Banyuwangi is located in the easternmost part of Java. It may look monotonous but it will give you reasons to smile and unwind. It’s one of those ‘sleepy towns’ you read in a book where everything looks serene and perfect while hiding a dark secret underneath. Walking around the main street, you feel the whip of fresh air and sporadic dust from the occasional trucks that pass by. Yes, it does have its secrets, in beaches red and green.
This is one of those things you see that make you unconsciously smile as it reminds you of home. Yes, of clothes washed with the smell of breakfast being cooked.
Day 3: Banyuwangi and its beaches
One of the well-kept common secret in Banyuwangi is its beaches. Elusive and just like any thing of beauty, you need around 2-4 hours of butt-gymnastics on the car seat to reach one of its well kept secret. To get to Green Bay, one has to pass these trees inside the Meru National Park Betiri. No, there is no wind that bends these trees. That’s just how they are. It will make you wonder if something big passed by the area recently. There are Tours and Travels that organise trips and a 4×4 is highly recommended to traverse through the park or you can just rent one from town, but you’ve been warned.
When you reach the spot where everyone says’ This is it!”, it’s not it yet. You still need to hike down. This is what you will see if you look to your left before going down. You can hear the waves telling you this is not for the faint hearted. Prepare your legs as you go down and remember to pause, take time to look around and listen what you don’t hear everyday.
Yes, this spot of heaven is the reason for desensitised gluteus maximus. Aptly called the ‘Teluk HIjau’ of Green Bay, its waters are bluish-green with powder white sand. Get ready to go through mud, tree branches that whip your face and some eroding rocks helping you get to the beach faster that you prefer.
When you reach the bottom, you can feel the pointy stones trying to pierce through your feet as you wade through Pantai Batu to get to ‘that’ spot. The green colour is due to the green algae that reflects to the surface. Look up and you’ll see another island. Yes, there it is.
Due to its location, you will feel the intensity coming from the Indian Ocean. Yes, the force of the waves will literally topple you off your feet. Stepping on Pantai Batu doesn’t help as well. Be careful as the water level rises quickly. Being there for 20 minutes will compel you to move back around 4 feet back to the shore.
Take in the view and get lost in your thoughts. Enjoy the moment, the place and the peace it brings. Take time to realise that there is another waiting – Red Island Beach.
Green and now red. After Green Bay comes the Red Island Beach. Visiting these two in one day is crazy but that’s what we did. Definitely not recommended! The ride through the Meru National Park to get to Read Island Beach was another butt-numbing trip. The water temperature was just right and the waves are there for you and your friends to have fun! There are small bathrooms where you can clean up and change for a small fee. There’s a restaurant that sells beer. Yes, Prost for only Rp. 20,000 (USD1.30+) that helped made the trip back to the hotel bearable.
chronically gallivanting 
Leave a comment