カリマンタンアクセス

Updated on June 18, 2001

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presented by：illusion mill

　

Recent conditions in Kalimantan　up！

The degree of danger is grade 3 in central Kalimantan according to safety information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is lower than it was in the spring. Still, to my regret, safety in Kalimantan is not satisfactory. This situation has had extensive influence, and the eco-tour planned this spring has been postponed. I hope that the political dispute will be settled as early as possible as I expect an eco-tour to be given in the fall.

Traffic

It is convenient to take a plane from Jakarta to Kalimantan. Garuda Indonesian Airways and Merpati Airlines have routes to Palangkaraya and Bandjarmasin, major cities in Kalimantan. There is one flight a day from Jakarta to Palangkaraya. The time of service changes from season to season. You can use Japan Air Lines, Garuda Indonesian Airways, or Singapore Airlines to fly from Japan to Jakarta.

Hotels

Sometimes there is an arrow on the ceiling of your room. It points toward Mecca. Islamic people say pray every day while facing Mecca. Alcoholic beverages are normally not served in Islamic hotels. I hear that they serve alcoholic beverages in teapots if you insist on having one. The pointed ornament on the roof, as shown in the picture, is the sign of Dayak.

Safety

Kalimantan is a comparatively safe place in Indonesia with the current political unrest. Nevertheless, you must be careful about problems from illegal cutting of trees, racial conflicts between Dayak and Madura, and malaria and dysentery. It is said that the military authorities may be involved in the illegal cutting that occurs daily. Therefore, it is very dangerous to recklessly approach when there is cutting taking place. Check the latest safety information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs(Jpanese) in order to protect yourself.

Jungle

Kalimantan was mostly covered with thick forests where orangutans lived. Canal development, deforestation, palm tree planting, the program for resettlement from Jakarta, and El Nino caused large-scale forest fires that resulted in the loss of extensive forest area. There are various attempts to regrow the forest including a joint project(Jpanese) by CIMPTROP of Palangkaraya University and Hokkaido University. I recommend looking at the Nature Reserves of Kalimantan site .

　

Weather

The rainy season begins in October and ends in March, and the dry season begins in April and ends in September. The rainy season, however, has become shorter in recent years because of global warming. Even during the rainy season, it does not rain all day long, but rains heavily once in a day. The temperature is between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius. Local people seem to feel cool in this season, and there are some people wearing long-sleeved jackets. Weather information for Kalimantan (Balikpapan) can be obtained from the CNN weather forecasts. You can receive the latest news in Indonesia from Indonesia Watching.

Maps

Kalimantan, an Indonesian province, is situated in the southern half of Borneo and is right on the equator. You can get maps of Kalimantan at map stores that handle overseas maps. I recommend a map published by Nelles Verlag (\1,470). Please look at Earth View to see Kalimantan from a satellite.

Conversation

In Kalimantan, it is recommended that you speak Indonesian. English is often spoken in airports and hotels, but most people speak Indonesian. If this is difficult for you, then you should at least bring "Hand Conversation While Traveling" (\1,260) with you to enjoy communication with the local people. You can also utilize websites such as Simple Indonesian Conversations (with pronunciations).

Clothing
　
Split-toed heavy-cloth shoes (jikatabi) are the most suitable for walking in the jungle. Roads are muddy and slippery in the rainy season, so you should wear good footgear. Wet clothes are hard to dry in tropical humid rain forests, so bring clothes made of materials that are easy to dry. Please access the OUTDOOR BASIC TECHNIC (Jpanese)site to procure outdoor goods.

Field report

"Field Report" "Miscellaneous Impressions of Kalimantan(Japanese)" "Kalimantan Action!" and "Dayak, Dayak, Daya k" sites have been added. Please take a look at them.

　

　

　

Updated on June 18, 2001 Go JAPANESE page presented by：illusion mill
	Recent conditions in Kalimantan　up！ The degree of danger is grade 3 in central Kalimantan according to safety information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is lower than it was in the spring. Still, to my regret, safety in Kalimantan is not satisfactory. This situation has had extensive influence, and the eco-tour planned this spring has been postponed. I hope that the political dispute will be settled as early as possible as I expect an eco-tour to be given in the fall. Traffic It is convenient to take a plane from Jakarta to Kalimantan. Garuda Indonesian Airways and Merpati Airlines have routes to Palangkaraya and Bandjarmasin, major cities in Kalimantan. There is one flight a day from Jakarta to Palangkaraya. The time of service changes from season to season. You can use Japan Air Lines, Garuda Indonesian Airways, or Singapore Airlines to fly from Japan to Jakarta. Hotels Sometimes there is an arrow on the ceiling of your room. It points toward Mecca. Islamic people say pray every day while facing Mecca. Alcoholic beverages are normally not served in Islamic hotels. I hear that they serve alcoholic beverages in teapots if you insist on having one. The pointed ornament on the roof, as shown in the picture, is the sign of Dayak. Safety Kalimantan is a comparatively safe place in Indonesia with the current political unrest. Nevertheless, you must be careful about problems from illegal cutting of trees, racial conflicts between Dayak and Madura, and malaria and dysentery. It is said that the military authorities may be involved in the illegal cutting that occurs daily. Therefore, it is very dangerous to recklessly approach when there is cutting taking place. Check the latest safety information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs(Jpanese) in order to protect yourself. Jungle Kalimantan was mostly covered with thick forests where orangutans lived. Canal development, deforestation, palm tree planting, the program for resettlement from Jakarta, and El Nino caused large-scale forest fires that resulted in the loss of extensive forest area. There are various attempts to regrow the forest including a joint project(Jpanese) by CIMPTROP of Palangkaraya University and Hokkaido University. I recommend looking at the Nature Reserves of Kalimantan site .	Weather The rainy season begins in October and ends in March, and the dry season begins in April and ends in September. The rainy season, however, has become shorter in recent years because of global warming. Even during the rainy season, it does not rain all day long, but rains heavily once in a day. The temperature is between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius. Local people seem to feel cool in this season, and there are some people wearing long-sleeved jackets. Weather information for Kalimantan (Balikpapan) can be obtained from the CNN weather forecasts. You can receive the latest news in Indonesia from Indonesia Watching. Maps Kalimantan, an Indonesian province, is situated in the southern half of Borneo and is right on the equator. You can get maps of Kalimantan at map stores that handle overseas maps. I recommend a map published by Nelles Verlag (\1,470). Please look at Earth View to see Kalimantan from a satellite. Conversation In Kalimantan, it is recommended that you speak Indonesian. English is often spoken in airports and hotels, but most people speak Indonesian. If this is difficult for you, then you should at least bring "Hand Conversation While Traveling" (\1,260) with you to enjoy communication with the local people. You can also utilize websites such as Simple Indonesian Conversations (with pronunciations). Clothing 　 Split-toed heavy-cloth shoes (jikatabi) are the most suitable for walking in the jungle. Roads are muddy and slippery in the rainy season, so you should wear good footgear. Wet clothes are hard to dry in tropical humid rain forests, so bring clothes made of materials that are easy to dry. Please access the OUTDOOR BASIC TECHNIC (Jpanese)site to procure outdoor goods. Field report "Field Report" "Miscellaneous Impressions of Kalimantan(Japanese)" "Kalimantan Action!" and "Dayak, Dayak, Daya k" sites have been added. Please take a look at them.