Right after the Reog Ponorogo performances at Balai Pemuda, we then moved to Masjid Cheng Ho. At that point of time, we’re lucky enough to witness a wedding solemnization in between local muslim and a Chinese converted. On overall, it can be considered as a very small mosque. I’m totally not sure on the total amount of ‘jemaah’ that can fit it. Basically, the design of the mosque was influenced with a Chinese Architecture. At one glance, it really looks like a Chinese Temple.
Our next destination is definitely the ‘Makam Sunan Ampel’. ‘Sunan Ampel’ (also known as Raden Rakhmat) was one of the Wali Songo, who spread Islam in the Land of Java. He can be considered as the focal point of Wali Songo because several of them were descended from him and studied with him before. It’s prohibited to snap a photo of the grave. If you ever tried to snap a photo, a security guards or local peoples will warned you out. So, just be careful since the whole area of the grave are packed with locals.
Oh ya, i almost forgot. We did meet up with one of the local, Pak Mustajab who gave us a long explanation of the history of Wali Songo. I considered him to be at the age of early 80’s and he talked fluent English! I’m impressed. He told us this is one of the things that he inherit from the Dutch Colonial period.
The pathway to the ‘Makam Sunan Ampel’
The water pot. This is only used for drinks and not for other purposes. Some might misused it!
The mosque. I got impressed with the whole structure and the architecture of the building. I took my sweet times to look around. Oh my!
Just next to the main mosque, you’ll see a whole street of market. They called it as ‘Pasar Ampel’ or Arab Market and it’s really a big one! You can really find good stuffs here especially Arabian carpet! Besides, i could see dates, prayer mats, telekung, tasbih and others. Just name it and you’ll get it here!
And at one of the corner, you’ll came across the ‘Makam Mbah Soleh’. Don’t be suprised when you see 9 numbers of graves which belong to the same person! Mbah Soleh was believed to be one of Sunan Ampel student and the cleaner or caretaker of the Sunan Ampel Mosque. Throughout all the articles by local, i found out the same stories as following:
Mbah Sholeh, said a history, is a loyal follower of Sunan Ampel, who during his life diligently to help build and clean the mosque. One time, Sunan Ampel involuntarily sighed, “Ah, if Mbah Sholeh still alive, of course yard mosque is not dirty like this.” Immediately, Mbah Soleh who have died, suddenly appeared and immediately help Sunan Ampel clean the mosque. Miracles were repeated up to nine times, until his death in 1478 of Sunan Ampel in Ampel. Mbah Sholeh ever died later buried in the tomb complex north of the old Ampel Mosque. Here, we could see nine tombstones lined up neatly, as a sign of Mbah Sholeh ever lived and died nine times. On the west side of the mosque, there are grave Mbah Sonhaji or also known as Mbah Bolong.
Source: http://syafisykes.blogspot.com/2011/04/history-of-ampel-mosque-mbah-bolong-and.html
The graves of National Warrior and others
Our next destination is definitely the House of Sampoerna. The most awaited destination of all. Definitely not into tobacco! Bau pun sebenarnya tak boleh since hubby don’t smoke. Even my brother as well. But the most attracted me is definitely the whole processes of the traditional ‘kretek’ cigarettes. I know i shouldn’t do this, but i really need to capture it! Once in a lifetime. Furthermore, i don’t have any intention of studying the whole processes of the cigarettes making pun. Sorry Sampoerna!
Check out the number of staff there. You’ll be impressed on their working speed as well. Like seriously! Laju gile! Couldn’t explained it here.
The mould used for printing purposes.
This was spotted inside the toilet. Unique! The wallpaper was made from the original packaging of the cigarettes.
They have a very nice photos collection here. Cantik sangat! I got stucked here staring at every each of the photos. Nostalgic sangat.
The original logo since 1913.
A slight info of Sampoerna is that they are the largest Indonesia tobacco company ahead of Gudang Garam and Djarum. It’s already a public company owned by Phillip Moris International way back in 2005 when Putera Sampoerna sold his family shares and led another company with his son Michael Sampoerna.
The main building.
The house which is next to the main building. It was believe that the owner really wanted that the house to be built next to the factory so that the whole family members could take charge of looking after the business. This is no longer the official residential to the owner send the company has been sell of to another company.
Masjid Nasional Al Akbar (Masjid Agung Surabaya) completed way back in 2000 and it was the 2nd largest mosque in Indonesia. One of the unique characteristics of this mosque is that it was equipped with a 99 metres of tower and view tower can be assessed by the visitor at the height of 68 metres from ground level which could accommodate 30 persons at one time.
The view of the tower.It produced such green effects due to the window tinted.
The building.
The single door leaf was totally heavy which is 250kg and it was made from solid wood of ‘Jati’. Therefore, special hinges was designed and custom-made due to the heavy weight. There’re only 45 number of door (which is 90 numbers of door leaf in total).
Finally, the Suroboyo monument. This monument is exactly in front of Surabaya Zoo it is really an iconic symbol where it was believe that Surabaya name was derived from the words of ‘Suro’ (shark) and ‘Boyo’ (crocodile) in a battleship.
In overall, i really miss Bromo a lots! Bromo was totally amazing!
Simply me,
Zara AB
The Province of Chroma
ZaraAB Travel 