Ok deh, sip :D: The Hidden Beauty Of Borneo

Tourism Departement of South Kalimantan has launched the 'VISIT KALIMANTAN SELATAN', a lot of festivals and local events held to promote South Kalimantan toursim object as the attactive destination. As their slogan, "THE HIDDEN BEAUTY OF BORNEO". Floating market is one of South Kalimantan tourism icon.

Do you know about the "Floating Market"?

Floating market (Pasar Terapung) is a market where merchandise are sold on boats. There are some floating markets around South East Asia, especially in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. In Thailand is Tha Kha Floating Market, in Vietnam is Cai Rang Floating Market. In Indonesia are Lok Bintan Floating Market and Muara Kuin Floating Market.

In this time I will show you some information about Muara Kuin Floating Market, because it's near from my house, just 5 minutes by bicycle. It's on Kuin River in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. Kuin River, which is located on the mouth of the vast Barito River, has been the heart of the Banjarmasin community for hundreds of years.The traders deal with each other while on top of their vessels, which are known as "Jukung". The market starts getting busy just before sunrise until sunrise (after subuh), from 5 to 7 A.M. There are some boats that sell food and drink to breakfast. Tourists may enjoy the panoramic view from the vessels accompanied with hot cups of Kopi or Teh and Soto Banjar, Nasi Sop, or Sate.

This is the best time to go to South Kalimantan . At 24-26 Novermber 2011 will be held an festival called "Festival Pasar Terapung 2011" in Banjarmasin. It will be held on Jendral Sudirman street, around South Kalimantan Goverment Office (Jl. Jenderal Sudirman, depan Kantor Gubernur Kalsel, dekat Masjid Sabilal Muhtadin).

There are Products Exhibition & Craft Regional Culture, Kompoeng Banjar, South Kalimantan Cuisine, Culture Attraction Adat Banjar, Traditional Games, the Regional Cultural Parade and River.

Followed by about 75 people market traders who became an icon of this area attractions. Festival Pasar Terapung has now become a national tourism calendar. At the festival, Floating Market that which usually can only be enjoyed in Kuin River will now be moved to Martapura River (in front of South Kalimantan Goverment Office) in the afternoon at 4-6 P.M.

They will also race decorated boats (Jukung Hias) that will be followed by 50 participants coming from several areas in South Kalimantan. The festival become an annual calendar will be far more interesting than previous year.

Here is the calendar event of Festival Pasar Terapung 2011.