Joanna James
Vacationing in Surabaya? This city is the second largest in East Java and there are many places you can visit while you're here. Read on to find out the best spots to check out.
Take a close look at the Suroboyo Monument, which essentially defines the essence of the city itself. Located in front of Surabaya Zoo, this statue depicts an epic battle between a shark and a crocodile. The monument is aptly named, as the words 'suro' and 'boyo' mean shark and crocodile, respectively, in Javanese.
Do you think that the title of this monument sounds strikingly similar to the name of the city? In fact, Surabaya derives its name from the symbolic enmity between these two creatures. It is said to represent the fact that life in Surabaya was always a fight to survive as dangers came from all directions; the ferocious shark swam the waters of the ocean, while the cunning crocodiles lurked in rivers on land.
Make a trip to see the Surabaya National Monument, which goes by the name of the Heroes Monument. This memorial is dedicated to honouring those who died in the Battle of Surabaya which took place in 1945 and features a museum.
Take the kids to Kebun Bibit Surabaya, which is a park that's good for family outings. You can spot animals like deer here, and the park has a playground as well as kiosks selling refreshments.
Stop by the Sampoerna Cigarette Factory for some coffee and insight into how to make a good cigarette, courtesy of the onsite museum. Sampoerna is a local brand which is known for incorporating cloves into cigarettes; this spice is said to possess healing properties.
Climb aboard a Russian wartime submarine! The Monumen Kapal Selam was in use up until the start of the nineties by the Indonesian Navy, after which it was retired. These days it is permanently docked at the harbour as a tourist attraction and showcases some interesting facts about the history of the country's navy.
Feeling exhausted thanks to the tropical heat? No problem – Surabaya has its very own water adventure park. Cool off at Ciputra Waterpark, which is one of the largest of its kind in the South-East Asian region. The kids are sure to love it! You won't have to go too far out of your way to get to the park. From one of the luxury hotels in Surabaya, such as the Ascott Waterplace Surabaya, you can reach the park in 20-minutes by taxi.
While you're staying in Surabaya, it would be a shame not to check out Mount Bromo. This smoking mountain is still active, meaning it could technically erupt at any time – which is what makes it part of the thrill. Sign up for one of the popular night hikes up Mount Bromo and enjoy a breathtaking view of the sunrise from the summit.
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