Seblang is one of rituals in Osing societies, Banyuwangi regency. This ritual can be found in two villages, which is. Bakungan village and Olihsari village. Olihsari society will held this ceremony in a week after the Idul Fitri. While, Bakungan society will held the ceremony in a week after the Idul Adha.

This ritual is having purpose to be the reinforcement from bad situations that might happened within the society. This kind of ritual can also be found in some area in Indonesia, like Sintren ritual in Cirebon, Jaran Kepang and Sanghyang in Bali.

The dancers that allowed to perform Seblang dance are chosen by the shaman from each village. Moreover, it will be better if the chosen dancers are the descendants of the earlier dancers.

At Olihsari village, the chosen dancers are taken from the girls that have not puberty yet. While, in Bakungan, the dancers are taken from the elder lady in 50 years old above that already get menopause.

 Seblang dance is  a very old tradition, so it is difficult to trace the origin of the commencement. However, historical records show that the first known Seblang was a woman named Semi, which also became the first woman Gandrung dance pioneer (died 1973).

After recovering from her illness, then her mother’s vow (Mak Midah or Mak Milah ) must be revealed, Semi  finally became the first seblang dancer in the age of her childhood until her teenage age, the she started to become a  Gandrung dancer.

www.eastjava.com

Belawan Waterfall - Bondowoso

Belawan Waterfall

Blawan Waterfall is located in Kalianyar village, Sempol district. It is about 52 km of Bondowoso town. Blawan Waterfall is the continuation of Kali Pahit River, which is also the disposal place of the water from Kawah Ijen, which contains of much sulfur. The water from Blawan Waterfall goes down to the earth then it shows up again in Asembagus, Situbondo district.

Blawan waterfall is surrounded by sharp cliffs and there is also stalagmite cave. It is believed that a long time ago this cave was often used for meditate. There are also macadamia plants in this area. Besides Blawan Waterfall, there is also a hot water spring for bathing in this tourism area. The tourism facilities are including; a shelter, hotels, etc.

The other tourism object that reside in one area and near to Blawan waterfall are:
1. Dhamar Wulan Natural Pool
Dhamar Wulan natural pool is located in one area with Blawan waterfall. It is surrounded with natural scenery. There are many trees and has fresh air. The water comes naturally, so clean and clear. The visitors can enjoy natural situation and having recreation here.

2. Blawan Natural Hot Spring
Blawan natural hot spring also resides in Blawan waterfall area. This pool has surrounded by nature scenery. There are many trees and clear natural water. Enjoy your holiday here with nature view around you.

www.eastjava.com

Bakti Alam Farm

Bakti Alam

Bakti alam agro-tourism, is located in Nongkojajar, Pasuruan, East Java. Precisely on Ngembal village, Tutur sub district at an altitude of 450 to 550 elevation. It was open on 1998, and along with its development, Bhakti Alam is already complete the collection of their exotic plants.

We can get many things by visiting Bhakti Alam, instead of we can enjoy the diversity of tropical plants which we can also take the fruit when we met in its season, we can also relaxing our tense during the week days and daily routines.

There are some interesting spots that we can explore in Bhakti Alam, like
- Garden tropical plants, like Durian, Longan, Rose water and many more
- Dairy cattle
- Milk Procession
- Green house
- Training nursery / plant propagation
- Camping ground and outbound

Bhakti Alam is about 55 Km far from Surabaya, 30 Km from Malang and easy to be access. For those whose on the way from Malang and Surabaya t to visit Mount Bromo, it is recommended to “stopping by” at Bhakti Nature before continuing the trip to Mount Bromo.

With its altitude and position, we can see the beauty of the ocean, bordering the town of Pasuruan with an open sea. It is become more beautiful when the lights out, flickered the ship visible at night.

More info visit
www.eastjava.com

Pecel Boeyatin Surabaya

Pecel Boeyatin Surabaya

“Pecel Boeyatin” is one of “warung pecel” or pecel stall in Surabaya. This stall is already operated since 30 years ago and already famous among the Pecel fanatics. “Pecel Boeyatin” is located at Jalan Ketabangkali No. 51 Kayun, Surabaya, settled among the business center buildings in Surabaya. Hence, it is not surprising if we come to this stall during our lunch, and will always full.

As we know, that pecel is such Indonesian traditional salad and consist of green vegetables like string bean, bean sprout, cabbage, water spinach, spinach, “kembang turi” or Sesbania grandiflora and the dressing sauce is using spicy peanut sauce.
At glance, “Pecel Boeyatin” is just like an ordinary pecel in East Java, that make this pecel different is coming from the sauce. The spicy peanut sauce is made from Tuban particular peanut, mix up with the traditional spices like sugar, salt, chilli, galangale, makroot leave and some other spices.

