Hi, guys! This week, let’s explore Jagir Waterfall and Alas Purwo in Banyuwangi, Indonesia! This is my 2nd day solo trip with Pepe Java Tours 😊 #notapaidpost
I woke up with a flat stomach (translation: hungry) as I only had snacks for dinner the night before. Mmm, can’t wait for breakfast! I don’t usually eat much for breakfast, except during holidays 😋
And oh boy, the buffet breakfast at El Hotel Banyuwangi was as great as the reviews!
There were continental breakfast sections (breads, cereals, fruits), Indonesian food, Western food, and traditional Banyuwangi food stalls. Of course, there were dessert and omelette stations too!
At first, I felt a bit regretful for staying at the same hotel for the entire trip. However, apparently, El Hotel Banyuwangi changed its breakfast menu every day, so it was never boring 👍 👍 👍
I ate a lot for breakfast and was so full I could skip lunch. Alright, it’s time to move my body and burn some calories. Jagir Waterfall and Alas Purwo, here I come!
The Small Yet Beautiful Jagir Waterfall, Banyuwangi
If you plan to have a solo trip to Banyuwangi, it’s best to visit Jagir Waterfall and Alas Purwo on the same day, because they’re on the same route.
Jagir Waterfall may be small, but it’s still worth visiting, especially if you want to soak in the waterfall, enjoy nature, or even meditate.
However, I recommend not staying too long at Jagir Waterfall, so you can finish exploring Alas Purwo before evening. I didn’t even have lunch, yet I finished the solo trip around 5 pm.
Oh ya, my driver cum tour guide for Day 2 and Day 3 solo trip in Banyuwangi was Mr.Rudi, as Mr.Susanto’s family members suddenly visitted him.
Although Rudi wasn’t used to handling DSLR, he managed to help me take decent photos after I showed him the angle and the kind of photo that I wanted.
It wasn’t easy for first-timers to handle my Canon 500D, the stone-age DSLR that can’t give a preview from its big screen. Thank you, Rudi! 👍 📸 😊
I like waterfalls, but during holidays, I don’t feel like soaking in the waterfalls. I don’t like the idea of having to change my clothes, bring a towel, and having wet hair at the next destination.
So, after taking some photos at Jagir Waterfall, Banyuwangi, I stood in front of the waterfall for a few minutes to appreciate its beauty and listened to the sound of water ✨ ✨ ✨
Also read: “One Day in Pushkar, India”
Also read: “Hotel Review: AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo”
Alas Purwo, the Gate to the Jinn Kingdom in Banyuwangi – Is It Really Scary?
Alright guys, I just learned about this the night before I went to Alas Purwo (meaning: the first forest or ancient forest).
Before my Banyuwangi solo trip, I googled the destinations that I would visit to… match my clothes, so the photos look good 😅
What I saw on my Google search was a main destination in Banyuwangi: a lush forest with some animals, mangroves, beaches, and a savanna.
So, when my sister said, “Alas Purwo is famous for its mystical stories”, while I was packing my clothes, I didn’t get it.
The night before I went to Alas Purwo, I googled myths and mystical stories about it while lying on my hotel bed. And the findings made my heart beat fast.
Here are some myths about Alas Purwo, according to some articles:
- People who can see spirits and visit Alas Purwo won’t be able to get out of that place, as they have seen the jinn kingdom
- If you hear someone call your name, don’t turn around, as you’ll get misfortune or be kidnapped by the jinn
- Kingdom Cave, a cave in Alas Purwo, is believed to be a meeting place between Soekarno, Indonesia’s 1st president and Nyi Roro Kidul, the Queen of the South Sea, who can control the ocean
- Sumelang Gandring Heirloom Keris (keris: dagger, typically with a wavy blade) from the Majapahit Kingdom is said to be in Alas Purwo. Anyone who finds it will be lucky forever.
