Travel Dates: May 14 - 16, 2015
According to the official site...
Surabaya is the capital of East Java province and the biggest metropolitan city in Indonesia with the inhabitant approximately 3 million Peoples. Surabaya officially established in 1293. Surabaya well known as Heroic City , the date was taken from the glory of Raden Wijaya, the first king of Majapahit who against China troops. Surabaya is a metropolitan city in which have religious nuances, the community had the feeling of the high solidarity and the spirit of heroism that never knew surrendered.
Surabaya y'all
Personally, i have been curious about this city since i started exploring different parts of Java island. I was lucky enough to visit central java (check my solo and yogyakarta trip) on my first year here in Indonesia. Thus, i figured it would be great to finally visit the east part on my last year here in this country.
Moving forward, apparently, Surabaya is known as the jumping off point to one of the famous destinations on this side of the island, Mount Bromo. I, however, dismissed the idea of visiting the famous volcano because of 2 reasons: 1) i'm not a volcano trekking fan and 2) i prefer a simple city discovery.
That said, i focused on researching places to see within the city and cater our itinerary to our own personal preferences.
So let me share to you our 3 day Surabaya city adventure...in an atempt of a more detailed sense...
GETTING TO/FROM/AROUND
Jakarta to Surabaya via Batik Air | Surabaya to Jakarta via Lion Air - 1,324,200 IDR (~99 USD)
I have been very curious about this local airline every time i spot this batik themed airplane in the airport. This trip was the perfect time to finally book a flight in Batik Air.
Batik Air flights can be booked either in its own booking website or in lion air website. I did book through the lion air website as we are returning via lion air.
Here is a simple and personal comparison between the two airlines i have experienced in this trip.
BATIK AIR
|
LION AIR
|
|
Cheaper Fare
|
x
|
|
Leg Room
|
x
|
|
On Board Snack
|
x
|
|
Interior Look
|
x
|
|
In Flight Entertainment
|
x*
|
|
Departure Terminal (Terminal 1)
|
x
|
x
|
Baggage Allowance (20 kgs)
|
x
|
x
|
* you have to pay 20,000 IDR for the headset
The Batik Air Experience
Juanda International Airport
Since it was our first time to visit this city, everyone, well almost everyone (haha!) was given an assignment for this trip. for our car rental, Bex was incharge to look for the cheapest and safest means of transportation for our 3 day stay. He was able to find one in internet and was able to book given the agreed rate.
The name of the rental service is Okka Rent Car. We recommended Pak Amri as your driver.
*if you're interested in getting the same company like we did, kindly email me for the information
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Majapahit
Researching for a place to stay in Surabaya brought me to Hotel Majapahit. This is the #1 hotel in Surabaya and boy, it doesn't come cheap. hahaha! In all fairness, reading about this hotel really pushed me to book at least 1 night to experience it. we have booked an overnight stay at a double room with terrace via booking.com.
Moreover, i tried to inquire about the free upgrade but i have to add for an upgrade. BUT, they did give us free late afternoon tea at their executive lounge. hehe.
The hotel itself is a history landmark for Surabaya. You can read all about its history in their website. Also, you can avail a personal guide around the hotel, with free afternoon tea. I think it is around ~85,000 IDR per person.
1 double room with terrace (inclusive of taxes and surcharges, breakfast for 2) - 2,177,500 IDR (~163 USD)
1 breakfast buffet - 175,450 IDR (~13 USD)
PROs
- clean and comfortable hotel room
- accommodating and friendly hotel staff
- immaculate garden setting (perfect for unending photo ops.haha!)
