Golf Courses in Surabaya

Ciputra Golf
Ciputra Golf & Family club was built in 1995, situated in Surabaya. This is the biggest course in East Java with 27 holes, consists of 3 different design of Valley Course, Lake Course, and Hill Course that will give you an unforgettable play sensation. This Golf course opens 7 days a week, and available night golf which can give more time to play.

Bukit Darmo Golf
Located only 10 minutes from Surabaya downtown, this golf course is one of the most challenging golf courses in Asia designed by Jack Nicklaus.  Bukit Darmo Golf also relies on aquatic driving range facility to attract golfers. Giving a highlight with lake view, the ball that is hit flies not far from field and it jumps to the lake, not sinking but floating. Currently, aquatic driving range facility consists of four artificial lakes.

Pakuwon Golf
Located on the western part of Surabaya, it only 30 minutes from the city heart. This golf course is unique compared to others. The design is USGA (United State Golf Association) standard and it is such a challenge for golfers. For convenient play, the course us equipped with 9 hole-3 par golf sourse, 21 bay driving range, Proshop, restaurant, aromatic spa, heb, etc.

Graha Family Golf
Relying on family service oriented, Graha family is also a unique golf course. It covers 89 hectares and 6 handicap lakes. The course has 18 holes-72 par, tropical pool, restaurant, 28 bay driving range, gym& Spa, etc.

Yanni Golf
Yanni Golf is the second oldest golf course in Indonesia, located in Surabaya downtown. IT has fairway track with three free barrier domination which is more than 100 years old, covering 60 hectares and having 18 holes.  This course was designed in European style, by Prof Erich Kremmer. The course design was renovated in 1970 featuring flora and fauna. The course is also the site of Raden Aryo Pekik grave, former Surabaya city mayor. And also the tomb of East Indies Governor of Surabaya, Frederic Yacob Rothen Bohler who was died in 1836.

Brawijaya Golf
This golf covers four hectares at Kodam Brawijaya Complex. It has 64 bays on 1 hectares area. This course has facilities of reflection, restaurant and Proshop that sells golf equipment and Pro rental , golf coach for beginners. Brawijaya Golf has Indonesian standard.

Batik Pekalongan, Central Java, Indonesia

Although there is no record, Batik Pekalongan had been practicing in the region in 1800s.  According to local industry, there is a motive that was created in 1802, such as motive of small tree. It is estimated that there was a significant development after big war in 1825-1830 in Mataram period, known as Diponegoro war or Java war. With the war, many of the royal family moved with their companies that spread to East and West Java. That was when they started to work on batik in their new place.

To east direction, Batik evolved to Mojokerto, Tulungagung, Gresik, Surabaya, and Madura. While to the west, it evolved in Banyumas, Kebumen, Tegal, Cirebon and Pekalongan. With this migration, batik Pekalongan was already there and evolved more.

Batik Pekalongan thrived better than other regions. In this region it flourish on the litoral areas, namely in the city, Buaran, Pekajangan and Wonopringgo. One of Pekalongan batik motives is Batik Pesisir that flourishs as trend and consumer requeat. Batik Pesisir can be found at Kemplong and Wiradesa. Batik Pesisir making process can be one to 6 months depends on the degree of difficulty and color composition complex.

Batik Pekalongan is very distinctive for there are hundreds of small scale industries not a big capital entrepreneurs. Since years earlier, batik Pekalongan production was done at houses.

Local people still work as farmers on planting season, so batik is not their main occupations.

Batis Pesisir is made of raw materials, white cotton, polyester and silk. The raw material is washed and then put in a hot water to relieve the chemicals to process the fabric. Afterwards, then drying and straightening, and delivered to pattern department to be designed. After the fabric is designed with motive then send to batik painter. Batik process is very complicated, with several design coloring where few parts of the pattern should be covered with wax to avoid coloring on that certain parts. The coloring process can be 10 times or even more, depends on the difficulties.

Batik Pesisir is influenced by motives from China, Japan and Holland.