- Many people meditate in Alas Purwo for a successful career, position, or relationship
😬 😬 😬
After reading some articles, I quickly texted my mom to pray for me so I would be safe while exploring Alas Purwo. I also prayed to God for a smooth solo trip and I could get out of that place alive.
“What if tomorrow something followed me back…? What if something sleeps beside me tomorrow?”
😱 😱 😱
My imagination ran wild as I recalled a scene from horror movies. You know, when someone sleeps alone, then suddenly the bed feels heavy on the other side…
OK. NOW, THE REALITY.
Guys, you won’t be exploring Alas Purwo, Banyuwangi, on foot. You’ll be inside the car 😆 😆 😆
So yes, you won’t hear someone call your name or see something supernatural… at least, that was my case. Honestly, I was disappointed I couldn’t walk 🫢
I knew that Alas Purwo was huge (it was 434 km2), but I didn’t want to stay in the car for hours. I wanted to walk!!
Me: “Rudi, is it true that you can hear someone call your name when in Alas Purwo?”
Rudi: “Don’t be scared. If you have no bad intentions, you won’t be able to enter Alas Purwo.”
Me: “Really? What about people who come here to meditate and ask for special powers? What if, after they gained the power, they do bad things?”
Rudi: “If they have a bad intention, something will prevent them from entering the place. There was a case when a car exploded before passing the entrance.”
Me: 👀 👀 👀
After the car passed the entrance, Rudi asked if I wanted to take some photos near the entrance, with the signage. I thought it was a good idea, so I got out of the car.
I had to show Rudi a few times the kind of photo angle that I wanted, although he was using my phone. But… baby girl didn’t have bad intentions, so she was blessed! 👼
Suddenly, a photographer who was waiting for his client approached us and offered to take my photos and videos. Horaaaay! 👏 👏 👏
Not long after that, his clients, a couple, came in a car. I was grateful for his help and wanted to give him tips, but he refused, saying that he just wanted to help.
Mrs. Client: “Sudahlah mbak, diterima saja… (it’s okay, miss, just accept his kindness)” 😊
Thank you, Mr.Photographer!! 📸 😊
Alright, what did I see in Alas Purwo? I saw a Pumbaa family (wild boar family), peacocks, monkeys, tall trees…
I also stopped by Kawitan, a sacred historical site in Alas Purwo. Some Hindu spiritual leaders were sitting near the entrance, in case something abnormal happened to the visitors, etc.
According to one leader, in 1965, some people found some stones and bricks from the site and took them home. Afterwards, they fell ill and no doctor could cure them.
The stones turned out, believed as ruins of the Blambangun Kingdom from the year 14 AD. Some Hindu spiritual leaders told them to return the stones to their original place.
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Afterwards, that area was named “Kawitan” (awit in Javanese means “the beginning) and used as a sacred place of worship by Hindus, up until now.
People believe that the area surrounding the site is the kingdom of the other world, and only certain people can see it. To normal people like me, I didn’t feel or see anything when I was in Alas Purwo.
Attention before entering the Kawitan site:
- Don’t take photos inside the site and be quiet
- If you’re a woman and are having period, DO NOT enter the sacred site
Me: “Was there a case where a woman was on her period and she went inside?”
Hindu spiritual leader: “Yes, there was an auntie who didn’t want to listen, coz she felt she already came all the way here…”
Me: “What happened to her?”
Hindu spiritual leader: “She was possessed. Then we prayed for her.”
Hmm… makes sense. Wherever you travel to, as a woman, if you’re in an ‘impure’ condition aka having your period, you shouldn’t enter sacred places.
I wasn’t satisfied with listening to third-party stories, so I asked Rudi if something spiritual ever happened to the travellers that he brought to Alas Purwo. Or maybe the tour company’s guest.
Rudi: “So far none, miss… But there was a case with a Chinese visitor. You know, some Chinese people talk very loudly. Maybe that person talked loudly and disturbed the jinn.”
Me: “What happened to that person?”
