Gandrung, the Traditional Dance from Banyuwangi

"Gandrung" dance which is typical of Banyuwangi presented as the embodiment of gratitude society after harvest. "Gandrung" is a performing arts presented with musical accompaniment distinctive blend of Javanese and Balinese. This dance is a form of culture Osing tribe who were the original inhabitants of Banyuwangi. The dance is performed in pairs form between women (dancer Gandrung) and male (Pemaju), known as Paju.

Gandrung first woman known to history is "Semi", a little boy who in 1895 was ten years old. According to the story that is believable, then Semi illness severe enough. Everything I had done up to the shaman, however Semi do not heal, so the mother Semi (Mak Midhah) made a vow: "Kadhung sira sane, sun dhadekaken Seblang, kadhung sing yo sing" which means: "If you recovered, I made you Seblang, otherwise it is not so ". Apparently, Semi finally recovered and used as Seblang simultaneously start a new round in the dance Gandrung by women.

Tradition Gandrung done by Spring was followed by her sisters using "Gandrung" first name as her stage name. Art keeps on developing in all areas Banyuwangi and became an icon of local specialties. At first devoted only be danced by the dancer Gandrung offspring before, but since the 1970s started a lot of young girls who are not descendants who studied dance in love and making it as a source of livelihood.

Gandrung Banyuwangi Dance is one of the cultural treasures that must be preserved because it teaches to all Indonesian people to love art and culture held, not only viewed from a display or disposition of the dancers. This dance can also add knowledge and insight into the culture of the various tribes in Indonesia.
*all pict by alfin

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Bangsring Under Water Banyuwangi

Visiting to Banyuwangi, East Java seemed incomplete if it does not stop in travel Bangsring Under Water (Bunder) in Krajan, Bangsring Village, District Wongsorejo which is about 27 kilometers from the city of Banyuwangi.

The tourist is not only treated to views of the marine tourism such as coral reefs on the ocean floor, but visitors can see the child-sized black shark fin about 30-50 cm already tamed. Dozens of children sharks were kept in cages next to the house buoyancy provided by the tour organizer Bangsring Beach.

Even visitors can also stop at the house floating, snorkeling (scuba surface), diving, together with children's pool shark and feed wild marine fish in the Strait of Bali.

The floating homes within about 20 meters from the beach. At home, there are also floating cages 3x3 meters containing a variety of fish that are in around Bangsring Beach. To go to the floating house, tourists can use boats offered by the management to pay Rp 5 thousand. As for the lease snokel Rp25 thousand and buoys Rp10 thousand.

As for access to the coast of the city of Banyuwangi, Bunder Basring towards Turkish Bunder is quite easy, with a visitor's personal vehicles only travel approximately 1 hour.

The route from the town of Banyuwangi take toward the road leading to the Port of Ketapang. After passing through the Port of Ketapang, take the road continues towards Situbondo, then will pass through Turkish Watudodol-Statue Gandrungnya then passes crossing to the island Tabuhan and Menjangan.

After passing the gas station side of the road and a small corner there will be a small inlet on the right small with the inscription Basring Under Water. The entrance ramp to meet with a beach parking Bunder.

*all pict by alfin

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International Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen (ITdBI)

International Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen (ITdBI) is a level International Cycling event held by the Government of Banyuwangi. International Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen (ITdBI) is racing bikes that have entered the regular agenda (calendar of events) International International Cycling Union (Union Cycliste Internationale / UCI). The event is in the category 2.2, where the Tour de Ijen held every year since 2012.

This year, ITdBI held for four days at 11 - May 14, 2016 and included in the agenda Banyuwangi Festival which is a calendar of events tourism district is nicknamed "The Sunrise of Java".

ITdBI 2016 consists of four stages along 567 kilometers. This route is reached by crossing various tourist destinations, from beaches, plantations, agricultural centers, city tour, to the foot of Mount Ijen, an active volcano in the world famous with its blue flame phenomena.

Mount Ijen is one climbs terekstrem in Asia because it is in an altitude of 1,871 meters above sea level (masl) with an inclination of 45 degrees, above the ramp in Malaysia which is only about 1,500 meters above sea level.

more info http://itdbi.com/

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Red Island Beach Banyuwangi

Red Island Beach, local people often refer to it as the "Pulo Merah", located in the district Pesanggaran, Banyuwangi. Although called the "Red Island", one of the tourist attractions in Banyuwangi indeed have white sand tan. But in the dry season arrives, then this beach area will look red.

Red Island Beach Banyuwangi is unique on a small hill which is located not far from the beach. Against hill 200 meters high and is what causes the reddish color of the coast known as the Red Island Beach. The hill is blanketed by green vegetation that covers the red. You can climb the hill on when the low tide. In addition, there are rocks that are around this small hill.

