Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival in East Java

ALUN-ALUN, BANYUWANGI, EAST JAVA, INDONESIA - 2014/11/20: Scenes from the Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival 2014 in East Java. The carnival this year was attended by various dignataries from across Indonesia and also the US Ambassador to Indonesia , O'Blake. This festival, the third,, inspired by international carnivals and that of neighbouring Jember, was partly the brainchild of the current regent ('Bupati') of Banyuwangi, Abdullah Azwar Anas, who has managed to raise Banyuwangi's status up from the poorest in East Java and is determined to establish a vibrant toursim industry. The costumes were created by clubs or associations that are not unlike those of New Orleans Mardi Gras. (Photo by Rio Helmi/LightRocket via Getty Images)