Due to the location of islands in Komodo National Park, most of the tours to see the dragon is best to be enjoyed by staying one night on boat. Boat ride to Rinca or Komodo Island is at least 3 hours sailing that if you stay overnight on boat will be time efficient and cost effective. You can explore more and not rushing from one place to another.
Please find below boat pictures for overnight on board.
SEMBILANGAN LIGHTHOUSE (Mercusuar Sembilangan)
This lighthouse is located in Bangkalan, the western part of Madura Island, only about 30-45 minutes’ drive from the city center of Surabaya. As you may have known, there is a bridge connecting Surabaya to Madura Island, that the access to the lighthouse is easier for your short visit to Surabaya.
There are two lighthouses in Madura Island, the other one is located in Sumenep area. The lighthouse still functions well today even though it was built in the 19th Century, in the year of 1879 by ZM Willem III. As we may have known the lighthouse is not so necessary like in the past due to the GPS technology.
The lighthouse opens for visitors. Visitors can take photo from outside the lighthouse and also can enter the lighthouse and climb to the peak . The lighthouse is 65 meters high and it has 17th floor. From above you visitors can see the view of Madura Strait, view of mangrove located in the vicinity.
From above we can see why the lighthouse was paramount in the past. It navigated dangerous spots such as corals and it controls the traffic of ships from Tanjung Perak Port of Surabaya.
Ketingan Hamlet is located isolated in the middle of fishponds on the eastern coast of Java. It takes about 45 to 60 minutes motorboat ride from Bluru Kidul dock. Along the trip once start sailing, there are plastics garbage along the rives, very sad.
But once enter the mangrove area, you will enjoy the sphere of the vast river, the mangrove trees, and some faunas from birds to reptiles. We can see various birds, but i see so many white birds flying above rivers and some grey bird and kingfisher bird.
According to https://www.profauna.net, thera are about 23 bird species in Ketingan mangrove area such as:
Blekok Sawah/Javan pond heron (Ardeola speciosa)
Kowak Malam Kelabu/ Black crown night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Kowak Malam Merah/ Nankeen Night Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus)
Raja Udang Biru / Cerulean Kingfisher (Alcedo coerulescens)
Udang Punggung Merah/The Oriental dwarf kingfisher (Ceyx erithacus)
Kuntul Kecil / The Little Egret(Egretta garzetta)
Kuntul Karang/ Pacific Reef Heron (Egretta sacra)
Kokokan Laut/ Mangrove Heron (Butorides striatus)
Srigunting Hitam/ THe black drongo (Dricrurus macrocercus)
Bubut Jawa / The Sunda coucal (Centropus nigrorufus)
Cucak Kutilang/ The Sooty-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus aurigaster)
Merbah Cerucuk/ The yellow-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier)
Layang-layang Batu/ The Pacific swallow (Hirundo tahitica)
Walet Sapi/ The glossy swiftlet (Collocalia esculenta)
Dara Laut (Sterna Sp.)
Pecuk Padi Kecil/ The little cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger)
Cekakak Sungai / The collared kingfisher (Todirhampus chloris)
Kacamata biasa/ Lowland White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus)
Prenjak Rawa/ The yellow-bellied prinia (Prinia flaviventris)
Kirik- Kirik Senja / The chestnut-headed bee-eater (Merops leschenaulti)
Bentet Kelabu/ The long-tailed shrike (Lanius schah)
Cipoh Kacat/ The common iora (Aegithina tiphia)
Bambangan Hitam (Dupetor flavicollis)
Cerek (Charadrius Sp.)
Bondol Jawa (Lonchura leucogastroides)
Cabai Jawa (Dicaeum trochileum)
Tekukur Biasa (Streptopelia chinensis)
Regarding how many birds species there are in the location, actually this hamlet is suitable for birding or bird watching.
Annually the hamlet holds Nyadran ceremony to thank god for good fish harvest. The hamlet preserves syncretism over Islam and Hindu Java belief and tradition.
There is a popular site among locals, the grave of Princess Sekardadu from Banyuwangi, the monther of Sunan Giri one of nine saints spread Islam over Java.
This village and mangrove is only known for domestic market for pilgrimage to Princess Sekardadu and enjoy boat riding along river. It is still not yet promoted for foreign travelers, even though it is not so far from Surabaya City, due to the lack of amenities and cleanliness along the boat ride.
The museum is a windows where we can see the glimpse of the history of Indonesia, from prehistoric period, Hindu-Buddha Period, colonial era until independence period.
The Museum is located not far from Monas (National Monument), and the name of National Museum is not well-known among locals. Locals more familiar with Museum Gajah or Elephant Museum, which derives from the bronze elephant statue in front of the building. The statue was a gift from King Chulalongkorn (Raja Rama V) from Siam in 1871 for Batavia city.
The museum houses more than 140,000 artifacts. We can browse through the museum with some precious collection and knowledge. From prehistoric era in Indonesia where in some parts found remnants from the period such as burial, settlements, and cave. One of the interesting prehistoric period of Homo Florensis, a hobbit human found in Liang Bua Cave in Flores island, East Nusa Tenggara.
