Exotic in the Mahakam River, many traders opened the snack food and beverages along with seating for relaxing. And seen some of the Pesut Mahakam river swim in the middle. Mahakam river is the largest river which devides the province of East Kalimantan (Borneo). These river basins, most areas around West Kutai regency and Samarinda. It crossed the river upstream of the west Kutai Regency, while the downstream across the regency and the city of Samarinda, Mahakam river could be said to be the heart of life for most people of East Kalimantan (Borneo).
By late afternoon we enjoy the front of the stunning atmosphere around the Mahakam river, and many traders opened the snack food and beverages along with seating for relaxing.
And seen some of the Pesut Mahakam river swim in the middle. These are suggested as protected species here.
Mahakam river is the largest river which devides the province of East Kalimantan (Borneo). These river basins, most areas around West Kutai regency and Samarinda. It crossed the river upstream of the west Kutai Regency, while the downstream across the regency and the city of Samarinda, Mahakam river could be said to be the heart of life for most people of East Kalimantan (Borneo).
The lenght of this river reach 920 km. Several tributaries of the Mahakam river which empties into the river of them Tenggarong Belayan River and Rawa river.
The lenght of this river reach 920 km. Several tributaries of the Mahakam river which empties into the river of them Tenggarong Belayan River and Rawa river.
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Some areas in East Kalimantan (Borneo) can only be traversed with the use of river transportation. In fact, river transportation is still mainstay for the transport of goodsin Borneo. (East Kalimantan).
Even today, the island of Borneo evokes a tapestry of rich images – a huge island of diverse cultures, impenetrable jungles and extraordinary wildlife, where up until early last century, the fierce Dayak tribes were amongst the archipelago's most feared headhunters.
The Mahakam River of Borneo rises far up in the cloud-covered mountains of East Kalimantan near Sarawak. Beginning life as a much smaller turbulent stream, it makes its way down through verdant jungle, wild gorges and then onto the lowlands for several hundred kilometers before entering the Makassar Strait near Samarinda as a major river.
Long Apari is a short trip by motorized canoe up in the high reaches of the Mahakam from Tiong Ohang, the only trading town near the source of the river. The picturesque village spreads itself along the banks of the river for more than a kilometer sitting wedged between the river and the jungle-covered mountains looming above the town. This is the home of the Iban people - a Dayak tribe feared for their headhunting skills well into the last century and renowned for their intricate body tattoos.
As I set out to wander around the kampung, I sensed that the Dayak past is fading away here as modernization encroaches on the traditional lifestyle. Except for the elderly, everyone was wearing western clothes. However, as I continued to roam through the village with my guide Rustam, the layers of so-called civilization peeled back and a more ancient past started to emerge. Passing a longhouse, I saw an old Iban man cutting wood, his lean neck and shoulders covered in intricate Iban body art. Nearby a woman stood with a wide-eyed gibbon draped around her shoulders like a mink coat.
Leaving the town behind, we boarded our canoe and set off downstream. Beneath us, the river was fast flowing yet benign. Apart from small pockets of riverbank cultivation, the jungle was all pervading, with the canoe skimming under overhanging trees and vines. We shot through a series of fast flowing rapids, weaving from bank to bank to find the best course between the rocks, logs and shoals. Massive trees faded away up the steep hillsides into the dense mist above. As we continued our path, flocks of up to a dozen hornbills passed over us with swifts, kingfishers and raptors bursting into flashes of colour that then disappeared back into the impenetrable jungle, the home to orang utan, clouded leopard and sun bears.
About an hour below Long Apari, the jungles closed in even more around us, the hills becoming even more precipitous with seemingly vertical vegetation giving way to dramatic cliffs. The river began to roar as it gained speed and as we entered the gorge to meet our first major rapid, it was time to head to shore to unload the canoe and continue a short while on foot.
Approaching Tiong Ohang, the river became steadily busier. Many larger canoes and longboats, which cannot negotiate the rocks and shoals upstream, start their journeys here. Some are decked with three large outboard motors, testifying to the power of the Mahakam. This mighty river, with all its moods, is the very heart of this extraordinary country.
