Hot, this is first felt when I first set foot in Supadio Airport, Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Sun we estimate there have been earlier, since the city crossed by the equator.
However, the smoke caused by burning forests is another thing that distinguishes. Moreover smoke lasted until evening, so almost everyone who came out had to wear a mask covering the nose.
But, the problem in a city that is said, the original form of the kingdom, did not stop there. The problem increases, with death often electricity. Almost every three hours, the electricity cut off for several minutes.
One of the highlights in the city of Pontianak is the cultivation of Aloe Vera. There stood the Assessment Center and Development of National or Aloe Vera is often referred to as Aloe Vera Center Pontianak.
Located in the Siantan Hulu, north of Pontianak. From downtown, the trip to take place about 30 minutes. When we arriving there, we can see Aloe vera plants are planted in the front yard to back. In front, there are dozens of potted plants from the Canary Islands, West Africa, with a large enough size. But there are still Aloe vera grown larger in the rear. The numbers are also dozens maybe even more than a hundred.
According to the existing staff, new aloe plants in Pontianak in around 1980, precisely in Siantan Hulu. At that time, some plants were planted in pots as an ornamental plant and partly planted in the garden mixed with papaya and vegetable crops. In the same year, aloe vera has not been cultivated in particular.
A decade later, before the plant by the ethnic Chinese who called the magic plant (sacred) that little by little began to be cultivated. Aloe Vera began to be planted in a special land, no longer mixed with papaya or vegetables. In 1992, Aloe Vera began to be introduced to the public in this area, and that's when people start looking for it.
In the Center of Research and Development National Aloe Vera, in addition to cultivation of land, we can also see the direct products of the plant produced. On the right side entrance, is a place to sell their products, such as beverages, jams, tea, and also lunkhead and crackers. But it was not the product of all Aloe Vera Center.
In fact, many products also available at some souvenir shops in Pontianak. So, if you run out of stuff in there, do not worry. Of course, you may have to spend more.
In the showroom, there are showrooms aloe vera processing. There, visitors can see examples of manufacturing process starting from the aloe vera plant to the results that can be processed drink or drugs.
Visiting the City of Pontianak it is not complete yet along the Kapuas River. Package tours along the Kapuas River many travel agents offered to tourists. That is, a great boat trip with a capacity of 50 people or a motorboat.
Along the river, we can see the typical sights houses 'lanting' swaying in the waves hit. This is the village water. Interesting to see the activities of its inhabitants. There is a shower, wash ignoring brown river water. Another panorama of "exotic" other than a rowboat and fro, as well as floating huts lined for shitting. From the boat, we also passed the trade area of the Kapuas, which is the economic center of the oldest in Pontianak, and the edge Alun Kapuas as a modern trade center.
Please note, the Kapuas River in two tributaries of the Kapuas River and the Porcupine Small is the longest river in Indonesia. Its length reaches 1,143 km long and 400-700 meter wide. Stream is navigable along 800 km, or up to the Kapuas Hulu.
Sungai Kapuas, Pontianak split into three parts, South and West Pontianak, Pontianak East, and North Pontianak. The river is very important for the city, as a center of trade routes and the city transportation, even the province. If anything, the river is the economic heart of Pontianak society.
Approximately 100 meters from the pier where the boat back, standing historic buildings that are part of the city's old face. The roof of the 'shingle' yellow and cream color, marked "Kadriah Palace", in Arabic.
Kadriah Palace, or also known as 'Istanah Kadriah' built in 1771 by Sultan Sharif Abdurrachman Alkadrie, in the days of Van Der Varra (1761-1775), 29th Governor-General of the VOC. Located in the area in Bugis Village (now called Tanjung Pura), Pontianak District East.
Arch model of the European fortress, with a pyramid-shaped roofs made of 'shingle', and two ancient cannons hundreds of years old, became the palace entrance. The court in the yard, there is a flagpole of ironwood, which is equipped winches. It is said that in earlier times, near the pole, perched Boat Lancang Kuning, original boat typical of West Kalimantan. This boat, allegedly used the sultan sailed. But unfortunately, we could not see it, because now no longer exists.
The palace building has 9800 square meters area, the unique architecture of ironwood, consisting of pendapa, halls, and eight main room. Although elderly, the building still looked solid, and maintained. Historic objects such as imperial relics, clothing empire, the throne, the coronation sticks, guns, and the bed antique bed, still stored neatly. The most interesting course of the sultan's throne berwana golden yellow, and the mirror a thousand faces large. All visitors, including us, allowed a close look at the throne of the sultan. The combination of architecture Malays, Arabs, and Europeans are magnificent.
Tak far palace there Mosque Palace. Local communities Jami Mosque Pontianak call. Mosque that stood on the edge of the Kapuas River Small is very unique because the entire building is made of wood with an iron fence surrounded by yellow and green. The mosque was a historical tourist attraction, interrelated with Kadriah Palace.
Sa Dee Kah Wah. Welcome to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. Located on the Chao Praya River, the city successfully combines traditional side in the modern world. Lots of things to make tourists busy, from visiting the various temples, explore the shopping, to fill the stomach with special food. Here are the places of interest to visit:
