Garuda Indonesia Colours Magazine May 2018 | Page 102

Travel | Banyuwangi
100
A group of deer at sunset in the Baluran
National Park, located in East Java, Indonesia.
Banyuwangi is nicknamed
‘The Sunrise of Java’
because the sun’s rays first
hit the island each morning
at this special destination.
of Banyuwangi’s underwater treasures. This
stretch of coastline was previously in disrepair
because of blast fishing and potassium use that
damaged the coral. In 2008, Ikhwan Arief, the
leader of the Bangsring Village Fishermen’s Group,
initiated a programme of nature conservation
and education for fishermen to help the coral
reef grow again, and the fish began to return.
Since 2014, Bunder has been developed for
maritime visitors. “Our conservation efforts
won the Kalpataru prize in 2017 in the category
of Environment Saver,” says Ikhwan.
I take a two-minute boat ride to the Floating
House (Rumah Apung) and am delighted to see
a big school of angelfish, each about the size of
my palm. I go snorkelling, spotting coral that
appears to be growing healthily. Visitors who
cannot swim can rent snorkelling equipment
and a life jacket, and be taught how to snorkel
by a local guide who also acts as photographer.
I end my final day in Banyuwangi with a visit to
Red Island beach (Pantai Pulau Merah), which
has become an icon for the region’s tourism
industry. The white-sand beach stretches for
three kilometres and, as the name suggests,
features an island, a hill that rises to 200m.
The two- to three-metre-high waves are
particularly popular with beginner surfers.
Visitor safety is ensured by a team of lifeguards.
“We are the only ones in Banyuwangi who have
a lifeguard tower on the beach. The tower and
the lifesaving equipment are all from the local
community,” states the lifeguard coordinator,
Suyitno. “There are 14 lifeguards who are ready
to protect the safety of visitors.”
Red Island beach truly lives up to its title when
the sun sets on the other side of the highlands.
The water at low tide makes a reddish reflection
which is fired from the sky onto its smooth powdery
sand. It’s an extraordinarily beautiful sight, one
of so many I have experienced during my travels
in Banyuwangi. Seeing this amazing area as
simply a gateway between Java and Bali fails to
do it justice – there is so much to see and explore.
5 Senses – Sound
BANYUWANGI BEACH
JAZZ FESTIVAL
Banyuwangi Beach Jazz Festival is
just one of the 77 events that will
enliven Banyuwangi this year. This
time the festival will be held on May
12 at Boom Beach. Yura, Kla Project
and Bruneian singer Jaz will perform
at this prestigious music event.
www.banyuwangikab.go.id
Lebih dari 70 acara akan
menyemarakkan Banyuwangi tahun
ini, salah satunya adalah Banyuwangi
Beach Jazz Festival. Kali ini BBJF akan
diselenggarakan pada tanggal 12 Mei
di Pantai Boom. Yura, Kla Project dan
penyanyi asal Brunei Darussalam, Jaz,
akan mengisi acara musik bergengsi ini.