When Idul Fitri holiday season is coming, we are making a a quick trip to East Borneo (Balikpapan, Samarinda and Bontang). We were landed in Balikpapan in different day and airplane, we arrived at 23rd June and 24th June 2017. So our trip were actually started at 24th June, our first stop is Bangkirai Hill (or Bukit Bangkirai in Indonesian language). The road to Bangkirai Hill is mostly in good condition, but some of them did not have tarmac (you have to be more careful when the rain is coming). The trip to Bangkirai Hill from Balikpapan took around 1,5 hours (according to google map at our trip). After we are arrived at Bangkirai Hill, we have some coffee and snacks to recharge the energy. The ticket is around Rp 25.000,00 - Rp 35.000,00/person (including insurance). To the 'Canopy Bridge' we must walking through the forest around 500 meters, it is quite easy, because the trek is sloping. Bangkirai is the name one of the tree at the forest and we can see some of them fall down because their age is over than 20 years old.
When you arrived at the Canopy Bridge just take a deep breathe, release and say WOOOWWWWW
The picture above is only the beginning guys, you must see the next pictures.
It's about 30-50 meters above the land (just don't look down if you have a fear of heights)
It's beautiful (isn't it ?). Our GOD is awesome. When you have time at Balikpapan you should visit this gorgeous place and experience by yourself what I see at this wonderful Bangkirai Hill.
After spending 1,5 hours at Bangkirai Hill we go the next city and it's Samarinda. We were arrived at Samarinda at 19.30 o'clock and found the restaurant to eat dinner before we are check in to the hotel. We were stay at Swis Bel Hotel for 2 nights, it is a good hotel and near to a mall.
The 2nd day we go to Beras Basah Island in Bontang, took around 3 hours from Samarinda to Bontang. The road mostly in good condition but need a good driver skill, because the road is a little bit climb and meander. Near Tanjung Laut Port in Bontang we buy some food to eat at Beras Basah Island. In Tanjung Laut Port you have to go the post to rent a boat to Beras Basah Island. It's depend how many person in the boat. Our group is aorund 10 persons and the charge for the boat is Rp. 600.000,00 and the boat is wait for us at the island until we finish the activities in the island. From Tanjung Laut Port to Beras Basah Island is around 45 minutes, lucky for us the wave is calm and we are enjoy the boat trip to the island.
Even baby Bennett is sleeping on the boat (hi hi hi hi hi)
That's Beras Basah Island guys, woooohooooooo ........
The kids are swimming, playing with the sand, and the adults can fishing at the pier. The water is very clear, we can see the fishes swimming around, if you lucky you can spot the star fish too, but beware of sea urchin if you go near the pier or a little bit far from the beach.
And we were enjoyed at Beras Basah Island until 18.00 o'clock, before we left the island we took some pictures together.
This is the other one
Then we back again to Samarinda and almost 21.30 o'clock ....... (the trip to Beras Basah Island is worth it).
After we discuss at breakfast, we decided go to Pampang Cultural Village (still in Samarinda area) around 30-40 minutes from the city. And this is what you can see at Pampang Cultural Village .......
The ticket to see the performance is Rp. 5.000,00/person and the ticket to take a picture with them is Rp 60.000,00/group. Beside the traditional house you can buy some souvenir or handicraft from Dayak Ethnic Group like bracelet, hat, key chain, bag, hand fan, and many more. It's good to know your own culture and appreciate them.
After visited Pampang Cultural Village we are going back to Balikpapan (again) and visit a friend in Samarinda before it. Don't forget to try yellow rice from Samarinda, and we did it. The taste is good and the important is free (no no no it's a joke, our friend buy it for us).
The next day at Balikpapan, we visit Mirror Lake at Lamaru. It's not a natural lake, but it is a big (enough) abandon hole (a quarry maybe) and filled with rain water after a long time. Better you visited in the morning or afternoon, because it's very hot at noon. There is no activities you can do in here beside taking pictures. The reflection of the tress around the lake good enough. Almost no other people came to this lake, but the hot weather at noon make us only spend 10-15 minutes at the lake.
The main attraction for this day is Graha Indah Mangrove Center, we would like to enjoy the boat trip along river with the mangrove forest around us and don't forget to see Bekantan (one kind of monkey at Borneo). The cost to take the boat trip is around Rp 300.000,00 and the trip is about an hour long. We wait around 10-15 minutes before our arrive, because they only have 2-3 boats. It's good experience and you have to try it once you visit Balikpapan.
We were boarded to the boat
On the boat
The view along the trip
We saw the Bekantan at some spots, but not more than 15 Bekantans (I guess) and I only brought a wide angle lens so I had no pictures of them. From the boat driver, they told us that Bekantan is a shy animal, when they meet human they turn around their body or run away and did not want to see the human. The mangroves in this area are around 10-20 years old, so it's tall enough.
But ....... it is the kids with Bekantan Statue
The last evening at Balikpapan we eat at Seafood Restaurant called Biru Laut. Nice and cozy place to eat and hang around with friends or families.
Here comes the wives with 'Save Dodo The Orang Utan' T-Shirt
and the last not the least ...... Our home is so far far away (from Balikpapan)
Happy to travel and happy to share
Keep unity
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