SURABAYA I N D ON E S I A

SURABAYA

JAVA & PULAU MADURA CONNECTION

SURAMADU BRIDGE

I N D ON E S I A

Surabaya, second after Jakarta biggest city in Indonesia, is industrial and a busy port. But there are remnants of Dutch history and architecture, especially in the old town which blends in with a modern city. The new addition is a bridge connecting Surabaya and East Java to the island of Madura, Suramadu Bridge.

Sailing under any bridge always makes one wonder, till the last minute, will we

clear and fit under. Well, we did fit, with a few meter clearance but rough seas left us with nowhere to go before nightfall, so we have returned to an anchorage and sailed under the bridge yet again, just on sunset.

We slept “under the bridge” and were rewarded with a great view of full moon rising. Third time lucky, we sailed under the bridge yet again just before sunrise with the bridge lighted and moon setting. This route, a short-cut on a passage to Bali, is shorter by some 80 nautical miles.

Instead of sailing along the northern coast of Madura, one can get a glimpse of East Java, peaks of volcanos showing through the haze of smoke so typical to this part of the world.

Sailing under the bridge is a pioneer achievement, leaving Surabaya with its many monuments and specific charm, sad but arriving at a new destination joy.