Blitar - Kota Putra Sang Fajar

Since elementary school, what I know about Blitar is only limited as the city where Soekarno, the first president of Indonesia, was born.
My father-in-law is from Blitar. So, like other Indonesian, I know that I have some obligation to visit Blitar for ziarah and visiting relatives.

As usual, before the trip I did some research for potential place to be visited.
This is very important since we were travelling with baby O (she's nearly 11 months old) and my parents-in-law.
My very short list consists of:
- Tugu Sri Lestari Hotel
- Kampung Coklat

That's all. I was very interested with Rambut Monte temple and Pantai Tambakrejo, but realizing that we have to travel in a very limited time, I thought that I had to keep everything as simple as possible to evade dissapointment. If we could visit other places, it would be as a nice bonus.

We departed from Singosari at Monday morning. My father-in-law suggested us to take the alternative road since it was still in the morning and the weather seemed nice.
If the weather is nice and you are not in a rush, the view is very beautiful to be enjoyed.
But if the weather isn't nice, I don't suggest you to take this road, since landslide could happen there.
The alternative road is via Batu-Pujon-Coban Rondo-Bendungan Selorejo-Krissik-Tulungredjo.

While in the journey, we passed Rambut Monte (!), but we couldn't stop there since it was raining.

It is approximately 40 km to Blitar.

Our first stop in Blitar is Warung Ayam Bakar Bu Mamik. 

It was under renovation, but they were still open.

You could order ayam bakar (grilled chicken), gurami bakar (grilled fish), etc.

The price is in the middle range for Jakarta's people. (we spent 175k IDR for 4 adults)

The second stop is of course Hotel Tugu Sri Lestari. For Hotel Tugu, I'll write in another post separately.

In the front fo Hotel Tugu Sri Lestari

Once in Blitar, you could see two common attributes used for decoration.

• Merah-Putih (Red-White)
• Blitar is known as the city where PETA (Pembela Tanah Air) under Soepriyadi's command did their first rebellion against Japanese on 14 February 1945. This rebellion inspired the other PETA's rebellion in other region. During this action, the Merah-Putih flag was raised for the first time in Indonesia. More detailed information could be found in this link (source: wisatadanbudaya.blogspot.com , in Bahasa)

Soepriyadi's statue in the frontyard of Pendapa Rangga Hadinegara (north side of Alun-alun)

• Ikan Koi
• Koi fish breeding is common to be found in Blitar, that's why Blitar is also known as The City of Koi. Koi fish is also the symbol of the ability to attain the highest goal.

Koi in Alun-Alun as Beringin tree pedestal

Koi as a decoration element at Blitar's pedestrian

Inside the city, Blitar's alun-alun is well maintained.

Around the grass area, the government provide fitness and gym facilities.

Fitness and gym facilities around the alun-alun

Playing football in the alun-alun

The area and the surrounding is very clean.

Jalan Merdeka area in the morning

If you like old styles bread, you could buy bread at Perusahan Roti Orion (Jl. Merdeka no 113). It is famous for its Roti Semir.

Orion

Roti Semir

After the morning breakfast, me and my family went to:

• Museum dan Perpustakaan Bung Karno (Museum and Library of Bung Karno): this is actually a complex area consisting of a museum, library and the Bung Karno and his parents's tomb. The area itself is well maintained, but sadly some "pedagang asongan" is sitting around. 

Bung Karno's Statue in the middle of alley

The way along to the tomb

Tombs area

• Tips: 
• there is no entrance fee, but if you signed the attendance list, the guarding will tell you to donate some money (the amount is up to you, it will be used for maintenance).
• If you don't want to "nyekar" (honoring Bung Karno and his parents), you don't need to buy flower. Flower's seller could be a little bit pushy in the surrounding area.
• parking fee (not official): 10000 IDR/car

• Candi Penataran

• located in countryside of Penataran, District Ngelegok, Sub Province Blitar, complex of Candi Penataran is first reported in History Java by Raffles. It is mentioned that in the year 1815 Dr Horsfield find a Hindu temple ruins in Penataran. From the remaining structure and artefact found in the temple area, it is found that the building development happen in several steps during a long period. The estimation is that the it was built during the 12th century until 15th century (since the Kediri's era, followed by the Singasari's era and finished in Majapahit's era). According to Prasasti Palah, this temple is used as ritual sites. Raja Srengga (one of Kediri's king) often did his ritual here. Candi Penataran (Palah) is also mentioned in Negarakertagama as Dharma Ipas (a site for Rsi Satwa-Sugata, built as holy ritual site).  

