American guests enjoy the rivers of Kalimantan

Starting with a circuit of the Isen Mulang Decorated Boat Competitions in a traditional 'klotok' or canoe, the trip continued with an evening cruise up the Rungan River. Mooring overnight in a peaceful location, in the morning we went out exploring the nearby lakes by canoe. Further on up river, past the orangutan release island, we continued to a village, enjoying a peaceful stroll and conversation with local people. Can you pick out the colourful Kingfisher in one of the photos above?

Dutch Reality Show on the Rahai'i Pangun

Over 3 days, production company Die Beeldbrigade from Amsterdam, were in Palangkaraya to film an episode of their popular TV reality travel show, "Waar is de Mol?" Host Johnny de Mol had invited adventurous TV personality Nicolette Kluijver, as the special guest.

The crew were lucky to be here during Isen Mulang, the local sports and cultural festival, where Johnny and Nicolette are seen enjoying heats of the blowpipe competitions. Forest camping overnight was followed by cruising on the Rahai'i Pangun Jungle Boat. The successful visit also included a warm and spontaneous village ceremony.

Isen Mulang Festival Highlights - Decorated Boat Competions - Lomba Jukung Hias

We were watching from a small canoe in the midst of these wildly decorated boats as they enthusiastically competed for the honors. Full feathered and tattooed warriors, thumping gongs, and dancers found a place amidst the profusion of banners, of painted motifs and huts, and even a make believe waterfall. These boats, with their hornbill motif, representing the spiritual life, are believed to ferry the souls of the departed ancestors to heaven. Competitors came from regencies in Central Kalimantan.

ISEN MULANG FESTIVAL SCHEDULE 19-24 May 2009

Date : Monday, May 18 2009
Time : 08.00 am - finished
Activities : Re-applying process of all competitors
Time : 17.00 pm - finished
Activities : Competition of Traditional Canoeing, Besei Kambe, Decorating Canoe, Maneweng, Manetek (wood chopping) and Manyila Kayu (cutting fire woods), Blowpipe, Balugu (coconut bowls), Mangaruhi (catching fishes from pond),Sepak Sawut (Fire Football), Habayang, Karungut (traditional Dayak song), Dancing, Prince and Princess of Central Kalimantan, Exhibition, Pakasak Lamang (cooking sticky rice using bamboo), Cultural pageant and cooking traditional foods
Location : Tourism Department

Date : Tuesday, May 19 2009
Time : 14.00 pm - finished
Activities : The Grand Opening of Isen Mulang Festival, Cultural and Tourism Pageant
Time : 19.00 pm- finished
Activities : Karungut and Fireball Competition
Location : Sanaman Mantikei - Stadium

Date : Wednesday, May 20 2009
Time : 08.00 am - finished
Activities : Balugu, Habayang, Blowpipe, Traditional Canoeing Competition
Time : 19.00 pm - finished
Activities : Traditional Dancing and Fireball Competition
Location : Sanaman Mantikei

Date : Thursday, May 21 2009
Time : 08.00 am - finished
Activities : Cooking, Balugu, Blowpipe, Habayang, Mangenta, Traditional Canoe and Besei Kambe Competition
Time : 14.00 pm - finished
Activities : Balugu, Blowpipe, Habayang (Sanaman Mantikei), Traditional Canoe and Besei Kambe Competition (Kahayan River - Under the Kahayan Bridge)
Time : 19.00pm - finished
Activities : Fireball and Coastal Dance Competition
Location : Sanaman Mantikei

Date : Friday, May 22 2009
Time : 08.00 am - finished
Activities : Balugu, Blowpipe, Habayang, Besei Kambe, Mangaruhi (Location : Golf Field Km 4), Maneweng-Manetek and Manyila Kayu, also Pakasak Lamang Competition
Time : 18.30 pm - finished
Activities : Prince and Princess Of Central Kalimantan Competition
Time : 19.00pm - finished
Activities : Fireball Competition
Location : Sanaman Mantikei

Date : Saturday, May 23 2009
Time : 08.30 am - finished
Activities : Prince and Princess of Central Kalimantan Competition (Interview Session)
Location : Balanga Museum
Time : 14.00 pm - finished
Activities : Decorated Canoe Competition
Location : Under the Kahayan Bridge
Time : 19.00pm - finished
Activities : Entertainment
Location : The Big Roundabout

Date : Sunday, May 24 2009
Time : 18.30 pm- finished
Activities : Prince and Princess of Central Kalimantan Competition (Grand Final)
Time : 19.00 pm- finished
Activities : The closing of Isen Mulang Festival
Location : Sanaman Mantikei

Isen Mulang Festival 19-24 May

Every year the Dayak Festival of Isen Mulang marks the foundation of the Province of Central Kalimantan. Vibrant with traditional singing, dance, games and sport teams from the many culturally unique districts of the Province, competing to win the annual laurels, Palangkaraya comes alive.

Calm waters and lush jungle

After heavy rains, the waters of the Kahayan and Rungan Rivers had risen quickly to give our guests the opportunity to glide by canoes in the flooded forests and jungles near the rivers.

Occasional rain speckles the waters and can pound on the boat covers, and freshens the already green landscapes.

Sebangau River and WWF replanting program

We picked a great day to take a speedboat trip to the WWF-Indonesia's tree planting and forest rehabilitation site on the eastern edge of the Sebangau National Park. Perfect reflections in the river, and a clear day, made this half day spin from Palangkaraya a real treat.

Over the past 7 or so years, WWF-Indonesia have constructed an earth dam, closing a major canal opened previously by loggers. This has allowed the water table to raise, thus permitting the reforestation of dangerously dried out areas at the park boundaries.

A view from lookout tower shows the vast area now being re-forested, and a glimpse of the tall forest perhaps 10kms beyond. The first trees replanted, including resin tress, are now up to 4 meters in height, and up to 100,000 have been planted or are in nurseries waiting to go out!