Asia - Balikpapan Questions

Hi

Going to be spending a bit of time in and around Balikpapan (Kalimantan, Indonesia) over the coming months and just wanted a bit of inside info if anyone here can provide it.

Getting there. I know Silkair goes from Singapore and Garuda have flights from Jakarta. Anyone else?

Accomadation. Booked into the Novatel for the first trip. Anywhere else thats better?

Gym. Need decent free weights (dumbells up to 50kg) as well as olympic bench press and leg press. Any suggestions?

Cheers
Gazza:cool:

For the airlines, I believe there is a Silk Air flights from Singapore straight to Balikpapan. Other airlines maybe available only thru a stop over in Jakarta.

Novotel suppose to be a pretty good hotel in Balikpapan (I used to live in Balikpapan for years on and off). There's another hotel called Blue Sky but I personally think the hotel is rather old and need a 'make over'. Here's their website: http://www.blueskybalikpapan.com/health.html

Another newer hotel would be The Grand Senyiur (http://www.senyiurhotels.com/)

I don't know much about they gym facilities but you may check their websites to compare it.

Good luck!

Wow! Didn't realise it was a "place" to go to....:eek:

My Father was part of the Australian force that landed there in 1945..... he didn't enjoy the trip!! ;)

Hopefully my reception will be better. This will probably be helped by the fact that my arrival will not be preceded by naval gunfire support

A very good point indeed! :D^

I suspect you will EAT rather better than he did too......

Just got back and wanted to close out the thread in case anyone else is looking for info.

The gym at the Novatel is OK (dumbells up to 25kg) and a smith.

decent range of machines but limited weight

Novetel is pretty good and will stay there again.

Gazza