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The gateway to East Kalimantan and one of the gateway to "Borneo Rainforest." Balikpapan is located between 1'LS-1, 5'LS and 116.5 'E-117'BT. Consisted of 5 District, bordering the city of Samarinda, Kutai Kartanegara, the Strait of Makassar, and Regency Sand. The total area of approximately 503,306 km2. Although the indigenous Dayak tribes, but the life of a multi-ethnis (heterogeneous) are characteristic in the life of this city.

Showing posts with label Beach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beach. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Manggar Segara Sari Beach

Posted by fathir On 7:03 PM

There is another beach that you can go to if you are visiting Balikpapan in East Borneo, Indonesia, called Pantai Manggar (pantai means beach in English). Before there were other beaches such as Lamaru and de Dalmas Beach, Manggar was the most developed and well managed beach in Balikpapan. The place used to be clean, nice, full with visitors who would like to enjoy the water, or just relaxing with family, eating at the food vendors offshore.

Even today people still go to Manggar, but the numbers of visitors are certainly declined big time in recent years as the other beaches I mentioned are more better managed and cleaner than what Manggar looks like today.

At this beach, a few vendors are renting big used tires for kids to float with while they are in the water. The last time we went to Manggar beach back in 2004, it was Daisy’s (my niece) first time ever swimming day. She was so scared and even though we rented one of the smaller tire for her, she wouldn’t go near the water unless all of us go with her ON tires as well. So it was really funny :-)

In most of parts of Indonesia, people hardly go to beaches using swimsuit; unless you go to tourists’ city such as Bali, I suggest you forget your swim suit if you want to swim in Balikpapan’ beaches; but of course it is different story if you are at a public swimming pool, you do need to put on your swimsuit!

If you go to Manggar beach and wanting to try the food there, get Bakso, it’s similar to Vietnamese Pho Bo (beef noodle soup), and it is yummy. They usually also offers Es Kelapa Muda which is coconut on ice with sweet syrup, yum

MELAWAI BEACH

Posted by fathir On 6:51 PM

The beach is located Jend. Sudirman street close Tukung Island, a place where the traders sell a variety of cuisine - a delicious drink with a relatively cheap price. Visitors can sit down relax, dine on the mat while enjoying the waves and see the sailing ships, as well as being anchored in the harbor unloading Semayang sea. This location is open starting at 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..

Pulau Babi (The Island of Boars)

Posted by fathir On 5:19 AM

 Literally, if Pulau Babi is translated to English, this island would mean the Island of Boars, however, there aren’t any wild boars to be seen on this not-so big island. In the time of drought, local people are able to go by foot to reach this island as the river would usually in low tide condition; however, when the tide is up, you need to go by boat to be able to reach the island. There are lots of pretty cute purplish crabs can be found on this island and the rocks surrounding are pretty unique; and more uniquely is that sometimes you can find local people (mostly girls *wink*)bathing nearby the rocks! Nobody lives on this island actually; it is more to lovers’ island to enjoy the sunset; however, when it is really humid, the view looking further to the sea is just so horrible! You could almost see nothing, believe me.