Sempu Island Nature Reserve and the beautiful Segara Anakan Secret Lagoon

Source

Leave all the conveniences of the modern world behind, cross the strait between concrete structures and extraordinary woods, venture into a world of natural splendor, and gaze upon some of the most mystifying sceneries on the face of the earth :  those are what  the secluded Sempu Island has to offer.

Situated on the south coast of Malang Regency in East Java and administratively located in the Tambak Rejo Village, Sumbermanjing Wetan Sub-District, this small island lies just off the coast of Sendang Biru Beach, approximately 80 Km from Malang city or about 180 Km from the capital of East Java, Surabaya. The 877 hectares forested island is a Nature Reserve under the management of the Natural Resources Conservation Office of East Java (BBKSDA) and the Ministry of Forestry of Indonesia, and was actually designated a Nature Reserve since 1928 in the Dutch Colonial period.

Among the island’s most fascinating features is the Segara Anakan lagoon located about 2.5Km further south into the island. Hidden deep beyond the thick tropical forest, the approximately 4 hectares lagoon is truly a secluded paradise where a white sandy beach meets calm blue waters separated from the raging tides of the open ocean by a picturesque rocky wall surrounding the area. The incoming tides penetrate only through several caves above and below the surface, thus the water inside the lagoon remains calm, and makes a perfect place for swimming. Its secluded location also radiates a sense of intimacy, where the beach becomes a private getaway, not unlike the setting for the 2000 Leonardo Di Caprio’s Movie “The Beach”.

Adventure awaits  those who wish to explore Sempu Island and reach the Segara Anakan Lagoon. Cross the straits from Sendang Biru Beach on the mainland to the Teluk Semut (Ant Bay) at Sempu Island. From here, the journey continues over a trekking path for about two hours through quite thick forest with several ascending and descending tracks,  before one reaches the secluded lagoon. While the trip may not be an easy walk, the grand price that awaits at the finish line is more than just worth it. Boats and guide services are available at the Sendang Biru Beach area.

Sempu Island also has other fascinating spots which offer equal splendors including the Waru-waru beach, Telaga Lele (Catfish Lake, a fresh water lake named after the many catfish found within), Tiger Cave,  Pasir Panjang Beach (Long sand Beach), Pasir Kembar Beach (Twin sands beach), Fresh Water Beach (named after a fresh water spring on the rocks near the beach), and Telaga Sat (Dry Lake).

As a Nature Reserve, Sempu Island has various types of ecosystems  ranging from coastal forest, mangroves, and lowland tropical forest which dominates the whole island. Among the vegetation found on Sempu Island are bendo (Artocarpus elasticus), triwulan (Terminalia), wadang (Pterocarpus javanicus), ketapang (Terminalia catappa), waru laut (Hibiscus tiliaceus), pandan (Pandanus tectorius), Mangroves (Rhizophora mucronata and Rhizophora apiculata), and many more. Interestingly, the name Sempu is said to have been taken from a particular type of tree that is found in the island, however, the tree can hardly be found these days.

The Nature Reserve is also home to several wildlife inhabitants such as:  the Javanese Monkey (Tracypithecus auratus), Black Monkeys (Presbitis cristata pyrrha) , Grey Macaques  (Macaca fascicularis), wild boar (Sus sp), deer (Muntiacus muntjak), kancil/small deer (Tragulus javanicus), Prawn (Alcedo athis), belodok fish (Periopthalmus sp), crab (Ocypoda stimsoni), and many more. There are also several types of reptiles including giant lizards and snakes and also several types of birds that find shelter on the island.

Read More »»  

8 best beaches in Indonesia

Source

1. Pink Beach, Komodo

When you think of Indonesian hideaways you probably think of remote islands, tropical rainforests and golden sandy beaches. Komodo certainly ticks all of these boxes, with one exception, this particular slice of paradise features pink beaches, made from mixed white and red sands. There are plenty of secluded spots to throw down your beach towel, but if you're after a bit more adventure then check out some of the local wildlife. Try snorkelling or diving, or stay on dry land and head out in search of the island's most famous residents, Komodo dragons.

Pink Beach on Komodo Island.

