Backpacking Balikpapan

Returning to Balikpapan, I had already been here a few times in transit. This time with the intention of spending a couple of nights. As I discovered, this was rather backpacker friendly destination. Maybe not in the traditional sense, but in the sense that there’s an incredibly strong and coordinated Couchsurfing community here, excited to take you in to travel with and show you what they’re about.

Maybe not a spectacular city, it was however, one of the prettier I saw backpacking Kalimantan. It was almost as if they cared a little bit more about their environment, at least more so than elsewhere. Pollution was less rampant, traffic less congested and with even a cleaner smell. The architecture was some places a step up from the usual patchwork of brick and concrete buildings erected as soon they could be afforded. Parts of the city could probably be accused of being charming, with a myriad of concept cafes and restos having come up in more popular areas.

Crocodile zoo

Of sights, there are a few. I checked some of them out.

A visit to the crocodile zoo, commonly encountered in South-East Asia, I avoid these places like the plague. This time I made an exception, for no reason other than wanting to know how bad it was. The moment I set foot in there, I had my answer. Not only was it bad. It was worse than worst. Since we had already ridden out there, I first found myself accepting a discriminatory foreigner price charged on entry. Verily, it would have brought more pleasure to watch my money burn than paying this insidious foreigner price. Sadly, a common phenomena in these parts of the world.

A farm with crocs. Hundreds of them. Maybe farm is not the right way to put it. It was more like crappy crocodile village. Some living in crap conditions, others in crappier. On the outside they were serving crocodile delicacies for our consumption. Croco sate, croco rice, croco with whatever you want. I was fed up and wanted to get the hell out of there and that’s what we did.

Bukit bangkirai

Not far away from the zoo, Samboja lodge could be found. An Oranghutan shelter, working to rescue and rehabilitate animals having lost their homes as the habitat they once inhabited disappeared due to the widespread logging. Having previously met and conversed with a member of their team in Bukit bangkirai, there was a desire to visit, but held back by other engagements, I didn’t get the opportunity to stop by.

The canopy in Bukit bangkirai was another disappointment. In large due to their charging a stupendous amount for foreigner entry. It’s not that it’s unormal to be charged more as a foreigner, it’s that it ruins the experience. Many I’ve spoken to, accept this kind of treatment, but I’m not sure they fully understand how they’re being treated. Whoever said the world is full of suckers, probably got something right. In any case, it didn’t make me feel very welcome.

The canopy was a sorry attempt to call themselves a tourist attraction. A staircase leading up the two trees, walk the canopy and look at the view. A view that was utterly unimpressive. I didn’t mention the hour long, ardent roads you’ve to put up with too get here. Why locals bother to come here, will remain a mystery. A big tourist trap as far as I could tell.

So while there may not be many things to do that are worthwhile, one needs to allow for the alternative of meeting up with the local community. More options become available through them… and we ended up having good times, exchanging