Lok Baintan Floating Market and Bamboo Rafting in Loksado

Lok Baintan Floating Market and Bamboo Rafting in Loksado -

Each discourse on the rivers of Indonesia owes a large debt Kalimantan. The world's third largest island is home to three of the longest rivers in Indonesia: Kapuas (West Kalimantan), Mahakam (East Kalimantan) and the Barito (South Kalimantan). No wonder people of Kalimantan to the abundance of waterways rely heavily, both as a means of transport and a source of livelihood.

I recently visited South Kalimantan province to see the wonders of the Lok Baintan exploring Floating Market in Banjar Regency, and the beautiful scenery in the heights of the mountains in maratus Loksado District.

the beauty of these places would be nothing without the existence of the rivers and the lifeblood they offer

Lok Baintan Floating Market: a. 500-year heritage

a market "floating" a market that is held on a river or waterway, usually by traditional boats. This type of market is also found in the neighboring countries such as Thailand and Vietnam. In Indonesia, the most prominent, authentic floating markets are the Muara Kuin, behind the Kuin River in Banjarmasin, and the locomotive Baintan on the Martapura River in Banjar. Both are provincial in South Kalimantan. It is a privilege to experience this ancient trade in action, as it dates back to the reign of Banjar Sultanate (1520). Modernization threatens his future, although during my visit I heard the local government, is now ready to make the effort to support the tradition and to maintain.

The Lok Baintan Floating Market is usually held just after dawn until the boats distribute morning. Stores are offering mainly women Goods for everyone on the river, including tourists in modern motorboats. The dealer approach in Klotok (traditional boat) and offer their goods ranging from fruits such as rambutan, bananas, guavas and oranges to vegetables such as cassava leaves, water spinach and cauliflower, to traditional snacks , There are also go meals, as Nasi Bungkus (wrapped-up rice with side dishes). Prices start from as little as Rp.5,000 for a small bunch of pink, prickly rambutan. Negotiating is widespread.

What I found most fascinating were the countless exotic fruits on sale, including some rarely seen today or sold in major cities. An example is the Kalimantan Mango or kasturi ( Mangifera casturi) , which is on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. It tastes similar to an ordinary mango, but softer and with less meat. Others are the Rambai ( Baccaurea motleyana) a bit like Longan and similar to another rare fruits that menteng . There is also duku fruit, known as langsat or lanzones the latter of which is more common in Indonesia.

Chaos maybe someone's first impression of the Lok Baintan Floating Market. It can happen to appear, often occur with nudges and bumps between the boats. But watch closely and you will see, it is actually very tidy and is tolerant. In this market the dealers respect each other: the bumps are inevitable and indeed necessary, to act together, to communicate himself and to. Uniquely, they often do not use money for trading, but through exchange system to do business; act one element for another.

After the Lok Baintan Floating Market through the verge of closing, I tasted one of the culinary wonders of Banjar, Soto Banjar . The common soto is found throughout Indonesia and is usually composed of broth, meat and vegetables. This was in a traditional style Banjarese :. Shredded chicken, egg, potatoes and carrots, served with Lontong (packed rice in leaves)

Wading through the Amandit River in Loksado

From my hotel in Banjarmasin I Loksado to four hours away went out. Loksado district's Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency. The route from Banjarmasin was Martapura, Rantau, Kandangan and Loksado. Martapura is a producer of diamonds and other precious mineral rock, but it is also the center for spiritual Muslim schools in Kalimantan. Leaving Martapura I met Rantau, a producer of coal, passing several mines and large trucks. After Kandangan the way in Twist began to escalate and turns. The beginning of the road to Loksado until the highlands of maratus mountains and home of the Dayak maratus strains

arriving at Mountain maratus Resort late at night, I fell asleep and ready for an early start. Hotel modest but relaxing room sitting amidst the nature of rivers and mountains. The environment is maintained pristinely; it would be perfect ones that fit crave a quiet holiday -. but do not miss the Amandit river in a bamboo raft built wade

here rafting to the usual security differs Get-ups and found high-tech boats elsewhere. These are just simple and robust bamboo logs tied together in a long raft. It may seem scary at first, but it's actually pretty stable! It helps that the rapids in the river Amandit are not as strong as others used for more heavy-duty rafting. In fact, you do not get too wet - maybe down only from the waist. The ride was picking about 0 minutes with stops for shore local fruit from the trees.

to visit the locomotive Baintan Floating Market and then in Loksado bamboo rafting are unique experiences participates, but still relaxed and not too strenuous. Perfect for a short break or weekend away

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FIGURES

Country :. Indonesia

Province: Kalimantan Selatan (South Kalimantan)

land areas: Banjar regency - 4668 km2 . Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency - 1,703 km2

Largest cities: Martapura Kadangan

Top tips:

[1945017Fly] afternoon or at night to Banjarmasin and stay for a night.
• Use a charter or rented car and boat (plus a local guide), which you take to the Lok Baintan Floating Market. Get ready for Twilight and get there early.
• Rent a car, the driving experience guests who have four hours Loksado. I stayed at the Mountain maratus Resort, Desa Loklahung. Email: meratus.resort@yahoo.com

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