Visit Balikpapan 2009, Browse the surprisingly Clean & Tidy City in Borneo Island

Balikpapan is a city in East Kalimantan.

Balikpapan is a major headquarters for international oil companies operating out of eastern Kalimantan. Surprisingly, it’s a relatively clean, small city, with clear blue skies, not much nightlife, and not too much traffic.

The people there are a mix, with lots of Javanese due to transmigration, lots of people from Sulawesi, and of course, the locals. The people are quiet and polite, and the pace is slow and relaxed.

But be warned: Balikpapan suffers from frequent blackouts, averaging two or three times a week for four to eight hours each time. Unless you like sweltering in tropical heat in utter darkness, make sure your accommodation

Most people arrive by air. Balikpapan’s Sepinggan Airport (IATA: BPN) has frequent flights from Jakarta, as well as commercial services from Surabaya, Banjarmasin and Makassar. There is also an international flight from Singapore operated by SilkAir a few times a week.

The airport is on the coast just outside of the city. Airport taxis operate from the terminal; there is a fixed fare depending on the destination.

Balikpapan can be accessed from Samarinda, Bontang And Banjarmasin by land trough 2 bus terminal From Samarinda, Bontang by Terminal Batu Ampar, and From Banjarmasin from the other terminal in the Batu Ampar District.

Semayang’s seaport that serves cruises from Makassar, Pare Pare, Tarakan, Surabaya, and other eastern parts of Indonesia. This port is one of the busiest ports in Indonesia and the main gateway to Borneo, serving cargo ships not only from Indonesia and South East Asia.

See

Plaza Balikpapan: This is the most popular shopping mall in Balikpapan. Located at the centre of the city and it is a must visit for visitors.

Dapur Bunda: A new beach located further off Klandasan. It offers a nice view of sunset.

Crocodile Farm.

Lamaru Beach

Manggar Beach

Shopping: A market where the handicrafts are sold.

Kebun Sayur Traditional Market Center: A lot stones, gems, jewelry,

diamonds with various type and price. Borneo acknowledge as the rich island not just by oil or coal, but also with the beautiful gems.

Balikpapan has a beautiful beach such as Manggar and Lamaru located just outside the city, with entry only Rp. 3000,- you can enjoy all day sun bathe, if you’re into crocs, there is a Crocodile Farm, near the Manggar Beach.

Do

On Merdeka(Independent) square you can play soccer and do other sports. Check out the beach in balikpapan. See one of the nice local markets, and local tour operators arrange river safaris on the Mahakam River and Orangutan tours.

Cycling

If somehow you have the opportunity, browsing Balikpapan using bike is an interesting options. You should try Balikpapan – Penajam – Tanjung Banglai – Balikpapan a 40 Km by bike plus 1 hours in total using boats accrossing Balikpapan Gulf ! .

Penajam is a city just accros the Balikpapan gulf, quite deserted but has a nice fisherman village called tanjung banglai where you can rent a boat back to Kemala Beach Balikpapan.

(BOS) Orangutan Sancuary and Eco lodge : Go see rescued orangutans and sun bears in there natural habitat just roaming around for the day or stay at the eco lodge for a few nights and experience the wildlife in the jungle. You can also do a 2 week or 4week voulanteering course, where you can help out with the animals. It is about a 1 hour journey by car from the city centre and if you stay the night or voilanteer you will need out door equitment such as walking boats, spare clothes, insect repellent ect.

Eat

• Pacifica Food Court in Balikpapan Plaza Mall has good food and a lot of choice.
• Bondy Restaurant is a big restaurant on the main drag with a very nice selection of seafood.
• Segeri
• Tip-Top
• Kepiting Kenari(Crab specialist Restaurant), a very giant fresh crab cooked with some option of sauce (black pepper; sweet n sour; oyster sauce; boiled etc.). Located on Jalan Iswahyudi (Iswahyudi Street), 10 minutes from Sepinggan Airport.
• KFC is here, in the main mall. One of the only fast food franchises (no McD).
• Kepiting Tambora (Crab specialist Restaurant) in Jalan Jendral Sudirman (Jendral Sudirman Street)
• Pondok Nelayan Seafood Rest. (Balikpapan Branch), Jend. Sudirman Street No. 561 (Stal Kuda), ? 0542-5660066, [1]. Weekday&Sunday : 10 AM – 10 PM, Saturday : 10 AM – 11PM. Originate from Pontianak’s (West Kalimantan) well known Seafood Restaurant. Just opened in Balikpapan since February 2008. A lot variety of live & fresh seafood from fish, crab, prawn, etc. Well known from it’s various sauce (Sweet&Sour, Hot&Sour, Blackpepper, Nelayan, Rujak, Oyster, Butter). 4 VIP/Exec Room. Wifi, mic & lcd projector for meeting needs. 15 minutes from Sepinggan Airport. Try their Gurame Goreng(Fried Carp), it’s very crispy. You even can eat the bones except the head LOL But you can if U want .

There are a number of star rated hotels poised on the hills and at the beach that are perfectly adequate.

• Novotel

• Dusit Hotel/ Le Grandeur

• Bahana Surya / Blue Sky Hotel probably the best place in town. With a nice swimming pool (external entry 30.000 IDR per person)

• Hotel Benakutai

• Grand Senyiur Hotel

• Hotel Nuansa Indah

• Hotel Bahtera from 400.000 IDR

• Hotel Murni a cheap option

• Town House Bukit Damai Indah, 0542-8879 650

• City hotel