Day 70 - SURABAYA, INDONESIA

 Date: 3/15/2024    Day 70                       Port: SURABAYA, INDONESIA

Description: From Buddhist temples to an historic Arab Quarter, the capital of Indonesia’s East Java province is known as a gateway city but you’ll find charms throughout its diverse neighborhoods. One of the most unusual is the House of Sampoerna, a well-preserved historical site built in the 19th-century Dutch colonial style that includes a museum, café and art gallery. You’ll spot the turquoise, dome-shaped roof of the remarkable Al Akbar Mosque Surabaya from anywhere in the city. Opened in 2000, the stylish masterpiece provides spectacular views from atop the freestanding, ottoman-style minaret. Dine on a variety of East Javanese dishes made from locally caught seafood.

Planned Excursion: TROWULAN HISTORICAL SITE (Cancelled)

6.5 Hours                             Moderate Activity                            # SBY-004: Free

Explore the only excavated site in Indonesia that dates to the early 16th century.  Browse Hindu and Buddhist artifacts in the Trowulan Museum.  View a historically important, 14th-century gateway in the hamlet of Kraton.  Meander through the remains of the medieval Candi Tikus temple.

Today's Notes: Reading more closely the complete description of the planned excursion we decided to turn in our tickets and take the shuttle to town.  We would have spent 4 hours on the bus to spend only about an hour at the tour location.  Many others did the same and we were glad we did.  The shuttle took us to a massive mall.  It reminded us a bit like Mall of America in Minneapolis.   Our dollar is very strong here and prices are extremely cheap after making the conversion from Indonesian Rupp's to the dollar.  Tomorrow we are not going far, just a bit further to SEMARANG (JAVA), INDONESIA.  We are thinking about skipping tomorrow's excursion as well since it's another long bus ride and go shopping again.