Traveling to South Kalimantan was truly an experience I will never forget. There were so many interesting things I encountered there, from its beautiful nature, unique culture, to its delicious food. It felt like opening a new perspective on how diverse Indonesia really is.
Actually, the main reason I went to South Kalimantan was to attend my cousin’s wedding in Batulicin, Banjarmasin. What made it even more exciting was that my family and I got free plane tickets, fully paid for by my cousin who was getting married. So, this wasn’t just a regular trip, but also a chance to gather with family and explore new places.
When I arrived at Syamsudin Noor Airport in Banjarmasin, I immediately felt a different atmosphere. Banjarmasin is famous as the City of a Thousand Rivers, so it was no surprise that many people relied on the river for their daily lives. From the airport, we had to take a travel car for about six hours to get to Batulicin. Along the way, I was quite surprised to see how quiet the roads were compared to cities in Java. On both sides, there were vast palm oil plantations, and occasionally, traditional stilt houses typical of Kalimantan. But what surprised me the most was the number of grand buildings that were abandoned, including government offices. It made me wonder, how could such magnificent buildings be left unused?
When we finally reached Batulicin, my family and I went straight to my cousin’s house where we would stay. The house was very spacious, with a large yard, and next to it, there were coconut trees full of fruit. The atmosphere was calm and comfortable. As soon as we arrived, we were served fresh young coconuts picked directly from the tree. The coconut water was so refreshing, perfect for relieving fatigue after a long journey. In the evening, we sat on the house’s veranda, chatting and enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
We stayed in Kalimantan for seven days and seven nights. During our time there, I learned a lot about the Banjar wedding traditions, which were very different from Javanese wedding customs. One unique tradition was called “bapapai” or bathing ritual, symbolizing the cleansing of oneself before marriage. There was also the “badudus” procession, similar to the Javanese siraman, but with a stronger Banjar cultural touch. The wedding attire was also very different—colorful with lots of gold accessories, making it look luxurious and elegant. The wedding event itself was very lively, with traditional music making the atmosphere even more vibrant.
What I looked forward to the most at the wedding was, of course, the food. There were so many traditional Banjar dishes served, and I made sure to try them all. My favorite was Soto Banjar, which had an incredibly fragrant broth filled with strong spices. Besides that, there was Banjar yellow rice, ketupat kandangan, gangan humbut (a bamboo shoot soup), pais patin (steamed patin fish), apam Barabai, and bingka kentang. The food was presented uniquely, with some dishes served on banana leaves, which enhanced the traditional feel. In addition to the main courses, there were also Banjar snacks such as ipau, amparan tatak pisang, and lupis, which were all very sweet and delicious.
After the wedding, I took some time to explore. One of the first places I visited was the Lok Baintan Floating Market. This market was truly unique because all the vendors sold their goods from boats. So, if you wanted to shop, you had to take a boat and approach them. I had breakfast here and, of course, ordered Soto Banjar again. I also tried lontong orari, which is said to be one of the best Banjar dishes to eat in the morning.
After visiting the floating market, I continued my journey to Loksado, a place that is said to be very natural and untouched. The trip was quite long, but the scenery along the way made it worth it. I tried bamboo rafting on the Amandit River. At first, I was a bit nervous, but after a while, it became really fun, especially since I could see the tropical forest along the riverbanks. I also visited the Dayak Meratus village and learned about their traditional way of life and how they deeply preserve their culture and environment.
I also had the chance to visit Samber Gelap Island, which had soft white sand and crystal-clear water. This place was perfect for snorkeling. I went diving and saw the stunning underwater beauty—lots of colorful fish swimming around the coral reefs. After getting tired from snorkeling, I relaxed by the beach while watching the sunset. It felt so peaceful.
Aside from nature tourism, I also visited the Jami Al-Falah Mosque in Batulicin. The mosque was magnificent with its unique architecture. When I stepped inside, I immediately felt a sense of calm. The atmosphere was very serene, making it a comfortable place for worship.
One thing that amazed me during my trip was the friendliness of the locals. They were always welcoming and eager to share their culture with visitors. I had many conversations with the people in the markets and at tourist spots, and they always had interesting stories to tell about their traditions, daily lives, and even legends surrounding Kalimantan. This made me appreciate the rich cultural heritage even more.
Before going home, my family and I stopped by the market and shopping centers to buy souvenirs. There were many choices, from Sasirangan fabric with its unique patterns, Dayak bead crafts, to traditional foods like amplang and Kandangan dodol. I also bought some market snacks to enjoy on the trip home, such as rangai cake and Banjar wajik. The markets were lively and full of colorful items, making it fun to shop and explore different products from the local community.
As we packed our things and prepared to leave, I couldn’t help but feel a bit sad. I had grown fond of the peaceful atmosphere, the delicious food, and the unique culture of South Kalimantan. There was still so much I hadn’t seen, and I promised myself that one day, I would come back to explore even more. The long journey back home gave me time to reflect on all the experiences I had gained.
This journey to South Kalimantan was truly unforgettable. From my cousin’s wedding, cultural experiences, nature adventures, to delicious food, everything was memorable. I realized how vast Indonesia is and how many places I have yet to explore. I felt like I wanted to return someday to explore even more places in Kalimantan. Because even though I had visited many locations, I was sure there were still so many interesting things I hadn’t yet discovered in this extraordinary land of Borneo.
By: Fadhilah Syifa Tsuraya
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