Floating market at Banjarmasin

Banjarmasin is known also for its wonderful floating markets. When I was travelling in Thailand I visited Damnoen Saduak floating market, but it was a big disappointment. The place was crowded with tourists and locals were selling more or less souvenirs. Since then I really wished to find a true floating market where locals trade their produce.

With Tailah, our guide (I mentioned him in previous post on Canal cruise), we visited floating market on Barito river. We started early in the morning when the market is at busiest. Unfortunately the sky was overcast so there was no nice light and I had to use fill-in flash.

Buying Rambutan.

Rich lady going for shopping.

A coconut for refreshment.

Sellers with their boats.

Banjarmasin is famous for its delicious cakes (Kueh).  They make them with bananas, coconuts, chillies, rice… We decided to have our breakfast on the river.

While our host was making the tea for us…

…Neja was picking the cakes wit a stick that had a spike at the other end.

Floating market at Banjarmasin on the Barito river was a great experience. We were the only foreigners there and local people were very friendly. If you are visiting Banjarmasin it is definitely worth getting up early and visiting the market! You can arrange a boat a day before, the boatmen know when and where to go.

And here is some literature we read during our trip:

Related posts

• Banjarmasin canal cruise (3)
• Tanjung Puting National Park (2)
• Swimming with jellyfish and manta rays (7)
• Samarinda to Berau (3)
• Our red-haired cousins (8)