Benteng (Fortress) Van Der Wijck, Kebumen, Central Java, Indonesia

Benteng Van der Wijck is located in Kebumen, only 300 meters from mainroad of Yogyakarta-Kebumen. The fortress  is dominated with red color. A mini train will transport visitors from main gate to this historical site.

Inside the fortress documentary photos about the original fortress building when it was discovered are displayed and also photos of restoration stages. The military barracks, and posts inside the fortress are very clean.

The fortress was built in the early 19th century, in 1820s, when Diponegoro uprising was ongoing. This rebellion troubled Dutch a lot, as Diponegoro was supported by Southern Javanese elite.  So Dutch decided to build stelsel fortress on land conquered. This fortress was initiated by General Van den Bosch for defensive and offensive fortress at South Kedu Residency. In that period, there are numerous fortress built with servitude labor system, as there was a regulation that civilians should pay tax by participating in labor. Previously, General Deandels got similar project of road from Anyer panarukan, 1000 km long withs ervitude labor.

This fortress in the same period of Willem Fortress in Mbarawa and Prins Orange Fortress in Semarang (collapsed already). This 10 m high fortress was initially named as Fort Cochius, taken from Dutch military official Frans David Cochius who was assigned as Bagelen region ar Kedu Residency.  Van Der Wijck name was written on the entrance, one of Dutch commander in that fortress. His reputation was splendid to silence Aceh Rebellion with ruthless method. In Japanese occupation, this fortress was used as military dorm for PETA fighters.

The fortress covers 3606.62 sqm, and has been renovated.

Telaga (lake) Sarangan , Magetan, East Java, Indonesia

Telaga Sarangan is located nearby border of East Java, Indonesia, administratively located in Magetan, East Java, Indonesia. From Surabaya, you can just take this route Surabaya-Mojokerto -Jombang-Kertosono-Nganjuk-Madiun/Ngawi-Magetan-Sarangan. The lake is located on 1000 m asl, 30 hectares and 28 meters depth. As the location is on the slope of Mt Lawu, it has nice scenery and cold weather.

There is a lgend about Telaga Sarangan. Once upon a time there were husband and wife, Kyao Pasir and Nyai pasir. The both lived in a small wooden house with leaves roof. Their daily activity was farming on slope of Mt Lawu. One day Kyai Pasir went to work and cut nig trees in his land one by one. Under a tree he found an egg, he bougt it home. Kyai Pasir and Nyai Pasir decided to cook the egg for breakfast. After having breakfast with the egg, Kyai Pasir went to farm but suddenly he felt hot and itchy. He rolled to the ground and he turned to be a big dragon snake. Nyai Pasir at home felt the same and she went to farm to meet her husband and she turned to be a snake dragon too. As the heat and itch they felt, the kept rolling on the farm land and created a huge cavity. And followed by water that flows from the land and the basin turned to be a lake (telaga), and the both dragon were sunk. To honor them both, local people call the lake as Telaga Pasir, but local people know this lake as Telaga sarangan as it is located in Sarangan, Plaosan, Magetan.

In dry season, the bottom that contains of pasir (sand) is visible for visitors. Annually local people hold Labuh Sesaji, a thanks giving ceremony on the lake.

 

 

Museum Affandi, The Maestro Works and Humbleness, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

This museum is located on the west of Gajanh Wong river, at Jalan Solo, formerly the residential of Affandi, Indonesia maestro. The complex covers 3500 sqm and the museum shows the low profile of the maestro. The roof of the gallery resembles banana leaf that was designed by the maestro himself. The construction was done gradually, THere are 3 exhibitions rooms, a residential, and family room with cow-cart design that was made for his wife request, Maryati, after she was sick and could not step stairs to the main house. Initially, Maryati wanted a caravan, but Affandi realized her wish with cow-cart.

Gallery I was built in 1962 covers 314,6 sqm and officially opened by Director General of Culture, Prof Ida Bagus Mantra in 1974. The gallery displays Affandi’s works from his early career till his last days of scetches,  watercolor, and oil on canvas.His favorite car was Colt Gallant made in 1976, that is also displayed here. This car is modified in shape of fish. There are medals and awards from Indonesia or abroad such as Doctor Honoris Causa from National University of Singapore in 1974. Stampls collections of the maestro is displayed here as well.

