Bledug Kuwu is a mud volcano site attraction located in Kuwu village, Kradenan, Grobogan, Central Java. This location is 28 km from Purwodadi, and one of tourist attractions in the vicinity of Mrapen eternal flame and Kedungombo dam. The mud is popping up constantly, with 2 to 3 minutes tempo.

If in USA there is a Salt lake derived from shallowed sea and then shifted to spacious land, and now used as the fastest cars testing. Bledug Kuwu is  a natural miracle. Bledug name derives from the explosion sound or bledug in Javanese, that is heard periodically from distance and smolders smoke, gas and salt.  Bledug Kuwu was a sea bottom, currently is 53 meters asl, and 53 Hectares with minimum temperature 31 deg Celsius .

Bledug Kuwu can be rached from Semarang via Purwodadi. Along the trip, beautiful scenery can be seen on left and right side  of the road, overlay of green rice paddy, and blue sky. When arriving at Bledug Kuwu, the green scenery will change to barren, hot and infertile place. Local people employ Bledug Kuwu for salt, that its salt is popular to Keraton Surakarta.  In the proximity, there are tiny hills that the top expel yellow mud.

According to Dr AJ Panekoek, the region is an alluvial plain that expels vapor, gas and salt water. Alluvial plain is a relatively flat land-form created by the deposition of sediment over a long period of time. The sound from the mud is because of the break out of gray or dark gray mud, but if it is mixed with water will yield white mud.  If the water is precipitated will yield limestone from ocean and then shifted to land. The erosion of limestone mountain surely will have limestone soil sediment.

Bledhug Kuwu has legend that became the background of this phenomenon. Since the Seventh Century, Grobogan was part of Medang Kamolan Kingdom that was reigned by Dewata Cengkar, that was a cannibal. People were afraid of him, as they did not want to be the king’s meal. No one can defeat the King as he was very powerful.

Later, Ajisaka, a wanderer, arrived in Medang Kamolan, and he was very concern about the people suffer. Ajisaka challenged Dewata Cengkar to fight one on one in front of thousand of people that expect Ajisaka to win. King Dewata Cengkar laughed out loud and accepted the challenge. The king said that if Ajisaka win, he could have half of the kingdom, but if he lose, he would be the meal of him. Ajisaka agreed and he asked the king that if he lose he asked the king to buried his bones in a soil as long as his turban length. The king didnt know that Ajisaka’s turban has power. Ajisaka took of his turban and spread on the ground, Miraculously the turban gut wider, and Dewata Cengkar should avoid the growing turban until he fell to the southern sea.  He was not dead, but shift into white crocodile. Ajisaka then reigned as the King of Medang Kamolan.

When Ajisaha reigned, a dragon, named as Jaka Linglung, appeared and said that he was the son of Ajisaka. But Ajisaka rejected him as son and tried to get rid of the dragon with manner. Ajisaka said that he would take him as son if he could kill the white crocodile, the manifestation of Dewata Cengkar living in the southern sea. Jaka Linglung accepted that condition, and asked Jaka Linglung to go to the southern sea via under the ground, not land line as this would disturb people.

Jaka Linglung could kill Dewata Cengkar, and as he departed throung underground, he returned through the ground too. As the evidence that he had arrived at southern sea, and kill Dewata Cengkar, he brought grass of Cynodon dactylon, and salt water. Several times he tried to come up to surface as he thought he arrived at Medang Kamolan. First he came up at Ngembak village (Purwodadi), then at Jono Village, Grabagan, Crewek and last at Kuwu. At Kuwu, he rested, and the place where he came up is believed to be the legend of the appearance of Bledug Kuwu.

Tanggulangin leather handicraft was initiated in 1939 when few craftsmen made bag and suitcase. In 1976, a cooperation was established, Koperasi Industri Tas dan Koper (Intako), with 27 members. The capital was originated from member savings. Later, the member grew until 354. But after the mud volcano phenomenon, many craftsmen closed the activities, and few were surviving by making as order. The media exposed mud volcano, and make people think that Tanggulangin was part of area flooded by mud, that made the visitors to Tanggulangin decrease severely. Geographically, Tanggulangi is approximately 5 kilometers from the source of mud volcano.

Tanggulangin is one of Sidoarjo icon, that produces bags, suitcase, wallet, belt and shoes.The quality is good, and the price is very competitive. Ccraftsmen tried to rise again, by undertaking Tanggulangin Fair in 2008, to show public that the inductry is still exist. Beside that, they also conducted roadshow in several cities in Indonesia showing that Tanggulangin was not drown by the mud.

