Jembrana, the wild west of Bali<\/p>\n
================
\nPariama Hutasoit
\nContributor
\nJembrana, Bali
\n----------------<\/p>\n
Jembrana regency on the western tip of Bali might not be a
\npopular tourist spot but it does offer visitors the island's most
\nunspoiled scenery.<\/p>\n
Deriving its name from two words, jimbar wana, which literally
\nmeans great forest, Jembrana is famous for its wild areas,
\nsomething that lures adventurous visitors. No traffic jams, noisy
\nairports or discotheques here, just an expanse of forested
\nlandscape.<\/p>\n
Located around 120 kilometers west of Denpasar, Jembrana is
\nactually the first entry point connecting Java and Bali as well
\nas Bali and the island of Madura. It boasts Gilimanuk harbor,
\nwhich provides ferry services to Java through Ketapang harbor in
\nBanyuwangi, East Java.<\/p>\n
The regency has four districts: Negara (the regency's
\ncapital), Melaya, Mendoyo and Pekutatan. It borders Buleleng
\nregency in the north, Tabanan in the south and the Bali strait in
\nthe west.<\/p>\n
Regent I Gde Winasa says that, like other regencies in Bali,
\nJembrana is planning to develop its tourism potential.<\/p>\n
\"We won't turn into places like Kuta, Sanur and others, but we
\nwill offer our entire natural and cultural assets here.\"<\/p>\n
Winasa said Jembrana would be developed for \"supporting
\ntourism\" to back up Bali's tourism industry.<\/p>\n
\"This means that Jembrana would be maintained as it is now, to
\npreserve its wilderness, its agriculture, fisheries and forests,\"
\nthe regent said.<\/p>\n
Despite its lack of international-standard tourist facilities
\nlike an airport, star-rated hotels, cafes and restaurants,
\nJembrana has abundant attractions.<\/p>\n
The Bali Barat National park is home to the rare Bali starling
\n(Leucopsar rotschildi), wild buffalo (Bos javanicus) and an
\nextensive number of unique species of flora and fauna.<\/p>\n
The regency also boasts pristine beaches, including Medewi
\n(around 15 kilometers from Negara), Candikusuma, Baluk Rening and
\nDelod Berawah.<\/p>\n
Jembrana's archaeological museum near Gilimanuk houses
\nevidence of Bali's earliest human settlement and its earliest
\ntools, objects and earthenware.<\/p>\n
Other places of interest include Pura Rambut Siwi and Pura
\nGede Purancak, the regency's major temples.<\/p>\n
The tomb of Prince Jayaprana in Teluk (Gulf) Terima is another
\ninteresting site to visit. Based on stories and legends,
\nJayaprana was a handsome and kind man who was married to the
\nlovely Layonsari. As an orphan, Jayaprana was raised by the King
\nof Kalianget. But the King, who was mesmerized by the beauty of
\nhis \"daughter-in-law\", sent Jayaprana away. Jayaprana was killed
\nby the king's chief minister while the king tried to seduce
\nLayonsari, begging her to marry him. Furious but helpless,
\nLayonsari committed suicide.<\/p>\n
The regency is also a melting pot for various ethnic and
\nreligious groups. The regency's 262,255 people consist of
\nBalinese Hindus (79 percent), Christians and Catholics (3
\npercent), Muslims (18.19 percent) and Buddhists (0.14 percent).<\/p>\n
Christian and Catholic residents are mostly converted Balinese
\nwho live in two villages, Palasari (Catholic) and Blimbingsari
\n(Protestant). Muslim residents, who mostly come from Makassar,
\nSouth Sulawesi, live in Loloan village, near Negara.<\/p>\n
Jembrana is home to thousands of Madurese people who brought
\nwith them the tradition of the mekepung bull race. Every harvest
\ntime, people in Jembrana celebrate by holding mekepung, now the
\nregency's cultural trademark.<\/p>\n
Panudiana Kuhn from the Balinese chapter of the Chamber of
\nCommerce said that, despite its rich natural and cultural
\nresources, Jembrana was inaccessible for most visitors. Jembrana,
\nhe said, did not yet have adequate facilities to attract
\nvisitors. \"The regency is quite far from Denpasar,\" he said. Lack
\nof promotion is another problem.<\/p>\n
Eddy Sunyoto from the Balinese chapter of the Indonesian
\nTravel Agencies' Association did not agree. \"Jembrana doesn't
\nhave to be changed. It should not add any attractions either,\" he
\nsaid, adding that it was better for Jembrana to promote its
\nwilderness, agricultural and fishery potential.<\/p>\n
\"Don't change all of Bali into places like Kuta, Nusa Dua and
\nSanur.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jembrana-the-wild-west-of-bali-1447899208",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}