Travelistar: Arosbaya Stone Gardens

Arosbaya Stone Garden

Bad Stereotyping

Madura Island has long forgotten by travelers. They thought that it has no interesting place worthy of visit. It is just a dry and hot island with no tourism potential, says others. A long history of Madurese bad stereotyping has just made it worst. Some people are thinking that all Madurese are savage people with no honor. Well, this is wrong. I have met many Madurese whom living on the Island, I found them very friendly and eager to help.

The Suramadu Bridge has made easy traveling to Madura Island these days. Since its opening in 2009, Suramadu opened the possibility of Island developing both the society and their economic condition. We can take either public transport or private vehicle for exploring the Island. If Sumenep is too far to explore, you can start exploring Bangkalan, the nearest regency to Surabaya City. One destination you should not miss, The Arosbaya Stone Gardens.

The Stone Garden 1

Arosbaya Stone Garden is the a proper name given to an old limestone hills mining located in Arosbaya District, Bangkalan Regency, Madura. Only two hours ride from Surabaya. Follow the direction to Arosbaya when you reach Bangkalan, once you see the first traffic light on the north road, make a right turn. Continue your drive until you find the famous Aermata Mausoleum, on the right corner near the Mausoleum you will find small road going right. Follow the road, it will lead you directly to the first Arosbaya Stone Garden or we use to call it Bukit Kapur 1 Arosbaya. Indeed, we can find another one just 500 meters back on different path.

Entering the Stone Garden Area is like coming to a different world. Everything looks yellow and light brown with green topping, it is how it looks when the sun light hit the area. It was initially a limestone hill, until the surrounding people start to dig an exploit the hills to take the white stone for the building material. As the result, they created magnificent shape from the remaining hills. Pillars and tunnels or even caves in some part of the Stone Garden can be found. As it was long abandoned, the nature started to reclaim the area. Plants grow on whatever places it can grow, adding the beauty of the Stone Garden. As if the nature created it.

Some point, remind us of the inner side of the Giza Pyramid in Egypt. As if we are exploring the Pyramid itself. When no other visitors around, for sure you'll feel the creep out of the place. Its silence, dark tunnels, and the vines makes you feel like you are in the movie "The Ruins", or maybe Indiana Jones all over again. Just make sure you're not exploring alone, you might get lost and never comeback. Well, I don't think so.

Artificial Pond

The Gate

Tunnels at Stone Garden 1

Inner Pathway

Stone Garden 2

Going to the second Stone Garden is even more creepy. But, it is the feeling that will make you want to come again. The old abandoned limestone mine creates huge cave, like the big cathedral. It is so big that it has its own hall with around ten meters high or more ceiling. Decorated with huge pillars in some points.

Some part of this man-made cave is filled by water. It adds the creepy sensation while you are in the cave. One good thing is that the heavenly light coming from the ceiling hole right in the middle of the cathedral. As you go deeper in the cave, the surrounding will get darker. Some places are really dark, you can never find what is there without light on your hand. A more area filled with water are found. Though it looks shallow, I'm sure that you don't wanna go into the water.

I found a very nice spot deep in the cave. Where the light could come in, on a big rocks with green bushes on it. Underneath the rocks is a shallow water. I thought I found a piece of paradise here. This is the most beautiful scene I have ever encountered in the cave. Though the surrounding is creepier than the horror movies.

On the corner of this piece of paradise, we can find a path that connects to the other big hall. Some part is an open area with sun light. The rest is a huge circular cave, only this time everything is clear to see. The vines on the walls and some other plants that grow randomly, have constructed an artificial Eden. A breathtaking view that make me forget the creep earlier.

Arosbaya Stone Garden 1 and 2 or they call it Bukit Kapur 1 dan 2, are a must visit destinations when you explore Madura Island. Do not forget to stop by at the Bebek Sinjay for the delicious fried duck with Sambal dipping on your way home. It will make your visit even more memorable.