Making a short stopover in Surabaya<\/p>\n
Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya<\/p>\n
\"Welcome to Surabaya, the City of Heroes,\" an employee at a
\nfive-star hotel greeted a group of foreigners.<\/p>\n
The motto of Surabaya, the provincial capital of East Java, is
\nmeant to remind Indonesians of the bravery shown by locals during
\na battle on Nov. 10, 1945, during the struggle for independence.<\/p>\n
The name Surabaya literally means sura (a local fish) and baya
\n(crocodile). According to a 12th century myth, the name came
\nabout following a legendary battle between two friends, the sura
\nfish and the baya, who had vowed to live together in harmony.<\/p>\n
But a clash occurred over whose descendant would be the
\nleader. The two fought to the death and their bodies were
\ndiscovered on a beach. The myth was carved on the wall of
\nSelamangleng cave on Klotok hill, Kediri, East Java. A monument
\nto the fish and the crocodile was erected near the Surabaya Zoo
\nas a symbol of the city.<\/p>\n
Hot, dusty Surabaya has been an important trading port for
\ncenturies, and in the modern era has developed into the country's
\nsecond largest city with modern buildings scattered throughout
\nthe city.<\/p>\n
The city is dotted with monuments depicting its vital role in
\nthe country's battle for independence.<\/p>\n
Among Surabaya's historical sites are Jembatan Merah (the red
\nbridge), which commemorates the Nov. 10, 1945, battle. In the
\ncity square on Jl. Pahlawan sits the Heroes Monument, in honor of
\nall those who died in the battle. Nationally, the country
\ncommemorates Heroes Day on Nov. 10.<\/p>\n
To learn more about the history of the Indonesian Armed Forces
\nand its role in winning the country's independence, visit Museum
\nPerjuangan 45 (1945 Struggle Museum) on Jl. Maj. Gen. Sungkono.<\/p>\n
The country's largest naval base is located in the city and
\nsituated on the base is the Loka Jala Crana Museum and its
\ncollection of Indonesian Naval equipment.<\/p>\n
Near the Gubeng Train Station a Russian-made Pasopati 410 SS
\nWhiskey Class submarine is displayed.<\/p>\n
\"This submarine, which can hold 60-personnel and weighs 1,350
\ntons, was manufactured in 1952 and the Navy used it in operations
\nfor the very first time in 1962. Its last operation was in late
\n1989,\" said former crewman Sgt. Maj. (ret) Suyadi, who is the
\nmonument's attendant.<\/p>\n
\"The submarine had four front torpedoes and two in the rear,
\nbut could carry as many as 12 torpedoes. It was involved in 28
\noperations and was among the naval fleet that freed West Irian
\n(now Irian Jaya) from Dutch occupation,\" said the former
\ntechnician, who now explains to visitors the ins and outs of
\noperating a submarine.<\/p>\n
The public can also learn more about the country's naval
\nhistory, from Adm. Malahayati, the Aceh Sultanate military
\ncommander (1589-1604) who led 100 ships to expel Portuguese and
\nDutch soldiers from Aceh, to the legendary vessels Dewa Ruci and
\nArung Samudra, which sailed around the world in 1964 and 1996
\nrespectively.<\/p>\n
Young people can find inexpensive nighttime amusement at Taman
\nRemaja Surabaya. For between Rp 1,000 and Rp 3,000, visitors can
\nplay various games, with the possibility of going home with
\nprizes ranging from sodas and snacks to rice cookers and electric
\nfans.<\/p>\n
Those who prefer indoor recreation can try Tunjungan Plaza,
\nwhich is like the malls in Jakarta that are favored by families.<\/p>\n
There is also Surabaya Zoo on Jl. Setail. It is reportedly the
\nlargest zoo in Southeast Asia. Among its large collection of
\ncreatures is the famous Komodo dragon and several kinds of
\nnocturnal animals, including bats.<\/p>\n
Surabaya, like many cities in East Java, is famous for its
\nseafood, including petis and terasi (two kinds of shrimp paste),
\nand krupuk (fish crackers).<\/p>\n
Other local foods are kupang lontong (sweet baby clam soup
\nserved with rice wrapped in banana leaves), rujak cingur
\n(vegetables with cow's nose), rawon (dark beef soup) and nasi
\nbebek (fried duck with rice).<\/p>\n
Before you leave Surabaya, be sure to buy some souvenirs in
\nthe Tanggul Angin district, Sidoarjo. This area holds dozens of
\nsmall shops selling a wide variety of leather goods, including
\nshoes, bags, wallets and jackets.<\/p>",
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