Alohaaa~ I’m back! Today, let me take you to Djawatan and Antaboga, two mystical destinations in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia ✨🌿✨
I went to Banyuwangi for 5D4N, then worked remotely in Indonesia for over a week. Afterwards, there was an issue with my internet router at home, so I can only update the blog now 😅
The main reason I wanted to visit Banyuwangi was to see the blue fire volcano, Ijen. Many travellers combine Mount Bromo (Surabaya) and Ijen in one trip, as both places are close.
For me, rather than just witnessing the blue fire of Ijen, I’d rather stay a few days in Banyuwangi to explore other destinations, like Djawatan and Antaboga.
De Djawatan Forest, or better known as Djawatan, is dubbed as “The Lord of the Rings’ Forest” (hint: Fangorn Forest) due to its alluring, mystical beauty – thanks to the gigantic rain trees!
Meanwhile, Antaboga isn’t a very popular destination in Banyuwangi. However, I stumbled upon an Instagram post about this place, and I found it very interesting.
Actually, I wanted to ask my mom to travel with me because the cost of the private tour for a solo traveller or 2 travellers was almost the same.
However, the cost of domestic flight tickets in Indonesia, esp. for smaller cities, was very high.
Imagine, the cost of my Jakarta-Banyuwangi flight ticket = 2x my Kuala Lumpur-Jakarta flight! 😱 😱 😱 Sorry, mom…
Plus, there’s no direct flight from Malaysia to Banyuwangi. So, I had to fly to Jakarta and stay one night in a hotel near the airport, to catch the early morning flight to Banyuwangi.
So, was the effort worth my 5D4N Banyuwangi trip? Luckily, yes!! 🤩 🤩 🤩
If you’re worried about exploring Indonesia alone, you can join a private tour, like I did:
- Search for a comfortable, good-rated hotel in Banyuwangi that fits your budget
- Ask the hotel to recommend a tour company
- Book the tour as a private trip
The hotel where I stayed in Banyuwangi, El Hotel, was rated as “very good” on Booking.com. The staff recommended me a reliable local tour company, where I had a driver cum tour guide + a car for myself.
This way, I was free to decide the itinerary, how long I wanted to explore the area, when I wanted to eat, etc… Plus, the driver helped me take my photos! 😉 📸 👏
Trying the Famous Warung Sego Tempong D’Tempong Mbak Har, Banyuwangi
Initially, I planned to visit Djawatan on the weekend. But I read online it’s better to visit the place on weekdays to avoid the crowd, especially for people who like to take photos.
So, I decided to visit Djawatan on the first day, after I landed in Banyuwangi. But first things first – lunch! My solo trip with Pepe Java Tour included driver/guide + car + petrol + entrance fees + lunch.
My driver, Mr.Susanto, took me to a really delicious sego tempong (tempong = slap) — D’Tempong Mbak Har.
Sego tempong is basically white rice accompanied by side dishes, vegetables, and very spicy chilli. The chilli is very spicy, as if you’re being slapped, hehe!
I reached the restaurant during lunch hour. The line was pretty long, but it was ok.
While queueing, I saw how the chilli was made from scratch. Apparently, the tomatoes in Banyuwangi were so cute! 🥰
As an Indonesian, I’m used to spicy dishes. However, the chilli at D’Tempong Mbak Har, Banyuwangi, was very spicy (and fresh)! Not forgetting to mention that my grilled chicken was also spicy 🔥 🔥 🔥
Alright, after a satisfying lunch, it’s time to walk a bit. Djawatan and Antaboga, here I come!
Also read: “One Day in Pushkar, India”
Also read: “Hotel Review: AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo”
Feeling Peaceful and Photo Shoot Among the Greens in Djawatan, Banyuwangi
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Djawatan! This forest is filled with enchanting rain trees, perfect for a peaceful stroll, photo shoot, and of course – dating ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
I was lucky to have nice, sunny weather when I was in Djawatan, Banyuwangi. What could be better?
Oh, my tour guide, Mr.Susanto, used to work in Bali, so he knew how to take great photos! Hooraaay! 📸 📸 📸
I don’t like to use a selfie stick or a tripod when travelling. So, having a tour guide who knows good angles to take photos was a blessing. #solotrip
Although it was sunny, exploring the 9-hectare forest wasn’t so bad thanks to the towering rain trees, which could grow up to 40 metres in height.
The trees were like giant canopies, sheltering me from the heat. Sometimes, the sunlight would pierce through the gaps of the branches.
You can make use of this opportunity when taking photos, like this:
You don’t need to wear hiking shoes to explore Djawatan, Banyuwangi. The footpaths in this forest are broad and easy to walk on.
However, if it rains before or during your visit, don’t wear white shoes as the ground will be wet and your shoes will get dirty.
CLARA10
Did I feel lonely doing a solo trip to Djawatan? Not really.
I felt very peaceful walking among the greens in the forest. Moreover, it was on a weekday, so the crowd was less = quiet + no queue for the photo shoot 😌 😌 😌
And of course, I had my tour guide! So yeah, solo trip to Banyuwangi – why not? 🌿 🌿 🌿
Fun facts about Djawatan, Banyuwangi:
- De Djawatan was opened in June 2018
- Opening hours: 7am – 12pm / 1pm – 5pm
- There are around 800 trees aged 100 years old++
- It takes around 1 hour (by car) from Banyuwangi city center to Djawatan
Also read: “Flores Overland Trip: What to Do in Ruteng”
Also read: “Flores Overland Trip: What to Do in Labuan Bajo & Komodo National Park”
Walking Among the Pine Trees and Respecting Other Religions at Antaboga, Banyuwangi
What if I told you that I was a VVIP at Antaboga, a 3-hectare pine forest on the slopes of Mount Raung, Banyuwangi? 👑
Of course not, hehe!
