Morning workout
Actual dates: October 18-20, 2008
Such a hard life–strenuous yoga and Goldfish crackers in the morning. We went to great pains to ensure our Indonesian experience was as authentic as possible.
If you’ve read previous posts in the Indonesia Trip 2008 series, you know that the carpeted floor is a dead giveaway that this was in fact as far from “authentic” as it could get.
But you know what? Authenticity junkies can take their faux sincerity and shove it. Nobody in their right mind goes to another country to truly experience a real native lifestyle. I’m Indonesian. If anything I’ve earned the right to not have an “authentic” Indonesian experience, whatever that really means. I don’t want to stay in a dirt-floored, woven-bamboo-walled house, where I have to sleep on a matressless bamboo bed, get my own water from the well for showers, and smell the Baygon insecticide spray that’s spread around every evening to ward off the mosquitoes. I guess that means I’m spoiled. But at least I know I am and am grateful for it, instead of pretending I’m in search of that transcendent experience of unspoiled native existence when I’m actually just dipping my toe in it and retreating to the confines of modern comforts at the end of the day. Authenticity is such an idol these days. Can’t a trip just be different? Interesting? Or even… dare I say it… fun?
Ok, I’m better now. Rant mode off. Breathing… breathing…
We stayed a couple nights at the Hyatt Regency Surabaya as it was named at the time. I believe it’s now called Hotel Bumi Surabaya (name changed for “business reasons”). We were put up here by some good friends of my parents when these friends found out we were stopping by on our way to Yogyakarta–another example of The Lord providing for his servants and the generosity of people we have come in contact with.
View from our window
This is the view from our window. If you’re visiting Surabaya, down there is the “authentic” experience. Again call me spoiled, but I’m thankful we didn’t have an “authentic” experience here.
Indonesia is a country with a lot of ocean and not much land, and a population of 240 million or so. Java, the island Surabaya is on, is the smallest of the 5 major islands and is the most populous. That combination is why you see that crush of houses. It’s not this way all over the island though–there are rural areas that are sparsely populated. In areas where it is this way, it’s common to have little or no yard area. After all, if you’re not wealthy and you need housing more than green grass, why wouldn’t you use literally every last square millimeter of property for housing?
Indonesian breakfast
Here’s what to expect from an Indonesian breakfast. Well, a nice one anyway. Upper left is a hearty soup called Soto–a turmeric-yellow soup with a strong lime and lemon grass flavor that can contain various meats like chicken (usually with hard-boiled egg), beef, tripe, etc.; vegetables such as cabbage and bean sprouts; and often vermicelli. On the plate is spicy fried rice, fried chicken, rice noodles, and a corn fritter. Rice is a staple for all 3 daily meals, so it’s not unusual to see food that westerners would consider heavy for breakfast. At nice hotels you can also expect a continental breakfast, which was what Denise usually had–couldn’t get past the idea of rice and accompanying dishes for breakfast. Can’t remember exactly, but I believe they had a good selection of breads, spreads, and juices, as well as an omelette station.
Rockin' the Tinkerbell shades
The Hyatt Regency/Hotel Bumi Surabaya was quite nice, and reasonably priced as I understand it considering how nice it was. The carpet might have been a bit old, but other than that I didn’t find much wrong with it. Rooms were pleasantly clean, service was good as was the food–overall an enjoyable stay. Considering that we did no research on hotels in Surabaya (I thought we were staying with a relative), it was great to be able to stay at a good one. If we find ourselves staying overnight in Surabaya again, it’ll definitely be on the list of options again.
Hyatt Regency Surabaya/Hotel Bumi Surabaya
Jl. Jend. Basuki Rakhmat 106 – 128
Surabaya, Indonesia 60271
Phone: +62 31 531 1234
Fax: +62 31 532 1508
Email: info@bumisurabaya.com
Reservation: reservation@bumisurabaya.com