Jejen Rice is one of Madura’s servings that originates Pamekasan. This food is quite popular there. The one who has tasted it become addicted, and who hasn’t must be in curious. Whereas, from the way it served, Jejen Rice is pretty similar with Javanese mix rice. What makes it different, then?

Inside Jejen Rice, we see serundeng (relish of grated coconut and spices), egg opor (broth of coconut cream), jerked meat with crispy texture, the golden osik-osik meat, and sowing fried red onion. The egg for Jejen Rice is brown one, simply because Madura’s petis (common flavor in Indonesia made by fermented fish or shrimp) is brown, not black as usual petis.

Salty petis blended with other ingredients are typically Pamekasan’s culinary (this regency has been a petis producer centre). Meanwhile, it’s spicy as well! Due to the sauce which mixes of condiment, chili peppers, and petis.

Jejen Rice’s plate is always banana’s leaf since first time it created. So it’s different since the leaf itself brings the exceptional aroma. Making the food even more arousing.

Why we call it Jejen? This name was coming from the word “jajan” (eat snack). Yes, Jejen Rice used to be served for people who love to eat snacks. But in the subsequent development, this culinary has been served for the wedding or circumcision’s gratitude. [story and photo by Riano D. Permana]

Waiting. Is something I hate, for sky and earth’s sake! I don’t know what’s wrong with this girl. Every time she promised to meet, she has never been punctual. This attitude is very much like the classical Indonesians who never felt guilty when not being on time. What a shame. I really detest waiting. I need a fresh ai… oh, wait a minute! I am in Bungkul Park Surabaya. Fresh air is everywhere!

God, this garden has been tidied up. Before these days, what was The Bungkul Park? No more than an ugly garden where most people only passed by. But since 2007, Municipal Government has revitalized it into a stunning park with green things. It’s delicious to look at now.

The Bungkul Park itself has existed since a long time ago, far before Indonesian independent’s day. A landlord had been owned it. This one of Islamic figure in Surabaya’s name is Ki Supa, a.k.a. Sunan (some kind of religious title) Bungkul, a.k.a. Ki Ageng Bungkul. He was kris (Javanese armor) maker for Brawijaya King in Majapahit, a formerly Indonesian kingdom whose territory was even greater than Indonesia Republic today.

Bungkul was father-in-law of Sunan Ampel, one of Wali Songo (nine men who brought Islam to Java). Sunan Bungkul and his family were buried in east part of this park. So, beside we can take shelter and cheer up in Bungkul Park, we may also make a devotional visit here.

My friend, a captain of Indonesian Navy, once had invited me to go in. I said yes, and we were inside. Soon the “mystical” ambiance welcomed us. There were grave, each of them was surrounded by men reading a pocket prayer book. Perhaps they hoped by implore facing a sunan’s grave, their pray would granted more easily. Oh no, this is not Islam I know.

What made Bungkul Park sinking more is the appearance of vagabonds. In 1990s, “When night came, the condition was very deeply saddened. The beggars and homeless drifters were sleeping and eating randomly here, as Bungkul Park their private residence,” a Kedondong quarter citizen reminisced.

Auspiciously, he added, the situation has turned out currently. “The vile Bungkul Park has dressed up. I think the green area is less thick than before, but neater and more gorgeous. Well-organized too! You can see guidance boards on each path. There is also the path for the disables. And jogging track too.”

Not only that, I suppose. Everyone may use the altar in the center of the park to do physical (positive) activity, including mass aerobic. Hey, skate board and bike’s U field is there! Organize a public spectacle like indie music performance? You are welcome. Just get the permission first. This is common rule in everywhere on earth, I believe.

Or, you only feel like to relax yourself? Not a bad idea at all. If there is no public spectacle, Bungkul Park used to be peaceful and pleasant. Wawan, a worker from Malang, told that he loves to come to this Raya Darmo Street and Progo Street’s park, “I can’t smell the Surabaya’s typical pollution. I feel like back to my regency already.”

Wawan then also reminded me not to forget bring the laptop and enjoy the wi-fi access facility. When starvation attacks, walk a bit to the park back, and you will find a “food court” around. Life is beautiful, isn’t it?

Hundreds of people visit Bungkul Park, everyday. The skater boys, the students as an informal discussion group, the families who try to enjoy the fresh air from this city’s lungs … and of course, someone who’s waiting patiently like me.

Abruptly, my cell phone sounds. The one I am expecting for texts me, “I think im gonna B late.msh ngetik bntar.sowry” (I think I’m gonna be late. Still typing something else. Sorry.) I look the message’s time. It’s 09:23. That means she wrote this excuse message after 23 minutes to late. Great!