Peanut from Tuban is different rather than other peanut, physicaly it is small and rather long, but it crispy and tasty. It is not be fried, but roasted when it prepared to be pecel sauce. Moreover, the peanut should not be smoothed by using a machine, but manualy because it can change the taste. That makes this “Pecel Boeyatin” different.

A portion of Pecel and rice is cost about Rp. 9000 per plate, this is not include the side dishes. We can choose the side dish that we want, like, empal or fried meat, tempe or soy bean cake, tahu or tofu, egg satay, gut satay, omlet, fried chicken and many more. This stall is daily open from 6 am to 21 pm, it depends on the customers.

More info visit
www.eastjava.com

Sate Klopo Ondomohen, Surabaya

Sate klopo Ondomohen is officially trade marked by Bu Asih, located in the alley of Ondomohen, Magersari II, Walikota Mustajab street, Surabaya, East Java. This food is being famous among Surabaya people who are fanatics of Sate.

Sate or satay or sometimes written satai is food made from pieces of meat, like chicken, goats, sheep, cows, pigs, fish, etc. that are cut into small pieces, and pierced with skewers prick which is usually made of bamboo, then burnt using charcoal embers. Sate is then presented with a variety of seasonings sauce, which depends on satay recipe variations.

Hence, Indonesia have some numbers of satai, which derive from the material or the seasoning. Sate klopo is particularly satai that made from meat which cover with coconut sprinkle. Then it burn like any other satai. You can choose rice or cake rice or lontong to complete your dish. Moreover, there will be Poya or Serundeng in your rice or lontong. Poya is made of finely grated coconut and flavored, and it roasted and pounded. The taste is not sweet like any other serundeng, but it tends to be tasty.

Beside meat, you can choose other part of the meat like the marrow, fat, muscle, or intestine to be Satay Klopo. The dressing sauce is made of peanut sauce. The taste of the sauce is not too sweet and spicy enough, but there will be some chili bean added for those who like more spice

According to Mrs. Asih, this business was begin since 1945 that founded by her mother in law. This stall is open daily start from 6.30 until 23.00. The preparation before it open is since 01.00 in the morning and there will be lots of visitors crowdedly come to eat sate klopo. Mrs. Asih will gain profit Millions Rupiah a day.

Every day Mrs. Asih spends not less than 25 kg of beef or about 2,500 skewers. The cost to enjoy this sate is about Rp. 16.000 per portion for whole meat sate without lontong. There will be Rp.3000 more for lontong or rice. The price is different among other meat.

The place to enjoy sate klopo is situated around the shady Surabaya, which is there are lots of trees in here and there and that makes the cozy atmosphere when enjoying the dishes for your lunch. Do not worry about the smokes that puffing out from the roasting, there is kind of chimney that sucking in the smoke, moreover, it smells good anyway.

Ready for lunch…

More info visit
http://www.eastjava.com

Four Faces Buddha Statue

Buddha Empat Muka or Four Faces Buddha statue is located at one of the corners of the famous Pantai Ria Kenjeran, a beach area in the city of Surabaya that also famous for its fisheries products and place to hang out.
The construction work of the statue was started in July 2003, occupying a total land of 1.5 hectares. The main building that houses the statue measured at 9×9 meters, a symbolically important figures for the Buddhist community. The building, include the dome reach 36 meters. Some said that, the total cost required to build this statue was almost Rp 4 billion. This number a little bigger than early estimation that was Rp 3,5 billion. This become more magnificent because the material is overlaid with pure gold. The casing itself directly imported from Thailand.

The statue occupies a kind of stupa building, where the Buddha sat on his throne. Because there are four faces, the one that refered to the front side is the front-facing face which the hand holding a rosary. The building is surrounded by 4 pillars, the green or golden pillars, which comprises 3 parts; the stupa, Buddha statues and Buddha throne. At the top of the stupa has been equipped with lightning rods, while the Buddha statue and the throne have each 9 meters high.

The four faces Buddha statue represents the four good traits of Buddha, which is loving, generosity, fair and meditating. Those four goodness implies on, Buddha is good among human beings, to help anyone without discrimination, and faithful in prayer or petition, and those are submitted in a ritual procession.
This statue having similarity with the Buddha statue in Bangkok, which represents face of peace and health, face of good relationships, face of fortune and face of protection against evil.

This four kindness is also had a meaning of, Buddha is a presentation of affection of fellow being, assist whoever without discrimination, and devoted in prayer or application that submitted in ritual procession. While on Buddha eight hands, there are holy book, holy water, defense weapon, fight weapon to against the badness, holy book, prayer beads, chest, and cupu.

