Hotel Majapahit

Oranje Hotel in the past

Majapahit hotel is a five star legendary hotel in Surabaya. It is located in the central area of Surabaya, on Jalan Tunjungan. It is famous of the revolutionary war story more than the hotel beauty itself.  The hotel was constructed in 1910 by an Armenian named Lucas Martin Sarkies with his family. The hotel name was changing
due to the colonial ruler. During the Dutch occupation, the hotel was named “Hotel Oranje” or the Orange Hotel. It was named orange hotel, since orange is the Dutch national color. When the Japanese troops entered Indonesia in 1942, they took over the hotel and changed its name to Yamato Hoteru (Hotel Yamato) until the time when the Dutch came back in 1945 and returned it to the Sarkies in 1946.. This 5 stars hotel with its luxury hid a bloody moment which remember by the nations. At this hotel Surabaya youths fought to get their pride and dignity as freedom nation.

The hotel beauty in the evening - top view(taken from vagabondquest.com)

On 19 September 1945, the hotel was a bloody battle ground of the Dutch and local Surabaya people. When the Japanese rule over most of Indonesia territory ended, after the World War II and the Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945, the Dutch flew their national flag on top of the Yamato Hotel. Knowing that the old colonialist showed off their force and presence, Surabaya youths were all in a big anger. They were insulted.
According to a senior journalist of Antara News Agency in Surabaya, Wiwiek Hidayat, the Hotel situated exactly across his office. He could clearly see what happened during that moment. He even noticed the main actor behind the flag incident. According to him a young Surabayanese called Kusno Wibowo, helped by Onny Manuhutu and two other people, ripped the blue part of the red-white-blue Dutch flag by his teeth. So the remaining was the red-white Indonesian flag. After it was ripped out, the man then hang the red-and white part to the flag pole.
Furthermore, according to Pak Wiwiek, there were also some other people who helped them to ripped the Dutch flag. They carried the ladder and controlled the hotel roof of the central building. The youths yelled and condemned the colonist. The journalist added there were only 4 people on the roof and the documentary photograph was kept by the news agency. Sadly after the incident many people admitted themselves as the main actor of the heroic moment. Thus, it is officially stated that the main actor of the Dutch flag ripped-out was “Arek Suroboyo” (Surabaya’s youth) which remain anonymous.
The incident was triggered by an action done by some half Indonesian-Dutch blood youngsters. They flew the Dutch national flag, which color is red-white-blue, on top of Yamato Hotel building. They did the action under the shelter of Dutch and its ally officers from the Allied Command. The troops came to Surabaya along with the Intercross group.

A parade in front of the Oranje Hotel, date unknown

A few days before, the news about the half-blood Indonesian-Dutch youngsters created an organization called “Kipas Hitam” (the black fan), was spread out in the whole city. The main goal of the organization was to fight back the Indonesian people and to get the Indonesian independence which has been proclaimed on 17 August 1945. Under the protection of the Allied Command and NICA (Netherland Indies Civil Administration), the youths were ready to open fire.
The show of force of the youths was clearly seen from the news agency office. All the journalists were furious. They spread out the action they had seen to the youths. The situation even worse when the people saw the Dutch flag was flown on the hotel roof. They felt so much disrespect as an independent country by the Dutch. Many people were in anger and they yelled to protest the flag raising. The Dutch youths remain still. Many showed their arrogances.
At first Surabaya youths were anxious. They didn’t know what they supposed to do. They wanted to fight back with their limited power and resource but they weren’t sure. Then some of journalist representatives came to the National Committee office and the Municipality Office of Surabaya (Kantor Karisidenan Surabaya). They were asking the government reaction due to the Dutch flag rising. The officials stated they didn’t know about what had happened. Residen Sudirman along with Surabaya city major Radjamin Nasution and Roeslan Abdulgani- a youth leader, some journalists including Pak Wiwiek and Soetomo (Bung Tomo) decided they had to come to the hotel. They demanded the Dutch flag to be removed, since Indonesia has got its independent on 17 August 1945 and the Dutch had no right to fly their flag. The Dutch declined. According to their officials, Netherlands and its allies had won the World War II, and there;s no reason not to fly the flag in Indonesia.

