CHAPTER III 



RANDJERMASIN, THE PRINCirAL TOWN IN DUTCH BORNEO — 

 NORTHWARD ALONG THE EAST COAST — BALIK PAPAN, 

 AN OIL PRODUCING CENTRE — SAMARINDA — TANDJONG 

 SELOR — THE SULTAN — UP THE K.\YAN RIVER 



Fifty miles from land the sea assumes a different as- 

 pect through the fresh water of the great Barito flowing 

 on the surface. Its red hue is produced by particles of 

 soil brought from the inland of Borneo, In the beginning 

 of December I arrived at Bandjermasin, the principal 

 town in Dutch Borneo, inhabited for the most part by 

 Malays and Chinese. It is the seat of the Resident of the 

 vast South and Eastern Division and has a garrison. The 

 sea loudly announces its presence here, the tide overflow- 

 ing much of the low ground, hence the Malay name, 

 bandjir = overflow y mdsin = s:i\t water. Large clumps 

 of a peculiar water-plant float on the river in Bandjer- 

 masin in great numbers, passing downward with the cur- 

 rent, upward with the tide, producing a singular, but 

 pleasing sight. It is originally a native of America and 

 has attractive light-blue flowers, but multiplies to such 

 an extent that the growth finally may interfere with 

 traflic. In India I saw a lagoon completely choked with 

 it. 



There is one hotel where the table is fair and the beds 

 are clean, but blankets are considered unnecessary, and 

 only sheets are provided. The climate was not as hot as 

 I expected, nights and mornings being surprisingly cool. 



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