On 31 August 2023, our country celebrated its 66th National Day. This auspicious day also marked the 60th anniversary of Muzium Negara / National Museum since its establishment. The National Museum was officially declared opened by the Third Yang DiPertuan Agong, Tuanku Syed Putra Al-Haj Ibni Almarhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail (Raja of Perlis) in 1963.
The opening of Muzium Negara on 31 August 1963 / Photo source: National Museum’s 60th Anniversary Exhibition: A Retrospective.
The present Muzium Negara building was constructed on the site of the former Selangor Museum which stood from 1906 to 1945. On 10 March 1945, a part of the building was mistakenly bombed by the Allied Forces and many artefacts were moved to the Perak Museum in Taiping. After Malaya’s Independence, the idea of establishing a National Museum was mooted and plans to build one was announced in 1959. Ho Kok Hoe, an architect from Singapore was commissioned to design the building and in 1961, Tunku Abdul Rahman endorsed the architectural design.
The design is based on the architectural characteristics of the palaces of the Malay Kings and another unique feature is the two huge murals made of Venetian glass mosaic that cover the facade of the building. The murals highlight the history and craft of the country respectively and it was designed by Cheong Lai Tong. The mosaic tiles were donated by Lee Kong Chian (of Lee Rubber) and Tan Kah Hee (founder of Xiamen University, China). Also, the tiles in the main hall were contributed by the Government of Pakistan. Back then, the National Museum together with Parliament house, National Monument (Tugu Negara) and the Lake Gardens (Perdana Botanical Garden today), formed a large recreational space. And the National Museum was certified a National Heritage Building under the National Heritage Act 2005 on 11 August 2015.
Muzium Negara / Photo source : National Museum
In conjunction with the jubilee anniversary celebration, the Department of Museums Malaysia (Jabatan Muzium Malaysia / JMM), organized a host of activities for four days starting from 31 August to 3 September. It includes two major exhibitions, National Museum’s 60th Anniversary Exhibition : A Retrospective at the main hall and Malaysia My Motherland Exhibition at Galeri 2, both running from 31 August to 31 October. Besides exhibitions, other programmes were Echo : Poetry Night, Mini concert, Media & Strategic Partner Appreciation Ceremony, National Museum 60th Anniversary Run (Mini Marathon) and launching of the Time Capsule by the Minister of National Unity, Aaron Aro Dagang at the official opening ceremony held on 1 September.
Museum Volunteers (MV) which is a non-profit, non-political and non-religious group supported by the Department of Museums Malaysia and based at Muzium Negara, was invited to some of the events. The highlight was the giving away of graduation certificates by the Director General of the Department of Museums Malaysia to graduates from Batch 38 and 39 at the Media & Strategic Partner Appreciation Ceremony held on the evening of 1 September at the Mainstage (Pentas Utama). It was truly a memorable occasion for the fresh graduates as it was the first time that it was organized on such a grand scale. At the same function, JMM also awarded a certificate to senior MV member, V. Jegatheesan (fondly known as Jega) for his significant contributions to the group.
MV graduates and Jega with their certificates. Photo source: Courtesy of Lim Ee Lin
MV members also took part in the National Museum 60th Anniversary Run (Mini Marathon) that was held on 3 September 2023. The run was separated into two categories, namely the 5km Fun Run and the 10km Run.
A map of the 10km marathon route. Photo source: Eric Lim
The longer route covered the perimeter of Perdana Botanical Garden with a detour towards Masjid Negara (National Mosque), and a turnaround before heading back to the garden to the finishing line at Muzium Negara.
Enroute, we passed the following sites: Royal Lake Club Kuala Lumpur (Kelab Taman Perdana DiRaja Kuala Lumpur) It was founded on 16 August 1890, two years after the Lake Gardens was established. Initially set up for the British working in the country, it has since evolved to become a leading cosmopolitan social club. In 1985, the name changed to Royal Lake Club when it was bestowed the royal patronage by the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah of Selangor.
