River tourism flows in Kalimantan

River tourism flows in Kalimantan

By Hasan Zainuddin

BANJARMASIN (Antara): The armada of small ferries on the
Barito and Martapura rivers and locals bathing and doing their
laundry make intriguing sights for people from land-locked areas.

"Banjar people have since time immemorial been close to
rivers," said Muhammad Abdullah, a community elder. "It is no
wonder their dwellings are connected to the river."

Human populations over time have adapted to the area known as
the "land of a thousand rivers". They established the floating
market in Kuin village, and the Mantuil village homes and food
stalls bobbing on the river.

"These activities are attractive to tourists," head of the
provincial tourist office, Millian Jamil, said.

"That is why life on the river, especially the floating
market, continues to be promoted as a prime tourist site in South
Kalimantan."

The floating market here is different from comparable ones in
Bangkok or Venice.

"There is charm in the various aspects of local people's river
life. Many tourists are interested in seeing this way of life,"
said tourist guide Muhamad Arifin.

He said the uniqueness of the local river activities had
inspired tour organizers in the area to intensify their
campaigns.

A regular promo on private television station RCTI -- which
has a woman giving the thumb's up sign in the floating market --
has also spread fame about the area.

"We pride ourselves on the floating market, Kaget Island with
its proboscis monkeys, Kembang Island with its tame monkeys and
Panggang Lake with its swamp water buffaloes, because they have
increased our tourist potential," said Achmad Dimyati, head of
the regional office of the Ministry of Tourism, Post and
Telecommunications.

He said all the sites had good prospects, but needed upgrading
to make them fit for domestic and foreign tourists.

His office is cooperating with the Banjarmasin regional
administration on the construction of a pier to be used
exclusively for river tourism transportation.

"We have earmarked Rp 200 million for the construction of this
pier," he said.

The regional administration has picked a strategic location
for the pier in the Martapura river area, he added.

Another prospective tourist site in South Kalimantan, Bakut,
an island about 15 km to the west of Banjarmasin, also needs
better management.

The Barito River suspension bridge -- at more than a kilometer
the longest in Southeast Asia -- passes over the island.

"We have appointed Bangun Benua, a developer owned by the
regional administration, to turn this island into a center of
water tourism in the province," said Amanul Yakin, spokesman for
the provincial administration.

In the works are a small park housing miniature
representations of sites of interest in the province, and a
wildlife reserve. Five spotted deer from the Bogor's presidential
palace are scheduled to arrive soon.

The regional administration is also inviting private
businesses to invest in the Bakut's development and tap into the
tourism potential.