Balikpapan: The Place Where Humidity Wins Every Argument
balikpapan. yeah, that's the one. i landed here thinking i'd get a quick beach fix before heading inland, but the humidity had other plans. seriously, it's like walking through a sauna that forgot to turn off. i just checked and it's 23.94°c there right now, but feels like 25. hope you like that kind of thing.
i'm here as a freelance photographer, so naturally i'm chasing light, colors, and anything that doesn't involve me sweating through another shirt. the locals? they're saints. they just nod and keep moving like the air isn't trying to drown them. i heard someone say the seafood here is the thing to try, but i also overheard a drunk guy at a warung warning me the chili paste could make you question your life choices. so, you know, proceed with caution.
kampung baru is where i ended up first. it's not polished, but that's the charm. kids playing soccer in alleyways, motorbikes zipping past like they're late for something important, and the smell of grilled fish cutting through the humidity. i tried to capture it all, but my lens kept fogging up. classic.
if you get bored, samarinda and banjarmasin are just a short drive away. or so i'm told. i haven't tested that theory yet because every time i think about leaving, the sky opens up and reminds me i'm not in control here.
"the best photos are the ones you almost didn't take because you were too busy wiping sweat off your camera."
i did find a little spot by the bay where the light hits the water just right at sunset. it's not on any map i could find, but that's the point, right? sometimes the best stuff is the stuff you stumble into while trying to escape the heat. i linked it on my map below, but fair warning: it's more of a vibe than a destination.
if you're into street food, check out Yelp's Balikpapan guide for the spots that won't make you regret your choices. and if you're brave, ask a local for the real chili paste recommendation. just don't say i didn't warn you.
this place isn't trying to be anything it's not. it's humid, it's chaotic, and it's got a rhythm all its own. i'll probably leave with more mosquito bites than photos, but that's the deal here. you take what you can get and call it an adventure.
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