The countries of Southeast Asia are currently experiencing increased interest from travelers. This is due to the outlandish nature, low cost of accommodation and services, excellent service and, undoubtedly, the hospitality of local residents. Take at least last minute deals to Indonesia, 2013 the year has already begun, and according to tour operators, 10-15% more Russians will visit the country, than last year.
At the same time, not only our compatriots are interested in inexpensive, but colorful rest. An increasing number of residents of Arab countries and citizens of Australia are sent to the Indonesian islands every year. As a result, perhaps, in the near future, this direction expects a quite justified increase in prices for vouchers. Of course, the republic is still far from Fiji, for example, but the trend is already, as they say, on the face.
So, the largest and most economically developed cities in the country are located on the island of Java. This is Jakarta, the state capital, and Surabaya, which heads the entire region of the eastern part of the island, on which it is located. Today, the population of Surabaya strives for 3.5 million inhabitants, most of whom are represented by the indigenous population professing Islam. There are also people from China who traditionally adhere to Buddhist teachings.
Despite the fact that the Christians living on the island are in the minority, there are Catholic and Protestant churches in Surabaya. The city mosque Masjid-al-Akbar-Surabaya is a majestic and impregnable building, its height exceeds 60 meters. Everyone who wants to look at the metropolis from a bird's-eye view is taken to the highest point of the mosque by a special elevator. Indonesians sincerely believe that Masjid al-Akbar Surabaya is the largest building of its kind in the entire southeastern region. However, this statement is debatable.
Needless to say, when visiting a mosque, as well as all Muslim buildings, one should adhere to well-known rules. First of all, clothes should be as closed as possible, a headdress is required for women. In many houses of worship in Surabaya, the entrance for the fairer sex is completely closed. The same cannot be said about Buddhist shrines, the inhabitants of which do not impose such strict requirements on tourists.
The historical part of the metropolis is represented by exquisite colonial-era mansions. A little further from these quarters, there are wide avenues, surrounded on both sides by a line of stately skyscrapers. This is the business center of the city, where life is in full swing, regardless of the time of day. The windows of high-rise buildings are illuminated all night long by the cold fire of fluorescent lamps, replaced by an impenetrable mirror of darkened glass by lunchtime.
The life of Surabaya after sunset is, frankly, not for everybody. Local entertainment venues are far from the already legendary dance floors of Amsterdam and even the scale of Moscow parties. But if the oriental flavor does not frighten you at all, then feel free to plunge into the motley and many-sided Surabai night. Since the climate in these parts is characterized by high humidity and scorching sun during the day, it is no wonder that the city market starts its work only after the dense, slightly shaded by the glow of twilight falls on the city.
Often in Surabaya, tourists spend only one day, going further to the main resorts of the region. Those who are attracted by excursion programs fly from the international airport of the metropolis, called Juanda, to inexpensive travel to Singapore , China or Thailand. The main aerial gates of the metropolis are located just twenty kilometers from Surabaya. Every day, the Juanda runways meet and see off thousands of travelers from all over the world.