Inside Gallery II, that was finished in 1988 and officially opened by MInister of Education and Culture Prof Dr Fuad Hassan, there are painting works of Kartika that are for sale and exhibited. In this gallery, you will find out why Affandi apply paint from its tube directly, without pallet to blend color. On skectch ‘Ganbar Sendiri’, the maestro wrote ‘I apply tube paint on canvas, and  then swept with hand or pencil. I found this method and i use this method to ease and fasten the work. Not because it is fast, but for the flowing of emotion uninterrupted. If i use pallet,  then mix colors on it, that interrupts expression flow, and gave chance for brain to think’ (free translation)

Gallery III displays works of Kartika, and Rukmini, the daughters of the maestro, and needlework of his wife, Maryati. The gallery was finished construction in 1997 and officially opened by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X. This gallery has 3 floors where the lowest floor is used to store collections, the first floor for exhibition room and the second floor for treatment room.

Affandi and his wife’s tomb are located on the complex. Affandi died in May 23rd 1990 and chose a space between Gallery I and Gallery II as his resting place, surrounded by his works.

The comples shows the humble of the maestro. He wears sarong and white undershirt that sometimes was holey here and there and smoked with his favorite pipe.  Sometimes with his humble outfit he walked to see small food stall sellers on street, and people did not consider that actually he was a world class painter. His paintings were ever sold on Christie’s and Sotheby’s  Auction.

Monjali, Monument Jogja Kembali, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Monumen Jogja Kembali or popular as Monjali was built in June 29th 1985, signed by traditional ceremony of burying bull head and officially the construction started by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and Sri paduka Pakualam VIII. The idea was delivered by Kolonel Sugiarto, as the mayor of Yogyakarta.

Jogja Kembali was an icon of historical event when Dutch withdrew its troops from Yogyakarya, the capital city of Indonesia in June 29th,1949 as the symbol of the end of colonialism.

The monument has cone shape, consists of 3 floors and the construction was finished in 4 years and officially opened in July 6th 1989 by President Soeharto. This 31.8 meters high monument is administratively located in Jongkang village, Sinduadi. Mlati, Sleman. The cone design symbolizes mountain, the source of fertility beside also conserve and maintain pre-historic culture of ancestors. The location was chosed for Yogyakarta culture. The monument is located on an imaginary line that connects Gunung Merapi, Tugu, Kraton, Panggung Krapyak and Parang Tritis beach. This line is known as macrocosmos axis or Big Axis of Life. The imaginari spot in the monument is at the tha flag pole in the third floor. On the monument yard there is a cannon with 60 mm caliber made in Russia, while the front yard there is the replica of planes in the incident of Jogja Kembali.

In front of the monument there is a memorial with heroes name list, 422 heroes that died in Wehrkreise III region from December 19th 1948 to June 29th 1949, Krawang Bekasi.

The monument is surrounded by pond. On the first floor there are 4 rooms that displayed replicas, photos, document, heraldic, weapons, and emergency kitchen that delineate the atmosphere of physic war in 1945-1949. Visitors can see General Soedirman palanquin, uniforms, horse cart. One room at the first floor is used for library saving collections of Independence struggle of Indonesia and can be utilized by public. The multi-functional room is in the middle of the first floor equipped with open stage. Every Saturday, Sunday this room hosts various of attractions such as classical dance, gamelan, and patriotic and nostalgic song. Beside that wedding reception, seminar, graduation and other events can be held here.

The second floor there are physical struggle reliefs and diplomatic struggle of Indonesian since August 1945 till December 28 1949. The reliefs are General Mayor Meyer that threatened Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono on March 3rd 1949 and other leaders to return to Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan HB IX stated that Yogyakarta was part of Republic Indonesia, Independence Celebration at Kraton Yogyakarta.

