Introduction

The West neighbor of Bali, across the small Strait of Bali, is the province of East Java, the eastern most province of Java. A population of almost 33 million people occupy about 48,000 square kilometres (including the island of Madura). To the West of East Java is the Province of Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta, to the South is the Indian Ocean, and to the North is Java Sea.

Two thirds of the area is mountainous with approximately 48 mountains. The highest peak, Mount Semeru is the highest in Java. The Brantas (314 km) and Bengawan Solo (540 km) are the two big rivers. Its topical climate means that October to April is the wet season, and May to September is the dry season with an average temperature of 20-30 C.

Fossilized remains of prehistoric animals and the site of the Java-man at Trinil will tantalize the archaeologist in you, as well as numerous temple ruins dating from the 7th century AD.

Cultural Attractions

• Angklung: An ensemble of bamboo instruments quite popular in Banyuwangi.
• Gandrung Dance: A classical dance dedicated to Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice. Popular in Banyuwangi as well.
• Bull Race (Karapan Sapi): a regular attraction at the stadium of Pamekasan, Madura.
• Labuhan Sesaji: a thanksgiving ceremony held by fishermen of Muncar, Banyuwangi, and Suro.
• Reyog Trance Dance: traditional Ponorogo dance with 15 dancers wearing peacock-feather headdresses and tiger mask.
• Tayub Dance: a popular social dance from Nganjuk, 120 km southwest of Surabaya. This dance is usually performed at wedding parties or other celebratory gatherings where the dancers use their scarfs to invite guests to join them.

Places of Interests

• Baluran National Park: 5,000 hectares of open savannah and forest north of Banyuwangi where you can find a great variety of native animals like deer, wild pig, leopard, wild ox, peacock, etc.
• Balekambang Beach: A beautiful beach, with an impressive Hindu Temple nearby, located 57 km south of Malang.
• Banyuwangi: Immediately after you cross the Bali Strait by ferry. This town entertains you with its culture, because it is famous for Angklung, Gandrung, and other festivities, as well as by its beach resorts and surfing spots.
• Batu: Mountain resort much like Bedugul of Bali.
• Blitar: 120 km south west of Surabaya, Blitar is the location of the tomb of Soekarno, the first President of Indonesia. It is also the site of the Penataran Temple, one of the State Temples of the Majapahit Empire of the centuries past.
• Bondowoso: Visit it for its twice weekly bull fights.
• Grajangan: A not-so-foreign place for avid surfers (who may come directly by boat from Bali).
• Ijen Crater: At the cener of the Ijen - Merapi - Magelang reserve, approximately 2300 metres above sea level.
• Jabung Temple: Remains of the Majapahit Empire, located 6km east of Probolinggo.
• Jago Temple: 24 km east of Malang, a very attractive temple.
• Jawi Temple: A Hindu and BUddha temple dated back to the 13th century.
• Madura Island: Across the Strait of Madura, this island is known for its bull race, which is usually organized at Bangkalan, a small town 16 km north of the ferry terminal at Kamal.
• Magetan: 183 west of Surabaya, it is a beautiful hill resort by the Sarangan Crater Lake.
• Malang: Mountain resort with cool and fresh weather surrounded by magnificent historical artifacts like the Singosari Temple. Also famous for its fruits.
• Meru Betiri Reserve: A habitat of wild animals: tiger, black panther, leopard, etc.
• Mount Kawi: One of Java's sacred mountains with temples and sacred tombs of respected figures of the past. Popular among the locals as the place to go in search of wisdom or answers to life's problems.
• Mojokerto: Museum and remains of the Majapahit Empire.
• Mount Bromo: The most beautiful, active volcano located in Probolinggo regency, 145 km south of Surabaya. Breathtaking sunrise.
• Ngawi: Fascinating archaeological museum exhibiting fosiilized remains of prehistoric animals and our great, great, ..., great grand father, Mr Pithecantropus Erectus found by Dubois at the village of Trinil, west of Ngawi.
• Pasir Putih: Literally translates to White Beach. You know what you will find there.
• Plengkung Bay: Another one of best surf spots in the world. Reachable from Grajagan by boat.
• Ponorogo: The origin of the name Reog Ponorogo, a traditional dance.
• Sukamade Turtle Beach: Night activity: watch turtles lay their eggs under the sand, everynight, 9pm to midnight.
• Surabaya: Also called the City of Hero for its crucial and heroic role in the Indonesia's independence war, remembered by the Tugu Pahlawan. Surabaya is home to more than 8 million people.