For the 6th day of Borneo Youth Leadership Camp, the students made a visit to the city of Tenggarong. Departing from the dormitory at 8 am, the Mulawarman Museum was the first destination we visited. The Mulawarman Museum is a cultural tourism object that contains knowledge about the History of the Monarchy of Kutai Kartanegara. During the visit to the museum, we were guided and explained about each collection in the museum.

The explanation was translated into English by one of the buddies, Fatima, so that the participant could better understand it. Historic collections in the Mulawarman Museum include Singgasana (throne), Traditional clothing, traditional weapons, ancient jewelry, Yupa inscriptions, Tenun (Woven from the Dayak tribe), traditional looms, Carvings typical of the Dayak tribe, Ceramics from several countries, and so on. After going through every collection of historic items in the Museum, the participants are going to the little market just behind the museum where they are buying souvenirs.

After the museum, we are heading to the Grand Mosque of Tenggarong or locally known as Masjid Agung. Since the majority of the participants are Muslim, to have some rest at the mosque is the best option because then they could pray while the others are having  lunch at the place as well. The visit to the mosque are also a great chance to showcase how culture and religion could blend in so well in Tenggarong, telling how plurality has become East Kalimantan’s unique quality.

Soon after the prayers and lunch are done, we are going to Ladang Budaya, an attraction with focus on outdoor activities. There, the participants are given freedom to explore and to be involved in any available attraction inside. The first group of participants are choosing to try Flying Fox, where they are being carried on top of a hill by a pick-up truck, and then descending on a steel line, going across the lake to land on a platform.

The second group are choosing to play paintball, where they are divided into two teams pitted against each other. At first it seems like they do not enjoy themselves as they stayed hiding, but it turns out that it is part of the strategy to save bullets and avoid getting shot by the opponents.

As it is already 4 and after a lengthy walk around the Museum and Ladaya, the participants are then heading back to the dormitory in Samarinda.

(ISB/SIL)