So again going over old posts and wonderful memories of my travels in the last few years from my belle France. I take you back again to exotic Indonesia and new towns visited. I will do this introduction in my black and white series, no pictures0 Therefore, let me tell you on this is Surabaya !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
My month long trip continue as from the Philippines flew to Jakarta and transfer to Surabaya Juanda airport (see post) for the next week. I have written before on Surabaya but Malang was a new footprints visit for me. From Manila took a Philippines Airline flight to Jakarta at Terminal 2, changing to Garuda Airline flight to Surabaya Juanda airport. Once out had shuttle to my home base hotel , the always every time I have come here Somerset Hotel and Résidences, (see post) great place where by now many in front desk know me..
The City of Surabaya is a city in East Java, Indonesia ; and it is the country’s second-largest city located on the north coast of Java. One of Surabaya‘s notable landmarks is the Cheng Hoo Mosque, named after Zheng He, the great Chinese Muslim admiral who visited Java several times during his voyages between 1405 and 1433. Inaugurated in 2007, the mosque reflects a desire to present the role of Chinese Indonesians in the country’s history, particularly regarding the introduction and spread of Islam across the archipelago in a new light. It was built by an organization of Chinese Muslims known as Pembina Iman Tauhid Islam, or PITI (“Supervisor of Islamic Theology and Faith”). The City is home to Indonesia’s only synagogue and serves as the seat of the Diocese of Surabaya. The city is known as the “City of Heroes” due to the significance of the Battle of Surabaya (1945) during the Indonesian National Revolution. Surabaya is the birthplace of Sukarno, Indonesia’s first president. Tanjung Perak, the city’s port, is Indonesia’s busiest port, while Juanda International Airport ranks second in the country in terms of traffic volume, connecting the city to major Indonesian destinations and international locations.
A bit of history tell us that the official founding date of the city, established by the authorities, is 1293. The name Surabaya is derived from *suro* (Javanese for “shark”) and *buaya* (“crocodile”). Legend has it that these two animals fought to determine which was the most powerful creature in the region. Both are depicted on the city’s emblem, flanking its monument: the Tugu Pahlawan. In the 1530s, Surabaya acknowledged the suzerainty of the Muslim Kingdom of Demak. Surabaya’s ships anchored in ports across the archipelago, from Malacca to the Moluccas. During the 15-16C, the city was a politically and militarily powerful sultanate in the East Java region. In 1625, conflict erupted between the Sultanate of Surabaya and the Sultanate of Mataram, then under the rule of Sultan Agung. Mataram emerged victorious after conquering Surabaya’s allies Sukadana and Madura, and laying siege to the city itself. This victory gave Mataram control over almost all of Java, with the exception of the Sultanate of Banten and the Dutch colony of Batavia. In November 1743, the Dutch East India Company took the city; it subsequently became a major trading hub under Dutch administration and one of the largest ports in their colonial empire. During WWII, Surabaya was captured by the Japanese in 1942 and later bombed by the Allies in 1944 (Operation Transom). It was then retaken by Indonesian nationalists. The young nation subsequently turned against the Dutch Allies who controlled the country. The Battle of Surabaya stands as one of the most dramatic moments of what Indonesians call the *Revolusi*, the period of military and diplomatic conflict with the former colonial power. In August 1949, under international pressure, the Dutch finally agreed to grant sovereignty to the colony. Surabaya was immediately incorporated into Indonesia in December 1949 and subsequently rebuilt.
The official City of Surabaya : https://www.surabaya.go.id/
The Surabaya tourist office on its heritage : https://tourism.surabaya.go.id/destination
The unofficial East Java tourist site on Surabaya : https://www.eastjava.com/tourism/surabaya/about.html
The Indonesia National Tourist office on East Java – Surabaya : https://www.indonesia.travel/us/en/destination/java/east-java
There you go folks, I feel better to have all this info in my blog for the memories and future travel encounters in Indonesia. Again, hope you enjoy this part of our world, on this is Surabaya !!! as I.
In the meantime, remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 