GEOGRAPHICALY
East Kalimantan is the widest province in Indonesia, broadly region is about 245237,80 Km2 or about one a half point of Java Island and Madura or 11 % from Indonesia region wide total. This province abuts on direct with neighboring state, that is Sabah and Serawak, East Malaysia.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Based on the government region, this province is divided into 4 municipal administrations, and 9 regencies and 122 Districts, 1347 villages and 191 sub-districts.
East Kalimantan Province has 13 Regencies and Cities
DEMOGRAPHY
East Kalimantan Resident in 2004 amount to 2.750.369 men in 2005 East Kalimantan residents is predicted amount to 2,8 million men. It is compared to region wide, East Kalimantan Province has low density, that is mean about 11,22 men per Km2.
INVESTMENT
The main result of this province is mining products like oil, natural gas, and stone smoldered. Other sector being grow is agricultural and tourism.
East Kalimantan has some tourism objects such as;
Derawan Archipelago in Berau,
Kayan Mentarang National Park
Batu Lamampu Beach in Nunukan
The Crocodile Breeding in Balikpapan
The Deer Breeding in Penajam,
Dayak Pampang Kampong in Samarinda,
Amal Beach in Tarakan city
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 hotels, including one of international standard, as well as recreation facilities. It has the second busiest airport in the nation after Jakarta. [ More ... ]
SAMARINDA REGENCY
Samarinda is the capital of the East Kalimantan province on Kalimantan Island. The city is lies on the banks of Mahakam River. As well as being the capital, Samarinda is also the most populous city in East Kalimantan with population of 562,463 in 2000 and used by many as a gateway to the more remote regions of the province such as West Kutai, Kutai Kartanegara and East Kutai. To reach these areas usually involves travel by river as the most efficient means. An airport, ‘Temindung’ and a port are the transportation facility in Samarinda, however, there are plans to relocate both the airport and port soon.
Samarinda’s population includes Chinese; Banjarese, who are native to the southern part of the island; Kutais, who are native to the area around Samarinda; and Manu Muslims.
Samarinda is big in timber production, but the main reason to come here to explore the Mahakam River and visit the Dayak tribes that live on the banks of the river. Isuy Bay is located on the shores of Jempang Lake. There is a longhouse craft center and tourist hotel. Dance performances are regular happenings, especially when groups of tourists arrive. ‘Mancong’ is another longhouse, where you can stay. It’s a bit touristy as well. If you have time on your hands, you should head for Melka, which is some 30 hours by boat, but it has a great orchid reserve.
Samarinda is wood industrial estate in East Kalimantan as well as important port town. The location is not far from Balikpapan but the city that populates about 500 thousand men, has different situation from Balikpapan City. For tourist, Samarinda is good place to start the journey to hinterland, fringe Mahakam River. Most of the resident in Samarinda is Banjarese from South Kalimantan, so that Banjar langua has often heard in conversation here. Banjar Language is the primary language in Samarinda. Besides Banjarese, the second of the biggest public group in Samarinda is Kutai and other society that come from other area. Most of Samarinda City region is located in north of Mahakam River. In the riparian of this Mahakam has stood a Raya Darussalam Mosque that becomes one of characteristic or symbol of Samarinda City. Mostly the important white collars and hotel reside in north of the river.
TENGGARONG REGENCY
Tenggarong which is located 39 Km in northwest Samarinda during then is capital of Sultanate Kutai. The town is residing in Mahakam riverbank with people about 50 thousand mans; there is ex Kutai Empire, which now functioning as museum. This palace built by Dutch in year 1930 replaces wood building stripper palace that falling to pieces combustible. The Museum has collection of objects from Sultanate Kutai period and Dayak Tribes culture objects. The museum collection is impressing property of stripper ceramics jar of Chinese from dynasty Yuan, Ming and Qing period and now Sultanate Kutai is animated. Every year in September in Tenggarong is performed a Erau Festival that taking place during one finite two weeks. Dayak public who come from various areas in Kalimantan follows this event. At this event is performed custom ceremony and various dances that show by the Dayak dressy custom dancers. Kumala Island is newest tourism object in Kutai with solidarity between traditional and modern with complete facilities.
MELAK REGENCY
Melak is the biggest city upriver of Mahakam River, this famous town with ‘Cagar Nam Anggrek Kersik Luwai’ where about 72 different orchid species has grew in this place include a real rareness orchid ‘Cologenia Pandurata’. Nicest time to see orchid in this place is in January and February. The location of orchid garden is about 16 Km from Melak, which is reachable with renting vehicle of jeep or motorcycle. Various event of interesting customs is frequently performed in Melak like marriage ceremony, healing, death, buffalo cut ceremony and others. Healing ceremony, which is often performed usually in each March, April and June. The regional around Melak, in west side of Mahakam River, be plateau area (plateau) where in adjoining there is Barong Tongkok village, which is reachable by joining with others motorcycle or minibus public transport. This public vehicle would continuously finite to Eheng. In Barong Tongkok is available booth and Putri Tanjung Hotel. In Eheng there is an original long house, property of local public. It is told original, because this customhouse being built in 1960 still be dwelt by 32 Dayak Banuaq families. The possibilities of this long house become the last Dayak ash customhouse that built without subsidy from government.
Between Barong Tongkok and Eheng that is in Mencimai there is a museum agriculture of Dayak public that built by agricultural economy student from Japan who interesting with the public culture. In this museum is explained for example way of Dayak publics hunt animal (pig and monkey) in forest, way of collecting made, and way of making clothes from bark. This Museum also has collection of weapon mandau and tool from cane.
