Indonesia: Balikpapan and Samboja Ecolodge, Kalimatan (Borneo)

Balikpapan is one of the major cities on Kalimantan (Borneo). It has been extensively exploited by oil, mining and logging companies and these have left permanent scars on the environment. However, you can still find good streches of jungle not far from the city such as the Samboja Ecolodge which rehabilitates orangutans and endangered sunbears in an effort to release them later. It's a very tricky venture as these animals are still hunted for meat, illegal trafficking and for Oriental medicine! A shame.
I spent the weekend on March 7th in Balikpapan and headed for Samboja on sunday.

Fishing boats on the beach at Balikpapan.
Mosque on Sudirman Ave, the major artery.
Houses at the base of Gunung Pancir (a hill), Balikpapan.

Sudirman Avenue gate towards Sepinggan airport.
View from 8th floor.
These kids asked me to take their photo at Balikpapan beach.
Sudirman Ave. Many modern buildings, a bustling city.
Beach at sunset.

Kid playing in park built by major oil companies. You need to take care walking the sidewalks on Balikpapan streets. Many open holes to twist/break an ankle or to fall in!
On the way to Samboja. Bridge over one of the many mighty Kalimantan rivers.
One of the 50 or more orangutans at the Samboja Ecolodge.
Land Rover on jungle trail. Nice cliche.
Broken wing sea eagle. Poor thing won't be able to fly again! At least it's safe from harm here...

Endangered sunbear cub being fed. Cute baby with long nails!
Adult and juvenile sunbear cubs. Sunbears are called beruang madu in Bahasa Indonesia, meaning honey bear. The smalles bear species in the world with a conspicuous white/yellow V on their chest.
Haydn feeding on watermelons.
Beautiful forest landscape.
Lion Air Boeing 737-900 ER, my ship back to Jakarta in Sepinggan airport. The second biggest in Indonesia after Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta airport. Lion Air is the first airline to use this ship. They have ordered more than 170. Comfortable flight but cramped seating. I had to ask for extended legroom :)