Hotel Majapahit with Indonesian flag

The tough arguments lead to a big fight. The mass attacked the hotel. There were hundreds of people came to Yamato Hotel and they fought to get their dignity as a freedom people back. There were 6 to 7 bamboo ladder brought by people and youths from their kampong. They came from Kampung Ketandan dan kampung Kebangsren. Using the bamboo ladder the youths strove to climbed the hotel roof. When the blue-part of the flag finally ripped out the crowd yelled “Merdeka…!, merdeka! (freedom!) while clenching their hands.
The heroic event will never be forgotten by Indonesian people. The spirit of the Surabaya youths will be remembered. The hotel name as a city historical building then changed into Hotel Majapahit. The name was taken after a great kingdom in ancient time which ruled over most area of Asia, Majapahit Kingdom. May the spirit of the nation be with all the youngsters eternally.
Merdeka!!!!!

Reference:
http://englishland.or.id, retrieved 22 July 2011
http://rajaagam.wordpress.com, retrieved 20 July 2011

Surabaya Submarine Monument

taken from google.co.id

Surabaya is a capital city of East Java, Indonesia. Surabaya is metropolitan city and the second of the biggest city in Indonesia. A lot of tourism places available in Surabaya. Do you want to know some tourism places in Surabaya?? I think you need to read Sparkling Surabaya on this blog :)


check this out ..

taken from google.co.id

One of tourism places in Surabaya is Submarine Monument. This is the real submarine on the land. The name is KRI Pasopati 410, built in Russia in 1952. KRI is Kapal Republik Indonesia, that mean The Ship of Indonesia. The length is 76 meters and the width is 6,3 meters. The type of this submarine is SS - Wishkey Class. When the submarine above the surface it used diesel for the movement, and when in the sea, it used battery. KRI Pasopati could dive until 250 meters below sea level. That condition made Indonesia have strong power in marine at that time. The submarine could carry about 60 navies and 12 torpedos 7 meters length. The navies used to be able to withstand the heat inside the submarine because no air conditioners inside the submarine at that time.
But don't worry .. If you visit the submarine monument now, there are air conditioners inside the submarine.

The Submarine used to retake West Irian from Netherlands to Indonesia in Alugoro Mission on July 28, 1962 with other submarines (KRI Bramasta, KRI Widjayadanu, KRI Hendradjala, KRI Alugoro, and KRI Tjudamani). The mission was to drawn the enemy's ships along north beach of West Irian, especially Netherlands' ships.
Unfortunately this submarine stopped served in the Navy on January 25, 1990.

taken from google.co.id

The location of this monument is Pemuda street 39 Surabaya, next to Surabaya Plaza shopping center beside Kalimas Surabaya.

There are seven parts inside the submarine.

taken from google.co.id

1. Bow Torpedo Room
There are 4 torpedo launchers and reserve torpedo inside this room.

taken from google.co.id

2. Lounge Room
This room was used for dwelling marine officer. You can find the battery saving room below the deck.

taken from google.co.id

3. Periscope Room
This is the central ship operation and war information. You can try the periscope that can see until 9 meters high.
4. Navies Room
This room used for navies' bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, and food storage room.
5. Diesel Driver Room
The central diesel driver when the submarine was driving above sea level.
6. Electricity Room
In this room battery energy used for ship movement.
7. Stern Torpedo Room
There are two torpedos to attacked and avoid the enemy.