KL Bird Park The KL Bird Park is the world’s largest free flight walk-in aviary. It is home to more than 3,000 birds comprising over 200 different species. It was opened in 1991.
Tun Abdul Razak Memorial It was the official residence building of our second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, from 1962 until his passing in January 1976. It was then known as Sri Taman Building. The building was later turned into a museum and was officially opened to the public on 6 May 1982 to commemorate his service and contributions to the country.
National Planetarium (Planetarium Negara) It had its soft opening to the public in 1993 and was officially opened by the then Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on 7 February 1994. The National Planetarium is within walking distance from Muzium Negara, connected by an overhead pedestrian bridge.
I was initially undecided whether to go for the fun run or 10km but thanks to fellow MV Emna who coaxed me into taking the longer route. I managed to complete within the time limit but I must admit that I lost out to avid runner and Hong Kong actor, Chow Yun Fat who still continues his running regimen in spite of the injuries he suffered two months ago. Kudos to fellow MVs who completed the run, short or long. The run was a perfect wrap up for the Muzium Negara celebrations.
MVs with their finishing medals. Photo source: Courtesy of Kulwant Kaur
22 July 2023 (Saturday): Before long, I found myself in another M & M session. This time, it involved [M]eeting professional golfers (‘[M]eet the Pros’) and exploring a camera [M]useum – all within a single day, and they are both hobbies that bring me immense enjoyment!
Meet the Pros
I’ve been playing golf for nearly three decades now, and it seems I’m hooked for life. It is always exciting playing in different golf courses and with different people of different skill levels. Every single round of golf is different and we are always looking forward to hitting that one big shot, like what Harvey Penick who was an American professional golfer envisaged ‘your next shot is a new experience. It might be the best shot you ever hit in your life’. So when the opportunity came to ‘Meet the pros’, I had quickly signed up in the hope of getting some valuable tips to improve my golf game and to get closer to that ‘best shot I ever hit in my life’.
Photo source : MST Golf Group Berhad
The event was held at MST Golf Arena, an indoor golf centre located at Gardens Mall, in the heart of Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur. Three local professional golfers, namely Ervin Chang from Kajang, Selangor, Paul San from Sarawak and Shahriffuddin Ariffin from Malacca, made their appearance in person. All three of them are currently playing in the Toyota Tour circuit. The tour was founded by the late Tun Ahmad Sarji in 2010 and was known originally as the PGM Tour (Professional Golf of Malaysia Tour). This year with the inclusion of UMW Toyota Motor and MST Golf, together with Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM), the name changed to Toyota Tour. MST Golf has established its name in the golf retail industry locally as well as in Southeast Asia. With over 30 years of experience, it is now controlling more than 51% of the local golf equipment retail and distribution market in Malaysia. The company was incorporated on 13 November 1989 as Masinthai Marketing Sdn. Bhd. and later changed its name to MST Golf Sdn. Bhd. on 22 April 1992. 20 July 2023 marked a historic milestone for the company as it premiered as a publicly listed company on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. During the swing assessment session, fellow Kajang resident Ervin Chang gave me a valuable tip which I am now following through to achieve better swing consistency. Incidentally, three days after the meet up event, all three participated in the Supra Cup (one of the tournaments in the Toyota Tour programme) that was held at The Mines Resort & Golf Club, Seri Kembangan. Ervin Chang played well and finished tied for first place with Marcus Lim. Unfortunately, Ervin lost the play-off hole to Marcus.
Winners of the Supra Cup that was held at The Mines Resort & Golf Club. Photo source : Courtesy of Chew Fook Keong
Museum (Camera Museum)
My first job in Kuala Lumpur was with a local company dealing with the supply of photographic, laboratory and film products. The company, located at the corner of the Jalan Tun HS Lee-Jalan Sultan intersection, was the agent for some reputed brand names at that time, namely: Chinon (camera and lenses), Eiki (16mm film projector), Hanimex (camera and slide projector), Popular (flashlight), Polaroid (instant camera system and sunglasses), Mitsubishi (film and photographic printing paper), Sunpak (flashlight), Velbon (camera tripod stand) and Vivitar (zoom lenses). This was where I started my association with photography. After four years, I left and joined a private limited company in the sales and promotion of Pentax 35mm Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera.
