Banyuwangi, Port city in East Java, Indonesia
Banyuwangi is a port city at Java's eastern tip, stretching along the Bali Strait with mountains rising to the west. The location makes it a natural crossing point where water routes connect the main island to eastern regions.
This place once served as the capital of the Blambangan Kingdom before falling under Dutch control in the 1700s. The transition marked the end of Hindu rule across Java.
The Osing people here maintain living traditions through Gandrung, a dance where women in colorful garments move to local music played with traditional instruments. These performances appear during celebrations and reflect how the community expresses its heritage.
The city is accessible by air through Blimbingsari Airport, with train services running to larger cities inland. Ferry crossings to Bali operate regularly throughout the day.
In the 1870s, an undersea telegraph cable was laid from here connecting the city to Darwin in Australia. This hidden connection was part of an early communication system that spanned between continents.
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