  

  Candi Penataran panoramic view from the main temple

  Tips: 
• Bring an umbrella! The sun is very bright and since there is no tree,you can feel the sun on the top on your head. Umbrella rental is available there, but I don't know exactly how much is the fee.
• The official entrance fee is 5000 IDR/car (the officer will ask you whether you are just passing through or going to Candi Penataran, so the fee will depend on the your honesty)
• Like in Museum and Perpustakaan Bung Karno, if you sign the attendance list, you will be asked to donate some money. The amount is up to you, and it will be used for maintenance. 

• Kampung Coklat: 



In the entrance area, you could see bag containing fermented cacao

• This is an educational recreation sites. The owner is the leader of Paguyuban Santoso (that's why their chocolate product's name is GusSant, an acronym from Paguyuban Santoso). Paguyuban Santoso is a fair trade organization for cacao plantation across Blitar area. This organization buy fermented cacao from the local farmers around Blitar. From my father-in-law's friend (he is a cacao farmer), we got information that this organization are willing to buy 1000-2000 IDR higher than the local average price. Of course, they follow the SNI (Standar Nasional Indonesia) for the acceptance. The standard of cacao grading mention about the humidity (max 8%), fungi (max 5%), number of cacao per 100 gr (110 cacao seeds/100 gr or minimal grade B), others material (max 4%). Kampung Coklat was built to promote knowledge about cacao plantation. In the area, you could see how to produce chocolate and of course you could also buy their product. Unfortunately, I couldn't meet the owner since he was out on business trip.

Cacao's nursery

Drying fermented Cacao

• If you are a dark chocolate's lover (like me), you could try dark chocolate ranging from 67%, 80%, 90%, even 100%. Milk chocolate is also available, but it's a little bit too sweet for me. When I paid, I was surprised that the cashier ask me if I'd already tried their sample since it is not common for local people to buy the 100% variant. 



Blitar's Chocolate Products: GuSant, LaChoco, Gloria, Pinonika, and fresh cacao from the plant



• Tips: 
• If you are interesting in cacao production, this place offers training. For further information please contact: 
• Entrance fee: 5000 IDR/person

For culinary info, you could refer to this post.

Other than those places, I also want to share you something for thought.

I haven't explained why Blitar is also known as Kota Putra Sang Fajar.
For Indonesian, Blitar is known as the city where Soekarno was born.
Based on a Javanese belief, a person who was born during the sunrise has a predefined future. Since Soekarno was born during sunrise in the beginning of a new century (he was born on 1901), people said that he was born as a people who will bring change.

Anywhere you go around Blitar, you could easily find the spirit of "Merah Putih". The spirit of Merah Putih in my own term is the spirit to fight for a better life, not only for your own, but maybe also for the people around you.

In Jakarta, I often see beggar in the street. Sometimes, they are still young, but they only want to beg for your money.
Looking at these old lady in Blitar makes me feel ashamed. She is definitely not young, but she is still willing to work.

Old lady in Jl Soekarno

The owner at Paguyuban Santoso is another example of a people who want to give something meaningful for his surrounding. I know how hard life could be for a farmer if there isn't any fair trade organization that support them. For cacao, there is another problem. Sometimes the farmer aren't well educated, so they didn't process their cacao well. The price is not good since it can't achieve certain grade.
They will have to sell their cacao with under market price via the "tengkulak". The tengkulak will enjoy the benefit, while the farmer has to work hard without any benefit. That's a well known story of farmer's life in Indonesia. A sad story but that's a fact.
Paguyuban Santoso is willing to buy cacao with higher price, but the farmer has to learn how to process the cacao to achieve certain grade (minimum grade B). I think that's something good, you encourage people to growing together.

Last, I want to share this picture.
My husband standing with my daughter at Taman Makam Pahlawan (Heroes Cemetery) Blitar. (His grandfather was buried there).

Life is so short. 

But it doesn't mean that you just let it slip away.

Your path is still a long journey for you my daughter.

Just don't forget that it will have to end someday, like the people lying here.

Remember the fallen, pray for them.

Taman Makam Pahlawan Blitar graveyard area

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