EKPRAM

The West Gate Of Banyuwangi

For long time ago, If people heard about Banyuwangi City, they will mention about something mystical, such as santet, sorcery, witchery, myth, etc. But it was in the past. Now people more familiar with beautiful of  Banyuwangi City. Beach, Mountain, Dance, Music, Culture, Tradition, and more about something beautiful. Banyuwangi City has been transformed to be a modern city but still upholds the high-value of local culture.
 
Banyuwangi has three mountains including Raung, Ijen and Merapi. Two national Park including Meru Betiri and Alas Purwo and a lot of beautiful beach extend along Bali Strait and Indian Ocean such as Green Bay, Red Island, G-Land and many more. Banyuwangi was also the largest fish producer in Eastern Java and The Second Largest in the entire Indonesia.

About culture, Banyuwangi City also rich. Banyuwangi has a original Traditional Music such as Kendang Kempul and Kuntulan, Traditional Dance such as Gandrung, Seblang, Jaranan Buto. Traditional teater show such as Janger. The unique folk festival such as, Kebo-keboan, Endog-Endogan, Kuwung, Petik Laut, Mantu Kucing (Cats Marriage), etc. And Banyuwangi also has a original batik motive such as Gajah Oling, Kangkung Stingkes, Sembruk Cacing and Gedegan.

I'm very proud to be a resident of Banyuwangi. And I am grateful the local government more enterprising in developing and promoting the local potential. And I hope Banyuwangi will be more known and growing so it gives a good impact to society. And all residents of Banyuwangi can proudly say "Welcome To Banyuwangi"  

The West Gate Of Banyuwangi  For long time ago, If people heard about Banyuwangi City, they will mention about something mystical, such...

The first beach of Payangan Beach

The Payangan Beach located at Payangan Hamlet, Semberejo Village, Ambulu Village, Jember Regency, East Java, Indonesia. The Payangan Beach has four beach with black sand, three exotic hills and one island. Basically, Payangan Beach was a beach for fisherman but recently began frequented by tourist. So we can buy fresh fish directly from fishermen. But not only that, The Payangan Beach has beautiful spot to explore.

The rocky beach of Payangan Beach

When I reached the Payangan Beach, for first time I found the beautiful curve black sand with the hill in the left side. Because I arrived at noon, the beach feels hot, but the beautiful scenery make the weather issues not important. The second spot that I explored was the second beach behind the hill, the rocky beach. The rocky beach so exotic, I though this beach was good for photography object or selfie background. The rocky beach of Payangan Beach looks exotic because flanked by to hills.

Savanna of Payangan Beach

The next beach behind the second hill no less beautiful. I found savana stretches at the front of the black sand beach, shrubs and grass out spread decorated the beach, so beautiful. But the more interesting, I can climbed the hill and saw more beautiful scenery (all of the Payangan Beach parts) from the top of the hill. But I must step carefully, because no stair to climb the hill.

Climb the hill of Payangan Beach

From the top of the hill, I can saw the first beach with the black sand. I can saw the rocky beach with white foam because the outbreak of the waves. And also, I can saw the savanna and the next another beach. I though, I can saw Watu Ulo (Snake Stone) Beach from the top of the hill. Although, I can not linger on the top of the hill, because the rain is going down, but scenery that I captured was gave my best impression to the beach.  

View from the top of the hill (east view)

By the way, to reach the beach, we can start from Jember City and find road signs directions to Ambulu District. And follow the street until we find road signs directions to Watu Ulo. And then follow the street until the end of the road. And we will reach The Payangan Beach. Maybe needs almost an hour to reach this beach by the car or motorcycle. We just need pay the parking fees about 3500 rupiahs for motorbike and 5000 rupiahs (the fees and prices can change anytime).  

View from the top of the hill (west view)

That was my experience when I explored The Payangan Beach. Sometime, maybe I will back again to The Payangan Beach and I hope can make better coverage that I can share for you. And I also hope The Payangan Beach developing as a better tourist spot. If you visit Jember district do not forget to taking the time to explore the beach.

The first beach of Payangan Beach The Payangan Beach located at Payangan Hamlet, Semberejo Village, Ambulu Village, Jember Regency, Eas...

The first beach that you will be reach when visit Meru Betiri National Park is Sungapan Beach. You will find this beach if you plan to go to Green Bay. The beach is located in Sarongan Village (You will reach this beach before Rajegwesi beach). The Sungapan Beach also closer from the road, so we can look the beach without descending from vehicle. But you will lose if you do it. The Sangapan Beach is a beautiful beach with white sand (sometime looks more grey), long coastline, beautiful rock and beautiful wave. I recommend to explore this beach.

But, should be considered, swim is forbidden in this beach. Because the current of the beach is to strong and random. Sun, walk along the beach or rock and take some picture is better way to enjoy this beach. If you on the rock you will get more dramatic view of the beach. For selfie background you will not find difficulties to find a good spot. Sit down on the rock and feel the wind and water dew of waves splashes is awesome. If you feel to hot, you can relax in a lush that not to far from the road, take breakfast, lunch or anything make you comfortable.

Unfortunately, this beach not managed properly yet, so lack of facilities. Maybe because The Sungapan Beach located at The National Park and lack of facilities is way to keep the natural condition of the beach, I do not know for sure. To note, no foods and drinks vendor in location, you will need to bring food and drink from home or buy (in Sarongan Village or Sanggar District market) before you go to the beach. Remember, do not leave garbage in the beach.

