Cultural voyage

Its in the villages where visitors can really get to know the people, their lives and livelihoods, and their culture.
This is how Mardiah, our American guest, saw it :

“It was so moving to visit the two villages. Kanarakhan and Gaung Baru were memorable in their exchange of culture with us” Mardiah Gleeson

Rungan River maiden voyage

The Rahai'i Pangun's maiden cruise in February 2008 left Palangkaraya bound upriver for canoeing adventures, to see orangutans and for a relaxing journey along the jungle bound river.
Let the guests tell you about the experience :
"Thank you for a fabulous trip! It was the perfect combination of luxury and adventure. I'll be back again" Jo Perrens
" To all on the Rahai'i Pangun, thank you for introducing me to the wonders of Central Kalimantan over a fantastic few days. Loved the boat, loved the concept, loved the food - and the company was pretty great too! " Robin

Lake Sebangau to Palangkaraya

Making the journey from the peaceful and protected Lake Sebangau to Palangkaraya, even though by road a rapid car trip of only 15 minutes, was expected to be a 3 or 4 day marathon journey by river.

Initially taking us down the glassy waters of the peat stained Sebangau River past tangling rushes, and tiny fishing settlements, we would have to face the big challenge of taking our remodelled river boat on a short sea journey. Only a few hours, but this is the storm season, and with increasing deforestation, come bigger winds.

After only an hour from our departure point, we were stuck in a huge clump of river weeds, and were pulled free by a passing klotok or long canoe taxi. We were aiming for arriving at the mangrove river mouth before midnight in order to begin our projected 6 hour journey to the Kahayan River mouth at 5 am.

Gliding down the Sebangau in an irridescent atmosphere and chugging through one of the best sunsets ever, it was easy to shelve our worries about the sea trip. When finally we reached the mosquito infested mouth, registering with the coast guards, and waiting nervously until dawn, we bobbed alongside other huge sea craft waiting to see the weather conditions as well.

All seemed well enough, not mirror calm, but slightly choppy, so we took off. Heading straight into the waves, we took a course of least resistence, and distant from the treacherous sandy shores and winds and waves driving into our side. Once in sight of the wide muddy mouth of the Kahayan River, we turned our stern to the winds and hurried ashore.

Our boat boys looked sea sick, but the retired captain, used to much worse on the Java Sea, just kept going on coffee and noodles until we entered the port of Bawan. Reputed as a hive of pirates, all we saw were a bunch of very friendly and surprised kids, a riverside stonemason with a display of tombs, and many tall concrete buildings with tiny swallow holes (their custom built nesting sites by enterprising villagers).

The final days on the broad muddy Kahayan were marked by rain and more rain. But it stopped long enough for us to visit a traditional longhouse in the Governor's village of Buntoi.

Limping into Palangkaraya, sodden and sick of noodles in any shape or form, we bid farewell to our crew from the Sebangau and began the task of making final repairs and finding a new crew.

An exciting new eco adventure

The comfortable and welcoming Rahai'i Pangun , built on the Katingan River, was finally remodelled on the banks of Lake Sebangau.
These are the first pictures of it cruising in the early dawn across the mirror clear waters of the lake.
Fitted out with 5 double cabins with western style bathrooms below decks, the upper viewing deck gives fellow adventurers the perfect space to relax and enjoy the passing jungle scenery and to watch the passing parade of river craft.
With the final finishing touches made, the Rahai'i Pangun is prepared to set off on its long journey from the Sebangau River to the Kahayan River and its new home in Palangkaraya.




The comfortable Rahai'i

PATA in Bali

KTD was able to attend the Pacific and Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Fair in Bali in September. The fair is a travel trade event, this year attended by over 400 sellers of tourism products and over 300 buyers. The response to the new eco cruise offered by Kalimantan Tourism Destinations (KTD) was enthusiastic. There is a market for new, unique travel destinations, which provide quality accommodation and experiences. KTD, with the completion of its cruise vessel, ready for the first commercial voyages on 1 January 2008, is gearing up for a very busy new year.

Independence Day 17 August

Tujuh belas agustus is Indonesian Independence Day, marked in communities all over the country by wildly competitive games hotly contested by kids from 5 or 6 years up. Have you ever tried to eat a krupuk hanging from a string with hands tied behind , or maneuver a pencil tied around your waist into a soda bottle - backwards? Well, people line up here to try. Our community had non-stop games the morning, hoop rings, 3 legged races, and basketball all morning, and tug of wars, football and karaoke in the afternoon. Drifts of kids turned up, all determined to win a prize. Supervising all were a dedicated team of grown ups, who no doubt remember the fun they had when young!