Tiong Ohang is a trading and commercial centre that still retains its traditional longhouse. The gathering of bird nests, an Asian delicacy, is big business up here. Over dinner I chatted to Junaidi and his friend, both of whom had come from Central Kalimantan to gather nests from the high Mahakam cliffs to make a dangerous but lucrative living. Junaidi told me he received about three million rupiah per kilo and needed about 100 nests per kilo. "We work on ropes and rattan ladders up to 100 metres above the ground." When I asked him about the danger he just threw his head back and laughed. "I'm not worried about the danger, I'm worried about the thieves who come to steal my nests." The thought of bird nest rustlers had never entered my head before. It's hard to believe that the tiny graceful birds seen swooping in their hundreds everywhere along the river at dusk are the key to such a rich trade.
The Mahakam River of Borneo rises far up in the cloud-covered mountains of East Kalimantan near Sarawak. Beginning life as a much smaller turbulent stream, it makes its way down through verdant jungle, wild gorges and then onto the lowlands for several hundred kilometers before entering the Makassar Strait near Samarinda as a major river.
Long Apari is a short trip by motorized canoe up in the high reaches of the Mahakam from Tiong Ohang, the only trading town near the source of the river. The picturesque village spreads itself along the banks of the river for more than a kilometer sitting wedged between the river and the jungle-covered mountains looming above the town. This is the home of the Iban people - a Dayak tribe feared for their headhunting skills well into the last century and renowned for their intricate body tattoos.
As I set out to wander around the kampung, I sensed that the Dayak past is fading away here as modernization encroaches on the traditional lifestyle. Except for the elderly, everyone was wearing western clothes. However, as I continued to roam through the village with my guide Rustam, the layers of so-called civilization peeled back and a more ancient past started to emerge. Passing a longhouse, I saw an old Iban man cutting wood, his lean neck and shoulders covered in intricate Iban body art. Nearby a woman stood with a wide-eyed gibbon draped around her shoulders like a mink coat.
Leaving the town behind, we boarded our canoe and set off downstream. Beneath us, the river was fast flowing yet benign. Apart from small pockets of riverbank cultivation, the jungle was all pervading, with the canoe skimming under overhanging trees and vines. We shot through a series of fast flowing rapids, weaving from bank to bank to find the best course between the rocks, logs and shoals. Massive trees faded away up the steep hillsides into the dense mist above. As we continued our path, flocks of up to a dozen hornbills passed over us with swifts, kingfishers and raptors bursting into flashes of colour that then disappeared back into the impenetrable jungle, the home to orang utan, clouded leopard and sun bears.
About an hour below Long Apari, the jungles closed in even more around us, the hills becoming even more precipitous with seemingly vertical vegetation giving way to dramatic cliffs. The river began to roar as it gained speed and as we entered the gorge to meet our first major rapid, it was time to head to shore to unload the canoe and continue a short while on foot.
Approaching Tiong Ohang, the river became steadily busier. Many larger canoes and longboats, which cannot negotiate the rocks and shoals upstream, start their journeys here. Some are decked with three large outboard motors, testifying to the power of the Mahakam. This mighty river, with all its moods, is the very heart of this extraordinary country.
Tiong Ohang is a trading and commercial centre that still retains its traditional longhouse. The gathering of bird nests, an Asian delicacy, is big business up here. Over dinner I chatted to Junaidi and his friend, both of whom had come from Central Kalimantan to gather nests from the high Mahakam cliffs to make a dangerous but lucrative living. Junaidi told me he received about three million rupiah per kilo and needed about 100 nests per kilo. "We work on ropes and rattan ladders up to 100 metres above the ground." When I asked him about the danger he just threw his head back and laughed. "I'm not worried about the danger, I'm worried about the thieves who come to steal my nests." The thought of bird nest rustlers had never entered my head before. It's hard to believe that the tiny graceful birds seen swooping in their hundreds everywhere along the river at dusk are the key to such a rich trade.
