Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008
Kalimantan 16/05/08
What does Kalimantan look like? Nothing like the Amazonian dense wet jungle I envisioned before I got here. Basically, most of it looks like Chiang Mai. Many parts really look like England, which actually makes me a bit homesick! I think most of the places I’m seeing have been really affected by logging and mining. Many towns really look and feel like part of the American Wild West, log cabins in the middle of nowhere look like they should be in the American Frontier!
Returned to Pontianak (capital of West Kalimantan)- I hate cities! Everyone looks more glum, stressed and unfriendly. Not to mention the pollution, crowdedness, noise and ugliness.
Thankfully only 1 night in Pontianak, then journey to a village called Balaiberkuak. Extremelly uncomfortable 4 hour motorbike journey on very rough terrain.
Staying with very warm lady called Jus, has a husband with interesting story. He came from Surabaya because apparently it’s much easier to earn a good wage and have a good quality of life in Kalimantan. He runs a shop at the front of the house and rents out a truck. The women of the house make tempe, and it was proceeds from the tempe which paid for their incredible huge beautiful house. They also own 100 animals!
Went to interview a woman who sings folk tales, then another bumpy bike journey to Ardy’s village on an even worse road!
