The Mulawarman University schedule a tour for us 8 Filipinos to tour around East Kalimantan every weekends. Here are some of the places we've visited:
1. Biggest Islamic Center (Masjid) in the whole Indonesia
We are very amazed that the biggest masjid is located the place where we stay which is Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. This is were the Muslim people prays.
The structure is very nice, it looks like a Palace.
At the top of the Masjid you will see the beautiful top view of Samarinda, Indonesia.
2. Tenggarong
Tenggarong is a town in and the capital of Kutai Kartanegara Regency of East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. The former Kutai Kartanegara Sultanate's capital was likewise located in Tenggarong. (Wikipedia.com)
Historically, the then capital was called Tepian Pandan. At some point, the Kutai Kartanegara Sultan, Aji Muhammad Muslihuddin, changed the name from Tepian Pandan to Tangga Arung (literally house of king). In application, the people of Kutai would then shorten this name by combining the two words Tangga Arung to Tenggarong. (Wikipedia.com)
3. LADAYA
Ladaya aka the cultural field is one of the natural tourist destinations located in Tenggarong Kutai Kertanegara. This tourist attraction is equipped with various interesting rides, such as mini zoo; outbound; paint ball and also house odah rest to stay. With the original name of Lanjong Cultural Field, this place is managed by a legal entity attached to it namely Lanjong Foundation. (http://dhonypratama.com/ladaya-ladang-budaya-tenggarong)
Visitors not only from logal residents, but many also from outside the city such as; bontang; Balikpapan; sangata; including from samarinda like me. This is not only due to the distance is relatively close to the city / district sekitra, but the rides are available in this pepper is the biggest attraction so many who want to directly feel the holiday here. (http://dhonypratama.com/ladaya-ladang-budaya-tenggarong)
4. Mahakam Bridge
The Mahakam River is a river in Kalimantan, Indonesia. It flows 980 km from the district of Long Apari in the highlands of Borneo, to its mouth at the Makassar Strait. (WIKIPEDIA)
The city of Samarinda, the provincial capital of East Kalimantan, lies along the river 48 km (30 mi) from the river mouth. The delta Mahakam river consist of specific micro climate which is influenced by high and low tide at sea level. (WIKIPEDIA)
Bridges include the 400 m Mahakam Bridge and the 710 m Kutai Kartanegara Bridge. The latter collapsed on 2011-11-26, it took 3 years of planning and one and half years more to rebuild new bridge on the same spot. The new Kutai Kertanegara Bridge now open for public since 2015-12-08 after opening ceremony held by local regent. (WIKIPEDIA)
The River Mahakam is an economic resource for fishermen and farmers, and as freshwater source, as a waterway since ancient time until today. It is in this river basin where the Kutai kingdom evolved. The Kutai history is divided into two periods, Kutai Martadipura (around 350-400) and Kutai Kartanegara period (around 1300). Kutai Martadipura, a Hindu kingdom founded by Mulawarman at Muara Kaman, is regarded as the oldest kingdom in Indonesia. Kutai Kartanegara was founded by settlers from Java at Kutai Lama near the mouth of Mahakam. In around 1565, Islam was extensively spread in Kartanegara by two Moslem preachers from Java, Tunggang Parangan and Ri Bandan. (WIKIPEDIA)
5. Jingga Muara Badak Island
This is the place outside Samarinda. We traveled for almost 2 hours before we got there. We ride a boat to go to the Island, it takes only 5 minutes ride.
The place is very cozy and you will feel relaxed because there's a lot of benches if you want to chill and there's a lot of things to do like you can swim, do zumba, games, and eat.