In addition to see the four faces Buddha statue, in this place we will also see four white elephants statue plays about 4 feet in each corner, three lotus flowers decorated the pool, and a meditation room. The complex is also adorned with 12 lights made of bronze and copper.

Four Faces Buddha was inaugurated in November, 9 2004. With the spectacular building, this statue can be one of the interesting destination in Surabaya. Moreover, this statue was awarded by MURI as the highest and the largest statue in Indonesia.

More info visit
www.eastjava.com

Suramadu National Bridge

Suramadu is the bridge that crosses the Madura Strait, connecting Surabaya and Madura Island. It has length of 5438 m, and make this bridge become the longest bridge in Indonesia today.

This bridge was build in case of developing the economic structure of Madura island, which is relatively low compared to other regions in East Java. This is also the first toll bridge in Indonesia, which is initially set at Rp. 30,000 for four-wheeled vehicles and Rp. 3,000 for two-wheelers.

Now the possibility to access Madura Island is more easy to reach and do not need much more time to get. The visitors will experience the great moment crossing over the ocean and see the blue Madura Strait coming over. At night, the bridge is become more pretty for the moving and colorful light is like the dancing fountain over the sky.

Thanks to modernization…

More info visit
www.eastjava.com

Toroan waterfall, is another small hidden paradise that lies in Ketapangdaya Village, Madura island. Toroan waterfall is the only waterfall in Madura, and it become a particular. The particular is coming from the way of the waterfall flows directly to the ocean, precisely, Java Ocean. It has only 10 Meters high and the fall is quite high that make such a lagoon within the rocks.

During the high tides, the entire area is covered by sea water and that makes the waterfall is pouring down into the ocean. Before the visitors reach out the location, they will be enjoying the village nuance. The visitors can find the green hilly up on the high and the blue Java ocean in down side.

It might the coolest area in Madura, regarding the dry and dull weather in the lowland. The situation is also calm and quite, there are some tobacco plants on either side belong to the local inhabitants and some agriculture plants like maize or yams.

More info visit:
www.eastjava.com

Karapan Sapi - Madura

Karapan Sapi

Karapan Sapi, is Madura’s annual traditional event, it is such a bull racing tournament. It is usually held at week end within August to September, or ideally before or after the fasting month. Date back to the early begin, Karapan Sapi was exist before 15 Century. The championship is starts from the district level to the regency level and moving forward to the level Residence. Last, the final will be held on September or October in the city of Pamekasan to compete for President Cup.

Karapan Sapi is such a prestigious event for Madurese people, for the bull’s owner will feel socially uplifted when their bulls can be a champion. This event is becomes an outstanding-event-party for Madurese, it needs more energy, more beneficial times and, of course, more money to spend. Regarding this event, the bull is becomes an investment out of gold and money. Thus, the owner will more concern to make their bull winning in this race.

At this race, the bull will race in pair. There is also a standing wooden cart that put in those bull’s back, a place for the jockey to ride away the bull and controlling their speed, named Keleles. The race track are typically about 100 meters long and it takes about ten to fifteen seconds to pass. Before racing the bull, before the race, each team will show up their bulls in parade accompanied by Madura’s traditional instrument named Saronen.

Looking at the background, bull is not an animal type for racing activities for are not classified as fast runner animals. But this can be solved by training the bull twice or three times a week, not more than that. The exercise is held around 3pm before dawn.

It is said that a pair of healthy and strong bulls will cost Rp. 4 millions per pair for their food and other maintenance. Moreover, they are also consuming some traditional herb and dozens of chicken eggs per days.

To make the bulls running as fast as they can, the tail are tied with nails and it was also given the chili and ginger. The jockey’s whip is also added by nails. It seems sadistic here, but that is the way, the culture. The more they get hurt, the more of the bull will run faster. God bless the cows.

More info visit
www.eastjava.com

Handwriting Batik - Trenggalek

Handwriting Batik Trenggalek

This kind of traditional craft is considered as woman work from generation to generation. Industrial area of this craft industry is located in Sumbergedong district, Trenggalek, covering 1,362 units of commercial, by the total production capacity of 794,804 m. Its particularity is well known up to outside of Java.

As we recognize, Batik is Indonesia particular cloth which represent everything, history, fashion, women, and Indonesia itself.

Some regency, even some island have their own motive on Batik with its philosophy inside. Trenggalek also has particular motive of Batik with the same charm like any other motive from other area.

For More Details Please Visit:
www.trenggalek.eastjava.com