Asahi Optical, the founding company of Pentax, introduced its first 35mm SLR in 1952. The model Asahiflex I, subsequently became the first 35mm SLR manufactured in Japan. And since that time on, it went on to win accolades in the global stage with a long list of the world firsts:
• 1954 – Quick return mirror mechanism (Asahiflex II) • 1960 – Quick return mirror mechanism received 2nd Science & Technology Agency Director’s Award (Pentax is the first in the camera industry to receive this award) • 1964 – Through-the-lens (TTL) metering system (Asahi Pentax SP) • 1966 – Camera manufacturer to produce one million SLR • 1971 – SLR camera with a TTL automatic exposure control (Pentax EX), and Super Multi Coated lenses (Takumar lens series) • 1976 – Smallest and lightest SLR camera (Pentax MX and ME) • 1979 – Incorporate the concept of push-button shutter speed control (Pentax ME Super) • 1981 – Camera manufacturer to reach the production milestone of 10 million SLR cameras • 1981 – SLR camera featuring TTL Autofocus (Pentax ME-F)
The company continued to win many more awards. On 31 March 2008, Pentax was defunct as it merged into Hoya Corporation and in 2011, Ricoh acquired all shares of Pentax Imaging Corporation from Hoya Corporation. On 1 August 2013, the company name was changed to Ricoh Imaging Company Limited.
Asahiflex II model / Photo source : Wikimedia Commons
When a friend sent an article from a local social news site that read ‘You probably didn’t know but there’s a Camera Museum in Bukit Bintang with free entry!’ I couldn’t resist but to plan a visit.
Nestled in busy Jalan Bukit Bintang, the Camera Museum lies within the Gold3 Boutique Hotel, located at the side of Fahrenheit 88 shopping centre (formerly known as KL Plaza). Once you enter the hotel, it is beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have reached the right place as cameras and accessories are decorated on the wall behind the reception counter. As a courtesy, inform the staff at the counter that you are there to visit the camera museum and you would be directed to take the lift to Level 2.
Cameras and accessories decorated on the wall. Photo source: Eric Lim
The setting of the camera museum is in the form of a retro camera shop-cum-photo studio. And interestingly, setting the scene at the right corner underneath the neon sign are some old props, namely a close-to-extinction payphone, a paint faded letterbox, an old barbershop pole lamp and an old bicycle. The bicycle is no ordinary bicycle, it is an American-made Schwinn Bicycle.
In 1895, Ignaz Schwinn and Adolph Frederick William Arnold, both German American, founded the Arnold, Schwinn & Company in Chicago and started building bicycles.It was during the time when bicycles were the craze in America. The company continued to strive even with the advent of automobiles at the start of the 20th century, survived the Great Depression period, competed with foreign-made bicycles like the English Racers / Roadsters from Great Britain and Germany and lightweight models from Japan and Taiwan. The company went into bankruptcy in 1992, and since then, Schwinn has been a sub-brand of Pacific Bicycle which was later acquired by Dutch conglomerate Pon Holdings.
The old bicycle on display is a Cruiser bicycle. The model was conceived by Frank W. Schwinn, son of Ignaz, after he came back from a field trip to Europe. It was designed to imitate a motorcycle and targeted the youth’s market. It was introduced to the market in 1933 as the Schwinn B-10E Motorbike. The following year, it was given an upgrade and was renamed Schwinn AeroCycle. The added features include balloon tires (2-2.5 inches / 51-64 mm wide, large-volume, low-pressure tire), streamlined fenders, imitation ‘gas tank’, chrome-plated and battery operated headlight and a push button bicycle bell. It became popular throughout the 1930’s to the 1950’s and popular with paperboys and bicycle couriers. It faded into oblivion when the English Racers / Roadsters were introduced to the American public.
