Earlier before I joined as a local guide I really like to travel to the natural places such as beaches and mountains. As a local guide I am still doing it. Sometimes I feel bored doing the same activity every day, however I enjoyed to share or tell people about the place that I visited. I really enjoyed with new challenges and I kept on trying to find something different than the others.
One time I went to the local tourist attractions in my city, Tanjung Papuma ( Papuma beach ). The southern coast located in the village of Lojejer, Jember city, East Java is called Tanjung Papuma because the location of the land that resembles the cape protrudes into the sea, bordered by Indian Ocean. This beach has the color of sea water and white sand like most beaches on the island of Java but what makes this beach has a characteristics that is 7 large coral towering and resembling an island. The 7 coral island have their respective names for instance including Batara Guru island, Narada island, Kresna island, Nusa Barung island and Kajang island. Those names are mostly taken from figures in Wayang art. Another shaped like a frog to be named the island of Frog. Those corals have rough and steep surfaces.
Photo hunters look forward to the moment where the big waves hit the reefs because there is a exotic location. Sometimes some people make preweeding picture in this place.
At certain hours we can see the activities of local residents as fishermen, namely at 11.00 a.m to 1.00 p.m local time. In addition to achoring and resting, these fishermen also bring their catch which we can buy it and cook in the restaurant or cafe surrounding the beach. Isn’t it cool right?
One time I met and talked with local residents about an annual event on the coast of Tanjung Papuma, it was interested and in my heart said, wow this could be interesting information and could be “sold” because it was unique. Something of beauty that blends with the uniqueness that I am looking for.
According to local residents, the event called Larung Sesaji is a culture of customs of the local residents as well. As an information, Larung Sesaji or also commonly called Sea Picking is a manifestation of gratitude for the people around the Papuma coast who are mostly fishermen, so they believe in the future they will get natural blessings in the form of abundant fish catches.
The participants of the event were approximately 500 people, most of whom were fishermen and conducted to coincide with the beginning of the Islamic New Year 1 Muharam 1440 Hijriyah ( Javanese calendar count ).
Before being floated into the sea, miniature boats that have been decorated with mountains of yellow rice with vegetables and seafood will be brought to the Dewi Sri Wulan temple accompanied by Reog Singo Budoyo and the miniature boat is takled to the sea to be released. This annual activity is a culture and local wisdom that must be preserved. Aside from being a community gathering event, Larung Sesaji can also add tourist attractions.
That is the most interesting thing I had done as a local guide.
