Travel Guide Île De Madura

Located opposite Surabaya, Madura Island is 160 km long and 40 km wide. Visitors to Indonesia are often unaware of this island's existence, as it lies off the beaten tourist track. It is separated from Java by a small strait that can be crossed by ferry in less than half an hour. With a population of 4 million, this Muslim island did not welcome tourists until a few years ago, but is now booming.Madura has not been spared by history: the Cakraningrat dynasty was in perpetual conflict with the kingdom of Mataram on the main island of Java (King Raden Trunojoyo even stole the royal treasure of Mataram in 1677), before the Dutch arrived in the early 18th century. In 1743, King Pakubuwono II recognized Dutch sovereignty over the island. The Japanese were not so kind during the Second World War.With a few white sandy beaches (the most beautiful of which is Lombang, to the east) and a dry, desolate landscape, the island is flat and rocky, and is only suitable for growing tobacco. Cows and goats are also raised. The road to the north is very beautiful. For some, it evokes the Adriatic Sea and its small azure coves. You'll pass through many fishing villages where you can admire parahu, a type of local outrigger canoe. Near Arosbaya, you can visit the royal tomb of Ratu Ibu and the Cakraningrat, the royal dynasty that dominated the island before the arrival of the Dutch; 4 km north of Sumenep towards Manding and Dasok, you'll discover the tombs of Asta Tinggi.The road to the south is just as beautiful. 9 km after Sampang, you can relax on Camplong beach, fringed with coconut palms. However, factories spoil the bathing pleasure. We reach Sumenep, the island's main town, with its palace and small, motley museum. Everything can be visited on foot. 30 km to the east (allow 1 hour by bemo), Pantai Lombang is the island's most beautiful beach. Surrounded by pine trees, it is enchantingly calm.The Sumenep Kraton (palace) is open every day except Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission costs 8,000 Rp. Built in 1762, it now houses the Bupati (prefect) of Sumenep. Here you can admire imposing original teak pillars, Chinese porcelain, wooden handicrafts and palanquins.As for the town of Bangkalan, it is frequently chosen as the starting point for a visit to Madura. The Bukit Jaddih salt mine is a 20-minute drive from the center. The town of Pakesan is home to the Arek Lancor monument, the island's emblem.