And guess what, she then comes after I’ve been waiting for more than an hour in boredom. (Sigh) Life is beautiful, isn’t it? [photos by Iksan]

When we walk along the side of this 2.5 hectares park, nothing is special. Thing eye-catch for me was only the tall trees view, such view that will connect us to something chilly and peace, even the park is in the middle of city’s traffic (and pollution!). The Flora Park is more than we thought at first glance.

Located on Manyar Street, the park is so wonderfully managed, it’s neat but leafy. According to Yudi Hardianto, UPTD (technical service unit) Flora Park Surabaya’s official, we can meet hundreds of plant in this garden. Some of them are rare, like Bisbull.

The park opens from 7 to 18 o’clock. Mostly, everyday it is crowded by Surabaya citizens itself. About 300 people continue in and out the park. When the week-end comes, the visitors even could reach 500 per day.

I tell you what I like from Bratang Flora Park. Go to the north side, there is a wide corral where 13 Bawean deer (Axis kuhli) live. Everybody may look and touch them, especially when they get close. But don’t feed them, because any food can make them sick, or worst: die.

Not far from the deer corral, you will see a big bird cage, with many kinds of bird inside.

A lot of student used to do outbond place here. Walk further to the park’s center, you will meet the 15 meters high of water gush. At each sides, there are sitting and reading place.

“On the whole, the visitors here are young people and family in small number,” Yudi said to me. “If you want to come collectively, to held an outbond for instance, please tell the UPTD Garden first on Menur Street. Don’t worry, it’s free.”

Walk through the south side of the park, we will see the leafy tall trees (still) and several play ground for children. That’s why this location is suitable with family concept. Have fun with your children.

What about the security? Yudi proudly told me that so far there is no report of any criminal act. “So you don’t feel anxiety here,” closed this tapering guy with smile. [photo by Iksan]

It seems like we have been planning this since centuries. Whirled by the works, we have decided to go to Probolinggo to chill out our heads with Pekalen’s pounding water. It’s a rafting, dude! My 13 friends and I went from Surabaya at 6 o’clock in the morning and reached up Probolinggo about four hours later. The receptionist in Songa Rafting’s basecamp then gave us a welcome smile.

We were split up in three groups, with one boat and two guides (as key controller of the boat) each. After a little bla-bla-bla, at 11 o’clock we went to rafting start location by Songa’s open tank Chevrolet Pickup. The tank had modified so it be a roofless cage. Cool! Unfortunately, due to 14 people there, we had to stand all trip long. Thank God it was only half an hour.

We stopped at T-intersection at a village I don’t know the name. Our car had no chance to through pass there, so we had to go on by walk. So after talked the talk, we had to walk the walk? No problemo. It’s been long time since I had not walked on pretty long distance. (Yeah, I kept on relieving myself with reasons). Fifteen minutes later, we arrived. I was really relieved for that moment.

I could hardly wait to get my feet on the water … but, damn! Pekalen’s water was muddy brown. Because of yesterday rain, I guessed. However, that pounding water was still tempting. I heard it says, “Come’ere, boy, got sumthin for ya!”

One of our guides gave us a short briefing; how to swim if we fall down to the water, how to lift up a buddy’s body to the boat, etc. And then we prayed together just before this crossing-the-cascades-activity has begun.

Finally, my boat got going, the two others behind. I have just known that every cascade had a name. First one is “Welcome Cascade”. I had thought it would be bloodcurdling. Moreover, the guide had told me that the water’s debit of Pekalen at the moment is higher than ordinary days. I was a bit worried.

But once we passed-through forth cascade, it became rock! We did not feel that we have been ridden on Pekalen for an hour already. It just rocks! So when the boat moved aside for repose, I was so disappointed. Happily, “We are half way yet,” my guide said.

In that repose post, they served us with jemblem (a snack made of cassava with palm sugar within), and natural coconut as beverage. We devoured them all in no time! Hehehe … Rowing is exhausting, you know it.

Fifteen minutes of repose was ended. The journey must be continued. Hey ho, let’s go!

For that time, three boats went at once. More fun, more laugh. We splash each other whenever our boats were close enough. Nah, that’s ridiculous. And childish. And, brrrr, that’s cold! But yet, that’s awesome. Until then, suddenly, we touched the finish line. Damn it.

The party was officially over.

At 14 o’clock, the group headed back to the hotel. Tomorrow, we would go to Bromo. God, I think I’m gonna rafting again sometime, somewhere.

For you who expect more challenge, I think raft on rivers whose higher difficulty level is a good idea. Or, raft in nighttime, where even with a flash and stick light you cannot anticipate any cascade. More adrenaline will be involved. Anyone? [story and photos by Boby Ferry]