Pontianak is
the capital of West Borneo. It is a medium-size industrial city on the island
of Borneo. Pontianak occupies an area of 107.82km
2 in the delta of the Kapuas river. It is located
precisely on the equator, hence it is widely known as Kota Khatulistiwa
(Equator city).
The city was
formerly the capital of the independent
Sultanate of Pontianak and was founded
in 23 October 1771 around an old trading station on the Borneo coast. It is
built on swampy ground that is subjected to regular flooding by the river,
requiring buildings to be constructed on piles to keep them off the ground. It
has its name due to 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.
The culture of
this city are Dragon (Liong), Barongsai,
Naik Dango and Meriam Karbit. Most of Pontianak’s culture are Chinese and Dayak culture. Dragon and
Barongsai was the legend of Chinese culture. It was a Monster that was eating children
before chinese New Year. And to reject it out, Parents must gave them Red
paper, named Angpao. Angpao must placed in Chidren’s pillow and it
usually include money, so the Dragon and Barongsai did not eat the children. Or
another way to reject it out was to made a fireworks at door.
Naik dango is
the party of Dayak’s Culture to celebrate Harvest time out. Dayak’s people had
to made a big party and they were had fun together. And Meriam karbit is
Melayu’s culture. This culture was to reject a ghost named, Kuntilanak that
always disturb Pontianak’s people. Kuntilanak usually eat baby’s placenta. Meriam
karbit was really big and had loud sound. It always celebrates when New Year
Festival and Eid Mubarak.
Pontianak has
many special food and drink. The special food of Pontianak are Dodol Durian, Juhi, and Fish Crackers 99. Dodol durian was a
favourite food that pontianak’s people likes.
It is made of Durian montong and the taste is very sweet. To make Dodol
durian it could take 4 hours and it is hard to make it. That’s why Dodol durian
is so exspensive. The next food is Juhi. Juhi is made of Squid. To make it is
so hard, because it must hit the squid until the squid thin. And it could eat
with sauce.
The next
special food is Fish crackers 99. It is like the usual crackers, but the speciality
from this crackers is made of Belida fish. Andy why the crackers named 99 ? it
was because in Chinese language (Hakka) it means for a long time. It means to
make the fish crackers 99 product could survive until forever. The best
favourite drink is Lidah Buaya. It does not have many speciallities, but Lidah
buaya could support Pontianak’s people economy.
Pontianak had
many good places to visited. There are Taman alun kapuas, Pasir Panjang beach,
Indah kakap beach, Rindu alam, Sedau beach, and Tugu Khatulistiwa. Taman alun
kapuas is the favourite place for young people to visit. Young people always
use it for Hangout. It is because Taman alun kapuas located in the border of
Kapuas river and it make Taman alun kapuas have a beatiful view. But in the
morning, old people always use it for jogging and take a breakfast. It make
Taman alun kapuas always crowded.
The next is
Pasir panjang beach. Pasir panjang beach is located in singkawang. It have a
beatiful view for newlyweds to have honeymoon. And in Pasir panjang beach,
there is a Dragon statue. That make Pasir panjang famous.
Another good
place in Pontianak is Indah kakap Beach. Indah kakap beach is located in the
border of Kapuas river too. For the fans of Seafood could try seafood in Indah
kakap beach. There are many fresh seafood and people can choose they own
seafood. There are Crab, Kakap fish, Lobster, Turtle egg and many more. In
Indah kakap beach too, people could buy seafood to bring at home or people
could fish their own fish.
The next is
Rindu alam. Rindu alam is located in South singkawang. Rindu alam have many
beatiful views. Many people say that Rindu alam is same with Uluwatu, Bali.
Morover, they say Rindu alam more beatiful than Uluwatu. But, to visit Rindu
alam, we must take a hard street. There are many winding road. And rarely many
accidents in Rindu alam. But nevertheless, people always like to visit Rindu
alam.
The next is
Sedau Beach. In sedau beach people could take picture with 12 shio statues and
Eagle statue. 12 shio statues is the most favourite statue of visitors. They
usually take a picture with their own Shio. And it Sedau beach people could visit
Sinka zoo and the small island on the middle of beach. People usually like
visit the small island too. Because it is interesting when people could enjoy
in the small island.
And the last
good place in Pontianak is Tugu khatulistiwa. Many people overseas visit to
Tugu khatulistiwa, becaue they want to try stand on Khatulistiwa line. They
shadow will disappear when they stand on Khatulistiwa line. Near of Tugu
khatulistiwa, people could buy a small statue of Tugu khatulistiwa for souvenir
or they could buy a Tshirt by Tugu khatulistiwa.
In conclusion,
Pontianak is the city with many Cultures, Stories, Food and drink, and Places.
People could look many beautiful view and culture in Pontianak. And people
could try many kinds of food and drink with delicious taste. So, Pontianak is
the most beautiful place in Borneo.