238 LIFE IX JAVA.
carried us through flat, uninteresting, sandy country ; the open and exposed route being occa- sionally sheltered by groves of teak. Crossing the river Serayu, we arrived at Tjilatjap, a small sea- port town situated at the bend of a bay in the Indian Ocean, opposite the little island of Nousa Kambungan. Its harbour bears the palm before all others in Java, as the safest, the deepest, and most accessible place of refuge in stormy weather.
The town, which is neatly planned, is an exten- sive government salt depot for the southern pro- vinces of Java the salt being conveyed here by vessels from the mines of Sumanup in Madura. It also serves as a penal settlement for native criminals. The chief attraction of the place is its proximity to the island of Nousa Kambungan, on wdiich are some beautiful stalactite caverns, and a fort called Karang Bolong, commanding the south- east passage.
�� �
