Indonesia
Kids Tourism in Surabaya
Baldy Ananta Putra only knew Tugu Pahlawan or Monument of Heroes from books. He knew about Suramadu Bridge that became one of the latest icons of the city. Baldy have also heard about the phenomenal Surabaya Zoo (KBS). But did Surabaya have no other sites than those, Superkids? Is there any other vacation place for kids that we can enjoy aside of the Monument of Heroes, Bonbin (locals name for KBS) and going through Suramadu? A lot. Here are some worth visit sites for vacation in Surabaya.
Ciputra Waterpark
Being claimed as the biggest water park in Indonesia, that place will make us want to stay a bit longer than planned. It’s located by the Ciputra University in Citraland area, West Surabaya. Oh, food and drink are not allowed here. If any get caught at the entrance, the lunchbox can be left at the officials there. The pass costs IRD 105 K during weekdays (01.00 PM -07.00 PM), and IRD 130 K during weekends (10.00 AM-07.00 PM), deposit money system. So if you like to buy something to eat, drink, souvenir or use the float, all you need to do is scratch it. Any money left in the card will be refunded when check out. Just what do they have there? A lot of exciting water toys and safe outbound arena. The design concept applies theme Sinbad Adventure, with various size giant pool for every age, from under five years old to adult. This place also has tsunami pool with wave that we get to sail with four man buoy. For information, call 031-7441155.
Surabaya Heritage Track Bus
Let’s have a city ride with mini tourism bus, Bus Surabaya Heritage Track (SHT). The only station is at House of Sampoerna (HoS), 6 Taman Sampoerna Street, near the ex prison Kalisosok. We will be taken on a ride to see the historic sites, with guide to assist. The guide is ready with brief description about the sites we visit. We will also have some time for a site lookout and taking pictures there. SHT bus fits only 22 passengers. It looks like an old monorail but equipped with AC and wide window with film glass. It’s free of charge, we can get the SHT ticket at HoS or by reservation ahead by calling ke 031-3539000 ext 41142. The tour itself only takes 1-2 hours. If we can earlier, we might get a chance to see the inside of HoS museum before leaving.
Floral Park or Seeding Garden
Want to play somewhere green and shady? Come to Taman Flora (Flora Park). There’s a lot of space with shady trees and flowers in every corner. Locals use to call Taman Flora as Kebon Bibit. It’s not far from Bratang Station and Ubaya Ngagel University. The garden is equipped with lots of games that take us to keep moving, climbing, swinging or running. There’s no such game that requires coin and the machine moves on its own. This place also has an adrenaline moving outbound arena. Still want more? We get to feed the deer that is kept here. Oh and you don’t have to pay to get in, it’s free.
Fantasy Kingdom
The dream indoor playground that has everything kids want. It’s located on the base floor of Ciputra World Surabaya (CWS), in Mayjen Sungkono Street. We get to jump around on a trampoline, bom-bom car race, sand pool, flying fox, gondola, wall climbing, ship game (on real water!), or even get to the ocean ‘floor’ using the submarine. For under five years kids, it has Castle Playground and Baby Playground, design specifically for them. the ticket is IDR 80 K (weekdays) and IDR 90 K (weekend).
Kampoeng Ilmu
This one is like the paradise for readers, Superkids. Kampoeng Ilmu on Semarang Street is the center of secondhand books. We can still find old books that we may can’t find on the market. For example, the first edition of The Famous Five and The Naughthiest Girl is a Monitor. There are also sellers by the street that seems like the spilled out of the market, so if we can’t find our book, one of those may still have it. Sometimes, not only secondhand books but also the new ones pop up here, line up neatly on the shelf. Just don’t buy any pirated ones, will you? The books here may be 70 percent lower and still open for bargain. Wow, with IDR 100 K, we get to come home with a pack of good books.
5D Movies
No need to go to Trans Studio to enjoy the sensation of 5D movies. In Surabaya, the cinema is located on the 3rd floor of Royal Plaza. The ticket is IDR 35 K for a full 10 minutes quality movie time. It’s a tiny cinema, fits only 10 people at one time. Just get ready to jump on your seat when get splashed with water, the breeze, rocking chair and soap bubble in front of us. There are six optional movies to enjoy.
The head of Indonesian Tourism Board (Depari), East Java, Yushak Anshori recommends us to make time to stop by to the Mangrove Wonorejo forest in Rungkut area and Jalesveva Jayamahe Monument in Koarmatim, Ujung. “It may nurturing the nationalism in you,” Yusak advices the Superkids Indonesia.
HAFIDA INDRAWATI
PHOTOS: CIPUTRA WATERPARK
