The Floating Market

The first thing I thought in my mind when I visited this town was 'Floating Market' (Pasar Terapung). It sounded so exotic that, for me, it's totally OK if I cannot visit any other tourist attraction. I'd die a happy girl.:-)

So, at 4.30, I already had my morning bath and all my luggage was packed, ready to go. I was waiting in anticipation when my cell finally rang.
The three girls, once again, were waiting for me down in the lobby. We took off at 5.30.


We reached the 'harbour' at around 6 and a 'klotok'(a sleek traditional boat of Banjar) took us to the center of the activity. It was still quiet. Soon many 'klotok' roamed the area and one of them was a boat selling oranges. My friends called on the 'klotok driver' and started to bargain. It's quite cheap. A kilo of local and very sweet oranges costs Rp 15.000. That's what I call a bargain.

It seemed ours was the only tourist boat until a little bit before dawn, we could see some more boats selling coconuts and veggies.I could tell they are from a local harvest by the 'packaging'.

When it was finally dawn, some boats started to leave the meeting point. Surprised? Well, the floating market usually starts at 6 and ends at 7.
They leave as fast as they arrive.

I was lucky that when we moved away from the point, it began to rain. It's just my luck to be able to see the market at its best.








The wonderful journey ended by visiting a floating restaurant (too bad I ran out of battery for my camera). The boat is designed just like a 'lesehan' restaurant with tables, and chili paste container and rice cracker tupperware. I had hot sweet tea and 'soto Banjar'. Another 'soto' for the last time, I thought. It was not as good as the 'soto bawah jembatan' but I sure will never forget the experience.

From the market, we went straight to the airport. The rain was pouring very hard. I whispered my goodbye to Banjarmasin.