But I was the only visitor there when I reached the mystical destination. Antaboga isn’t a main destination in Banyuwangi and the location is quite far, around 2 hours from the city center.
That’s why the road to Antaboga isn’t as smooth as other destinations (it’s bumpy). So, pick the right car!
Luckily, I booked a private tour, so I could decide where I wanted to go, hehe! And double luck, I had my private driver cum tour guide, because…
Honestly, it was very quiet and the sky was grey, so I felt a bit scared.
Although Antaboga had a clear footpath, signage on the trees, and sounds of water flowing from three pools, it was a good idea not to walk alone in the forest.
Also, who will take my photos if I go alone??
If I did it myself with a tripod, what if something appears in the photos afterward? Kekeke… just kidding 👻 👻 👻
So, what exactly is this place? Antaboga was built to encourage people to respect other religions and beliefs, mainly Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Muslim.
Each religion has its section, decorated beautifully, complete with statues. This forest is very quiet, so you can pray earnestly… if you apply mosquito repellent beforehand!
Oh my God, there were so many mosquitoes at Antaboga and they were huge. HUGEEEEE.
Me: “Their body is black and white! Are they Aedes mosquitoes??”
Mr.Susanto: “Must be…”
Me: “Oh no, what if I fall sick?? I don’t want to fall sick on my 1st day of holiday!!” 😱 😱 😱
Mr.Susanto: “Don’t worry. If your immune system is strong, you won’t fall sick.” 😬
Me, later: (drank Berocca right after I checked into my hotel room)
Alright, so we have the five religions there. The 6th one is a belief of Nyi Roro Kidul, the Queen of the South Sea.
Some Indonesians, especially residents of Banyuwangi, believe that Nyi Roro Kidul rules the South Sea.
She is famous in Indonesia, and stories say that the first Indonesian president, Soekarno, held some meetings with her.
CLARA10
One of the meetings was held in a cave in Alas Purwo, a main destination in Banyuwangi. But that cave isn’t open to the public, and you’d better not trespass!
If you’re in Jakarta, you can visit room 308 at Grand Inna Samudra Beach Hotel for a mystical experience.
That room is reserved for Nyi Roro Kidul based on the promise between Soekarno and her. However, you can meditate there… or ask for your career to be smooth, better luck in relationships, etc.
Oh, about religion (and race), I remember my aunt asked me about my preference in guys.
Aunt: “Clara, do you prefer Westerners? What about Chinese?”
Me: “I have no preference… Westerners, Arabs, Chinese, Malays – if I find someone’s attractive, then it doesn’t matter.”
What about Hindus?
When it comes to relationships, I feel that if the difference is too much, like me being a Catholic and him being Hindu, I prefer to stay friends. It makes me feel uncomfortable having different statues displayed at home…
What about Muslims?
We pray to the same God anyway, I just have to give up char siu and roasted pork 🤧😭Oh, he must be open-minded… I don’t want to wear a hijab and long dresses. Also, my definition of “halal” = as long as it’s not pork.
What about Buddhists/Confucianists?
If the guy only practices the beliefs (i.e. ethics, good character), then I’m fine. If he has a strong belief in a certain Buddhist god, I’d rather be friends with him.
What about freethinkers or agnostics?
As long as they’re not skeptical and respect my religion (and other religions), it’s ok.
Wow! When you explore nature alone, you suddenly get to know yourself more. You talk to yourself, ask some questions, and are surprised by the answer.
By the way, you can enter Antaboga for free. But if you want to donate, there’s a donation box at each religion section 😊
Just when I entered the car, it started to rain. I was so lucky!!
Me: “Pak Susanto, I saw many big, red flowers at Antaboga. What’s the name of the flower?”
Mr.Susanto: “Hmm, I’m not sure. But those flowers are usually found in the graveyard.”
Me: 😬😬😬
Also read: “Flores Overland Trip: What to Do in Ende”
Also read: “Flores Overland Trip: What to Do in Bajawa”
Sampling Traditional Snacks and Drinks at Waroeng Kemarang, Banyuwangi
Alright, what’s for dinner? As I had a late lunch, I just wanted to eat traditional snacks.
Mr.Susanto recommended Waroeng Kemarang, just 15 minutes from my hotel. I love the restaurant! It was very natural and in a traditional setting, and the menu?
Gosh, with so many options, I wanted to order many things! 😁
But I was still full, so I only ordered Banyuwangi’s signature kue cucur (rice flour mixed with palm sugar, then fried) and chocolate cheese grilled banana.
For the drink, I ordered a hot ginger lemongrass drink (separate sugar).
I told Mr.Susanto that he could order anything he wanted, but he only ordered fried bananas and a cup of coffee 😅 Luckily, I shared my kue cucur with him. Snacks (and calories) are meant to be shared, hehe!
After that, it’s time to have a good rest in the hotel. My four-star hotel, El Hotel, was nice and very comfortable. Plus, it costs less than the other four-star hotels in Banyuwangi.
Mmm… I couldn’t wait for breakfast tomorrow, I read many good reviews about how nice the breakfast is 😋
Ok guys, I hope you enjoy reading my Day 1 travel diary travel blog in Banyuwangi, exploring Djawatan and Antaboga. Have a great week! 🌻🌻🌻
CLARA10
Also read: “A Relaxing Walk in Zhaoxing Dong Village, Guizhou”
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