2. Tomini Bay

Situated in the north of Sulawesi, one of Indonesia's main islands, Tomini Bay lies close to the Equator, making it the perfect place to spend a few sun-soaked beach days. Get up early for a beautiful sunrise, then jump aboard with some friendly fishermen for a day sailing, or go under the waves to see wonders of the scuba world. Seafood lovers won't be disappointed. Get your catch cooked up before your very own eyes at one of the local restaurants.

Amazing diving is on offer at Tomini Bay

3. Air Manis Beach

West Sumatra is home to Air Manis Beach, which, according to legend, is where Malin Kundang, a sailor from a poor family, was turned to stone, along with his ship, after his mother cursed him for disowning her when he made his fortune. You can visit these fabled rock formations, or take in the views of Mount Padang from the shore. Take a stroll along the beach to Pisang Kecil, a small island accessible by foot when the tide is low whose name translates to 'small banana'.

Air Manis Beach, West Sumatra, Indonesia.

4. Pandawa Beach

One of south Bail's most secluded stretches of sand, Pandawa Beach is the spot for watersport enthusiasts, with plenty of great opportunites to go canoeing or paragliding. If you're in town during March then you must check out Melasti, a religious parade held to purify the world as part of Hindu-Balinese New Year celebrations.

Pandawa Beach, south Bali, Indonesia.

5. Gili Nanggu

Looking for the authentic castaway experience? With only one accomodation option on the island, the Gili Nanggu Cottages and Bungalow, this is the perfect place to escape the backpacker crowds that visit nearby island trio, Gili T, Gili Meno and Gili Air. Spend days exploring this peaceful island by bicycle or jukung, a traditional Indonesian canoe, or snorkel with the clownfish and sea turtles that swim offshore.

Gili Nanggu, Indonesia.

6. Gili Terawangan and Gili Meno

Leave modern life behind on the Gili islands off the north-west coast of Lombok. No cars or motorbikes are allowed on the island; instead, get around on foot, by bike or cidomo, colourfully decorated horse and carts. These islands attract divers from around the world with internationally renowned wreck sites and reefs to explore. For cheap eats, check out the night market on Gili Terawangan for a wide range of Indonesian street food; from gado gado (peanut satay vegetables) to freshly grilled squid.

Gili Terawangan, Indonesia.

7. Ora Beach

Birdwatchers: bring your binoculars! Ora Beach, on the north coast of Seram Island, is famous for the feathery creatures that live here: there are 117 different species of birds on the island in total. Be prepared and pack heavy for a trip to this remote destination. There is only one restaurant on Ora Beach, and if you fancy checking out the beautiful underwater gardens then you'll have to bring your own diving gear as there are no equipment shops on Seram.

Ora Beach Resort

8. Sawarna Beach

Rice paddy fields, rows of coconut trees and the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean stretching out before you: these are just some of the wonderful sights that await when you arrive in Sawarna on the south coast of Java Island. Get some surf time in on Sawarna Beach, where the waves have attracted board pros from all over the world. The karst caves in Sawarna are also worth a day trip inland. Watch out for the hundreds of bats that hang from the walls of Lalay Cave.

Sawarna Beach, Java, Indonesia.

Read More »»  

Visit Surabaya

Surabaya is a multiple ethnic city enriches with many cultures. In Surabaya there are many kinds of ethnics, such as : Malay, Chinese, India , Arab, and Europe . Indonesian archipelago ethnics are also could be found, such as : Madura, Sunda, Batak, Kalimantan, Bali Sulawesi which mixed with native Surabaya citizen and establish cultural pluralism, hence, it become a special characteristic for surabaya . Most of surabaya citizen are original from Native Surabaya and Madura peoples
 

Hence, it makes Surabaya being different with other city in Indonesia, then this special characteristic is really blending to coloring in this daily life. Associate with each other without any differences, open minded, critic and being critic is a daily lifestyle that could be found in here. More over, traditional art and special food define for surabaya cultural pluralism

The Heroes Monument

ART

Art living in Surabaya grew well. Traditional and modern art complete each other to create various Surabaya art. Traditional art grew because of the colonialism defense history that has been preserved nowadays. Traditional art is very various. there are dancing art, musical art and stage art. Ludruk, Gending Jula Juli Suroboyo, Remo dancing, Kentrung, Okol, Seni Ujung, Besutan, Loro Pangkon ceremony, Lenggang Suroboyo dance, and Hadrah dance.

