Mixing waters

The image of black water coming off the peat swamps and drifting into the muddy Kahayan River water looks like an odd painting, where the undercoat has still to be glazed by the final murky brown or conversely by the translucent black. But this scene is normal from the vantage point of the bridge over the Kahayan. A nearby creek which has run over the peat deposits on which Palangka Raya sits, sends its brackish water off to a swirling battle, where these days the muddy water will win. Once, they say, all the rivers of Kalimantan were black.

Rains

The rivers are overflowing and changing colour from the muddy brown of the lower levels to the black, clear brackish water flooding from the peaty soils in the forests. Floating houses, or rumah trapung, along the rivers rise with the tide and strain on the ropes anchoring them to the riverbanks. The stilt houses along the rivers are like islands with their canoes bobbing at the front door, and rickety bridges zigzagging to the nearest dry land. Forests flood and we can float through them to surprise birds and proboscis monkeys. As the rains culminate, and the dry season begins, the clouds scatter and the sun shines on this watery world, reflecting perfectly in the black water. Rains upriver still keep the levels high, as high as 15 feet or more above the dry season lows. With an easing of the rains, the river levels go down quickly and the floods rush away to the Java Sea or are absorbed into the sandy base of Kalimantan, once said to be the bottom of the ocean.

Getting ready for the festival

Palangka Raya is full steam ahead on preparations for the Isen Mulang Festival and 50th Anniversary celebrations. Practises for the mass marching and bands go on every night as buildings and thoroughfares everywhere are getting a spruce up. We visited the ceremonial longhouse to check on preparations for the formal dinner and dance spectacular to find renovations almost completed. The Museum is humming with activity as exhibits are prepared for a display of decorative features and tools from 39 provinces. Being part of it all lends excitement and a sense of shared responsibilty. Wish us all luck!

VIP Eco cruise boat preview

On 22 May, as part of the Isen Mulang Festival and 50th Anniversary of Central Kalimantan, we will preview our eco cruise boat, currently under renovation, to a group of VIP's from Jakarta, guests of the Governor.

The first to be operating on the rivers of Central Kalimantan, this boat is a major step forward for tourism. Taking guests in to the heart of the jungle to see unique wildlife, traditional lifestyles and stunning scenery, this boat will be equipped with 5 cabins, 3 bathrooms, dining area, covered viewing decks, and air conditioning. From its comfort, the guest can enter areas not before seen by tourists and later, take adventurous treks through the national park to seek the iconic orangutan in its native habitat.

VIP's will be treated the the traditional Dayak boat naming ceremony on 22 May, whereby a Dukun will bless and give the most propotitious name to the boat. Work will be finished by August, and we hope to be taking our first guests in September.