PONTIANAK (West Borneo)

Pontianak is the capital of West Borneo. It is a medium-size industrial city on the island of Borneo. Pontianak occupies an area of 107.82km2 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 general language in Pontianak is Teochew and Hakka dialect of Min Nan. This dialect is closely related to the Teochew and Hakka used in Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. Most citizens of Pontianak use Malay accent of Indonesian, which is somewhat similar to that used in Malaysia.

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.