WW: Rumah Betang ....West Kalimantan in a glimpse

Another beautiful face of Indonesia...

Rumah Betang

Rumah Betang..
the traditional house of Dayak people in Kalimantan, particularly the western part of it. 
Take a closer look at it and its beautiful details.

Here's West Kalimantan in a glimpse..for sure I'll come back with more stories :)

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have a great bloghopping experience

Amazing Indonesia: Kadriyah Palace, Pontianak, West Kalimantan

Well, well...after Rumah Betang and Tugu Kathulistiwa, I still have one more place you should not miss while visiting Pontianak.

Kadriyah Palace....or Keraton Kadriah.

Or some might say, Kadariyah Palace, once belonged to the Pontianak Sultanate.
I can imagine this royal palace during its hayday.

Crowds gathered in festive modes and full of joy...cheering the new-born heir of the Sultanate, celebrating love and marriage, or even saddening event of the loss of lives of the loved ones...

Grandeur 'panggung' architecture, dominated with bright yellow malay-arabic inspired decorations..

This palace housed the remainings of the royal attires, thrones, antique furnitures, small canon, and other objects belong to the royal family..lovely antiques collections for sure...

Unfortunately, they are in poor condition...

In front we also have some ladies and kids asking around for petty money, sometimes half shouting using their traditional dialects..


I sincerely hope this historical place will be maintained in a far better way...

The Thrones...

I found it in the back of the Palace...

Nevertheless, for those who like to see the historical past of Pontianak, this palace can be a good start.

Have a great time in Pontianak.

Amazing Indonesia: #Pontianak, West Kalimantan

A lovely city for sure....That's what Pontianak is for me ...

Our guide in Pontianak :D...

I was very intrigued when I search Pontianak for the first time in google....the search hits back many pictures of Kuntilanak (perhaps the modern name of Pontianak...who knows), one of the scariest and the fiercest ghosts in Indonesia....Can you imagine that? 

Then I read more of its history ....



Back in 1771,almost 4 centuries ago  the city was formerly the capital of the independent Sultanate of Pontianak and was founded in 23 October 1771.  Buit around an old trading station on the Borneo coast, It was founded on swampy ground. 




Then when it comes to the name, apparently  it originated from the story that the founder had seen an appearance of Kuntilanak ghost at the place to be built for the palace, which he fought to save the people. Well, lucky me they didn't keep the photos of their captures.

Another interesting fact about Pontianak is that it is located almost precisely on the equator.....no wonder it is widely known as Kota Khatulistiwa (Equatorial City)


So, when you are around, don't miss Tugu Khatulistiwa (Equatorial Obelisk) or the Equatorial Monument :D....



A bit outskirt, it takes around 45 minutes to go here from the city center.

 It was built directly under the 0 degrees equator line, how cool is thaaaat :D..... 

Approximately 11km from the city center, there are many displays showcasing interesting facts about the equator. 

For sure, that's what  Pontianak is unique as one of the few cities in the world situated exactly on the equator line. Well, the consequence is...the city is very hot :D...





And of course, if you don't have time to actually go to the Dayak village, then come and visit Rumah Betang, the traditional house of Dayak Tribe residing in Kalimantan since ages ago.
The original ones are situated in the smaller cities and vilages, but they have one in the middle of the city as the sample of this traditional house....

the traditional pattern in the wooden columns of the house...

It was an interesting visit...
looking at the way the house is built..
and the philosophy surrounding it...

wrapped in fuschia Papuan  batik, right in front of the Betang House... 

There are some totems too...too bad I didn't really catch the story on it...

the stairs used to climb up the house..pretty steep...

I really enjoy the visit to this western part of Kalimantan or Borneo Island. Their unique tradition and cultures really fascinate me...

one of the faces in totem..

And I still have more stories on Kadriyah Palace as well as Singkawang temples and city  in the next post, so hopefuly you got a chance to check that one out as 
well.. :D...