The design and quality of Tanggulangin products are guaranteed. Italy Govt ever gave loan to Tanggulangin, for Casual Shoes Craftsmen Training, and Italy agreed to purchase the shoes from Tanggulangin and craftsmen working in this project will be rewarded with Italian license.

Siung beach is located in Gunung Kidul regency, on the southern part of Tepus district. From Yogyakarta city to this beach is 70 km and can be reached in 2 hours drive. Mode of transport to access the beach can be motorbike or car, and public transport to this direction is hard to find. Public transport from Wonosari only reach Tepus, and for this one should wait hours.

The read is very bumpy, very winding, and heat from the sun can be worse as the environment is carst hill. Sometimes farming lands are passed. Those hard track are waiting after Pathuk, the first district in Gunung Kidul, until Siung beach. The best route to take is Yogyakarta-Wonosari-Baron-Tepus.

After the hard trip, the beautiful nature is waiting. The peaceful of Siung beach. Blue ocean, white sand, wooden hut, and mesmerizing scenery. This beach features giant rocks on the west and east side of the beach, beautifying the beach and borders the beach to other beaches. The rock is located a bit further to the ocean, that the shape resembles monkey tusk (siung=javanese). Ocean water that struck and flows through the rough rock texture created a dramatics sights.

According to local, Siung region was the trade center of Gunung Kidul  in Wali (Nine Saints). Nearby the beach, there is a market. And Siung was also the residence of Nyai Kami and Nyai Podi, abdi dalem of Yogyakarta and Surakarta palace.

Most of Siung people are mostly salt farmers. They rely on sea water for life. The salt is the main comodity of market was Winangun market. Although the sea was rich of fish, they are afraid to fish further to the sea. Mostly they only fish on the shore. When  Winangun market moved to Yogjakarta (Joyowinangun Market), Siung was becoming quiet.

In 1989, this quiet place was visited by Japanese travelers interested in the cliff for rock climbing. And in 1990s , Asian Climbing Gathering was held here, and Siung regained its popularity. Currently there are 25o climbing routes at Siung Beach, and facilitate rock climbing sport. More routes can still be mapped if new route got permission from the route finders to continue a climbing route.

Other facilities to support rock climbing activities is camping ground. Not far from the camping ground located a hut that can be utilized as base camp for 10 to 15 people. At night sometimes long-tail monkeys. Maybe the existence of the monkeys, the rock is equalize to monkey tusk., not other animals.

According to visioned people, Siung beach will get its glorious days soon. And it seems that the advent of tourism accelerate this glorious days of Siung.

Once upon a time, Guci Spring was water given by Wali Songo (Nine Saints) to representatives that propagate Islam over western part of Central Java, notable around Tegal. The water was put in a guci (pot), and this water had virtue or blessings, so local people call the location of the water as Guci. As the water was not much and only limited, on Jum’st Kliwon (Friday in Javanese Calendar), one of the saint stick his cane, and with God favor, flew hot water without sulfur content. Until  today, every Friday Kliwon, people flock to the spring to bath to get blessed.

Guci spring is a big tap from mother earth, the smoke smolders and the water is accommodated to a pool for public bathing place.

Guci sebuah poci pancuran besar yg berasal dari alam. Airnya mengepul panas dari perut bumi, yang ditampung di dalam kolam, membentuk pemandian umum. Women, Men, children can bath here. There are 13 taps and 10 natural falls, all source from same spring. Guci is located 40 km from Tegal.

Baiksu Resto
Kompl Darmo Park I
Jl. Mayjen Sungkono

D’ Jang Gem
Jl Mayjen SUngkono no 208 A

Myoung Ga
Apartemen Puri Matahari
Jl. HR Muhammad 181

Heroic Music Performance: This event aimed to commemorate the heroic of Indonesian People especially the Surabaya youngsters to regain Independence day.

Symphony for the Nation:This event will make us remember of the struggle arek Surabaya to fight agains Sallies and the Dutch in November 1945. Heroism is in the air.

Surabaya Juang This event consists of few activities such as : Art Performances 100 Statues of Heroes, Theater Festival, Surabaya Jeep Carnival and short films festival.

Surabaya Traditional Food Festival East Java is rich of delicacies. The participants will be challenged to present interesting menus typical of East Java, such as salad cingur, tofu mixed, and many more.

Ciputra Golf Tournament Tournament golf, where not only local but also international golfers.

Surabaya 10 K: International Marathon race held by Govt of East Java province.

Bull Race

According to legend, this statue was made date back 1211 Saka or 1298 at Wurarare (Lemahtulis), the residence of Mpu Bharadah or at Kedungwulan village nearby Nganjuk. This statue was made to honor Kertanegara, son of Wisnu wardhana, the king of Singosari in that period. King Kertanegara was known for his wisdom, knowledge in law and his religiosity as Buddhist and his goal to unify nusantara.
Other legend said that Kertanegara built the statue to throw away Mpu Bharadah curse that could fail his goal to unify kingdoms in nusantara.

