Java Island: exotic first hand

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

If three or four decades ago a trip to the Crimea, the Black Sea or the Carpathians was perceived as something special, joyful, now you will not surprise anyone with local beauties. The boundaries of tourist geography have expanded almost to the boundaries of the globe. Various firms offer us to join surfing in Hawaii and in the waves of California, to participate in a safari in the African savannah, to celebrate the New Year in Malibu. And still, the soul of a Russian person yearns for the exotic! Her search for many adventurers led to the island of Java.

Familiar stranger

Once the island of Java (Indonesia) was known to us only from geography textbooks and programs of the Film Travelers Club, which were led by Sienkiewicz. Plus tobacco "Golden Java". A lot has changed since then. And before the Russian tourists, the island of Java appeared in all its exotic beauty.

Java is often associated with the word "most". The island is part of the Indonesian archipelago, the largest in the world. Of all the islands, it is the most populated. And it is precisely most of its territory, compared to the entire archipelago, that is occupied by dense, impenetrable and practically unexplored jungles. 30% of the land is covered with virgin forest - this is not old Europe for you!

Besides the fact that the island of Java is a territoryjungle, it is also the territory of volcanoes. Neither more nor less, but 120 of them are located on the island. Of these, 17 are active, because the island shakes from time to time, and quite strongly, and clouds of smoke escape from the vents. The sight is impressive, especially considering that the chain of active volcanoes is recognized as the most active in the world.

Due to a number of circumstances, the island of Java pulled the blanket of popularity over to its side, leaving far behind its neighbors - Sumatra, Bali, Kalimantan and others. And this is understandable. After all, all the most interesting, valuable in terms of "what to see, what to learn, what to admire" has already been collected here, in Java! And the Indian Ocean, washing the southern part of the island, emphasizes this.

Exotic nearby

Java is an island with two types of relief: mountainous and flat, which is unusual for a small area of land. But lovers of mountain ranges can get a lot of pleasure and thrills, because the height of some of them is three hundred meters! However, those who preferred the opposite part of the island - the northern, flat, will not be left behind - and there are miracles.
The climate here is unique in its own way, as is the fertility of the soil. In other areas, residents in their fields manage to collect three crops a year! And this is during the rainy season, which lasts here for three to four months! Although even then it is warm, not lower than +23. During the rest of the year it is sunny and hot. True, and decent humidity - up to 95%. However, according to tourists, the heat is tolerated quite easily: at least you get used to it quickly.
And the soil here reallylegendaryly fertile. The main crop is rice. Java produces so much rice that many of the local rich have managed to make the most solid fortunes on it! And if you hear the expression: “put a dry stick in the ground, and it will sprout”, know: this is said about the land in Java!
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The culture, worldview, and way of life of the locals were influenced by the three main religions of the world: Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. Each of them at one time was the main island on the island. Now, by and large, Islam prevails, but many sights of Java - temples, monasteries, statues, monuments, etc. - keep the features and signs of past beliefs. As well as myths, legends, local magic and other types of folklore. This island is unusually interesting for a huge number of tourists and travelers from all over the world.
Even more interesting are the contrasts of the island. Still would! Ultra-modern megacities with skyscrapers coexist here with pastoral landscapes of leisurely peasant life and pristine jungles. And blatant poverty - with arrogant luxury. However, the latter is well known to us from our native land.

Let's go sightseeing

The island is divided into three administrative divisions - provinces. Each of them has its own attractions. Once in the western province, tourists should first of all visit the city of Cirebon, an ancient royal residence. In addition, lovers of sunbathing and swimming should stop by Pandaran - the local beach is one of the best beaches on the island. A National Park Yung Kulonfamous all over the world. And the remains of the famous Krakatau amaze the imagination with their formidable majesty.

In the center of the island, the main Javanese city - Yogyakarta. It is called the cultural and historical heart of Java. The famous handmade batik is produced here. Many folk crafts are still alive, and you can buy wonderful silver souvenirs in local shops. And the unique ancient temples, the memory of the Hindu and Buddhist religions - Prambanan and Borobudur - are visited annually by crowds of pilgrims and tourists. Yes, and the Sultan's Palace can be attributed to the wonders of the world. The UNESCO-listed Wayang Purvo Shadow Theater is also famous all over the world.

The Eastern Province of Java is, first of all, the city of Malang. Nearby is another National Park of Indonesia - Semeru, in which the Bromo volcano can attract special attention of tourists. And Malang itself, once a holiday destination for the Dutch colonialists, is known for its huge coffee plantations. Here you can also visit the world's largest Botanical Garden.

Southern part of the island - Pagandaran. These are dozens of kilometers of natural beaches where you can take your soul away.

Java - the island of volcanoes

Having been in Java, you can't help but look "on a visit" to the active volcanoes. You will be able to contemplate hot lava, hear the menacing rumble of the bowels of the Earth, observe clouds of smoke and sulfur. Why not the entourage from the disaster movie!

In conclusion, I would like to add: there are so many unique places on our blue planet that, probably, there is not enough human life to go everywhere and with everythingsee.