- massive breakfast buffet spread
- free late afternoon tea at the executive lounge
- eerie feeling especially at night
- rate is not for the budget conscious
- few plugs available in the room; we requested an extension for all our devices
hotel's amenities
the room
the bathroom
hotel's pool and spa
Hotel Santika Pandegiling
1 twin room (inclusive of taxes and surchages, breakfast for 2) - 532,400 IDR (~40 USD)
1 breakfast buffet - 96,800 IDR (~7 USD)
PROs
1 breakfast buffet - 96,800 IDR (~7 USD)
PROs
- modern and clean room
- accommodating hotel personnel
- basic room
- breakfast spread is more inclined to indonesian cuisines
- inconsistent wifi
ITINERARY
We spent 3 whole days in East Java and for some who would like to spend it laid back and simple like us, here is our itinerary of our Surabaya adventure...
Day 1
Breakfast at Historica
Address: Jl. Sumatera, Kota SBY, Jawa Timur 60281, Indonesia
We arrived Surabaya at around 6:30 am and we wanted to start off our trip with a good breakfast experience. Historica is located in society complex. I have read good news about this cafe so we wanted to try it out ourselves. Ambience was very cozy plus the cafe staff was accommodating. Their known for their eggs benedict and it was soooo yummy!
Cappucino - 29,000 IDR
Egg Benedict - 45,000 IDR
Sunny side on baked beans - 45,000 IDR
Iced lychee tea - 30,000 IDR
White gingerlily tea - 30,000 IDR
*service charge excluded
*PPN 10%
Monumen Kapal Selam (Surabaya Submarine Monument)
Address: Jalan Pemuda No. 39, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
This destination was recommended by our driver, Pak Asmi. At first we were hesitant to check it out but as soon as we entered the submarine, BOOM! we were blown away. It was our first time to see a submarine up close let alone explore it inside. It was so cool! Must see!!! hehe.
Entrance fee: 5,000 IDR
Tugu Pahlawan (Heroes Monument)
Address: Jalan Pahlawan, Kel. Alun-Alun Contong, Kec. Bubutan, Surabaya, Jawa Timur 60175, Indonesia
This is the monumental landmark of the city, commemorating the Battle of Surabaya, where Surabaya heroes battled with the Dutch, who were trying to re-colonize Indonesia last November 10, 1945.
Admittedly, i'm not really a history afficionado but it was nice to have a short visit of this symbolic destination of the city.
I was impressed how the local government tried to keep the entire place presentable and clean. If it was not the scorching heat, we would have stayed longer.
There is a museum underneath the monument that houses the story of the battle of Surabaya.
Museum Majapahit Entrance Fee: 3,000 IDR
According to the reviews i have read, this museum shouldn't be missed! It is a preserved historical site which until now is functioning as a museum and cigarette production facility. I would say you can spend roughly 2 hours in this museum. Too bad we weren't able to watch how cigarettes were rolled manually as it was a public holiday when we visited.
Entrance Fee: FREE
Early lunch at Cafe At House of Sampoerna
Since we finished early with our Museum tour, we waited for the cafe to open to have our early lunch. I must say the ambiance was ok but we were disappointed with the food and service. According to my friends, this was the only place they didn't enjoy in Surabaya. Me, just so-so.
Rawon - 40,000 IDR
Fish and Chips - 50,000 IDR
Chicken Cordon Bleue - 55,000 IDR
Coca Cola - 25,000 IDR
*exclusive of service charge and tax
We basically spent the entire afternoon at the hotel. We accomplished from disco napping, freshening up to taking a huge load of photos all over the hotel. An afternoon pictorial, if you will. hahaha!
We were given a free afternoon tea at the hotel's executive lounge. I thought it was like the typical afternoon tea that i know, wherein a three layer of treats together with a choice of tea or coffee. Theirs were different. It was like a buffet of snacks. haha! Their canapes and finger sandwiches were divine and you may opt to choose endless type of beverages. That experience was one of the best memories of Hotel Majapahit.
Address: Jalan Sumatera No. 35, Surabaya, Jawa Timur 60281, Indonesia
Surabaya city has a plethora of dining choices. Based on the blogs and reviews i have read, one dining spot that was kept mentioning for a dinner experience was Domicile.