Red Island Beach tourist area currently managed by Perum Perhutani East Java II. Located in Sumber Agung, District Pesanggaran, around this coast are places of worship of Hindus in the hold Mekiyis ritual.

The existence of this beach is also not free from mystical stories and myths surrounding them. Turkish Red Island is believed by some to have a gold content. There also tells us that there is a earth spikes that can be found in the mountain located opposite the beach.

Stories Another myth is that anyone can enter a cave that was in the Red Island, it will obtain abundant sustenance. There also tells us that there is a red light beam that causes the beach is red and eventually named as Red Island Beach.

Interesting activities in Red Island Beach

Red Island Beach in Banyuwangi is one of the famous in East Java. The beach is favored as one of tourist destinations that attract families, is also a favorite place to enjoy the twilight and wind typical beach, take pictures, play sand, sun, and so on. To be able to go to the beach location, you have to pay the admission fee Red Island Beach Rp 2,500 per person.

Many foreign tourists and no less than among domestic visiting Red Island Beach for surfing destination. Waves in Red Island Beach is touted as one of the best in East Java and Indonesia making it suitable for surfing activities. Several international surfing event ever held in this beach.

High sea waves can be found in mid April-May until September to December. You can learn how to surf in Red Island Beach with waves ranging from 2 to 5 meters.

The coastal area is also supported with good facilities, including umbrellas and sun beds are rented by the manager. There are a number of hotels and accommodation facilities in coastal areas Banyuwangi this one. Red Island Beach is also close to Mount Mixed Pitu and are in line with Plengkung beach. You can relax on this beach while enjoying the beach breeze and watch the beautiful panorama. With a coastline up to 3 km, the rocks on the beach this adds an exotic allure in addition to the green hills that look beautiful.

At the time the evening, you can watch the beauty of the sunset (sunset) in Red Island Beach. Charm of the sunset on the beach is fairly wonderful. The area around the beach is also clean with fine sand texture. This is why, in some quarters of travel connoisseurs consider Red Island Beach as a wonderful combination of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak in Bali.

As one of the popular tourist area in Banyuwangi, you can easily find a number of hotels near Red Island. Besides the hotel, there is also a guest house until the homestay that you can choose. Some inns in the area of ​​Red Island Beach within close and popular, among Kumala Hotel, Gelora Athlete Banyuwangi Guest House, Hotel Mahkota Plengkung Banyuwangi, as well as the Hotel Ketapang Indah.

Trip to Red Island Beach

If you are in the town of Banyuwangi, then the journey will cover a distance of approximately 80 km using private vehicles or public transportation, spent about 2.5 hours to arrive on these shores. Along the way, there are signs pointing that will take you to the area's Red Island Beach. A distance of about 2.5 hours from the city of Banyuwangi. If you use public transportation, take the vehicle to the majors Pesanggaran. Arriving at Pesanggaran market, continue the journey by motorcycle taxi to the location of the beach.
When you start the route from Jember, get off at the terminal Jajag. Then from there you can ride the bus majors Pesanggaran.

*all pict by cak san

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Ijen Crater with Natural Blue Flame

This is one of the charms of natural beauty of Indonesia were outstanding and have led many tourists from different countries. This is where you can see the crater lake area is amazing along the blue flame of sulfur at night. In addition to being a tourist destination mountain climbing, Kawah Ijen sulfur mining is also a traditional place up and down the arena former crater eruption which is still active.

pict by cak san

Mount Ijen itself in the area of ​​Kawah Ijen Tourism and Travel Ijen Park Reserve in the district and subdistrict Slippery Klobang Banyuwangi regency. The mountain is located 2,368 meters above sea level where the peak is a series of volcanoes in East Java such as Bromo, Semeru and Merapi. Ijen Crater is the largest sulfur mining sites in East Java are still using traditional means. Ijen has sublimat source of sulfur seemingly inexhaustible used for various industrial purposes, chemical and purification of sugar.

pict by cak san

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Banyuwangi Festival 2016

Banyuwangi Festival or can be abbreviated by B-Fest is an annual event organized by the Government of Banyuwangi in the period for a full year and is divided into a variety of interesting events. This event was first held in 2012 during the reign of the regent Abdullah Azwar Anas.
Banyuwangi Festival is a series of festival that aims to attract tourists and also as a means of cultural preservation. Banyuwangi festival consists in a variety of elements, ranging from culture, sport and tourism and local wisdom.
Banyuwangi Festival is now in its fifth year, since organized in 2012 ago. As for the series of events in Banyuwangi Festival 2016 can be seen in the following figure.

So, let's come to Banyuwangi, you definitely want to go back.

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