Long regarded only as an inconvenient 12-hour road trip between Borobudur and Bali,
the eastern third of Java is becoming a destination in its own right. Volcanic craters,
deserted beaches, wildlife reserves, well-preserved temple complexes and a friendly colorful
people make East Java a prime `Soft Adventure' destination. The hotels may be a little more basic than further west and the roads a little bumpier but the various attractions make any transient discomfort and inconvenience fade into memorable experience.

Historically, from 10th to 13th Century, the great kingdoms of the period - Kediri, Singasari and Majapahit - have bequethed a rich heritage of temple art, literature, music and drama. The Majapahit empire arose in 1292. Besides dominating the entire archipelago, its authority also covered the Malaypeninsula and parts of the Philipines.

Hindu-Buddhist influences lasted throughout the 14th Century. Moslem Kingdoms rose in Java in the 16th Century and spread throughout the islands. After the Brantas Valley was conquered by Moslems in 1527, many Hindus fled east-wards, to Blambangan and Bali.

There are numerous temple ruins found, dated from the Classical time of Hindu-Buddha period (7-15 th.Century AD) as well as the historical sites dating from the early days of Islam and the Dutch Colonial times.

East Java is well known as the location of Mount Bromo, the desolate volcanic massif offering the most spectacular sunrise in Southeast Asia. The caldera 10 km across, with two peaks rising from the sandy crater floor, Bromo is an unforgettable. Now with comfortable hotels a short drive away, Bromo becomes a popular and it is haven up with tourist attractions. However, even a chattering group tour cannot detract from the majesty of a dry-season sunrise over the crater rim. As a hundred shades of crimson paint the endless sky, the world falls silent save the quiet whistle of the chill dawn breeze over bare rock and sand.

Sitting squarely on the Ring of Fire, East Java has several other accessible volcanic peaks. Mount Semeru lies 20 km south of Bromo. Higher and more active than Bromo, Semeru is regarded by the Javanese as the abode of the Gods, the local equivalent of Mount Meru in India. The hike to the summit and back is a moderately strenuous overnight trek. At the top, the view encompasses most of East Java, Bali and the Indian Ocean.

Sugarcane and coffee plantations blanketed East Java during the colonial era. Many of these old plantations are still producing some still using colonial era technology and methods. Workers plant and harvest cane with only hand tools. Tiny, steam-driven locomotives chug alongside back roads, pulling equally scaled-down freight cars piled with cut sugar cane to century-old refineries. A few plantations accept overnight guests, offering clean, comfortable cottages, early morning tours through the crop lands and enormous country breakfasts.

With an extent of about 48.000 square kilometres including Madura Island, East Java occupies a little more than one third of Java's total extent. With a population of almost 33.000.000 inhabitants to be the most populated area in Indonesia. To the East, across the narrow strait of Bali lies the island of Bali, to the West the Province of Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta, to the North is Java Sea and the South is the Indian Ocean.

The Province lies between 7° 12' and 8° 48' South latitude and stretches from 110° 52' to 114° 42' east longitude. Two third of the area is mountainous and hilly with slopes with an approximately 48 mountains with the highest peak of Mount Semeru as the highest in Java.

Two wide rivers traverse East Java, the 314 km-long Brantas, and the Bengawan Solo of about 540 km. The broad Brantas River traces a circular path through the ancient and fertile ricelands of the Eastern part of Central Java.

CLIMATE

East Java, like the other part of Indonesia archipelago, has the same climate, tropical/climate with two famous seasons : rainy-season (October - April) and dry-season (May - September). The average temperature is 19° - 30° C. It is sunny in East Java,
70% - 80% of the year in the northern area, 60% - 70% in the central area and
less than 60% in the mountains.

 

PEOPLE

The population of about 33 million consist of races of Javanese, Madurese, Tenggerese and the rests are outsiders, the Javanese mostly live in the Western part, the Tenggerese on the highland of Tengger at Mt. Bromo while the Madurese live in the Eastern part and the Island of Madura. Islam is adhered by most of the people while Hindu is dominantly followed by the Tenggerese instead of Christian and Buddha as the other religions with their own followers.
The people mainly live on agriculture with rice as the most important product beside other plantation products like : corn, sugar cane, coffee, tobacco, cocoa, cloves, spices, etc. Other products of mining such as : sulphur, oil, onyx, marble and many others can offer wider job opportunity to the people and to make East Java's economy grow better more over when tourism is developing rapidly in this region nowadays and playing its important role in increasing the people's income by involving themselves in various sectors instead of agriculture supporting tourism industry among other things in home and small scale industries.

 

TRAVEL FORMALITIES

Travellers to Indonesia must be in possession of a passport valid for at least six months after arrival. No visa required from national of 42 countries for a visit not exceeding two months time.
A Tourist visa for 60 days can be obtained on application to Indonesia Embassies or Consulates in their respective countries while any extension is at the direction of the immigration authorities.
Airport tax of Rp. 21.000,00 is levied by the authorities for International travels, while for Sukarno-Hatta is Rp. 28.000,00. Domestic-travel airport tax varies from Rp. 2.000,00 to Rp. 5.000,00 depending upon the airport of departure with an additional Rp. 500,00 for insurance per person per flight.

