Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( T 0561 748124). Agents on Jl Gajah Mada and Jl
Diponegoro can arrange tickets for express boats to
Jakarta and Surabaya; PT Indo Pacific Jasaprataura at Jl
Gajah Mada 2A is one of the better ones. Comfortable a/c
express boats run regularly to Ketapang on the west coast.
Destinations Jakarta (weekly; 36hr); Katapang (daily
7am; 6hr); Surubaya (fortnightly; 48hr); Tanjung Priok
(fortnightly; 38hr).
VISAS
If you're visiting Kalimantan from outside
of Indonesia you must make sure you
have a valid visa before entering.
Balikpapan and Pontianak are the only
airports in Kalimantan offering visas on
arrival. At the time of writing, those
travelling overland from Kuching to
Pontianak could pick up a thirty-day visa
at the border; in Sabah, the visa is
available from the consulates in Kota
Kinabalu and Tawau ; sixty-day visas are
at the discretion of the consulates.
INFORMATION
Tourist information The tourist information o ce is
largely useless for foreigners. For in-depth information
contact experienced local English-speaking guide Alex
Afdhal ( T 0812 576 8066, E alexafdhal@yahoo.com) of
Borneo Access Adventurer on Jl Tanjung Harapan Gang HD
Usman 46 ( W borneoaccessadventurer.com), who arranges
numerous adventure-based tours, from Dayak Longhouse
visits to 19-day trans-Borneo expeditions.
near the ferry terminal. Along the river,
there are still several old buildings of
interest: the eye-catching Istana Kadriyah ,
built in 1771, and the traditional
Javanese four-tiered roof of Mesjid Jami
stand near each other on the eastern side
of the Kapuas Kecil, just over the Kapuas
bridge from the main part of town.
On Jalan Jend A Yani, 1.5km south of
the town centre (Rp2500 by opelet), is the
worthwhile Museum Negeri (Tues-Sun
8am-3pm; Rp2500), which contains a
comprehensive collection of Dayak tribal
masks, tattoo blocks, weapons and musical
instruments. Just round the corner from
the museum, on Jalan Sutoyo, is an
impressive replica of a Dayak longhouse .
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By plane Supadio Airport lies 20km south of the city
centre, linked by taxi (Rp90,000). For most destinations in
Kalimantan you'll have to transit through Jakarta.
Destinations
ACCOMMODATION
Ateng House 201 Jl Gajah Mada (above Ateng Tours)
T 0561 732683, W atengtravel.com. Bright, clean a/c
rooms with free wi-fi characterize this central budget
option; the twin rooms are on the small side. Single
Rp150,000 , twin Rp175,000
4
Hosanna Inn Jl Pahlawan 224 T 0561 735052,
W hosannainn.com. Although tiny, this bright boutique
hostel is the best budget option in town. Friendly staff, tidy
a/c rooms and great location; it's right above the DAMRI ticket
o ce where buses stop fo r Kuching. R ates i nclude a sim ple
breakfast and wi-fi. Single Rp115,000 , twin Rp155,000
EATING
There are plenty of street stalls around town, especially
near the market and harbour.
Beringin Jl Diponegoro 113. This is the largest of four
locations around town. The friendly owner offers good
West Sumatran food at low prices; the sate Pedang and
sambal sotong (squid in chilli sauce) really stand out.
Mains from Rp20,000. Daily 9am-10pm.
Gajah Mada Jl Gaja Madah 202. Large, upmarket Chinese
restaurant famous for its excellent seafood and freshwater
fish dishes. Try the crab fu yung (Rp35,000) or the jelawat
(West Kalimantan river fish; Rp40,000). Daily 10am-10pm.
Balikpapan (several daily via Jakarta; 3hr
with transit); Jakarta (20 daily; 1hr 25min); Ketapang (2
daily; 35min); Kuching (at least 1 daily; 45min); Pangkalan
Bun (2 daily; 1hr); Putussibau (daily; 1hr).
By bus International buses arrive and depart from
Ambawang bus terminal. Reliable companies include
DAMRI (Jl Pahlawan 226/3; T 0561 744859) and Bintang
Jaya (Jl Tanjung Pura 310A; T 0561 659 7402). The
intercity bus terminal is Batu Lawang, north of the city,
serving destinations across West Kalimantan.
Destinations
TAXI OR TAKSI?
In Kalimantan there are two forms of
transport; a taxi is a traditional taxi cab,
while a taksi , which is often an
overcrowded minibus known as an
angkot, an opelet or a bemo elsewhere in
Indonesia, has different colours, numbers
or letters to indicate its route.
Bandar Seri Begawan (2 daily; 26hr); Kota
Kinabalu (daily; 38hr); Kuching (several daily; 9hr);
Putussibau (daily 4pm; 19hr).
By ferry The main ferry port where Pelni and other
passenger boats arrive is a few hundred metres north of
the Kartika Hotel on Jl P Kasih. For Pelni ferries, you can
buy tickets at their o ce at Jl Sultan Abdul Rahman 17
 
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