There are also other collections of traditional houses and architecture of some parts of Indonesia and also traditional textile, wardrobe and fashion, such as jewelries and hats.
Some important inscriptions which reveals the history of Nusantara can also be found here in Pallawa or Old Javanese letter
Some treasure found in Wonoboyo site which consists of more than 35 kg of pure gold is also displayed.
The museum host some social-cultural events which involve students and public almost every month.
If all this time you think that you can only explore Malang when you are in the city or in Batu, youclearly don’t know about South Malang. South Malang has a bunch of hidden treasure inside it like;Beaches, water springs and many more. One of beautiful treasure is Pantai Tiga Warna or Three Colored Beach.
Why is it named Tiga Warna (Three Colored)? It is because of its water colorgradation. It is located in Tambakrejo village, Sumbermanjing Wetan sub-district, South Malang. It takes 75 kilometres from the city. And then, the visitors have to walk for 2 kilometres to get on to the beach.
Tiga Warna beach is also a conservation for mangroves and coral reefs. That is why the number of visitors is limited per day except for Thursday due to cleaning up the beach. Also the visitors must have booked the reservations before visiting day. Before trekking for 30 minutes to reach the beach,the visitors will stop for a little while at the hut and will be told by the caretaker to count their loads especially in plastic form, papers, and many more. Also, their loads should be remain on the same amounts as they left beach. Then, the local guide will guide the visitors to go through the forest to the beach. And then, as the visitors reach the beach, they can do snorkeling, diving, and camping on the beach. (Lila)
Glotak waterfall or commonly known as Coban Glotak is another hidden paradise that Malang has, located at Bedalisodo village in Wagir sub-district, the distance is about 16 kilomtres from the city. At 100 metres high, it hides at the slope of Mount Kawi. The site had publicly opened in 1980 but, officially opened in 1995.
According to history, it is called Coban Glotak because of the soundof stones that fell along with the water. The falling stones then made sound “glotak” as it fell from above. so, that is how it is called Coban Glotak.To get to the coban itself, the visitors have to walk about 15 minutes from the entrance then, walk through the path that leads to the coban.
The waterfall is safe to visit in both dry and wet season.Since the waterfall is still natural, there is not much visitor comes to this place. That is why it is such a peaceful and good place to visit. (lila)
Despite the close proximity from Surabaya, Madura is popular for its delicious food. You can almost find those menus in any city in Indonesia, whether in small food stall by the street or in restaurants.
Sate Madura usually consists on ayam (Chicken) and kambing (lamb). Satay Madura has typically dense peanut sauce rich of taste. Different than satay in Central Java, which the chilly is freshly cut, sambal of satay Madura is already mashed. And just like any satay you may have tried, it can be eaten with rice or lontong.
Bebek Madura, is a very famous duck menu. The taste of the duck is also typical Madura which is rich of seasoning. The condiment, beside sambal and some vegetables is flour crispy. The most popular bebek restaurant in Madura is Bebek Sinjay, and latey there are many other restaurants appear which has its own lover, such as Bebek Tera Bulan, Bebek Kayu Tangan, Bebek Harisa.
Jengkol or which is known as Jering (Pithecellobium jiringa)grows in South Asia, such as Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia. IN Gayo language: Jering, Batak : Jering, Karo and Toba: Joring, Minangkabau : Jariang, Lampung and Dayak: Jaring, Bali:blandingan, Sulawesi: lubi, while Sunda and Jawa : Jengkol
Jengkol is not cultivated, it grow in the forest on slope of hills, at the front or backyard, or in farm. Usually the seeds or young trees are found, not cultivated. The tree absorbs water that it is good to prevent erosion on sloppy area.
Jengkol is rich of carbohydrate, vitamin A, vitamin B, Phosphor, Calcium, Steroid, tanin, saponin and vitamin C. The taste is very strangely delicious when cooked in various food. Some people like to eat it fresh. However it has negative effect, such as causing bad breath and causing bad urine and sweat smell. Djenkolic acid in the fruit can caused Djenkolic stone.
Because it grows only in forest , not cultivated, Jengkol is reduced. The price can reach up to 10 USD/KG.
Known as the sweet smell for spices, and herbs and used for bakery, this inner tree bark is popular. Do you know that actually there are two kinds of cinnamon: Cassia Cinnamon and Ceylon Cinnamon.Both has similar smell, but there are some differences.
Cassia is similar to Chinese Cassia, mostly found in the market. There are some species of Cassia which grows in Indonesia, Vietnam and other South East Asian Countries. The color is darker than Cinnamon, Cassia also has strong smell which derives from the oil. It bark is thick and strong.
Ceylon grows in Sri Lanka, the smell is sweeter and the texture is more and the color is white brown. The bark is thick and sold in stick. The bark is usually roled into stick and dried. As it is thin, it is easily grind. Cinnamon is more expensive than Cassia.
Both has good use for health, such as lower sugar blood, lower cholesterol, good for blood, for fungus and bactery infection, for memory and brain health and good for digestion.
However Cassia has high coumarin. Coumarin can be harmful if taken in large doses regularly. Coumarin is carcinogenic agent.
Mangeruda Hotspring is still very natural and not developed. The water flowing like a river and quiet hot.