 

HEALTH REGULATIONS

Valid vaccination certificates of small-fox, cholera and yellow fever are required from those coming from infected areas. Considering that Indonesia is a tropical resort, visitors should be aware of getting sunburn, so it is advisable to wear a hat as protection from the fierceness of midday sun.
Medicines can be obtained from local drug-store called "apotik" in conformity with doctor's prescription.

 

CUSTOMS

Customs regulations allow, on entry, a maximum of two litters of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume.
Photographic, video and movie equipments, radio, typewriter and car must be declared to custom upon entry and must be re-exported.
Narcotics, arms and ammunitions, TV. sets and Chinese medicines are items prohibited while fresh fruit, plants and animals must have quarantine perm.
There is no restriction on import or export of foreign currencies, however, it is prohibited to import or export Indonesian currency exceeding Rp. 50.000,00.

 

OFFICE HOURS

Government offices are open Monday to Friday from 7 am. till 3 pm. Businesses have various office hours, but 9 am. - 4 pm. is a safe bet on weekdays. Banks are generally open 8 am. - 4 pm. with a half day on Saturday, though their foreign exchange counters close in the early afternoon.

 

CURRENCY

Major world currencies in the form of cash or travellers cheques can be easily converted into Indonesia Rupiah (Rp.) at banks, authorized money changers (don't forget your passport !) or the cashier's desk of your hotel. The Rupiah is pegged to the US Dollar, depreciating about 5% a years. The exchange rate is currently around Rp. 2.200 to one US Dollar; official daily rates are posted in newspapers and at banks and money changers. Paper currency is available in denominations of 100, 500, 1.000, 5.000, 10.000, 20.000, and 50.000; while coins come in units of 25, 50, 100, 500 and 1.000.
Best to carry at least Rp. 10.000 in small denominations as taxi drivers and street vendors often don't have change.

 

GETTING AROUND

There are lots of different ways to get around in Surabaya, from the traditional becak (trishaw) to bemos (enclosed minibus), public buses and air conditioned cabs. Metered taxis, with a flag fall of Rp. 1300 and a per km rate of Rp. 450, are easily the most comfortable option, and can be ordered by phone at no extra charge, Call Taxi Zebra at 515-555 or 512-233.
Taxis from Juanda International Airport follow a fixed rate schedule and must be paid for in advance at the transport counter outside the arrival gate (the 20 km ride to the city centre costs Rp. 9.500).
Cars are also available for rent with or without a driver; if you drive yourself you must have a valid International Drivers License. Call Globe at 577-733 or Toyota Rent A Car at 837-365.

 

TELEPHONE

Indonesia is linked to the world by two telecommunications satellites, and International Direct Dialling is available at all leading hotels. Overseas calls can also be made at Surabaya is seven hours ahead of GMT.

 

ETIQUETTE

Indonesians are, generally speaking, courteous, soft-spoken and conservative in dress and behaviour. Don't raise your voice or be confrontational someone in public is a grave insult. As with other Asian countries, personal appearances is very important. In Moslem society, the left hand is considered unclean, so be careful to receive and present things with your right hand, especially food. Pork and alcohol are also unwelcome, and be sure not to point the soles of your feet at someone or pat people on the head or back-this is considered impolite, if not offensive.

HOW TO GET EAST-JAVA

• BY AIR :
  Coming from outside the Indonesia archipelago, you have some main options : Directly to Juanda Surabaya International Airport from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Townsville, Beijing, Guangzhou, Taiwan, Hongkong, Amsterdam. Through Jakarta's International Airport Bandara Soekarno-Hatta, through Polonia in Medan and through Ngurah Rai in Denpasar Bali.
  Local flights connect Surabaya for an hour Jakarta-Surabaya, Bali-Surabaya 30 Minutes, Yogyakarta-Surabaya 30 Minutes. To the other places in Indonesia are daily scheduled.
• BY SEA :
  An ocean cruise to Java should not be missed. A number of cruise operators have added Java and Bali to their schedules in recent years.
  You can enter through Surabaya (Tanjung Perak Harbour), Semarang or Tanjung Priok (Jakarta) on the north coast. The are also regular passanger ships which connect Surabaya with other coastal.
• BY LAND :
  Surabaya is connected with other parts of the country by trains and by buse. Purabaya is the buses station connects Surabaya and other cities in Java, Bali and Sumatra. Pasar Turi railway Station is the train station from Surabaya to the west destination via north coast of Java Island. By Argo Bromo and sembranii we can trip from Surabaya to Jakarta about 9 hours. Gubeng Railway station is the the nice station connecting Surabaya and the cities in the west of Java Island via south area.