Arab Village

This is the Arab village in Surabaya, East Java. The village is situated in two districts. Namely District Semampir and Tandes. Located approximately ten miles from downtown Surabaya.

If using a motor vehicle, this village can be reached in about an hour from Surabaya. As the name implies, in this village community living Arab or Middle Eastern descent, mingled with the natives and citizens of other newcomers.

About 40 percent of the residents of this village are of Arab descent. Therefore, people with typical physique Middle East, there are many here.

Dwelling people of Arab descent can be easily identified. Their house has distinctive features, with two doors and two supporting pillars, and the terrace in front of the house.

A small door is for the homeowner and their family members. While the large doors of the gate is a door for guests.

At the front of the house there is a bathroom dedicated to receiving guests. The host can not use this bathroom. Their livelihood mainly as a merchant.

They sell various kinds of goods, ranging from clothes, perfume, tools of worship, until the fruit kurma.Keberadaan people of Arab descent in this place is inseparable from the history of Sunan Ampel, who is of Arab descent.

Sunan Ampel come to this area of Campa in the early collapse of the Majapahit Kingdom, around 1400 BC, along with Arab merchants.

Hashim family still has a relationship with Sunan Ampel. Until now he still remains firmly maintain the culture of his ancestors.

Female family members are not allowed to show themselves in public. Includes highlighted camera. Ampel area can be regarded as the forerunner presence of Arab descent in Indonesia.

Since the Arabs first came to Indonesia to this area, together with Sunan Ampel. The family of Arab descent who live in this village is the family Habib Mohamed. This family is more open.

Habib inherited this house for generations. In this place he lives with his wife and their children and grandchildren. Everyday she works as a teacher and also sells honey and Arabic coffee.

Family Habib Muhammad was a devout Muslim. Almost every day, this family activity is always filled with reading the Quran, and pray.

In terms of appetite, Habib family is also not abandon the tradition of his ancestors, namely rice kebuli.

The rice is made of rice mixed with spices and goat meat is a special meal this family. Kebuli rice usually served at dinner together is done in such a special place hall.

In terms of looking for a mate, like other citizens of Arab descent, Habib still adhere to the tradition of his family for generations.

Only boys are allowed to marry with another nation, while girls can only marry a fellow man of Arab descent.

Times may change, but tradition heritage should remain enforced. That principle held by citizens of this Arab village. They will continue to maintain that tradition until the end of time.

Read Full story

Bromo Mountain

Bromo

Cool, that's what you'll feel when you first get out of the car. The temperature here reached 10 degrees to 0 degrees Celsius even during early morning. So, you should prepare for cool clothes, hats skullcaps, gloves, socks, scarves to cope. But, if you forget the equipment, there are many vendors offering wares in the form of hats, gloves, or scarves.

Seeing Sunrise Bromo Pananjakan

Regular visitors visiting this area since early morning in order to see the rising sun. To view them, you have to climb Mount Pananjakan which is the highest mountain in the region. Terrain that must be traversed to get to Mount Pananjakan is tough terrain. To reach the foot of Mount Pananjakan, you have to go through desert-like area that can make you get lost. When the need to climb Mount Pananjakan, narrow roads and lots of sharp turns would require a high driving skill. For that, many visitors who choose to rent a car hardtop (a type of jeep) driven by the community. Surrounding communities come from the Tengger tribe was friendly with the visitors.

Up above, there are many shops serving coffee or tea and a fire to warm themselves while waiting to tebitnya sun. There are also stores that rent warm clothing. Watching the sunrise is an interesting event. Evidence, the visitors are willing to wait since 5 am facing the east so as not to lose this moment. You also do not always able to see this event, because if the cloudy sky, the appearance of the sun is not seen clearly. However, when the sky is clear, you can see the roundness of the sun first of all just as small as a match pins, slowly enlarge and eventually form a full circle and give information so that we can see the views of the mountains in this region. Among others, Mount Bromo, Mount Batok, or Mount Sumeru which is the highest mountain in Java.

Bromo crater and the Lake Sand

Finished watching the sunrise, you can go back down the mountain Pananjakan and to Mount Bromo. Sunlight can make you see the scenery around. Apparently you go through this sea of sand which covers 10 km ². Arid areas are filled with sand and just a little overgrown grass is dry. Gust of wind, making the sand fly and can be difficult for you to breathe.

To reach the foot of Mount Bromo, you can not use the vehicle. Instead, you must rent a horse at a price of Rp 70.000, - or if you feel strong, you can choose to walk. But, it should be noted that walking is not easy, because of the scorching sun, a long distance, the flying dust can make the journey harder.

Now, you have to climb the ladder whose numbers reach 250 stairs to see the crater of Mount Bromo. Arriving at the top of Bromo is 2392 m high above sea level, you can see the crater of Mount Bromo that emit smoke. You can also cast your gaze down, and saw the sea of sand with a temple in the middle. It's really incredibly rare and unusual that we can enjoy.

Read Full story