Rian Ahmadi Niko Perdana
Pbi 4 (1830205142)
English for Tourism
Here are the best places to visit in Kalimantan:
1. Derawan Island
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Derawan Island
Derawan Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Indonesia and lies off the coast of the main island of Kalimantan.
It is part of its own small archipelago and is one of the best places to dive in and around Kalimantan.
The waters here teem with marine live such as blue ring octopus and scorpion fish, and you can also find bobbing seahorses as well as ghostpipe fish.
There is a famous rock here named the Blue Trigger Wall which is some 18 meters long and sits at 10 meters below the surface of the water and this is one of the top dive spots in Derawan.
2. Balikpapan
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Banua Patra Beach, Balikpapan
Located in Eastern Kalimantan is the city of Balikpapan which is where you will find a more modern side to the island.
As such this is a great place to come if you want to ease into Kalimantan slowly and there are a good range of amenities here as well as a large shopping mall where you can check out how the youth of Kalimantan spend their weekends.
You will also find a number of museums and other attractions here to enjoy and it is also close to more rural areas if you want to explore outside the city.
It is also a good jumping off point if you want to fly within Kalimantan or explore some of the neighboring dive sites.
3. Maratua Island
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Maratua Island
Maratua Island lies between Indonesia and the Malaysian part of Kalimantan and also belongs to the Derawan Archipelago.
One of the main reasons to come here is to check out the two famous lakes that are found in the area in the form of Tanah Bamban Lake and Hajj Buang Lake.
There is a resort here that is known for its rooms that sit on top of water and the visibility is so good that you can see fish and turtles swimming underneath you.
As you would imagine, water sports abound here and you can enjoy snorkeling and jet skiing, or just rent a boat and check out the scenery from the water.
4. Banjarmasin
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Banjarmasin
Banjarmasin is on Southern Kalimantan and it is also the place where you will find the mighty Meratus Mountains.
The city is bisected by long waterways that you can explore using small local canoes, and this is the perfect place to enjoy a city experience coupled with a strong local culture and traditions.
One of the best things to do is take a canal tour, or you can also visit the main mosque in town called Mesjid Raya Sabilal Muhtadin to check out the gorgeous Islamic architecture.
5. Danau Sentarum National Park
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Danau Sentarum National Park
The Danau Sentarum National Park is a large area of wetland that stretches for 132,000 hectares.
Much of the park is made up of low level rainforest as well as large peat swamps and this is the place to come if you want to find a large amount of indigenous flora and fauna in one picturesque place.
Some of the wildlife that you can expect here includes orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and crocodiles, or you can also check out pheasants and storks.
As if that wasn’t enough, some of the indigenous groups of Kalimantan also live in the park so you can visit their camps and see how people have lived on this island for centuries.
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