Few questions on Jawa Timur

Hi,
Oh, I am so..so... jealous you are in Indonesia- it is my favourite country and I love it so much.
In July 2006 on this exact day I was in Malang. I had to meet a Dutch internet friend living in Ambulu with his Indonesian wife so I went to meet them.
I had no real idea how to get there, but thought I would go on a little adventure. I got my special ojek man Eko in Malang to drop me at the Gadang bus terminal where I caught a bus to Lumajang. Onc eein Lumajnag with no language skills I managed to let everyone know Pamela wanted to go to Ambulu.
Two hours later they called out Ambulu held the bus and I went to Ambulu. Texted my Dutch friend and he met me. Stayed only one night with him because of police etc and then the next day got a becak back into Ambulu and being Sunday I got an ojek to Jember and stayed at Hotel Anda- back packer place.
Oh, did I love Jember, clean friendly just a great place, made friends with English speaking Indonesians and stayed for 3 days.
Left my luggage at Anda and got a bus to Bondowoso- got a drive rwho coculd speak some English so he dropped me in the town instead of the terminal 7kms away.
Stayed in Bondowoso at Hotel Anugerrah- very nice.
Not easy to find someone to organise a trip to Kawah Ijen so I found myself a young man in the street with motor bike and he took me the 90 kms the next morning.
Arrived too late to see anything really clearly. Will go again and stay overnight at Pol Truding ( but not very comfortable) or at another place outside (at Sempol called Arabica homestay)and head up for the 3km walk in the dark so I arrive just as the sun is coming up.
It is an amazing place- those miners got my absolute admiration for that horrid job they do every day to make a living.
I visited the weighing room and was amazed that some of the men carry up 80 kgs of cut sulphur. Bought everyone a small bottle of Fanta- they loved that.
Here is a young British woman's report of Kawah Ijen and Borobudur. She was on a tour from Bali, but you can do it yourself.
http://www.balitravelforum.com/archive200707/50483.html
Hope I have been able to help you in some small way.
Pamela who wishes she was in Indonesia. Reply to this

Hi there Asim. Surabaya is known as the historical part of Indonesia, it is formerly known as City of Heroes. If you like to see the ex-dutch colonial sites, you can take a walk on old streets such as Pemuda Street, Tunjungan Street, and also area close to the governor's office. You may try the oldest hand made ice cream in town called Zangrandhi which located right in front of the Governor's office. There is also one interesting destination, Monumen Kapal Selam (Monkasel) ex active Submarine which currently opened as a museum, located in the river beside Delta Plaza.
Beside, Surabaya also known for its tasty foods. You may try Lontong Balap (the best one located at Raya Gubeng street, right in front of BNI bank), or another local foods such as Bakso, Soto, etc.
You may also need to try to ride at the local style transportation called Becak. Although its already forbiden to be used in crowded area (caused traffic jam), but it still easy to use around the city.
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Hell, Asim...
I'm Indonesian people....
I was excited and full of appreciate to you when you decide to visit Indoneisa on your holiday with your Indonesia wife...

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