TRAVEL - South Borneo, Banjarmasin

Nothing evokes my imagination of unexplored tropical forest more than Borneo. Borneo is the third largest island in the world that is actually split up into three countries, Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), the sultanate of Brunei (sits in between Sabah and Sarawak), and Indonesia (Kalimantan) which are covers the biggest past of Borneo.

Recently, I had 10 days business trip to South Kalimantan and manage to enjoy a glimpse of Borneo on the weekend. My business trip happened to be at one of the biggest city of Kalimantan, Banjarmasin. So, here are my short tropical forest escape…

Matang Kaladan Hills

Matang kaladan hills is located at Tiwingan Baru village, Riam Kanan. It takes approximately 2 hours drive from Banjarmasin. As I arrived on Riam Kanan Dam, I parked the car then walk through a little township and found the gate to matang kaladan hills with the help of locals.

The track is quite friendly, for me who’s not exercise regularly it takes about 45 minutes to reach the top of the hill (people with a good stamina maybe will only takes 30 minutes). The track is not easy by any means, it has 45̊ slope ramp, but the good news is the locals made a rope to hold on to. Don’t forget to bring water supply and use your sport shoes.

As I arrived at the top of the hills, I see the stunning natural scenery. Enjoying the green hills that surrounding Riam Kanan Dam just make me forget about the hike.

From the top of the hill

Floating Market (Pasar Terapung)

Lok Baintan floating market is located only 1 hours away from Banjarmasin city by boat, it offers a fascinating view of many local and foreign visitors where one can witness both sellers and buyers in intense negotiations on jukung or traditional boats. If you want to be part of the market, you must be there before sunrise because the activity on Lok Baintan starts very early and not happens all day (only 5 am - 9 am).

I take the boat from small river port behind the famous “Soto Bang Amat” restaurant on 5.30 am and start my trip to the floating market. Since my trip begun very early in the morning, I happen to see a beautiful sunrise on my way to Lok Baintan. It is so beautiful.

Sunrise view from the river

I arrived at 6.30 and the floating market are already full of sellers on their jukung offering fresh vegetables, fruits, and fish from the surrounding agricultural areas along the Barito River. The atmosphere at Floating Market is unique and visitors can see big and small jukungs jostle each other looking for buyers while the waves come and go.

One of the sellers offer me to get on her jukung and joining her selling around some fresh fruits. She said that tourist usually give her a good luck. So I hop into her jukung and strolling around help her to sell some fruits and of course taking so much picture (LOL). I was amazed with the locals, they are very kind and friendly, my trip to Lok Baintan floating market is so fun. If you have a chance to go to Banjarmasin, a trip to Lok Baintan floating market in not to be missed!!
 

Helping the locals selling fresh fruits

Strolling around using this jukung 

Monkey Forest (Kembang Island)

After strolling around with jukung at floating market I continue my trip to Kembang Island (Pulau Kembang), it only takes approximately 30 minutes to get there. The island was originally in the form of delta which was then called by the surrounding community as an island. Located in the middle of the Barito river, Kembang Island is the habitat of long-tailed macaques (monkeys) and designated as a forest tour.

Monkeys in this place that number in thousands, are very familiar with the visitors. Usually when the tourists come to visit, apes are many who waited on the pier, waiting for the tourists to give them food such as bananas, beans and ice cream (yes, ice cream!). But because not all monkeys in this place friendly to visitors, so it's good to put luggage like a bag in a safe place and hidden.

Martapura Market (Diamond City)

Martapura is a sparkling little city, well known as “the Diamond City” due to the production of precious stones which is able to attract most of the jewelry collectors all over the world. Takes approximately 45 minutes from Banjarmasin, Martapura Market is a traditional market that sells diamonds and all the precious rocks delved from inside Borneo’s earth.  As a girl, I COULD NOT MISS THIS PLACE!! LOL.

For every big fan of jewelry and accessories made from pure diamond, gold, silver, various other gemstones, and even plastic, then Martapura is the place to be. The quality of Martapura’s jewelry is globally recognized as one of the best in the world and the price is cheapest among others. To be honest, I actually get here twice during my stay in Banjarmasin because this market is so addictive. Don’t forget to bargain here.

My little baby diamond 

Beautiful gems

Overall, Banjarmasin is an interesting city to visit. Is nothing like unexplored tropical forest I imagined, but it is a unique city that protect their tradition and nature. Not to mention, I will definitely missed their food :)