International Surfing Competition

Hello . . .

Is there anybody who loves surfing? If you do, you might like it. International Surfing Competition.

This competition is held by Banyuwangi Government and presented by Blue Fin Surf Shop & Surf Factory. Its location  is in Red Island, Banyuwangi (Pulau Merah) and opened Internationally on  May  24-26. This competition have special purpose to promote Red Island as one of tourist destination in Banyuwangi.

Surfers from eight countries have been registered to join it, such as  Australia, Amerika, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, dan Germany, Italy, Sweden, Brazil, Portugal, French, Austria, Netherlands dan South Africa, Puerto Rico, Spin, and Japan. This competition will be devided into three categories : local, national, and international.

On May 17, the participants are given the chance to try surfing for learning the field.

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In the night after competition, there will be concert by  DJ and three groups of music band. Rescue Rockability, Congrad Good Vibration, and Steven Jam also enliven this event.

So, are you interested?

Pulau Komodo

Hello,

How are you all? I hope you all are well and have great spirit in this day. Today I will tell you about Pulau Komodo (Komodo Island).

This island is located in Nusa Tenggara Archipelago and part of Komodo National Park. This park covers  Komodo Island, Rinca Island, Padar Island, and other small islands. Komodo island itself was named by Dutchman. 

When you heard komodo you will imagine that this island would be full of komodo. This island exactly becomes pristine habitat of komodo (Varanus komodoensis). There are over 2500 komodos here, which are rare. This giant lizard is one of ancient animals which is first found in 1910. You can see it close with tour guide there. But not only komodo lived here, but also many kinds of flora and fauna, such as sterculia oblongata and Caesalpinia sappan L as flora. which have some benefits to use. The other fauna are horse, wild bull, ape, snake, and diverse birds. 

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We often see the beach which has either brown or white color. But, in this beach we'll find pink sand, one of only seven in the world. The pink sand is a mixture of white and red sand. The color red itself came from a broken red coral fragments. Fantastic, right?

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Other than it, this island has also beautiful marine life, just like Taman Laut Bunaken. This island has a blend of Asian and Australian fauna. There are 253 species of coral, 70 species of sponge, and 1.000 species of fish. There are also  dugong, sharks, 14 species of whale, dolphin, and turtle live here.

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No wonder , this island has been included into 7 wonders in the world. Moreover, it was claimed as a World Heritage Site and Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1986.

So, do you want to visit this one?

Taman Laut Bunaken

Hello everyone,

In my previous posts I used to write about everything in Banyuwangi, since I live there. But, at this time, I will  not do that. Cause I don't  want you all bored. Many other beutiful places need to visit, one of them is Bunaken National Marine Park (Taman Nasional Laut Bunaken).

Bunaken National Marine Park is one of attractive places to come to. Its beautiful marine life can make the divers stand for a long time under the sea to enjoy diverse corals and other sea occupants. It can be the healer for those who get bored disease. 

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This National park was established in 1991 and one of the first marine park in the world, which is in Manado Bay, North Sulawesi. Bunaken National Park itself is devided into two parts, the southern and the northern part. The northern part covers  five island (Bunaken, Manado Tua, Mantehage, Nain, Siladen),  Molas-Wori costal area. And the sourthern part covers Arakan-Wawontulap coastal area. So, other than diving, you can explore the island as well, either by foot or boat. And another way you can also rent submarine with the glass wall, which is definitely more expensive, to enjoy the beuty of undersea life.

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The colorful coral and fish pamper your eye and  you will not want to go up to the shore. You can even feel to be mermaid for a while, swimming with the fish and flow of waves. You can also observe marine life closer. It's such an awesome thing to do. And it is proper place for divers and underwater photographer. You can take the awesome pictures to immortalize the memorable occasion, even buy marine craft for souvenir. If you hungry after the exploration, there are some of cafes and  restaurant along Manado and it's archipelago, with their typical food, such as sea food, Manado porridge, foods made from coconut.

I never go there, but I has a desire to step my food there. Hope you like it.

Tari Jejer Gandrung

When I was in Kindergarten, I joined the traditional dancing course. I learned to dance Jejer Gandrung.  It was very exciting since there were bunch of friends who joined it. Other than learning dance, I can make a lot of new friends too. And when there was a dancing competition, I was followed by my teacher. I was so excited at that time. And after that, I not only learn Jejer Gandrung Dancer, but also Punjari Dance.

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Jejer Gandrung dance is traditional dance from Banyuwangi. Jejer Gandrung itself is from local language in Banyuwangi (Osing language). Jejer means a show, gandrung means happiness. And sometimes other people  mean it "Desperately in love". This dance actually is dedicated to be grateful for crops, or we can say as thanksgiving to Dewi Sri, Goddess of paddy . But nowadays it's usually performed on certain occasions, such as wedding, khitan, pethik laut, and to greet guest or tourist coming to Banyuwangi.

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This dance become mascot for the sunrise city, Banyuwangi. There are bunch of billboard and statue shaped Gandrung dancer in this town. You can find diverse souvenirs shaped it too. Moreover, Banyuwangi is well-known as Gandrung city as well.

Last year, I watched  Gandrung Sewu Festival (thousand gandrung Festival) in Boom Beach. Unfortunately I didn't take any picture since it was so crowded.  

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I am excited having chance to learn dancing. Unfortunately I had not done it anymore since I was in Junior High School. *So sad. And the last time I dance jejer gandrung is when there would be carnival on Independence day. I was in Senior High school that time. Hope someday I'll have opportunity to dance again.