10 for Pontianak

In this recent three weeks I spent my time to.... READ! Alhamdulillah, finally my tiny brain and these lazy eyes realized how joyful that activity is. Well I have got 2 books in a row, one is The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown (which I bought in 2010!!) and another one is a book that related to architecture and urban design thingy; Eyes of The Skin - Architecture and the Senses by Juhani Pallasmaa. Well unfortunately in this post I won't write any review for those books, the announcement above is for my excuse of blogging laziness only. Seems Legit.

Kapuas Bridge

But the good news appeared while I was searching for that excuse; I miss my hometown! I miss Pontianak, the place where I was born, where I grew up 'till 18 years old, where I always go home when it is Eid Fitri, where my family are waiting for me to come home. My mind flew about 750 kilometers away from here and was wondering what are people doing right there? Are they enjoying the Friday night with some fellas in some cafes just like many Jakartans do? Are some of them sitting on the simple bench of the most favorite noodle house in town named Apollo? Or they're just gathering around tv at home with their family like what I'm craving for right now? AND I decided to agree with my second and third thought; it must be Apollo or TV! (sorry Mega Mall, for my future hometown culture good sake, I insisted to delete you from my own thought. Dear Pontianak people, please understand me :D).

Even though Pontianak is a big developing city with strong identity of its culture, it is not a city with many local urban entertainment. The youngster, like most typical big cities, they love to mingle in the modern sacred place named shopping mall. Fyi after closing Gadjah Mada Mall, this city where lived by 565.856 people has (thank God) "only" three malls; Ayani Mega Mall, Matahari Mall, and (yes I have to count it) Ramayana Mall. The most favorite mall is Ayani Mega Mall; the newest, largest, coolest tenants, and best location. Well the local attraction is not Pontianak's Favorite -at this time.

Despite it all, it reminds me to discuss about the real local urban attractiveness of Pontianak. Based on one article in PPS (Project for Public Space) website, there are some powerful magnetic spots spread all around the city. These powerful spots are places with special connection between people and place, they could be a place to sit, a play ground to enjoy, art to touch, music to hear, food to eat, history to experience, and people to meet. We could find at least 10 places as described before, 10 places that could attract people to come and stay, that's why they called it as The Power of Ten.

I have listed my 10 best urban spots that always make me optimist and proud of Pontianak to become one of the most emerging city in Indonesia, here they are:

Alun-Alun Kapuas

This unique plaza is directly located beside Kapuas River. Some areas are even part of the river, like stepping, floating gazebo, and wooden path walk. There are many potential area that could be imagined with good waterfront development. Indeed this city has a strong connection with The Kapuas River, the longest river of Indonesia.

Riverside Cafes: Serasan, Pak Uweh, etc.

The existence of Kapuas River evoked all riverside potential attraction in food and beverage business that has been developing. This riverside also could be very attractive when it was Malam Takbiran (the night before Eid Fitri), where Mayor of the city with the local people are celebrating the night with "meriam karbit" (traditional cannon made from bengkirai wood).

Museum of West Kalimantan

Their collections about Dayak tribe, Melayu Culture, and Tiong Hwa acculturation would give you some special experiences. The most interesting of this museum is the fact that they have outdoor exhibition area with the same scale model! Even as the local from there, I would love to schedule my time to revisit it again and again.

Local Coffee Shops as long as Jalan Gadjah Mada

This actually is the new phenomenon of the urban lifestyle since 5 years ago. In the earlier there was only Tiong Hwa people who mingle on this area, but recently it became the largest night sitting area to enjoy some tubruk coffees, football big match, or just hanging out with friends.

Taman Budaya (Pontianak Cultural Center)

This building has just been renovated for its extended outdoor area. Dance practicing, theater, and food retails are the best activities that could be enjoyed in your shiny noon.

Rumah Panjang Betang

For the best impression about Dayak tribe could be found in this location. Architecture of traditional house with amazing wood carving everywhere and Dayak's music that played by some people who are practicing for their upcoming performance would hypnotize you into your exotic thought. If you are lucky, you would watch traditional ceremony around that area. On the other part of this area, there were teens playing skateboard.

Aloevera Center

Located near the boundary of Pontianak and its suburb, this agro-tourism is the largest aloevera producer in Indonesia. This business has been one of the biggest supply for local income. Try the cold aloevera juice to make you stay cool! :p

   

Tugu Khatulistiwa (Monument of Equator)

Pontianak has well known for its super shiny day (and heat weather indeed) because it is located in 0° 02' 24" N – 0° 01' 37" S and 109° 16' 25" – 109° 23' 04" E. There are some local festivals that always be held on 21-23 March and 21-23 September when the equinox happens in maximum position. The monument is designed by Frederich Silaban, the same architect who designed Monument National in Jakarta.

Keraton Kadariah

This is the biggest palace in Pontianak. Designed and constructed with Melayu traditional architecture in the main building and mosque but combined with some kind of Java traditional architecture in its plaza. Near the location of this palace there are high density residential, tradional market, and again... Kapuas River! This palace has became "the old city plaza" where the new one is located in the opposite site of the river, Alun-Alun Kapuas.

Souvenir Shops in Jalan Pattimura

Everybody loves shopping. This area consists of some shops that display unique goods from traditional culture of every tribe in West Kalimantan. Mandau (Dayak sword), stone necklace, root bangle, and so many beautiful things that could remind you to always back to Pontianak.

So what is your list?