Rudi: “When that person exited Alas Purwo, their lips became cleft, as if they got a stroke.”
Me: “Ehh…?” 👀 👀 👀
Rudi: “Then a spiritual leader prayed for that person and gave holy water to drink, and said, ‘Next time, don’t be too noisy’.”
Me: 😂 😂 😂
For this solo trip, I skipped lunch although there was a small restaurant in Alas Purwo.
Before we returned to Banyuwangi city centre, I decided to take a break for a while so Rudi could drink coffee and grab some food.
It was my mistake, I should’ve prepared some bread, snacks, and drinks. I might not be hungry, but Rudi might be starving… I told him to order anything and wanted to pay, but he refused.
He said he was used to it and didn’t feel hungry. He only ordered a cup of coffee and smoked. I ordered a hot ginger drink and sat at a different table.
On the way back to the city, I asked Rudi to stop by a minimarket to buy some drinks and snacks for us. Only then I felt hungry!
Also read: “Flores Overland Trip: What to Do in Ruteng”
Also read: “Flores Overland Trip: What to Do in Labuan Bajo & Komodo National Park”
Fresh Seafood Dinner at Bariklana, Banyuwangi
One of the things you must eat when in Banyuwangi is fresh seafood. And if you’re earning in a higher currency compared to the Indonesian rupiah, you’ll find it very affordable!
Not only that, since Banyuwangi isn’t a big city like Jakarta, the food here costs less. Rudi recommended Bariklana, so I followed his advice.
For my solo trip package, lunch was included. But since I skipped lunch, I asked the owner to use the lunch allowance for my dinner.
Me: “How much is my lunch budget?”
Rudi: “Oh, I’m not sure… It’s ok, you can order what you want.”
Since he said so, I didn’t hold back, especially I was starving 😁 I love fish, so I ordered a medium-sized, good quality fish + fried tempe + stir-fry morning glory with garlic.
I intentionally didn’t order rice because I didn’t want to eat carbs for dinner. Yes, my dinner that day was protein and fibre! 💪 🐟 😋
Rudi’s expression: 😒😒😒
Ahahahha… That’s why I asked about the budget! I wasn’t being an opportunist; I simply love fish. The fish was fresh and good. Yummy~
But the tempe was just okay, maybe because they were cut too thick. I shared some of the tempe with Rudi because there were 5 pcs and they were big.
After the meal, Rudi told me that he asked his boss about the budget. He said my meal budget was 50k rupiahs.
It was fine by me. I paid for the extra and even paid for Rudi’s meal, as gratitude.
To be honest, I feel the meal budget was very low. It wasn’t my 1st time going for a solo trip in Indonesia, booking a private tour. In my experience, even when I was alone, the budget would be bigger.
But maybe because it was Banyuwangi… I couldn’t set the same standard there, and so far, the service had been good. Plus, it didn’t cost much, so it was ok 👍 👍 👍
Ahh~ my stomach was so full, now time to return to the hotel! Tomorrow would be a relaxing day for me, as the road to my initial destination, Baluran National Park, was still crowded due to a traffic jam.
But I feel it was fated, and I was glad that it happened because I could arrange something important… I will tell you in the next blog post 😉
Alright, guys, thank you for reading my Day 2 Banyuwangi solo trip to Jagir Waterfall and Alas Purwo! Have a blessed week ahead 😊 😊 😊
🇮🇩 10% OFF ALL INDONESIA TOURS! 🇮🇩
Click below to WhatsApp chat with the tour operator:
CLARA10
Use CLARA10 when you contact pesonaindo.com and epic.pesonaindo.com
🌏 International tours: Get 10% off when you use CLARA10 and checkout at onelifeadventures.com
Also read: “Flores Overland Trip: What to Do in Bajawa”
Also read: “Solo Trip to the Mystical Djawatan and Antaboga, Banyuwangi”
Where to travel next? Read more here…