I must say the ambience of the place was really nice! I loved the modern and cozy vibes in it. Food prices were not for the budget conscious.
Mocha Iced Drink - 30,000
Nachos - 65,000
Bacon Beef Carpacio Pizza - 80,000
Iced tea - 25,000
Argento Sauvignon Blanc (bottle) - 475,000
5% Service Charge
10% Tax
Day 2
Breakfast at Indigo Restaurant in Hotel Majapahit
We woke up at 6 am, thinking it was 8 am. hahahaha!
I have read that bon cafe has one of the best steaks in town. There were a lot of branches so we let Pak Amri, the driver, take us to any branch nearby to our route.
Since it was still early, there were few diners inside the restaurant. Service was so-so. One of the female servers was not friendly and almost downright rude. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our meal. Food were yummy.
Chicken Barbeque - 61,000
Steamed Rice - 11,000
Pork Tenderloin - 77,000
Spaghetti Bolognese - 49,000
Hongkong Fried Rice - 36,000
Coca Cola - 15,000
*no service charge
10% tax
Roadtrip to Mojokerto
We added another city to explore while in East Java. We wanted to see temples of Trowulan, which i'll be sharing on my next entry.
Dinner at Citilites Sky Club and Bistro
Address: Hotel Java Paragon, Jl. Mayjen Sungkono, Kota SBY, Jawa Timur 60225, Indonesia
We met one of the school teachers of our Jakarta work place for dinner. I have chosen to dine in this restaurant because of the overlooking city view it offers at their rooftop restaurant. The view was indeed nice. a bit chilly because of the wind. Service was great. However, exorbitant prices of food for its taste, i must say.
Chicken Cordon Bleu - 83,800
Caesar Salad - 38,800
with additional prawn - 18,800
Seafood spaghetti - 83,800
Steam Rice- 29,800
Mineral Water - 30,800
Coca Cola - 38,800
Chocolate Souffle - 48,800
Warm Molten Chocolate Cake - 48,800
10% service charge
10% tax
Souvenir shopping at Mirota Batik and Handicraft
Address: Jalan Sulawesi No. 24, Gubeng, Surabaya, Jawa Timur 60281, Indonesia
I have never thought i would enjoy buying souvenirs in Surabaya. It was a pleasant surprise to discover this place. this shop has all types of souvenir, from key chains to furnitures and handicrafts. If i knew of this place beforehand i would have hoarded a lot. Prices were affordable, as in! I got my painting for only 50,000 IDR. best deal ever!
Address: Jl. Ambengan No. 3A (Gubeng), Surabaya, East Java 60272, Indonesia
I made sure that we would try at least one famous local dish in Surabaya. since i love soto ayam (indonesian chicken soup with noodles), i have asked our driver to bring us to their best soto ayam place.
I must say their soto ayam is one of the best soto ayam i have ever tried!!! yumyum!
soto ayam ambengan
Address: Jalan Raya Gubeng No. 4, Surabaya, Jawa Timur 60293, Indonesia
For our last stop prior to airport was a trip to Libby Brownies shop. We called this brownies shopping as "pasalubong sa sarili" (translation: souvenir to self) hahahaha!
one of the best brownies i have ever tasted here in Indonesia! cold or heated, their brownies are the bomb!
#OOTD
Forever summer in Indonesia, hence, a summer outfit is imperative. However, given the opportunity of dressing up for a travel, i went to summer casual vibe with donya donyahan peg. hahaha!
Given that this trip was my first time, it was all sorts of amazing. We managed to pull off this trip and enjoyed at the same immensely. In short, one for the books!
Surabaya has different vibes with Jakarta. Surabaya is more laid back, simple and more provincial feeling compared to Jakarta. It was such a breather for all of us to get away from the city even it was just 3 days.
Moreover, i am delighted that i have finally ticked Surabaya off my Indonesia bucket list. I have finally explored the java island. Though not all cities but fortunate enough to visit from west to east.
That said, another east java island city is up next! watch out for it!
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