Kalimantan

Kalimantan is Indonesia’s name for its two-third of Borneo, the
world third largest island. The other third of Borneo is divided into
the East Malaysian provinces of Sarawak and Sabah, plus the tiny
oil-rich sultanate of Brunei. Kalimantan, with an area of 540,000 sq
km, represent nearly 30 percent of the nation’s land area, but less
than five percent of the population. Many foreign visitors are
attracted by its wildlife and the white water rapids and the
untracked depths of the jungle. But many othres the greatest lure is
the Dayaks.

Orangutans, found in Sumatra and Borneo,
head the list of unusual animals along with the endemic probosics monkey. The orangutan, " man of the jungle" is an endangered species. There are only about 5,000 left in the wild and their
habitant is increasingly threatened by humans. The aptly-named probosics monkley have a huge red nose, which in adult male can grow to 15 cm. This disproportionate probosics strengthen the
animal vocal powers and also adds tonal qualities to the voice.
There are about 600 species of birds. The reclusive, magnificient
Argus pheasant takes the top prize in plumage. Hornbills are
considered sacred by several Dayak groups, perhaps by it ususual
appearance, the sound made during flight and the strange habit of
dealing up the female in a tree truck while eggs incubate.

East of Kalimantan or Kaltim is the most popular destination of Indonesia Borneo. The provice is huge, embracing the Mahakam River and its various tributaries as well as several river basins to the north. With over 200,000 square km, much of the land is unihabitated jungle and the population of 1.5 million mostly concentrate in the coastal areas. Balikpapan is the usual port of entry for Kaltim. This busy oil town which a population of nearly half a million, holds little interest to traveller unless on business. On the hilltop one can take in the view of Pertamina’s sprawling oil installations.

Samarinda, is the capital of Kaltim province. There are not many attraction here, but it worthwhile to hire a boat and observe activity along the waterfront; freighters loading or discharging; coal barges shoved around, rafts of logs towed to nearby lumber mills. Southeast Kalimantan or Kalsel, is a small province on the southeast coast of Borneo.

Banjarmasin, the capital city is famous for its colourful floating market and bustling canals. There are a couple of places, under the Yani bridge and at Kuin Pertamina where travellers can rent motorized canoes for a tour of Banjarmasin and the Barito River. Visitors are advise to go early to the floating market, Kuin Market. Here, produce is brought to the market in small boats, from which it is sold directly to women in tiny hand-paddled canoes. The women than glide on the canals to sell fruits and vegetables directly to housewives, whose front door are on the water. There are also little boats serving coffee, tea and snacks to canoes for a quick breakfast. From Banjarmasin, fly to Kumai, a riverside village just outside the Tanjung Puting Nature Reserve. Tanjung Putting’s hightlight is the orangutan rehabilitation center, at Camp Leakey. Tame orangutans that have been confiscated are turned over to the centre, where they are taught to live once again in their natural environment.

Central Kalimantan or Kalteng, is the Dayak province par excellence. Long dominated by the Islamic Banjarmasin. Palangkaraya, the capital of Kalteng has a population of less than 100,000. Most of the commercial and business activities are concentrated in the Pahandut district, where a village once existed on the Kanyan River before selected as the provicial capital. Dayak country is up the Kanyan River. There are daily passengers boats heading up river as far as Tewah, then hire a motorised canoe to Tumbang Mire and beyong to the traditional Ot Danum Dayak land with longhouses and funeral structures.

Western Kalimantan or Kalbar, covers a huge area, essentially the basins of the Kapuas River. Pontianak, the provincial capital lies near the sea at the juncture of a branch of the Kapuas and the Landaks rivers. The city’s name refers to evil spirit who inhabited the area before AbdulRahman scattered them wth a sustained and persuasive cannon barrage. Nearby is the 250 years old Abdur Rachman Mosque.