A Slice Of Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Hello Sometimes Sweet lovelies, my name is Markati Prasetio of clinicoustic's scratch from Indonesia. I read sometimes sweet has been over 2 years. Here I'll be showing you around Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, the town where I lived for almost 5 years. And I hope after reading this post, when you're in Indonesia, you will make my home as your vacation destination besides amazing Bali and Central Java or any other amazing places in Indonesia.

with my husband, Joko Prasetio and my son Alif Raditya

Balikpapan is a seaport city on the eastern coast of the island of Borneo, Indonesia, in the East Kalimantan province. It has two harbors, Semayang and Kariangau, and the Sepinggan International Airport are the main transportation ports to the city. Balikpapan is the second-largest city in East Kalimantan, after the capital Samarinda.

Sepinggan International Airport

[photo credit] oil refinery view at night

Balikpapan is one of the largest oil producers in Indonesia. It's oil refinery is located in the shore of Balikpapan Bay, established in 1922. Some multinational corporations conduct business activities in East Kalimantan province. Such companies as Pertamina (Indonesia), Total E&P (France), Chevron (US), Schlumberger (France), BakerHughes (US), Weatherford (US), Thiess Contractors Indonesia (Australia), and Halliburton (US) use Balikpapan as their base of operations in the region.

It makes Balikpapan a very onward town in Kalimantan. Some five stars hotels and restaurants international class made available in Balikpapan. As a modern town, Balikpapan also crowded with activity of entertainment amusement. Balikpapan Shopping Centre is residing in street between Sudirman Streetand Ahmad Yani Street that is have become one of city symbol.

Tribes who were the origins of Balikpapan are Dayak Kenyah and Dayak Paser Tribe. But nowdays, Balikpapan is a modern city which urban and origins has mixed. Like myself, I'm from East Java..

Dayak Kenyah Chief

[photo credit] Dayak Kenyah traditonal dance

There's a Honey Bear conservation in Balikpapan called Environmental Education Area Tourism that specifically protects Honey Bear, the mascot of Balikpapan. Located in Km 23 North Balikpapan.

[photo credit]

Another place to see is Tugu Australia, located near Strand Banua Patra Beach Balikpapan. This is a monument to remember and to respect the Australian troops who fought the Japanese who invaded Indonesia in old days. at tugu australia, there's a plate where you can read the whole history of the Battle of Balikpapan in 1945, written in English and Indonesian. There's also the map of Borneo Island and and the estimated numbers of how many troops and civilians died during the war.

Tugu Australia

The Caribbean Island Waterpark, the only waterpark in East Kalimantan

One of the most famous traditional food in Balikpapan is Soto Banjar, it's actually from South Kalimantan, but this food is all over East Kalimantan. The main ingredients of soto is chicken, chicken broth and special spices like cinnamon, clove and some other spice that only available in Kalimantan. Soto Banjar contains shredded chicken meat, served with potato cake and boiled egg. sometimes we combined it with chicken satay.

I hope I didn't bore you with my story. Wanna know more about my home? stop by my blog clinicoustic's scratch. And make sure to plan a stop in my beloved oil city when you take a trip to Indonesia. And feel free to get in touch, I'll show you my beautiful Balikpapan in person.. xo