Failing to find the Mahakam manatee,I find instead another rare special:black orchids in bloom.
The Kalimantan black orchid (Coelogyne pandurata) is one on the six species in the orchid genus Coelogyne.It's an endemic plant in Kalimantan and also found in Nepal, China,the Philippines,Papua,and many Pacific islands.This orchid can be found in many places in Kalimantan,though the locations are not always that accessible.THe Kersik Luway conservation forest is one of the easier places to get to.
Didimus,a concervation forest official who is also on the staff of the east Kalimantan Forestry Service's Natural Resource Conservation Center,welcomed us at the forest entry post.Two personnel are on duty every day at this lonely site.As well as protecting the forest,they escort any visitors who show up."there are always a few people coming here,mostly tourists from Europe,"he said.
HOW TO GET KERSIK LUWAY...?
To get Kersi Luway,take eight-hour bus ride from Samarinda's Sei Kunjang terminal to Melak and than continue by "ojek" (motorcycle taxi).Alternatively, take a boat up the Mahakam river from Sei Kunjang,near the bus terminal,to Melak;this takes 20 hours(!).There are also flights from Samarinda to Melalan airfield at Barong Tongkok,10 km west of Melak,but these are restricted to military,government,and medical purposes.
For accommodation,the Swiss-Belhotel Borneo Samarinda is a good first choice.If you want to spend the night at Muara Pahu while searching for pesut,try Penginapan Anna for the pesut trip.There are also plenty of basic hotels and inns in Melak.Two with good views of the Mahakam are Penginapan Flamboyan and Penginapan Wijaya Kusuma.
Welcome in Borneo island.....
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