Matan Kingdom in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, Footprints on the Bank of the Pawan River

At the beginning of the year, I got an assignment to West Kalimantan. The second destination in early 2017 is the city of Ketapang, the second largest city in West Kalimantan after Pontianak. Even though it has the same name, don't confuse it with Ketapang, Banyuwangi, or East Java. The Kingdom of Matan in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, captivated my heart.

Bank of the Pawan River

Ketapang, West Kalimantan, can be reached in ± 45 minutes by Garuda flight from the city of Pontianak. Like many cities in Indonesia, Ketapang has extraordinary natural beauty. Located on the banks of the Pawan River and boasting a beach that extends from south to north, Ketapang is an example of the beauty of diversity. There are multi-ethnicities in Ketapang; we can easily find Dayak, Malay, and Chinese interacting on a daily basis. In addition, there are also Javanese and Madurese.

The Ale-Ale monument, the icon of the city of Ketapang

Matan Kingdom

Ketapang has many cultural and historical arts tours because its history will never be separated from the kingdoms that once stood majestically in the past. The Kingdom of Tanjungpura-Matan, which is the oldest kingdom in West Kalimantan, is located in Ketapang. This kingdom with yellow shades and wooden roofs has many stories. One of them is the story of Raja Gusti Muhammad Saunan, who was picked up by Japanese troops and never returned.

Malay Traditional House

Another tourist object is the Malay traditional house, which was founded in 2009 to maintain Malay traditional values. This Malay-style house is located right on the bank of a river in the Delta Pelawan sub-district. Surrounded by a beautiful environment, visitors can enjoy the splendor of traditional houses as well as the gentle breeze that blows from the river.

Malay traditional house

Riverside

Malay Traditional House

Saung on Tanjung Mediterania Beach, a different sensation when maximizing

Lunch with a menu of kefah and young coconut

It feels like all the dishes served at Ketapang fit my tongue. It's delicious and I can't refuse it, including durian—even though I'm not a durian maniac.