In 1827, East Indies, led by Resident De Salla moved the statue to Surabaya and placed at Taman Apsari. The statue can be visited by pilgrims, and has ease of access as it is located in the heart of Surabaya.

Kertanagara is the follower of Buddha tantra and inaugurated as Jina (Dhyani Buddha) with title Jnanasiwabajra as Aksobhya, where Joko Dolok is his manifestation. The calm face mimic and his hand in bhumisparsamudra or the left hand is closed as it touching earth. In pararathon and several inscriptions, after died it is called as Siwabuddha, and in Negarakertagama as Siwabuddhaloka. On the base of the statue, an old Javanese letter written. This inscription is named as Wurare inscription. This inscription is from date back 1211 Saka or 1289 and mentiones few history facts in SIngosari Kindom period. Summary of the inscription is : ‘Long time ago Java was divided into two parts by Arya Bharad, Jenggala and Pamjalu. But in Wisnu wardhana period, both areas could be reunified. The king that ruled made an inscription and inaugurated as Cri Jnanjaciwabajra and his manifestation of Jina Mahasobya. The inauguration was held at Wurare cemetery.

Those information above is closely related to the history of East Java in the past. The king of Kahuripan , Airlangga, decided to devide his kingdom into two for his sons to avoid brothers war. The East was called as Jenggala and the west was called as Pamjalu. This dividing duty was done by Mpu Barada. By King Wisnu Wardhana, both sides were reunified few centuries later. He also did political marriage by wedding his daughter Turuk Bali with King of Kediri, Jayakatwang to avoid conflict.

The political marriage was continued by Wisnuwardhana predecessor, Kertanegara, by wedding his daughter to Jayakatwang’s son, Ardharaja. Kertanegara also tried to legalize his status as king by referring himself as Cri Jayawisnuwarddhana and Crijayawardhani, and emphasizing that he was Jina Mahasobhya , entitled as Crijnanjaciwabajra, to show his power.

Thise title was also meant for political reason as he was in conflict with King of Mongol, Kubilai Khas by insulting Kubilai Khan man in 1211 Saka or 1289. King of Mongol was inaugurated as Jina Mahamitha. With Mahasobhya title, King Kertanegara wanted to be equalized with Mongol king. Mahasobhya is god of the east direction, while mahamitha is god of west direction. Kertanegara was mengkukuhkan himself as the ruler of the east direction.

According to those detail, Mahasobya statue is the manifestation of Kertanegara. And Wurare inscription is the evidence of the bravery of Indonesian, by explicitly reject colonialism by other countries. So no wonder that Surabaya people were brave facing the Allies in November 1945.

Ranu Grati is a lake located in Pasuruan regency, administratively situated in 3 villages; Sumberdawesari, Ranuklindungan, and Gratitunon village. The total inhabitant in the villages are approximately 19.000 people. The lake is not far from the northern coast road. Local people employ the lake for fishery, where people set karamba to catch fish.

There is a story about the lake. Long time ago there was a Dutch commander with his troop with amphibian vehicle padding the lake. The caretaker of the lake warned them to call off the lake passing, as there was hole like an upside down cone down the lake, that whoever pass that would never return. The commander didn’t listen to the caretaker. He and his troop were never return, lost in the lake.

In 2000s, Pasuruan regency started to introduce Ranu Grati for tourism by undertaking water sport event contest for Java and bali. The lake can be reached 30 minutes from Pasuruan citygo and Probolin and 90 minutes from Gunung Bromo.

Modangan Beach is located at Kalitekuk village, Sumberoto, Donomulyo, Malang. Located 48 hm south of Malang. Geographically, Donomulyo region is located on mountain, valley, hills and southern sea coast. On the northern border is Kalipare District, while the east is Pagak disctict and west is Wates district of Blitar regency. It is not easy to reach this beach. It takes 2 hours through bumpy track. The beach is unique as it has layered andesit that geologically id frozen lava from volcano eruption. It has white sand, litter-free, and there are black rocks all over the beach.

Srau Beach is located at Candi Village, Pringkulu, Pacitan, East java, approximately 25 km west of Pacitan City. To get to the beach, visitors can get public transportation or private coach.

Srau Beach has white sand stretches along and suitable for fishing, sun bathing, swimming and overlooking breathtaking views. Srau has nice scenery, big swells as other beaches on the southern sea. Along  the beach, there are many of colorful shining rocks.