Jembrana, the wild west of Bali

Jembrana, the wild west of Bali

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Pariama Hutasoit
Contributor
Jembrana, Bali
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Jembrana regency on the western tip of Bali might not be a
popular tourist spot but it does offer visitors the island's most
unspoiled scenery.

Deriving its name from two words, jimbar wana, which literally
means great forest, Jembrana is famous for its wild areas,
something that lures adventurous visitors. No traffic jams, noisy
airports or discotheques here, just an expanse of forested
landscape.

Located around 120 kilometers west of Denpasar, Jembrana is
actually the first entry point connecting Java and Bali as well
as Bali and the island of Madura. It boasts Gilimanuk harbor,
which provides ferry services to Java through Ketapang harbor in
Banyuwangi, East Java.

The regency has four districts: Negara (the regency's
capital), Melaya, Mendoyo and Pekutatan. It borders Buleleng
regency in the north, Tabanan in the south and the Bali strait in
the west.

Regent I Gde Winasa says that, like other regencies in Bali,
Jembrana is planning to develop its tourism potential.

"We won't turn into places like Kuta, Sanur and others, but we
will offer our entire natural and cultural assets here."

Winasa said Jembrana would be developed for "supporting
tourism" to back up Bali's tourism industry.

"This means that Jembrana would be maintained as it is now, to
preserve its wilderness, its agriculture, fisheries and forests,"
the regent said.

Despite its lack of international-standard tourist facilities
like an airport, star-rated hotels, cafes and restaurants,
Jembrana has abundant attractions.

The Bali Barat National park is home to the rare Bali starling
(Leucopsar rotschildi), wild buffalo (Bos javanicus) and an
extensive number of unique species of flora and fauna.

The regency also boasts pristine beaches, including Medewi
(around 15 kilometers from Negara), Candikusuma, Baluk Rening and
Delod Berawah.

Jembrana's archaeological museum near Gilimanuk houses
evidence of Bali's earliest human settlement and its earliest
tools, objects and earthenware.

Other places of interest include Pura Rambut Siwi and Pura
Gede Purancak, the regency's major temples.

The tomb of Prince Jayaprana in Teluk (Gulf) Terima is another
interesting site to visit. Based on stories and legends,
Jayaprana was a handsome and kind man who was married to the
lovely Layonsari. As an orphan, Jayaprana was raised by the King
of Kalianget. But the King, who was mesmerized by the beauty of
his "daughter-in-law", sent Jayaprana away. Jayaprana was killed
by the king's chief minister while the king tried to seduce
Layonsari, begging her to marry him. Furious but helpless,
Layonsari committed suicide.

The regency is also a melting pot for various ethnic and
religious groups. The regency's 262,255 people consist of
Balinese Hindus (79 percent), Christians and Catholics (3
percent), Muslims (18.19 percent) and Buddhists (0.14 percent).

Christian and Catholic residents are mostly converted Balinese
who live in two villages, Palasari (Catholic) and Blimbingsari
(Protestant). Muslim residents, who mostly come from Makassar,
South Sulawesi, live in Loloan village, near Negara.

Jembrana is home to thousands of Madurese people who brought
with them the tradition of the mekepung bull race. Every harvest
time, people in Jembrana celebrate by holding mekepung, now the
regency's cultural trademark.

Panudiana Kuhn from the Balinese chapter of the Chamber of
Commerce said that, despite its rich natural and cultural
resources, Jembrana was inaccessible for most visitors. Jembrana,
he said, did not yet have adequate facilities to attract
visitors. "The regency is quite far from Denpasar," he said. Lack
of promotion is another problem.

Eddy Sunyoto from the Balinese chapter of the Indonesian
Travel Agencies' Association did not agree. "Jembrana doesn't
have to be changed. It should not add any attractions either," he
said, adding that it was better for Jembrana to promote its
wilderness, agricultural and fishery potential.

"Don't change all of Bali into places like Kuta, Nusa Dua and
Sanur."