You also can watch the video "Rama" around the monument location. The video about the history of the submarine. There are also a swimming pool for the children.
After I watched the video .. wooww !! I was amazed. I can't believe that the submarine was really really used at that time :o

(Emma)

Red Bridge - Surabaya Historical Place

Hello guys ...
Now i wanna tell you about my hometown ..
My hometown is located in Surabaya at East Java province ...
My hometown is a part of Indonesia ...

My hometown has many tourism place that very intersting and full of history. Someday you must visit here and i promise you will not get bored if you visit here ....

Now, I will tell you about one of the interesting place ...
It call Red Bridge....
Why it called like that ?
People in Surabaya has a reason why it called like that ...

This is the story

3 months after the independence of Indonesia, at November, 10 1945 in this bridge before it called Red Bridge there were a savage fought ever in Indonesia. In this brigde also Brigadir General Mallaby from England was killed. After Japan's Force left Indonesia because their towns Hiroshima and Nagasaki was broken by USA's Force, Japan's Force in Indonesia decided that they must to went back to Japan. British Force came to Indonesia and they didn't came alone. They came with NICA (Netherlands Indies Civil Administration). They came to Indonesia especially in Surabaya for took Japan's gun that Surabaya people had.

And at November, 10 1945, British Force and NICA gave ultimatum to Surabaya people, They must hand over the guns to British Force and NICA, before 10.00 a.m. . If they didn't hand over the guns British Force and NICA will attack Surabaya from land, air and water.

But Surabaya people never gave up, they didn't hand over the guns to them .
Finally, Surabaya was attack from water, land and air. In this bridge also Surabaya People was killed Brigadir General Mallaby.
Many of Surabaya people was kllled here and the ally throw them into the riverr under the bridge. Because of many people that throw away there, the river became red and full of blood.

Because of that people in Surabaya called Red Brigde and a long time aga the bridge was made of wood. But now the government change it into an iron and the bridge be an interesting place in Surabaya that must we visit....

I ever went here before and i saw it was very good and if we stood in the bridge it could help us to felt the fought before ....

For you guys, i hope you interest with my story and you have a wish to visit here someday ....

Next i will write another interesting place in my hometown ...

(Fifi)

Pasar Kembang

Hello! Reading again my posting with title ‘Pasar Kembang’. I found a lot of trouble to look for some source that told about Pasar Kembang in browser. But fortunately i have a grandfather that born on 1932 and knew something about it further than browser. Thanks Grandpa #hugs him

So this is the result of my interview with my grandpa. It is guranteed true and fact!

Pasar Kembang is one of traditional market that keep exist in Surabaya city. It is located at Pasar Kembang Street. It is not difficult to find it because it is in central town and acrossed by general transportation.  It used to a garden and full of flower (Flower is called Kembang in Javanese language). Then because of the development and it is bulding as street and traditional market the garden is dissappear but to remember this place it called Pasar Kembang Street (Market is called Pasar in Javanese). So Pasar Kembang is mean Flower Market.

In the morning at 3 a.m a lot of traditional cake seller fullfiled every corner this market. So you could found anything kind of traditional cake there (for example: gethuk, lemper, klanting, onde-onde, etc). But if you came here more than 6 a.m you would never found some them. Because the cake is sold out certainly. Most of traditional cake broker got it from Pasar Kembang, so dont be shock if you found someone buy it with big amount. And you will get more cheaper price than the other market. Until now record more than 109 seller in Pasar Kembang. Because of it the Surabaya Government decided it as the cake tour in Surabaya.

After at 6 a.m this market is change fungtion as street. But when the evening is coming, you will smell delicious. Beacuse at this time a lot of food stall is open. It is not only sell traditional cake but also kind of food coming from China,  India, Arab and absolutely Indonesia. On this time a lot of flower seller is open too, but they sell special flower that is the flower for visit the tomb. And they also sell the things to entomb someone who died.

So dont be suprise if you coming there in the night and then smell delicious that mixed with fragrant! Then come there and satisfied your stomatch!


