BANJARMASIN - Day 1/2

MANJARMASIN - PASAR KUIN.

" Kopi Tiam " by the roadside, kopi tiam on board and us enjoying ourselves

Banjarmasin - 2,000,000 + people

Introduction. The biggest city , Banjarmasin rests itself along many canals and rivers. Congested but pretty well developed, banks and larger buildings like those in Pontianak can be seen . It is however better organised and easier to move around. There are much to see , both inshore and offshore.

Our host, Ah Men and family met us at Rattan Inn . Centrally located, this 3 stars hotel has been recently upgraded to 4 stars. The most expensive throughout our stay, at Rp1,000,000 we were fortunate to get a discount the following day ( weekend rate ) at Rp 650,000. Ah Men who has been monitoring our movement over the last 3 days was ready to play host.

Banjarmasin has a population over some 2m people, majority being muslim living along the riverside. The chinese lives in the city while the dayaks lives further inland.

the active market above at 0530hrs

PIC ABOVE SHOWS TRADERS , CAFE ON BOARD AND TOURISTS ENJOYING THEMSELVES

The Floating Market. The market at Pasar Kuin is just half an hour drive from our hotel. Located at teh junction of the Kuin and Barito rivers, the natural environment presents a rich culture which is yet to be taken over by urban renewal. Saw mills line the river banks while homes are built on stilts and platforms that presents a community at work in a harmonious setting.

Wake up call is necessary as the market operates between 4am to 6am. We managed to charter a boat for Rp100,000 to bring 5 of us for the visit. Ah Men profess that he is visiting the market for the first time despite staying there for some 20 years.

We reached a typical fishing village alongside canals, the boat brought us out towards a harbour into the mouth of the river. Floating market traders , laden with fruits- bananas, Rambutaans. pineapples, coconuts etc, spices, vegetables, chillies and a floating cafe for which we had our breadfast on board. The many photographs taken is so enticing as traders moves alongside our boats. While traders are busy selling away, we get to see people coming out of their stilt / paltform houses along the riverbanks washing up and bathing in the river. seen ji.Pics shows a very happy people with tourists clicking away in the river. Recommend a MUST visit if you are in Banjarmasin.