Inside the second floor there are 10 diorama of physical and diplomatic struggle since19 December 1948 to 17 August 1949 with life size. The diorama is started with Dutch Military Aggression to enter Yogyakarta to regain control over Yogyakarta. The Dutch troop was led by Captain Van Langen that succeed to take over Maguwo airport (Now Adisucipto airport) on 08.00. At 16.00 Dutch took over the entire city and other important buildings such as President Palace, Benteng Vredeburg. From that day on, the struggle to regain Republic Indonesia began. The diorama showed the patriotism of General Soedirman who was very ill of lung sickness, but he kept leading physical battle though President Soekarno asked him to stay with him.

March Assault on March 1949 led by Lieutenant Colonel Soeharto for political, psychological and military reason where Indonesia spread the news of its existence to the world. This assault was spread by AURI by PC 2 code at Banaran, Playen, Gunung Kidul, and even reached Burma, India and RI Representative in UN. Sri Sultan HB IX coordinated the withdrawal of Dutch troop in 29 June 1949 and in 7th May 1949 it was ended with Roem-Royen Agreement.

The third floor is Garbha Graha or the silent room. There is flag pole with Sang Merah Putih or The Red and White in the middle of the room. There is a relief of hand as physical struggle and diplomatic struggle as hand holding pen.

The monument opens from Tuesday to Sunday from 08.00 to 16.00. On school holiday it opens from 08.00-14.00 on Monday.

Pasar Semawis, Chinese New Year Event, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia

Pasar Semawis is located in Semarang Chinese Town, Central Java, Indonesia that is undertaken  few days before Chinese New Year and this has been an annual event since 2004 when Chinese new year is legalize as national holiday in Indonesia.

The market is full of chinese ornaments, and other Chinese traditional performances and cultures such as classics opera, wayang potehi, barongsai, calligraphy, and Chinese medical consultancy. This annual event is organized by Kopi Semawis, Community of Semarang Chinese for Tourism and supported by Central Java Tourism Department, Semarang Government and other parties.

There are many kinds of culinary that cab be enjoyed at Pasar Semawis, from Indonesian to Chinese food, like pig satay.  Or any beverages such as Wedang ronde, tea, ice , wedang kacang tanah. And sure you can find Semarang special food, lumpia (spring roll)

Not only culinary, it has karaoke section, that specially plays mandarin songs. Other sections are booth sell fruits, clothing and accessories.

 

Al Akbar Mosque: The Beautiful and The Biggest Mosque in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Al Akbar Mosque was built on land covering 11.2 hectares, constitutes of 28.509 sqm building with capacity of 28.509 sqm. This mosque was projected to embodied concept of mosque in a universal meaning, as Islamic center for multidimension roles with religious, cultural, educative mission, including religious attraction, to develop Islam world. This mosque is another landmark of Surabaya and symbolically enriching Moslem world, and to beautify Surabaya image for foreign countries.

The Mosque was constructed as initiated by Surabaya city mayor, Mr Soenarto Soemoprawiro. The official construction was officially started by vice president Tri Sutrisno in August 1995, and the real construction was started in September 1996. On 10th November 2000, the mosque was officially opened by President Abdurrahman Wahid.

The land of the mosque was the property of Surabaya Govt. The architecture was designed by Tim Institut Teknologi Surabaya (Tim ITS) with experienced consultants of mosques constructions in Indonesia or abroad. The construction sequence started with assessing the carrying capacity of the land and Mecca direction that were attended by Religion Departmet and other organizations.

To build this mosque, Transportation Department recommended to open new toll read toward mosque to transport heavy equipments that was impossible using access of settlements street. As the ground was labile with minimum compactness, the base was made in paku bumi or deep-base by setting pillars. There was a shortage of pillars that should be supplied from Central Java. It took 2000 pillars for this mosque, and the base construction took 3 months.

The floor was designed 3 meters high from the surface, so the 3 meters space should be filled in. But later the space was constructed as basement, and the floor above the basement was supported by pillars applying floating floor system.

The floor was made of concrete precast, consists of plate of 3×3 meters and 15 cm thick. The floor could be finished in 3 months. The column took 3 months to finish. Column shape is round diameter 110 cm, 70 cm and 60 cm and the basement column was dominated by 40 cm columns. As the column would be visible when the building finish, so the position and aesthetically was carefully considered.