The Sungapan Beach will add your tour experience list of beautiful beach around Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, Indonesia, such as Green Bay, G Land, Red Island, Blue Bay and many more. Or you can make tour in one or to day of Meru Betiri National Park and you will enjoy some beautiful beach at once. From Sungapan Beach, Rajegwesi Beach, Shore Stone, Green Bay and Sukomade Beach.

The first beach that you will be reach when visit Meru Betiri National Park is Sungapan Beach. You will find this beach if you plan to go...

The Official Calendar of Banyuwangi Festival 2017 has been launched by Banyuwangi Regency Government. I apologize, because a couple weeks ago, I posted The Unofficial Calendar of Banyuwangi Festival, and this post is correction of my older post about Banyuwangi Festival Calendar. And for more information and update about Banyuwangi Festival, Follow Official Banyuwangi Regency Government Twitter @banyuwangi_kab and Banyuwangi Festifal Twitter @banyuwangi_fest. Thank's 

The Official Calendar of Banyuwangi Festival 2017 has been launched by Banyuwangi Regency Government. I apologize, because a couple weeks...

I and my uncle went to Kandangan Village to visit our family. We must through Sungai Lembu Plantation to reach the village. In fact, the main road that divine plantation was good and easy to passed, but further distance. My family said there are shortcuts to reach the village by through footpath in the middle of plantation. Because of interested we followed the advice. And finally we lost, because many intersections in the plantation.

The initial intention to reach Kandangan Village faster fail, because we must find the right way. Several time take wrong turns, and asked people who happened to cross paths. Because we in the plantation, few people who can be found. Rather than worried, we decided to enjoy our lost like journey. Enjoy the scenery of the plantation, take picture while find the right direction, until finally, we reached Kandangan Village with different experience.
    

I and my uncle went to Kandangan Village to visit our family. We must through Sungai Lembu Plantation to reach the village. In fact, the m...

Since a long time ago, I always curious about a road that straight from Kalibaru Market. The road was not a main road, because the main road (the south lines road of Banyuwangi Regency or called Jember Main Street) was turn right. I want to know, where the direction of the road. I guessed the road direction was to Glenmore District but I never know exactly and how the state of the road. The road can be not paved or difficult to pass. Although, in the beginning the road looks great with smooth and flat asphalt surface.

Because of curious, I spent time to explore the road. I started from Kalibaru Market and straight split off from the main lines and down to the road which more narrow. The road extend beside the railway. The road splitting the township and rice field. A typical street in the slopes of mountain, up and down. Fortunately, the condition of the road was good. Not as I thought, residential population was dense, more than I expected.


Interestingly, the scenery along the road was beautiful, Raung Mountain view in the left side, hills and valley in the right side, really shooting eyes. Several times I encountered the rivers flowing clear water, gave me a fresh feeling. Every time I meet the river, I will see something interesting, railway bridge. There are 5 or more bridges that I passed (I was not sure, forgot to counting) that average old. When I meet the bridge, the road that I've been through was going down, thus displaying the bridge poles seems like towers.

Only takes 15-20 minutes to reach Glenmore City via this route (with bike). Would seems ever shorter because of the beautiful scenery. To remembered, the route was narrow and up and down, although the road condition was good, will be inconvenient if using a car to traverse this route. I only recommend bicycle or motorbike. For those who love cycling, I thought this was a perfect route to explore in weekend with family, friends or our community.

Since a long time ago, I always curious about a road that straight from Kalibaru Market. The road was not a main road, because the main r...

 All pictures taken at Green Bay, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, Indonesia in December 2014  

Pantai Batu : Stone Shore

If we mention about Green Bay of Banyuwangi, perhaps people will immediately say "Oh ya, I know...", but if we mention about Stone Shore, may be a different story. Yes, Stone Shore is not as popular as The Green Bay, although both of the beach are equally beautiful. But in fact, Stone Shore just as a Satellite Beach of Green Bay. This may occur because The Stone Shore is only regarded as a resting place for tourist who want to go to Green Day, and even then only choosing overland by foot. Some tourist who go to Green Bay with boat will be missed this beach.

Actually, Stone Shore large than Green Bay. The Stone Shore with the surface of the beach full of the stones of various sizes. Waves of the beach is relatively quite. Supposedly the story, long time ago, the beach was sandy, but after Tsunami in 1994, the beach turns into rocky. Nobody knows, where it comes from all stones. Now, some of the stones from the beach is used to make the stairs as access to the beach by local people. Although, the stair always broken when rainy season due the landslides.

Confluence with the sea at The Stone Shore

If you visit Green Bay, it's good to provide a time to enjoy this beach. But, it should be noted, you need to prepare your physical. Because, to reach Stone Shore you need to walk through along the path which is steep and slippery. As I mention earlier, sometime we meet with broken stones stairway. If you want easy way, ride a boat and ask to the driver to take you to the Stone Shore, may be, because I never saw tourists do this. They are usually straight to Green Bay or just around the Bay of The Stone Shore.

These tracks that are usually tourists choose. Start from Rajegwesi Village by foot or rent a Ojek (Ojek only drove us to the Motorbike Parking Area and tourists must continue with foot). Tourists through the path (steep and slippery with soil or rocky stairs) until Tourists reach The Stone Shore. Enjoy The Stone Shore for a while (took a picture and selfie). Continue to Green Bay with foot (just 300 meters away). And after reach and enjoy The Green Bay (The Green Bay is final destination of this tour), Tourists usually ride a boat to Rajegwesi Village.

Pantai Batu : Stone Shore If we mention about Green Bay of Banyuwangi, perhaps people will immediately say "Oh ya, I know..."...