Wall-sized display cabinets / Photo source : Eric Lim
The front section of the retro camera shop-cum-photo studio is guarded by wall-sized display cabinets that are filled with black and white photographs of old Kuala Lumpur (front, right) and vintage cameras, photographic accessories, old movie projectors and photographic film rolls (front, left and centre, right). I found several twin-lens reflex cameras on the shelf (Chinese-made Seagull and Yashica), big cameras with lenses mounted on extendable bellows, compact cameras and portable cassette players, radio, black and white portable television set and even an old typewriter. At the centre left section, located behind the cash register, is a showcase that is packed with a line-up of Polaroid vintage instant cameras like the popular SX-70 series (models like SX-70, nonfolding Presto and Pronto / year 1972 to 1978), 80 series (EE44, EE88 / year 1976 to 1977), 600 series (OneStep 600, Quick 610 / year 1983), Pocket camera (I Zone / year 1999) and Studio / Portrait camera (Minipotrait, Studio Express).
Showcase filled with Polaroid vintage instant cameras / Photo source : Eric Lim
The next section is where the memories of special occasions such as anniversaries, graduation, festivities are captured. The photo studio is fully equipped with a studio camera at the centre, lighting at strategic corners, backdrop and props. And the final piece to complete the jigsaw is the darkroom. It is stored with all the necessary chemicals, printing papers, trays, meter, weighing scale, water basin and dim lighting.
Studio and the darkroom / Photo source : Eric Lim
Whether you are a camera enthusiast or not, this camera museum is worth a visit. You are basically walking through the history of photographic cameras and accessories. It brings back sweet memories of the era before the digital age.
‘Life is like a camera, focus on what’s important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negatives. And if things don’t work out, take another shot’. – Zaid K. Abdelnour
That was the theme for my recent sojourn in neighbouring Indonesia. The trip was ‘three years in waiting’ due to the global pandemic of Covid 19. Join me on a journey to some of the popular tourist spots in the province of East Java.
Day One
Upon our arrival at the Juanda International Airport, named after the 11th and the last Prime Minister Djuanda Kartawidjaja, near the capital city of Surabaya, we were immediately transported to the Ijen District in the Bondowoso Regency, located at the eastern end of the province. It was a six-hour journey and by the time we arrived at the Arabica Home Stay Hotel, it was almost dinner time. You are right if you say the familiar Arabica name relates to coffee. Arabica coffee seedlings were first brought in by the Dutch in the late 17th century and by 1711, saw the first shipment of coffee fromJava to Europe and sold at high prices. Since then, coffee has been cultivated widely in Indonesia. The fertile soils, high altitude and the suitable climatic conditions have been the key factors in the cultivation of coffee in the Bondowoso Regency.
View of Mount Ijen (in the background) fromArabica Home Stay Hotel. Photo source: Eric Lim
Day Two
It was an early morning start for day two of the tour with the highlight of hiking up Mount Ijen, an active volcano within the Ijen Volcano Complex. The volcanic history in this area started about 300,000 years ago with a single large stratovolcano named Old Ijen (Gunung Purba Ijen / Ijen Purba). Then, about 50,000 years ago, after a series of enormous explosive eruptions, it produced a caldera ten miles wide and many small stratovolcanoes have formed within the caldera. Mount Ijen is one of the stratovolcanoes and it covers part of the eastern margins.
Mount Ijen is probably the only site in the world where one can see these unique features – the largest and most acidic crater lake in the world, home to the phenomenal Blue Fire / Flames and artisanal sulfur mining.
* The dimension of the crater lake is approximately 950 x 600 meters with a depth of 200 meters, and the altitude is about 2,386 meters / 7,828 feet above sea level. The crater lake is filled with turquoise-blue water which is caused by its extreme acidity and a high concentration of dissolved metal content. And the cause of its acidity is an inflow of hydrothermal waters charged with gases from a hot magma chamber below.
