Pantai Lombang (Lombang Beach), Madura, East Java, Indonesia

Pantai Lombang (Lombang Beach) has beautiful soft white sand and clear shallow water. It’s located in the eastern of Madura island and about 1 hour drive from Pamekasan city (4 hours drive from Surabaya). You can fantasize this beach is yours, because it is quietly empty. What I am trying to say is that only few people came here. I think it is because Lombang beach hasn’t well-known yet, or might because I visited here not on holiday season (I still need more information about this).

You can do everything you want here. You can laugh.

You can ride a horse (it was only 10,000 rupiahs per 15 minutes! Compared to Nusa Dua Beach, it costs 100,000 rupiahs per 30 minutes!).

If you’re too afraid of riding horse by yourself, you can ask the man to guide you. :)

You can run, swim, playing sand.

Or you can fly.

You also possible to go mad.

You can climb the tree.

You can taste a natural coconut. It only costs 3,000 rupiahs.

Personally, Lombang Beach is the best place to spend our leisure time. The environment was very clean. Beautiful scenery would accompany your journey towards the Lombang beach and the people were very nice. But, I suggest you to leave before getting dark, because it would be hard to find restaurant when you hungry, or motor services in case you have problems with your vehicle, and considering the traffic to Surabaya. You have to aware of criminal issues in Madura as well. But, if you want to spend the night at Lombang beach, there were 2 or 3 traditional cottages nearby could be considered. :)

NLP

Karapan Sapi (Bull Race), Madura, East Java, Indonesia

Once a year in the middle of October, at the land named Madura, there is a famous traditional event called Karapan Sapi which means a Bull Race. This event has attracted many tourists either domestic or foreigner each year. Stadion R. Soenarto Hadiwidjojo Pamekasan, is where the race usually take place. It is about 2 to 3 hours drive from Surabaya (through Jembatan Suramadu). For your information, Stadion means Stadium and the race start at 9 in the morning.

Do not ever think that you can sit under the roof, because that kind of place is only for government/ embassy representatives and of course bull’s owner. You have to deal with the crowd who speak in traditional language. I think some of them could speak in Bahasa, however, their accent is little bit hard to understand (this is only my opinion :p). Lots of local society attended this event, surely they made a bet which bull would be the winner (President's Cup race). The bulls raced very fast! So, I don’t have many pictures to share.

Bull’s jockey was just a kid. He controlled bull’s move and speed. Well, actually I have no idea what exactly he has done to the bull. -_-"

The saddest thing of this race for me is watching (how to say this?) bull’s ass pain. The jockey hit bull’s ass with pecut to make it faster and faster. From bull race to bloody race.*Sigh

That’s all folks. I close this story with some tips, hope it might be useful:

1. Check the date and ticket price of the event by calling Kementerian Pariwisata, (I'm so sorry, I've lost the number);
2. Arrive at least 1 hour before the event start. Considering the traffic condition, because there would be lots of government/ embassy representative’s bus plus their security;
3. Things you should bring: umbrella, drinking water, snacks, camera, cash (not too much);
4. Things you should wear: sun block, hat, sun glasses;
5. Go to Pantai Lombang (Lombang Beach http://pratidinatri.blogspot.com/2011/10/pantai-lombang-lombang-beach-madura.html)  as soon as you’ve gotten bored with bull’s stuffs. :p

NLP