Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In late September thousands of Dayaks hold a vast intertribal party punctuated by tradi-
tional dances, ceremonies and other events that is not to be missed. Ask at hotels for
schedule.
Sleeping & Eating
Grand Elty Singgasana Hotel $$
( 664 703; Jl Pahlawan 1; r 589,000-697,000Rp; )
The only comfortable hotel any-
where nearby, this one ultimately maddens, as its beautiful hillside location, attractive
villa courtyard and quality rooms are consistently marred by peeling paint, broken walk-
ways, a malfunctioning website and clueless staff. The silver lining: a prime candidate for
price negotiation.
HOTEL
Hotel Anda Dua $
( 0821 5684 9766; Jl Sudirman 65; r 120,000-170,000Rp; )
This wooden lodge has
fan-cooled rooms with shared
mandi
and, out the back, comfortable air-con rooms with
private bathroom and breakfast.
HOTEL
Rumah Makan Tepian Pandan $
(Jl Diponegoro 23; mains 15,000Rp; breakfast, lunch & dinner)
A relaxed, open-air
restaurant serving Indonesian cuisine, with superb river views.
INDONESIAN
MAHAKAM BY HOUSEBOAT
There is no better way to cruise the rivers of Kalimantan than by houseboat. The
Budi Sejati
is a rare opportunity
to do this on the Mahakam. The 18m, two-storey craft, a larger version of the
klotok
seen in Tanjung Puting, has a
kitchen, toilet and shower, a crew of two, an air-conditioned stateroom and, best of all, your own private shaded
balcony at the front of the upper deck, the perfect viewing platform. Add an English-speaking guide, a cook and
all provisions, and you are off on your own private river expedition - in first class. The highly varied itinerary in-
cludes river villages, wildlife, culture and more. For a four-day trip, the cost per person is 7,676,000Rp for two or
three people; 6,144,000Rp for four or five; 5,268,000Rp for six to eight people; and 4,428,000Rp for nine to 12,
all expenses included. For more information contact De'Gigant Tours (
Click here
)
.
