Bamboo Ornaments
Bamboo ornaments for the home are made in Lamongan, Magetan, Banyuwangi, Ponorogo and around Surabaya and can be bought at almost any souvernir shop. The people’s amusement Park (THR) in Surabaya is good place to look for such items of handicraft. Similar items can also be found in other towns throughout East Java.
Brassware
Fake antique brassware as well as more contemporary items are made in Situbondo, Bondowoso, Pasuruan, Tulungagung, Mojokerto, Jombang, and around Surabaya for local sale and to be sold in other cities in Java such Jakarta. The range includes lamps, vases, bowls and many other ornamental items for the home.
Madurese Batik
The island of Madura has a style of batik all its own. Less widely known than the batik clothes of Central Java and Cirebon. Madurese batik nevertheless deserves special mention because of its alluring flower patterns and colours in which red, purple and blue usually dominate. Another variety of East Javanese batik is that of Tuban with its ‘Gedog’ batik, Ponorogo, and Sidoarjo.
June 12th, 2006
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Kangean Island is the name of an island among the many islands that are stretched out east of Madura Island, of East Java. From the government administration point of view; the island is divided into two; West Kangean, which is included in the Arjasa Sub-District, and East Kangean, which is included in the Sapeken Sub-District. Both Sub-District are part of the Sumenep Regency.
Geographically, on the topographic map, Kangean Island is located closer to Bali Island, as compared to Lombok Island. To Bali Island in West Nusa Tenggara, it is a 4 hours sea journey by speedboat.
This island, which is 30,000 hectares in size, apparently holdsa tourism potential that is feasible to be offered. In particular for adventuretourism, in free nature. The attraction of Kangean Island can be felt, starting with the journey from West Kangean to East Kangean. All along the route, a combination of natural forests with the captivatingbeaches of the Java Sea, are stretched out. If you would like to buy souvenirs, in Arjasa of West Kangean, there are wood handicrafts of bahar and sentaki roots. It is said that a cane of such wood has certain virtues for the user. Apart from that, the area is also known for its jungle fowls that have melodious crows, and are excellent studs for cross breeds. It is not too difficult to obtain these jungle fowls, because there is a breeding farm in Arjasa, managed by H. Ansoruddin.
The other tourist attractions are found more in East Kangean. Between Tembayang Bay Harbour and Sepanjang Island, a little island south east of Kangean Island, a natural mangrove forestry is lined up. It even has a still intact habitat. Various animals, like monkeys, komodos and snakes, are still found here, in abundance. Hence, the mangrove forestry that functions as the transition between the marine and land eco-systems, can still be found on Kangean Island. Because of its genuinity the Perum Perhutani Unit II of East Java, which manages this area, has determined this area as one of the tourist locations that has a mangrove forestry, and a still intact eco-system,as its main presentation. Permits can be obtained at the Perhutani Station in Tembayangan Bay. Or further information can be obtained from the Perhutani KPH Madura Office at jalan Joko Tole No. 190, Pamekasan. Phone (62-324) 22549.
In between the stretches of mangrove forestry, that from little islands, is the marine park with its variety of coral reefs, complete with colorful decorative fish.
To experience the beauty of the marine park on the mangrove forestry, no spy glasses or supporting equipment is needed, because it is fenced off by the rather dense mangrove forestry. The sea is clear blue, because of its remote location far away from pollution. A boat can be rented for Rp. 75,000,- a day to travel along this marine park.
Not far from the stretches of mangrove forestry and only around 5 minutes by speed boat, there is a pearl oyster farm. Here, tourists can watch losely how these valuable pearl-oysters are bred. How these are harvested from the sea bedsm to be polished into a range of jewelry.
Compared to other tourists destinations, the eco-tourism potential on Kngean Island indeed has not been fully developed yet. Everything appears still genuine and natural. But, it is actually this naturality that has become the attraction to visit the island.
June 12th, 2006