While modern art is also grew slightly, many dance studios focus in developing traditional and modern blended. Yet, many dance groups developed modern creation, such as Marlupi dance, gito Maran. 


In realizing art living in Surabaya, Surabaya Art Council (Dewan Kesenian Jakarta) and Musical, theatre, painting association create many efforts to increase it. Painting art exhibition and Theatre art are often held in Balai Pemuda. While, traditional dance art show always held in Taman Hiburan Rakyat (THR) and Taman Budaya. Surabaya Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is also have a role to make musical art grew well in Surabaya.

Source

PLACE YOU SHOULD VISIT IN SURABAYA

Surabaya's zoo, opened in 1916, was the first in the world to have successfully bred orangutans in captivity. Other points of interest include:

•     Cheng Ho Mosque, a recently built mosque, the first in Indonesia with Chinese-style architecture.

•     Grand Mosque of Surabaya or Al-Akbar Mosque, the largest mosque in East Java.

•     Heroic Monument (Tugu Pahlawan), a 41 meter high monument, is the main symbol of Surabaya and commemorates the heroes of the revolutionary struggle. There is a museum on location as well, showing remainders of the struggle for independence.

•     House of Sampoerna, a museum devoted to the history of clove cigarette (kretek) manufacturing in Indonesia, housed in Dutch colonial buildings dating to 1864.

•     Jalesveva Jayamahe Monument, a large, admiral-like statue which commemorates the Indonesian Navy.

•     Monkasel, abbreviated from Monumen Kapal Selam (English: Submarine Monument). A Soviet-built Whiskey class submarine (named KRI Pasopati (410)), first launched in 1952, served in the Indonesian Navy from 1962 until decommissioned in 1990. After her decommissioning, Pasopati was dismantled and transferred to its present site in 1996. The submarine was reassembled on its current site and opened as museum and tourist attraction in 1998.

• Museum Nahdlatul Ulama is a resource center of culture and history of Nahdatul Ulama, an independent Islamic religious organization.

•     Museum Bank Indonesia is a bank museum occupying the former De Javasche Bank built in 1904.

 

SHOPPING PLACES

Surabaya is a major shopping destination for Indonesians, and there are several large shopping malls in the city such as BG Junction, Ciputra World Surabaya, City Of Tomorrow, Galaxy Mall, Grand City, Jembatan Merah Plaza, Kapas Krampung Plaza, Lenmarc, Plaza Surabaya, Plaza Tunjungan, Royal Plaza Surabaya, Supermal Pakuwon Indah, and Surabaya Town Square.

Hi-Tech Mall, WTC, and Plasa Marina are the major shopping centers in Surabaya for gadgets, computers and mobile phones.

In West Surabaya, Citraland by the Ciputra Group and Graha Family consists of residences, an apartment complex, a golf course and a climbing gym.

In East Surabaya, Pakuwon City by the Pakuwon Group has its own dining out spot, called Food Festival, and it is developing more facilities, such as the East Coast Center.

Source 

And still much more interesting places in Surabaya, also the typical food in Surabaya very delicious. If you need more information about Surabaya, feel free to contact me, I'll help you as I can. Surabaya only 45 minutes from Bali and 1 hours from Jakarta (by plane). Besides that, from Surabaya to Madura takes 15 minutes only via Suramadu Bridge.

The Suramadu Bridge (Indonesian: Jembatan Suramadu), also known as the Surabaya–Madura Bridge, is cable-stayed bridge between Surabaya on the island of Java and the town of Bangkalan on the island of Madura in Indonesia.

 

Suramadu Bridge

Source

Juanda International Airport which is one of the entrances to Surabaya can be achieved through direct international flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Taipei, Hong Kong and Bandar Seri Begawan. On domestic flights, Surabaya is also a destination city and stopover on the way to various cities in Indonesia. (Source)

For more info, you can visit here. Visit Surabaya, it will be unforgettable moment.

Read More »»