The floor structure was prepared, ring balk with vierendeel system that connects 20 meters high column structure on the first floor. This ring balk stretches 30 meters without column, that the floor plain is not divided by any column or partition. The dome structure is made by space frame, using steel-iron using chremona system or connected triangle stricture.  The dome is 54 x 54 meters, without any pillars supporting. The weight of the dome is 200 tons. The dome is supported by half-egg dome with 1.5 layer and 27 meters high. The dome is axed on the pyramid roof with 2 layers and 11 meters high.

This mosque has 45 doors, each have 2 doors. Each of the doors is 1.5 meters wide and 4.5 meters high. The doors are made of teak wood, and made by Surabaya carpenters. The doors are made of teak. The marble was transported from Lampung. Calligraphy is an important element in this mosque, as it gives Islam nuance. The teak calligraphy is finished with deco painting system. The calligraphy designer is Mr Faiz from Bangil, East Java.  The podium is 3 meters high with Madurese ethnical ornament engraved by Madurese carvers. The original design, the mosque had 6 towers, but for financial reason, only one tower built. The tower was constructed using slip form technology from Singapore and it takes 2 months for casting process. The tower is 99 high and the top is equipped with viewing room on the height of 68 meters with 30 people capacity and a lift was built to access the top.

Pulau (Island) Bawean, The Home of the Endanger Axis kuhlii, Gresik, East Java, Indonesia

Bawean Island is one of islands located at Java Sea, approximately 80 miles or 120 km on the north og Gresik. Administratively this island is part of Gresik regency, East Java. Before the colonialism, in 1601, Bawean Island was reigned by King Babileono that adhered animism, then Dutch entered the island in 1789. Before 1974, the island was part of Surabaya regency, before Gresik regency established.

Bawean Island consists of 2 districts, Sangkapura and Tambak. The total inhabitants is 70.000, constitute of Javanese, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Madura mix culture and language. Mostly they work as fishermen or farmers, besides working abroad as labor in Malaysia or Singapore. The majority of the inhabitants is Bawean ethnic, and then followed by Javanese, Madurese and other ethnics such as Bugis, mandar, Palembang and Mandailing. The original language in Bawean is Bawean language, not Madurese.

In Malaysia and Singapore, Bawean ethnic is called with Boyan. Bawean derives from Sanskrit means sun. According to legend, round 1350, several seamen from Majapahit Empire were trapped by storm and they were cast ashore on Bawean Island when the sun rose. In the early 16th Century, Islam arrived on the Island, carried by Maulana Umar Mas’ud. The grave of Maulana Umar Mas’ud is pilgrimage destination of locals or outsiders. The grave is situated in Sangkapura, on the south coast. On the north coast, there is a grave of a woman ullema, Waliyah Zainab, on Sumber high land.

Bawean Island is also known as Pulau Putri or Laddies Island, as there are many young men leave the Island for living, especially to Java or abroad. Bawean people create community in Malaysia and Singapore. The diameter of Bawean Island is 12 kilometers and 70 meters long. Bawean is an interesting tourist attraction, especially its beaches. There is a lake in the middle of the island, Lake Kastoba. And there are other islets (gili) that are intereting to visit.

Bawean Island is the home of deer species, Axis kuhli. Bawean island hasplenty of fruit trees, mangosteen, salak, Dorian for local consumption. The shore of Bawean is rich of fish.

Bawean inhabitants are mostly Moslem, and non Moslem usually are immigrant. Bawean has onyx stone, and typical fruit called buah merah, that is different than buah merah from Papua. Its shape is like apple.

Candi (Temple) Dorok, Kediri, East Java, Indonesia

Candi Dorok was discovered by farmer accidentally when he was about to plant gnetum tree in his yard. The Archaeology office then excavated area and found a square plan of redbrick building. The upper temple is gone and only the body and base still left. Candi Dorok is located in Dorok village, Manggis, Puncu, Kediri Renegcy and it was made of red brick as other temples in East Java. As the temple was buried for quiet long time, and no renovation effort is excecuted and this temple is 3 meters beneath the surface.

The relief is damaged, and there is no statue found. According to the temple material, it is estimated to be established around the 1oth century.