G-LAND ... The feeling is really special when you wake up in the morning and it already has that look to the day that it's gonna be a warm, clear sky, offshore blessed day with fun waves peeling all along the point. And that it did! Even with the swell dropping-off from yesterday, that didn't matter much at all...at least for me. After all, what can you do? So we had to accept the 6-10 foot sets that came in all day and focused in on all sections of the reef. We had a high tide in the early morning, naturally another a little after sunset and the low after midday. So everything had a chance to come alive and with proper offshores blowing from about 8 o'clock onwards, it was simply a FUN day to ride G-Land. Kongs through Upper Speedies working and everything in between.
What else...something about the jungle...considering that such is the kingpin of this place. Without it would be the loss of a significant element that makes G-Land what it is. And giving thought right now to what's new...apa kabar?...what comes into the front is what i heard a few days ago as i came through the gate at Pancur. "mau hotmix dari Pasaranyar ke Rowobendo," said Pak Suto. Which means in an indirect translation, "they want to seal the road from the first Ranger station to the existing border of the unpaved/paved section of road. This covers about 11 kilometers. Here at the camp, i've heard a different version which is to lay 'hotmix' down until Pancur, adding another 5 kilometers to the project. I'm sure plenty of you have heard such a story before, but the governor of Banyuwangi was just in town, about a week before i came in. He was especially here for several reasons, this being 1 of them. But in my view of it all, it's not gonna make any difference to the influx of travelers. They already have in place a ridiculously strict rule for entry into here. Locals can come in no problem, but only locals from the local villages. Just being Indonesian doesn't mean you're a local here. Even the staff need to carry their ID cards and display special vehicle stickers; it's pretty well sealed here. BUT, if the policy changes in the future, which is a possibility, then maybe the road will bring bigger things. But like i wrote, i don't think it's an issue. Most of the national parks i've been too, not less than 2 hand's worth of fingers, all have good roads throughout the circuit. Considering Alas Purwo is the most revenue-generating tourist destination in East Java, i'm just surprised they didn't seal it earlier with their 'hotmix.' And maybe finish off the last 2 bridges too.
--MICHAEL