Mount Ijen crater lake. Photo source: Eric Lim
* The Blue Fire / Flames is the result of the reaction of the hot, flammable sulfurous gases emitted from the active solfatara meeting earth’s oxygen-rich atmosphere. Some of the gas condenses in the atmosphere to produce flows of molten sulfur that also burn with an electric blue flame. The flames can only be seen at night. Besides Mount Ijen, the only other sites where Blue Fire / Flames occur are at Dallol Mountain in Ethiopia and in Iceland.
* As the burning gases (Blue Fire / Flames) cool, it would turn into solidified sulfur slabs. In order to speed up the process, mining companies have installed ceramic pipes on active gas vents that condense it into liquid sulfur which then drips and solidifies on hard sulfur mats. Miners will use metal poles to break the solid sulfur and carry it down the mountain in reed baskets. Sulfur mining at Mount Ijen has been active since 1968 and it remains as the last and only artisanal sulfur mining in the world.
Sulfur slabs in reed basket. Photo source: Eric Lim
We started our ascent to the rim crater of Mount Ijen at Paltuding Post. Based on the information given by our local guide, the distance is about 3 km (one way) and we should reach the top within two hours on average. It’s uphill all the way but the track is well trodden and wide, with many rest stops in between and a canteen with toilet facilities at the third quarter stage of the climb. We were also informed that for those who do not want to ‘break a sweat’, taxi service is available to be hired. The so-called ‘taxi’ comes in the form of a trolley which allows the user to sit at the center with the feet up while three locals would drag it up to the summit. This service would certainly add more value to an already popular tourist destination – ‘now everyone can visit and reach the summit of Mount Ijen’. On our day of the visit, we only managed to see the crater lake and encounter some of the sulfur miners. Prior, we were told that the Blue Fire / Flames are out of bound due to increased hazard risk in the area.
Mount Ijen taxi service. Photo source: Eric Lim
On the way back, I discovered an abandoned building just before the canteen. On closer scrutiny, the semi-circular building is called Pondok Bunder (Bunder House) and was built during the colonial government of Dutch East Indies in 1920. Originally used as the basement camp for irrigation employees who managed Ijen dam. Later, it was used to measure rainfall around the area and in anticipation of any natural disaster that may occur.
The next stop was the Blawan Hot Springs Complex. It was just the perfect place to be, to soak our tired legs and for some relaxation. After about thirty minutes, we left the hot springs refreshed and full of energy. We left the hotel at about noon time and travelled west to the city of Malang where we had late lunch, and then to the mountain village of Cemoro Lawang. Our accommodation, Cemara Indah Hotel, is situated right at the edge of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park where Mount Bromo is located.
(In May, UNESCO announced the endorsement of Ijen as a new Global Geopark. Incidentally, in the same communique, Kinabalu in Sabah is also named as a new UNESCO Global Geopark. The Geopark includes Mount Kinabalu, Poring Hot Springs and the Ranau-Tambunan area.
Does our country have volcanoes? The answer is yes and the volcanoes are all located in Sabah. Four of them are within the Tawau Hills Park and according to Dr Seach, who is a scientist and volcano adventurer, Mount Bombalai at an elevation of 531 meters / 1,742 feet is the only active volcano in Malaysia. Still on volcano, at the time of writing, it was reported that a volcano at Reykjanes Peninsula, south of Iceland’s capital Rejkjavic, had erupted after hundreds of minor earthquakes were detected earlier. However, it did not pose any ‘immediate risks’ as the eruption took place in an uninhabited area.)