LONG IRAM
Long Iram is a calm village and peace. Here there are a number of omission buildings in colonial period. This village usually becomes perambulation end point Mahakam River. The journey farther upstream from this Long Iram has been difficult to be done by the river condition that is not enables to be passed by speedboat. But if the condition is enable farther upstream journey able to be done. Not far from Long Iram (3 Km) there is Gap Lake where you can explore the lake that become monkey habitat by rent some ships, which available. From Gap Lake journey can be continued to Tering – ama where there is a real impressing church.
DATAH BILANG
If the condition has enable you can continue the farther upstream journey, hence the interesting place, which can be visited after Long Iram is Datah Bilang. This area is Dayak Kenyah tribe public region who believing in Protestant Christian moving to this area in 1970 from their area before in Apokayan. The Dayak Kenyah woman in this place have long ear because decorate by a decoration as ballast.
INDONESIA INFORMATION
DEHYDRATION & SUNBURN
The sun is strong throughout the year in the country. Proper care against sunburn must be constantly taken. Dehydration and loss of salt through perspiration are two other common problems for the unprepared traveller. Drink plenty of fluids and replace your salt loss. Make sure you pack clothing suitable for a warm humid climate.
MOSQUITOES
Due to the constant humid climate, mosquitoes tend to be present throughout the year. The three most significant diseases transmitted by mosquitoes are Malaria, Dengue Fever and Japanese B Encephalitis. To repel mosquitoes, ticks and other arthropods, apply an insect repellent containing DEET to your skin or clothing.
The risk of malaria for most tourists visiting Peninsular Malaysia is extremely small. There is insignificant risk in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and other major cities. However, in East Malaysia, the risk of malaria is present throughout the year. Even in these regions, the risk is mainly off the coastal plains and towards the border areas. Generally, prophylaxis is recommended for those visiting Sabah or Sarawak.
YELLOW FEVER
There is no risk of yellow fever in Malaysia. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required for entry if you are coming from countries in South America or sub-Saharan Africa.
FOOD
Generally, the level of food hygiene throughout the country is high. However, make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Food from street vendors should be treated with care. Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. If possible, avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. Bring along iodine tablets and portable water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available. Also, wash your hands often with soap and water. As an extra precaution, bring along anti-diarrhoea medication and an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor to self-treat moderate to severe diarrhoea.
VACCINATIONS
Recommended vaccines:
Poliomyelitis (childhood booster)
Tetanus (childhood booster)
Typhoid (food & water borne diseases)
Hepatitis A (food & water borne diseases)
For those venturing outside cities and towns, further recommended vaccines are Hepatitis B, Rabies, Japanese B Encephalitis, Tuberculosis and Meningitis. For those visiting Sabah and Sarawak, Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended.
Do and Don’t
When visiting Indonesia, visitors should observe local customs and practices. Some common courtesies and customs are as follows :
Although handshakes are generally acceptable for both men and women, some Muslim ladies may acknowledge introductions to gentlemen by merely nodding and smiling.
A handshake should only be initiated by ladies. The traditional greeting or salam resembles a handshake with both hands but without the grasp.
The man offers both hands, lightly touches his friends outstretched hands, and then brings his hands to his chest to mean, “I greet you from my heart”. The visitor should reciprocate the salam.
It is polite to call before visiting a home.
Shoes must always be removed when entering a home.
Drinks are generally offered to guests. It is polite to accept.
The right hand is always used when eating with one’s hand or giving and receiving objects. The right forefinger is not used to point at places, objects or persons. Instead, the thumb of the right hand with four fingers folded under is the preferred usage.
Shoes must be removed when entering places of worship such as mosques and temples. Some mosques provide robes and scarves for female visitors.
Taking photographs at places of worship is usually permitted but always ask permission beforehand.
The One and The Only Destination
The largest archipelago in the world, Indonesia lies at the crossroads between the Indian and Pacific oceans and bridges the continental land masses of Asia and Australia. It is one of the most volcanic and the most seismically active regions in the world: of its more than 400 volcanoes, 128 are considered active and 75 had erupted in historic times with more or less disastrous effects to the surrounding populations. Even today eruptions of varying magnitude occur regularly, rejuvenating the soil to make it among the most fertile on earth.
Flanked by the tepid equatorial waters of two of the world’s great oceans, the land rises from the darkest depths of some of the world’s deepest oceans through to the towering peaks of the volcanoes and the realm of perennial snow of the Jayawijaya mountain range in Irian Jaya.
It seems natural that the migratory waves of peoples from the Asian mainland in search of new dwellings began millennia ago. They found these islands a most ideal place to settle down.
In the course of time, distinct ethnic groups evolved in the regions where they settled down. Each group nurturing its own heritage of culture and traditions within the large common ancestral frame. In view of the great diversity of Indonesia’s physical and cultural make-up, a careful selection of the subjects of interest is recommended, as well as prior contact with the proper private or government organizations and agencies.
The Directorate General of Culture, for example, may provide the necessary guidance for special interest visits pertaining to culture or history.
The Indonesia Institute of Sciences (LIPI) is the overall organization in charge of scientific research. In some cases, special permits have to be obtained, such as from the Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (PHPA) for visits to the nature reserves.
The Department of Industry, the Department of Trade, the Indonesian Foreign Investment Board and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN/CCI) are all concerned with trade and industry. In case of doubt, it is well advised to contact the nearest Indonesian Tourist Information Offices or Diplomatic Missions where special requirements may have to be met.
