S$50 for souvenirs and others

1 comment:

Indonesia Adventure Tours Travel said...

Just found by searching on the net and i red about your journeys to Surabaya includes Mount Bromo. it was just about 4 years ago. You should plan visiting Ijen blue flame as well due to amazing viewa at night. anyway, Thank you for your writting about East Java especially Surabaya and Mount Bromo.