Talking about Klimantan means talking about the ingenious Dayak tribe and the rainforest. The Dayak people lives in the hinterland and in long houses. It is customary for them to live with a whole extended family or with one lan. Each family has their own compartment and the chief of the clan will occupy the central chamber. The Dayak house offers protection from enemies, wild animals and flooding. The space beneath the house is used a stable for keeping their domestic animals, such as pigs and chicken.

Their body is usually decorated with intricate tattoo, and it is interesting to notice that they have stretched ear lobes because of the weight of heavy gold rings. They love colorful beads, which applied on their apparels, basket, or other jewelries. To make medicines or potions, a Dayak healer has to walk or journey by boat for miles away to find leafs, roots or other distinctive herb. The tropical forest can provide it, because it has hundreds various species. That is why, taking care of the environment and natural resources is part of their life.

Based on history, the first Indonesia kingdom started from this island. The Kutai is the oldest kingdom of Indonesia and Kudungga is the 1st King. At present, Kalimantan is administratiely divided into four provinces: West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan and East Kalimantan.

Natural Habitat for Orangutans

Tanjung Puting National Park, located at Central Kalimantan around Sekonyer River is the home of the Orangutans, Proboscis monkey and seven other primate species. This park is the rehabilitation center for Orangutans, with more than 60 rangers and administrators employed by the Indonesian Government. They conduct research and also guide visitors who visit this park.

The Orangutan rehabilitation includes day-to-day care of all animals at the post, including health conditions monitoring, giving treatment for sick and injured primates. There are three separate rehabilitation camps: Tanjung Harapan is the medical center, which gives treatment for the sick or wounded Orangutans. For general health check, they do it at Pondok Tanggul and Camp Leakey.

For visiting the national park, you must prepare yourself. You must make two photocopies of your passport and four passport size photographs. When you arrive at Pangkalan Bun, you have to register to the local police. You can spend a night at Pangkalan Bun if you want to. Still in Pangkalan Bun, your next stop will be at PKA office to obtain park visit permits. You must give two photographs. After all the administration done, you can arrange a kelotok riverboat and through Sekonyer river, you will reach the first post: Tanjung Harapan. The journey takes about two and half hours. Keep and use the kelotok or speedboat for travel in and out the park.

Besides Tanjung Putting, Bulungan is an interesting place for people who love adventure. With the scenery of the beautiful jungle and mountain, this place also has historic value, ancient remains, art collections and traditional ceremonies.

If you want to fulfill your curiosity of the life of the Dayak people, Tanjung Isuy is the place. This little settlement is around lake Jempang at the hinterland of East Kalimantan. The Dayaks will greet you with their traditional Benuaq Dayak welcome. Through the Mahakam river, the journey will be long enough, since it is the longest river in Kalimantan. You would not regret it because you will pass the floating villages and the panorama of the forest. Hopefully you may be lucky to see a Belian (witch doctor), dressed in his leaves skirt, healing his patients. Usually this ritual will be at night with a special performance to their ancestors.

Life of The TurtlesBring your diving gear if you want to see rare species deep in the sea around Derawan island. From Tanjung Redep or Tarakan, it takes three hours by boat. You can see green turtles, scarlet turtles, star fruit turtles, sea cows and many colorful coral reefs. You can also see the location of pearl divings.
Take a deep breath, smell the scent of the green forest, hear the song of nature, see the rainbow colors of the coral reefs.