Pondok Bunder. Photo source: Eric Lim
At Blawan Hot Springs Complex Photo source: Eric Lim
Day Three
View of sunrise from the top of Mount Bromo. Photo source: Eric Lim
At the start of the hike to the top of Mount Bromo (in the background) and the concrete stairway on the steep slope. Photo source: Eric Lim
Again, we woke up at the crack of dawn and by the time we assembled at the front office, the 4×4 jeeps were all set and ready to go. Just like the previous Mount Ijen trip, we had to put on a few layers of clothes at the start of the day and then take it off piece by piece once the vigorous hiking set in and as the day progressed. So off we went to the foot of Mount Bromo which is just 2.5 km away from the hotel. It was still pitch dark when we got down from the jeep and with the help of our LED headlights, we soon made it to the last part of the hike, the steep 254 steps concrete stairway to the top of the crater. We were huffing and puffing by the time we had reached the top and the situation was made worse with the strong sulfur smell as the crater is now just below where we stood. We found a new spot along the narrow path and waited patiently to catch the very first glimpse of sunlight. We did not have to wait too long before daybreak and as i checked my watch, it was just 5.30 am local time (Indonesia is one hour behind Malaysian time). As we were making our way down, we saw a wave of tourists rushing towards us, many arriving on horsebacks. Just like us, they would have seen the sunrise (at other lookout points) and were now making their way up to Mount Bromo while we were heading the opposite direction, to the ‘sea of sand’, past the Luhur Poten Hindu temple and to our little picnic area at the far end, away from the crowd. After a short rest at our hotel, we made the return journey to Malang and before we checked in to the Ibis Styles Hotel, we visited an apple plantation at Batu, just outside of Malang.
At the Sea of Sand. Photo source: Tigaatappicture
* The area where Mount Bromo is located has experienced multiple episodes of volcanic activity over millions of years which resulted in the collapse of the summit area and forming a large caldera. Mount Bromo is situated within the Tengger Caldera which is a massive volcanic crater with a diameter measuring about 10 km (6.2 miles) and it has a small active crater with a diameter of approximately 800 meters (2,625 feet) and a depth of about 200 meters (656 feet). Standing at 2,329 meters (7,641 feet) tall, Mount Bromo has been active since at least the 18th century with the first recorded eruption that occurred in 1775. Eruption in 1822 resulted in ash emission and lava flows that reached the nearby sea. The period between 1915 and 1921 saw an increased volcanic activity that resulted in the formation of a new crater known as the ‘sea of sand’ crater which is a unique and prominent feature of Mount Bromo landscape. In the local language, it is called ‘lautan pasir’ and ‘pasir berpisik’. One of the most recent significant eruptions occurred in January of 2010 which resulted in the closure of the surrounding area to tourists. Today, monitoring and research efforts are in place to better understand the volcanic activity in the area and provide early warning systems to local communities.
Mount Bromo is considered a sacred site by the Tengger people, a Hindu ethnic minority living in the surrounding area. The Tengger claim to be descendants of the Majapahit Kingdom and they practice a unique blend of Hindu – Buddhist beliefs that incorporate elements of animism and ancestral worship. Mount Bromo is believed to be the site where the deity Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, sacrifices his son by throwing him to the crater as an offering. The annual Yadnya Kasada festival is held at the Luhur Poten Hindu Temple and Mount Bromo where the Tengger people make offerings of fruits, flowers, vegetables, livestock as well as money to appease the gods and seek blessings for the community.
At the Sea of Sand and Luhur Poten Hindu Temple. Photo source: Eric Lim
* East Java province is the largest apple growing area in Indonesia. Batu, together with neighbouring Pasuruan and Malang is collectively known as Indonesia’s ‘City of Apples’. Apple is said to have been brought into the country by the Dutch colonizers in the 1930’s and first planted in the Pasuruan regency. There are a few varieties of apples grown in the orchards like Anna, Rome Beauty and Manalagi (Indonesian for ‘where else’). On our visit, we were introduced to the latter which is rather small, green to yellow in colour, round and when we took a bite, it was slightly hard but crunchy. In recent years, the effects of climate change are taking a toll on apple growers and many are switching to other fruit crops like oranges.
Enjoying freshly plucked ‘Manalagi’ apple at the orchard. Photo source: Eric Lim
Day Four
Finally, we could put the morning rush of the last three days behind us and settle for a nice, cozy and satisfying morning breakfast at the hotel. Also, we would not be hiking up mountains anymore, instead we would be visiting the other main attractions in this part of the world i.e. waterfalls. And the waterfall we would be visiting is none other than Tumpak Sewu.
