Garuda Indonesia Colours Magazine May 2018 | Page 100

Travel | Banyuwangi
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Best known for its port connecting the islands of Java and
Bali, Banyuwangi is popular with surfers keen to catch a break
at world-renowned Plengkung beach and adventurers who want
to marvel at the blue-fire views at Ijen crater. Recently, however,
increasing traffic from aircraft and fast ships has made the region
more accessible to a larger number of visitors, enhancing
its reputation as a popular destination.
I am amazed when I land at Banyuwangi
Airport and see that it has been renovated to
become the first green airport in Indonesia.
Located in the middle of fields, the interior
of the airport has been designed in an open
style to allow the natural breeze to blow in
through its wooden latticework.
First I head off on a safari in Baluran
National Park, located in Situbondo and
easily accessible from Banyuwangi.
Nicknamed ‘Little Africa in Java’, there are
511 plant species, 28 mammal species and
234 bird species in the 25,000ha expanse,
which stretches for 14km. I use a rental car
to explore the park, spotting thousands of
yellow butterflies and exotic-looking jungle
birds, and passing through the ‘Evergreen’
section, where the plants remain verdant
even during the dry season.
At the end of the road, we arrive at Bekol
savannah. Behind a grassy meadow of around
300ha stretches Baluran mountain, which
rises 1,247m above sea level. The savannah
also has jujube trees (Ziziphus mauritiana),
dubbed ‘Raisa trees’ because this location was
used as the backdrop for a music video by
Indonesian pop singer Raisa. In the
afternoon, it is usually possible to see herds
of wild water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and
banteng cattle (Bos javanicus javanicus).
“At the moment the rainy season is making
the area very green,” my guide, Eko, explains.
“Come again during the dry season from
April to October when everything is dry and
the savannah turns yellow. It’s just like Africa!”
Approaching nearby Bama beach, we meet
many long-tailed macaques that have fun
walking around the car. In the shrubs, there
are several deer (Cervus timorensis) looking
gallant with their towering antlers. Suddenly,
Eko points to four green peacocks (Pavo
muticus). Their blue-green feathers are
magnificently shiny, the males proudly sporting
their long tails that open like fans during
mating season. “Peacock mating season is in
October and November,” adds Eko. It is the
first time I have seen peacocks in the wild,
and I cry out loudly in delight. Unfortunately,
this makes the peacocks fly away.
Another area well worth visiting for a very
different reason is Glenmore, home to a
cocoa plantation that produces absolutely
delicious chocolate. The Glenmore name is
believed to have originated with a Scot who
sought asylum in the Netherlands but was
sent to this area some time in the 18 th