(Ryu)

Balai Pemuda

Balai Pemuda is the one of historical place in Surabaya which protected by Government. It is located in central city at Gurbernur Suryo St. Surabaya, Indonesia. It is build by Indonesian especially Surabaya’s Government with name “De Simpangsche Societeit” as the main art and culture presentation in East Java. But in 1907 it is dominated by Dutch and used for party, dance and playing bowling. But in 1950 it could be snatch away by Surabaya citizen. On 1971 it is have new name that is Balai Pemuda.

This buliding is built above 17.000 square meters. It is so beautiful with classic architecture. In the night you could see the colorful lamp which around the roof of building that so amazing. You could feel as the whites here because it used to just for white and the natives is didnt allow to enter it. So if you go there dont forget to take picture!

Balai Pemuda is devide for some area. First area is the place for art and culture presentation, you could see the East Java traditional dance (for example: Reog, Karapan Sapi, Kuda Lumping, etc), Ludruk (traditional theater), Puppet theater even the concert (i ever watch, jumped, sang and dance til drop the Fotos’s concert there). Just info: Fotos is Germany band and the members so handsome actually the vocalist and bassist.

Second area is for meeting. So only the concern persons could be entered there. The third area is Mitra 21. If you heard about 21 what on your mind? Yeah, theater. So, if you movie freak just came there and watch movie while enjoyed the classical architecture. And the last area is parking area (if it counted) lol.

So if you visited Surabaya dont forget to visit Balai Pemuda. You just call taxi and said “Balai Pemuda” and the driver will pick up you there without asking anything because it is famuos building. Then you could ask some book travel there because it is providing a lot of book travel for tourist and it is FREE! And then if you lucky you could watch the Surabaya Festival in front of it (It usually held at 31^rd May every year).

(Ryu) 

ARMATIM [ ARMADA TIMUR/EAST FLEET ]

armatim

Hello all , now I wanna tell you about interesting places at my town, Surabaya . Surabaya has many interesting places , but now I wanna tell you about Armatim . Armatim or Armada Timur is boatyard of marine's ship. Armatim located in End of Surabaya. Inside Armatim, there are a museum , a big monument named Jalasveva Jayamahe, and some offices for navy who work there . Many foreign tourists visit Armatim, because Armatim is like a symbol of Surabaya by big monument ....
It's not easy to enter Armatim, you must have permission before. Because my father is a navy , so I have easy access to enter there . hahay .. when I was a child , I often go there with my family just to see the big monument .
mm, I will tell you one by one what interesting thing in Armatim , so enjoy it :

the monument

1. The Museum
In the museum , you can see many miniature of ships that in the past victorioused . There is a miniature of the Jalasveva Jayamahe monument too ... and you can see some pictures of officers in the past .

2. Jalasveva Jayamahe Monument
Jalasveva Jayamahe monument is very big . The height is about 31 meters. waww ... It's located in a build that the height is 29 meters.. if you want to see the monument close you must up stairs that make you very tired . You must prepare your stamina .. wkwkwk .. Jalasveva Jayamahe is navy's motto . It's mean "Di laut kita jaya" [ In the see we are victorious ] . If we were on building, we can see sea and Madura Island . so beautiful :)

3. The Big Gong
mm, Armatim also have the biggest gong in the world. it's named "Kiai Tentrem" . The weight is about 2,2 ton. The gong made by brass and coated with anti-corrosion materials.

