Indonesia (Post Covid-19 Overseas Visit No 4 - My 16 days in Surabaya, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Malang, Batu & Probolinggo May 13-28 2023) Day 12 >14 May 24 > 26 2023 Probolinggo, Java

Day 12 > 14 Wednesday May 24 >26 2023 (112km, Malang > Probolinggo) - the No 6th city I visited for this Java trip & the last city of visit before returning to Surabaya to catch a flight back to Kuala Lumpur !  

Malang > Probolinggo, Java (112km)

Probolinggo, Java - located on the north coast of East Java & is a popular destination, famous for being the main access point for Mt Bromo. A short tour starting in the early morning (03.00) from Kota Probolinggo by jeep to Mt Bromo to watch sunrise costs around 400,000Rp to 550,000Rp (Rm123 to Rm170) quoted by local hotels & freelance travel agents ! Both of us decided to give this Mt Bromo visit a miss & conserve our energy to explore the various touristy places in Kota Probolinggo ! 

1) Malang Train Station, Java - train ride from Malang > Probolinggo, Java (16.30 > 19.00), economy ticket 58,000Rp (Rm18), airconditioned, non reclining seats. 

2) Probolinggo Train Station, Kota Probolinggo, Java

3) Hotel accommodation: iLomba, Probolinggo, Java - my 2 nights stay, room tariff 270,000Rp (Rm84, superior twin sharing); 15 minutes walk from Probolinggo train station. 

4) Dinner in Bakso Ikan Bang Ipul, Probolinggo, Java - each of us savoured a plate of Siomay Bakso Tahu Ikan (fish) 12,000Rp (Rm3.70) - very delicious & filling ! 

Bakso Ikan (Fish) - 12,000Rp (Rm3.70)

5) Night visit - walkabout in Central Park & City Square, Kota Probolinggo, Java (20.30 > 21.30) & the surrounding - opposite the Probolinggo Train Station & a nearby food court. 

6) Bought 3 pieces (1,000Rp = Rm0.30 each) of mini donuts from a roadside stall, downtown Probolinggo - cheap & tasty snack as my supper ! 

Day 13 - Thursday May 25 2023 (Kota Probolinngo)

1) Morning walk in downtown Kota Probolinggo, Java - free & easy using our GPS to identify iconic & touristy places for our day visit in this quaint town, 314km from the Bali Island ! 

2) Tourism Information Centre, Central Park, Kota Probolinggo, Java - closed at the time of our visit ! 

3) Walkabout in Central Park & City Square by Day, Kota Probolinggo, Java - getting a feel of this coastal town in northeast of Java ! 

4) Food Court, Central Park, Kota Probolinggo, Java

5) Masjid Agung Raudlatul Jannah, Kota Probolinggo, Java

6) Gereja Merah (Red Church), Jl Suroyo, Kota Probolinggo - this unique red church has a Bible dating back to the 16th century ! 

7) Gedung Gereja Kristus Tuhan Probolinggo, Kota Probolinggo, Java

8) Probolinggo Museum, Kota Probolinggo - free entry, exhibits various modes of transport used in the past ie cikar, bicycles, locomotives & aircraft as well as agricultural equipment & porcelain wares etc 

9) Bought a packet of fresh sliced pineapple (Nanas Madu) from a roadside stall on our way to Probolinggo Museum - juicy & tasty !

Nanas Madu (Sliced Fresh Pineapples)
10,000Rp (Rm3.30)

10) An early lunch (11.00) in a spicy noodle chain Gacoan Restaurant, Kota Probolinggo, Java after the Probolinggo Museum visit - I enjoy the Mie Gacoan very much, very appetising & "nicely" cooked, up to you to choose whether  you want a hot spicy or less spcicy style of Mie !  So try them if you ever see a Gagoan restaurant chain operating in any of the Indonesian cities !  

Mie Gacoan 11.000Rp (Rm3.40)

11) Tri Dharma Sumbernaga Chinese Temple, Kota Probolinggo - founded 140 years ago, rebuilt 4 years ago after a fire !  The new temple looks impressive & well looked after by a local attendant who can converse in simple English & have served the place for over 30 years ! Spent a bit of our time in this temple chatting with the attendant to understand the religious, culture & the life of the Chinese descendants living in a most populous Muslim-majority country in Asia ! A hidden "gem" in Probolinggo (no difference compared to Chinese temples found in my home country & nearby Asean countries), an ideal place for prayers especially for locals who worship & practise the Buddhist & Taoist faiths !

12) Destinasi Wisata Kum Kum, Probolinggo, Java - a recreation waterfront area, swimming & fishing etc  

13) Museum Dr Saleh, Kota Probolinggo, Java  - dedicated to the Probolinggo's favourite son, traces the life & times of Mohamad Saleh & the hospital he founded. 

14) Stray walking in Kota Probolinggo, Java

15) Sunset in Kota Probolinggo, Java - a long day for me & my travel buddy having visited some of the major touristy places in Probolinggo ! 

16) Dinner in a roadside food stall along a main road leading to my hotel - a satisfying meal for this evening !  

Fried fish + Vege + Tahu + Rice
30,000Rp (Rm9.25)