EAST KALIMANTAN ACCOMMODATION

East kalimantan Hotel & Resort

Balikpapan Hotel

Dusit Balikpapan

As a major producer of oil and timber, East Kalimantan is at present the most industrially advanced province of the island and the second largest province in Indonesia. It is also the home of the original inhabitants of Kalimantan, the Orang Gunung or Mountain People. The tribes are collectively called Dayak, although this name is not embraced by many tribes people themselves, who prever to be known by separate tribal names such as Iban, Punan and Banuaq.

EAST KALIMANTAN : BRIEF HISTORY

Local tribes traditionally live in   communal longhouses called Lamin or Umaq Daru. They  are built on wooden piles which can sometimes be as tall as 3 metres high as  protection against wild animals and flooding. The Punan, however, are nomadic hunter gatheres, who still move around the jungles and only use the longhouse  at the height of the rainy season. Steeped in tradition, the interior of the longhouse is typically divided into separate family quarters with a communal area connecting each of the quarters and therefore each of the families. It is in these communal areas that village meetings are held and ceremonies performed, thereby reinforcing the strong tribal bonds that have kept the Dayaks alive in the face of rapidly advancing 20th century technology.
Guardian statues are normally placed in front of longhouses to protect them against evil spirits who  bring disease and bad fortune. Such longhouses, however, are steadily disappearing and many that remain have been converted into meeting halls or stages for dance and music performance. The more remote and traditional  tribes people have pierced earlobes, which over the years have become stretched by the weight of heavy gold or brass rings, and beautifully elaborate tattoos. Local jewelry and designs are intricate and powerful, often giving messages to be passed down from generation to generation.
The most common starting points for many journeys and adventures inland are Balikpapan and Samarinda, the provincial capital, because of regular flight services to Jakarta. Traveling along the extensive Mahakam river system, which has carved its way through the jungles and flatlands constantly reshaping and nourishing the land, is a fascinating adventure. River boats slide unobtrusively through heavily siltladen waters where plants and animals feed and drink along these nourishing shores ; wild orchids drip off trees; Bekantans (Proboscis monkeys), orangutans, crocodiles, clouded leopards, crab eating macaques, giant butterflies and the legendary hornbill all live here.
A 5,000 acre Orchid Reservation close to the village of Kersil Luwai cultivates 27 different species of orchid including the very rare Cologenia Pandurata of black orchid.

EAST KALIMANTAN : PLACES OF INTEREST

Samarinda
Samarinda is known for its fine sarong cloth. The city shows some signs of being the capital of a prosperous province. New government office and public utilities are rising everywhere. Samarinda has a number of modest but comfortable hotels.
Balikpapan
Balikpapan, the center of Kalimantan's oil industry is also the gateway to East Kalimantan with air and sea connections to Jakarta and other major points in Indonesia. Even the trip to Samarinda, begins in Balikpapan. In accordance with its importance, Balikpapan has a number of good Hotel, including one of International standard, as well as recreation facilities. It has the second busiest airport in the nation after Jakarta.
Berau and Marine Tourism on Derawan Island
Found here are the remains of a king called the Keraton Gunung Tambur and The Keraton Sambaliung. Historic objects can be seen here. Derawan island is about 3 hours by a long boat from Tanjung Redep ( The Capital of Berau Regency) of via Tarakan. There are many rare animals such as the green turtle, the scarlet turtle, star fruit turtle and sea cow. Other things are rare species of marine plants, coral reefs, iguanas, sea birds, crab and the location for a pearl diving. It is also food for scuba diving, fishing, swimming, and other water sports.
Bontang
Located in the regency of Kutai with an area of 200.000 ha. Bontang has a rare flora and fauna. The Kutai National Park near Bontang is north visiting to see sceneries especially those at Beras Basah.
Bulungan
It is one place for the adventure-seeking visitors. Things of Historic value and ancient remains, art collections and traditional ceremonies, with a background of beautiful panorama of the jungle and mountains are to be found there.
Tanah Merah Indah
This is recreational park called Ranah Tanah Indah lempake with a waterfall, located about 16 km from downtown Samarinda. It can be reached by car or public transportation.
Tenggarong
Tenggarong, up the Mahakam river from Samarinda, is the capital of the Kutai Regency and was once the seat of the Kutai sultanate. The Sultan's palace at the riverside is now a museum where the old royal paraphernalia are kept, as well as an excellent collection of antique Chinese ceramics. Dayak statues can be admired in the yard. A curious thing  about the royal paraphernalia is that they display a strong resemblance with Java's court traditions.
Every 24th of September, the former palace becomes a stage of dance and music performance given to celebrate the town's anniversary.
Tanjung Isuy
This little settlement around lake lempang in the lake studded East Kalimantan hinterland, has a traditional Dayak longhouse which has been turned into lodges for visitor. The grave of a Benuaq Dayak chief lies a side the hamlets only road. Visitors to Tanjung Isuy over the Mahakam rivers is a long but interesting one past floating villages and forest scenery. If you are lucky, you can watch a belian, or witch doctor, dressed in his skirt of leaves, cure his patients at night by performing the rites prescribed by ancestors to the frenzied accompaniment of gongs and drums. Many Benuaq Dayaks still prefer the old cures to the modern ones at government public health centers which are nearby.
Melak - Kersik Luway
Melak is a little village further upstream on the Mahakam river in the heart of the land of Tanjung Dayak. Not far from the village is the Kersik Luway nature reserve, where the "Black Orchid grows"
Muara Ancalong - Muara Wahau
Dances of the Kenyah Dayak are often performed here for visitor at a traditional longhouse. Also various handicrafts can be seen and purchased.

EAST KALIMANTAN : TOURISM EVENT