Armada's day on 5th December. The navy always celebrate the day very festive . In the morning the navy have ceremony.

resources :
http://awalnya.blogspot.com/2011/01/monumen-jalesveva-jayamahe-new-welcome.html
http://wisatajatim.indonesiatravel.biz/wisata-bahari/monumen-jalesveva-jayamahe/
http://matanews.com/2009/12/05/hari-armada/

(Nindy)

Surabaya Anniversary - Culture and Flower Parade

The antique bicycle parade 

Surabaya celebrates its anniversary on 31 May. This year, Surabaya celebrates its 718th anniversary.  Every year the city municipality held many celebrations such as shopping festival, competitions, fun walk, and fun bike.  One of the annual events is the Culture Parade and the Flower Parade. This year, the parade was held on Sunday 8 May 2011, started at the city's monument "Tugu Pahlawan" and finished at the city hall park - Taman Surya.The vice city major himself, Drs. Bambang D.H, M.Pd opened the parade.

an enthusiastic veteran

Pancasila, the symbol of the nation

For this year there were at least 69 participants from the government offices, organizations, universities, schools, and also private companies in Surabaya. Other participants from other cities also took place at the annual celebration. Participants from Jember, Flores, Sampang, Bangkalan, and Kota Waringin Timur of Kalimantan also performed their culture, music, and dance for Surabaya people who have been waiting for the Parade impatiently. 

Nice ship from PT. PAL

The Parade was opened by the outstanding performance marching band performance form the Naval Academy (Akademi Angkatan Laut) - which i missed but i know that it's great as i've seen on TV on their other performance. The crowd was flooding along the street of  Jl. Kramat Gantung – Jl. Gemblongan – Jl. Tunjungan – Jl. Gubernur Suryo – Jl. Yos Sudarso – Jl. Walikota Mustajab – Jl. Jaksa Agung Suprapto.


I was late to see the parade.  I missed for at least 20 participants. I had to find ways to get into the main street to be able to watch the parade.  It's a great parade since i love parade and carnival. Though the day was hot and there were many people along the street but I was so happy. Best of it was because of the DSLR camera i borrowed from a friend. I had opportunity to came close to the participants without being mooed or disturbed by the police officer or guards. Everybody thought I was a pro-photographer since i used semi-pro camera. 
I learnt one important lesson, "bring a pro-camera and you will get all the access" I could even sneaked inside the march just to get the best angle for my shots. I also asked some participants to act in front of my lens. I was helped a lot by the camera.

To me the parade was great since the participants did perform their best. They really entertained people and i love their enthusiasm to dance, yell, sing, and smile under the hot burning sun of Surabaya. I love the spirit of unity in diversity that Surabaya people have. They all greet enthusiastically for all participants, young and old, muslims or christian, they were all celebrating the city's birthday in a big brotherhood spirit.  Can't wait to have the parade again for next year.

Twins in Surabaya traditional costume, the ladies and their groups are from Gaman (Gerakan Anak Muda Anti Narkoba)

The crowd

The fanatic supporters of the local team "Persebaya"

(Silvana)

The Slightly Chipped Full Moon

The Slightly Chipped Full Moon is the twenty-first track on the Kuroshitsuji II Original Soundtrack. It is sung in English by Yucca. There are two remixes on the soundtrack, "Fragile Mind" and "Cruelly Eyes". "Fragile Mind", the twelfth track, is a less instrumental remix. "Cruelly Eyes", the fifteenth track, is an instrumental version.

The full moon slightly chipped
That's so me
So please
Save me and hold me tight
Just make me all right
Under the dark clouds
Wingless swans in my soul
From the fortress, a pessimist

My howl in the night,
To the isolated star
Don't drive me crazy
Everything seems too far
The sky so deep
Spread endlessly

How on earth can I get to the strawberry field? 

The full moon slightly chipped
Uncertain
Oh please
Save me and let me smile
Just make me all right
Over the bed of trees
My heart spins around

My howl in the dawn
To the isolated star
I dare to forgive you
Everything seems too far
But care for me tenderly

How on earth can I get to the strawberry field? 

This is just a simple song which like express sadness. I know this song when i watch Kuroshitsuji II, and this song as the backsound (Alois Trancy theme). At first i didn't really get the meaning of the lyric, but from the first time i heard this song i instantly love this song. It's so dark and sad, but i really love the music composition.

This is a great song to listen to when you wanna cry ur eyes out!