*Tumpak Sewu is regarded as the biggest and most beautiful in the whole of East Java. Tumpak Sewu is loosely translated to mean ‘a thousand waterfalls’ in the Javanese language. It is located in the Lumajang Regency and the nearest major city to the waterfalls is Malang which is about a two-hour drive. People from Malang called it Coban Sewu and I reckoned, Malaysians will call it Air Terjun Tumpak Sewu. The waterfall stands at a whopping 120 meters (390 feet) and Mount Semeru which is the highest mountain on the island of Java provides the best backdrop for Tumpak Sewu. There is another waterfall by the name of Goa Tetes which is closeby and usually visited in conjunction with Tumpak Sewu.
There are two ways to enjoy the magnificent view of this wonderful waterfall i.e. from the top and at the bottom. For the first view, all we needed to do was to walk past the entrance gate for about ten minutes and arrive at the observation deck. At the deck, we had a wide and unobstructed view of the massive waterfalls below. It was truly an unforgettable sight of the beauty of mother nature. Unfortunately, we were not able to see Mount Semeru due to the hazy background.
Panoramic view of the waterfall. Photo source: Eric Lim
To see the waterfall from below, it called for some adventure as we navigated through rushing waterfall streams, slippery rock surfaces, bamboo ladders, side ropes and chains to reach the waterfall’s ravine. There were several viewpoints from the bottom of the waterfall but we decided on one ‘sweet spot’ and walla!, the photos came out just the way we liked it.
View from the bottom of the waterfall. Photo source: Eric Lim
Getting up the boulder for the photo shoot took a while as it is constantly wet and slippery. And when the task was over, we moved to the other direction, to Goa Tetes which is another ten minutes hike from here. After another round of photo shoots, it was time to head back to the top and to our waiting van.
For those who are visiting and planning to go to the bottom of the waterfalls, here are some essentials needed for the trip – get the correct shoes like sandals with grip, aqua boots; wear waterproof or quick dry clothes; bring a dry bag, waterproof camera, plastic cover for your phones and towel.
Photoshoot at Goa Tetes. Photo source: Eric Lim
We had lunch at Desa Wisata Ampelgading where we were served local traditional foods and dishes. Desa Wisata Ampelgading is one of the participants of the Village Tourism programme that is initiated by the Ministry of Tourism and Creativity Economy. Upon our return to Surabaya, we managed to squeeze some time for some last minute shopping. Later, we had dinner at a Chinese restaurant which specializes in Hakka food.
Lunch at Desa Wisata Ampelgading. Photo source: Eric Lim
Day Five
We had made reservations to return in the afternoon so we still had the morning for one more sightseeing trip and we had chosen to visit The Mosque of Muhammad Cheng Hoo / Cheng Hoo Mosque. Just before reaching the mosque, we had a fleeting glance of the Submarine Monument-cum-Museum. The submarine was built by Russia in 1952 and it started service for the Indonesian Navy on 29 January 1962. The submarine was later converted into a museum and was officially opened to the public on 5 July 1998.
*The construction of The Mosque of Muhammad Cheng Hoo / Cheng Hoo Mosque began on 15 October 2001 and was opened to the public the following year. The design of the mosque took inspiration from the Niu Jie (Ox Street) Mosque in Beijing which was built in 996 AD. This mosque is a dedication to Admiral Cheng Hoo (Zheng Ho) who was a devout Muslim. The pagoda at the center of the main building is octagonal which represents Pat Kwa, symbolizing luck and prosperity in Chinese culture and for the Muslims, it symbolizes spider webs which played a role in Prophet Muhamad’s survival during a chase in a cave. The building measures 11 meters by 9 meters – eleven to echo the measurements of the Kaaba in Mecca and nine to symbolize the nine pious leaders who spread Islam in Java. The mosque can accommodate about 200 worshippers.
Cheng Hoo / Zheng Ho Mosque. Photo source: Eric Lim
Museum Volunteers, JMM 