Diving Kakaban Island

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Kakaban island is part of the Derawan Islands, East Kalimantan, Indonesia The island has an area of 774.2 hectares (1,913 acres) and is quite steep with limestone cliffs covered with dense jungle right down to the water's edge and few beaches. The wall drops to 180 metres (590 ft) and currents can be strong with upwelling, downcurrent and reversing directions. The most distinctive feature is the huge brackish water lake in the middle of the island, in the local dialect Kakaban means "hug" as the island hugs the lake from the surrounding seawater.

In the middle of this island is a mangrove-fringed lake, slightly above sea level, where thousands of non-stinging jellyfish live making it interesting for diving. The jellyfish consist of four different species which have lost their natural defense system because of the lack of major predators in the lake. Similar lakes exist in thePhilippines ( Siargao ) Palau, with Jellyfish Lake being the best known.

The lake has warm brackish water and the bottom is covered with marine green algae. There are other animals living here, some sea cucumbers, gobies, sea anemones, tunicates, crustaceans, nudibranchs, orange purple clams and yellow clams on the branches, and snakes.

The lake is at most 17 metres (56 ft) deep with poor visibility and is 10 minutes walk from the beach. Kakaban was probably uplifted during the Holocene and sea water was trapped turning the area and formed a landlocked marine lake. The water is now a mixture of salt water and sweet water from the rain.

Stingless Jellyfish

In general, people feared to jellyfish because they have stings and fatal, but there are jellyfish that do not have stings. Ornate Cassiopeia is their name. Generally known by the name Stingless jellyfish. This change is due to the natural evolution of life on the habitat of these jellyfish. Living in close environment make the jellyfish do not have threat from vertebrate. Therefore this type of jellyfish do not need stings to protect themselves.

Not only that, these jellyfish will also issue a colorful light when it was getting dark. This jellyfish swim upside down with tentacles facing upwards. This is because a closed environment, so that food in the water becomes limited. Therefore, the jellyfish do simbioses mutualism with algae. Algae need sunlight to produce food. In the world, there are only two places which is the origin habitat of this type of jellyfish. Kakaban Island in Indonesia and Palau, Micronesia.

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How to get there 

- Flight Jakarta-Tarakan; Tarakan-Jakart: 2-way, Rp. 1.3Million/person

- Airport tax Jakarta: Rp. 40K

- Airport Tax Juwata Tarakan: Rp. 30K

- Juwata Airport to Pelabuhan SDF: Rp. 50K

- Speed Boat Tarakan - Tanjung Selor: : Rp. 85K

- Public Transport Tanjung Selor – Berau: Rp. 70K

- Public Transport Berau – Pelabuhan Tanjung Batu: Rp. 60K

- Speed Boat Tanjung Batu – Derawan: 250K(available for 5 person)

- Motel/Hotel at Derawan: Rp.75-450K

Barito River, Borneo

If you are visiting Borneo, especially the province of South Kalimantan, seems incomplete if you have not visited Barito. The river that became the pride of the people of Banjarmasin. This river does have such beautiful scenery. Barito name itself is taken from the name of the area in Central Kalimantan is located in the upper river.

The biggest and longest river on Borneo island has a length of not less than 900 kilometers, or nearly equal to the length of the island of Java. Tourist attraction which has another name Banjar River and River Banjarmasin is very crowded and a favorite local tourists, and foreign tourists, who arrive in Borneo.

In this river is of course there are various natural phenomena. Thus, it seems incomplete if you visit Barito without bringing a camera to document them. Barito River scenic beauty are very dear to miss.

Less satisfied just watching the river from its banks elegance, you can also rent a boat to bring your family down the river Eden. Various community activities along the river into a new scene that you'll get. Occasionally, you also can see the uniqueness of others in the Barito River, which witnessed the barge carrying coal runs like a mountain in the middle of the river.

From Syamsuddin Noor Airport, New Banjar, New York, you can go directly to Estuary Kuin (a location commonly used as a place to enjoy views of the river by tourists) with four-wheel vehicle. The trip will take for approximately 1 hour.

Uniquely, this river is not like the rivers that the other tourist attractions, Barito not only beautiful in the morning and afternoon, but also throughout the day. Yes, the river is also beautiful at night. Try to enjoy dinner at the restaurant that exists along the river, at night of course, and you will see the wonderful oil lamp is lit at the end of the raft. Much like a firefly goes marching on the surface of the water.

So, what are you waiting? Come on, take your family to vacation in Barito River!