Banyuwangi Trip: Where Did We Go? Discovering the First Experience of Hiking Kawah Ijen
Hello good people, today I will share my experience of a trip to Banyuwangi back in 2021. This trip also marked my first time hiking a mountain. I didn't embark on this trip alone; I was accompanied by my friend, Candra. We had planned this trip well in advance to take a break from the exhaustion of our respective jobs.
For me, taking time to go on vacation every year is crucial for mental and emotional well-being. Even though the trip was short, it enhanced our quality of life and served as an expression of gratitude for our hard work. Luckily, both of us are enthusiastic travelers.
During this Banyuwangi trip, we departed by train from Yogyakarta to Banyuwangi. We boarded the Sri Tanjung economy class train, with a travel duration of around 12 hours. As an additional piece of information, the train to Banyuwangi isn't limited to economy class; there's also an executive class option. Although the travel duration isn't significantly different, the executive class train offers much more comfort.
We allocated 4 days for this trip, but due to spending a whole day on the train journey to and from Banyuwangi, we had less than 3 days for sightseeing. With such limited time, we condensed the trip to visit 3 of our favorite tourist destinations in Banyuwangi. Let's dive into this article and read until the end!
Stay in Adara Homestay
In Banyuwangi, there are numerous appealing accommodation options. We chose to stay at Adara Homestay with a price below IDR 500,000. This homestay is situated not far from Banyuwangi Baru Station, precisely in Krajan Hamlet, Rejosari, Glagah District, Banyuwangi Regency.
Adara Homestay boasts an ethnic traditional style with natural and minimalist touches. What's most unique about this homestay is the bathroom located outside the main building. Initially, we felt a bit awkward about showering or using the facilities in an open area. However, there's no need to worry as the bathroom area is secure, surrounded by walls and dense vegetation.
Within the homestay, there's a semi-outdoor communal kitchen with a charming minimalist design. All services at the homestay are self-service, so for cooking, washing dishes, or cleaning glasses, you handle these tasks yourself at the provided sink. It's suitable for those seeking a private atmosphere.
No need to fret about finding breakfast; our room already included it. The staff will inquire about breakfast menu preferences. We requested scrambled eggs and toast for our breakfast. Our meal was also accompanied by fresh fruit slices.
Hiking Kawah Ijen
Kawah Ijen is a turquoise-green volcanic crater lake located at the summit of Mount Ijen. This still-active mountain is situated on the border between Banyuwangi Regency and Bondowoso Regency in East Java. The crater is renowned for its rare phenomenon of blue fire, a phenomenon so scarce that it's only found in two places in the world: Banyuwangi and Iceland.
Kawah Ijen was a must-visit destination for us during our time in Banyuwangi. To facilitate our accommodation while trekking Kawah Ijen, we were accompanied by a tour agency, starting from our pick-up at the accommodation to having a tour guide. We were picked up by a group of vehicles to initiate our climb at midnight. The journey took about 1.5 hours to reach the first basecamp, known as Paltuding Basecamp.
We needed to pass through six climbing posts to reach the summit. The terrain wasn't overly difficult, but caution was necessary as the cliff edges weren't visible in the dark. While ascending to the peak, we were offered a ride on a "becak." Local residents who typically mine sulfur in Kawah Ijen would bring their sulfur-laden carts up the mountain each night and offer them as "becaks" to provide an instant transport option for climbers eager to reach the summit.
As the sun began to rise, we were treated to a beautiful sunrise view. The journey took us around 5-6 hours to reach the summit. Unfortunately, we couldn't witness the blue fire due to arriving too late. To see the blue fire, it's crucial to arrive earlier, around 2-3 in the early morning. Typically, international travelers are more enthusiastic about witnessing the blue fire. The location to see the blue fire requires climbers to descend into the steep crater to get a close-up view.
Upon reaching the summit, we could observe several nearby mountains surrounding Kawah Ijen. A few years ago, a significant forest fire occurred not far from the crater's location. We were able to see some remnants of the fire. This serves as a reminder for climbers to be responsible and continue preserving the environment.
De Djawatan Forest
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| source : wanaswara |
The next must-visit destination is the De Djawatan Trembesi Forest. This forest is surrounded by trembesi trees and epiphytic plants. With a forest area of approximately 3.8 hectares, it houses around 50 very large trembesi trees. Being in this forest feels truly magical, as it resembles the eerie forests depicted in movies like The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings.
De Djawatan is located in Benculuk, Cluring, Banyuwangi Regency. It falls under the category of protected forests managed by Perhutani KPH Banyuwangi Selatan. This forest is also utilized by Perhutani for storing wood harvested from the surrounding areas of South Banyuwangi. Nevertheless, efforts have been made to organize and enhance the site to transform it into a tourist destination.
Pantai Pulau Merah
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| source : getlost.id |
It feels incomplete to visit Banyuwangi without witnessing its beautiful beaches. Yup, one of the recommended beaches to visit is Pantai Pulau Merah. This beach is renowned among surfers for its large waves that are perfect for surfing.
Pantai Pulau Merah is located in Pesanggrahan, Banyuwangi. This area has several other beaches that can be visited, such as Gumuk Kancil Beach, Cemara Pancer Beach, and Mustika Beach. Pantai Pulau Merah itself has become a favorite tourist destination due to its easy road access and more comprehensive facilities.
Why is it called Pulau Merah / Red Island? Because the beach appears reddish during sunset. We can also spot a small island at the edge of the beach, which is a distinctive feature of this beach. Visitors can rent benches to sit and relax by the shore.
Our journey in Banyuwangi was truly memorable. There are still many other places we would like to visit in Banyuwangi. In your opinion, what other exciting places are a must-visit in Banyuwangi? Feel free to share your answers in the comments section!
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