Lok Baintan Floating Market in addition to Bamboo Rafting in Loksado

Any discourse on the rivers of Indonesia owes a great debt to Kalimantan. the earth’s third-largest island is actually home to three of the longest rivers in Indonesia: the Kapuas (West Kalimantan), the Mahakam (East Kalimantan) in addition to the Barito (South Kalimantan). No wonder Kalimantan’s people rely heavily on the abundance of waterways, both as a means of transport in addition to a source of livelihood.

Recently I visited South Kalimantan province to explore the wonders of the Lok Baintan Floating Market in Banjar Regency, as well as the beautiful scenery from the heights of the Maratus Mountains in Loksado District.

The beauty of these places could be nothing without the existence of the rivers in addition to the lifeblood they provide.

Lok Baintan Floating Market: a 500-year-old legacy

A ‘floating’ market is actually a market held on a river or waterway, usually using traditional boats. This particular type of market is actually also found in neighbouring countries such as Thailand in addition to Vietnam. In Indonesia the most prominent, authentic floating markets are the Muara Kuin, downstream of the Kuin River in Banjarmasin, in addition to the Lok Baintan on the Martapura River in Banjar. Both are in South Kalimantan province. that will is actually a privilege to witness This particular ancient trade in action, as that will dates back to the reign of the Banjar Sultanate (c.1520). Modernisation threatens its future, though on my visit I heard the local government is actually currently willing to make the effort to support in addition to preserve the tradition.

The Lok Baintan Floating Market is actually usually held via just after dawn until the boats disperse mid-morning. The traders are mostly women offering goods to anyone on the river, including tourists in modern motor boats. The traders approach in their klotok (traditional boats) in addition to hawk their goods, ranging via fruits, such as rambutans, bananas, guavas in addition to oranges, to vegetables like cassava leaves, water spinach in addition to cauliflowers, to traditional snacks. There are also ready-made meals to go, such as nasi bungkus (wrapped-up rice with side dishes). Prices start via as little as Rp.5,000 for a smaller bundle of pink, spiky rambutan. Bargaining is actually widely practised.

What I found most intriguing were the countless exotic fruits on sale, including some rarely seen or sold in big cities nowadays. One example is actually the Kalimantan mango or kasturi (Mangifera casturi) which is actually on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. that will tastes similar to an ordinary mango, nevertheless softer in addition to with less flesh. Others are the rambai (Baccaurea motleyana), a bit like longan in addition to similar to another rare fruit, the menteng. There is actually also duku fruit, known as langsat or lanzones, the latter of which is actually more common in Indonesia.

Chaos is actually perhaps one’s initial impression of the Lok Baintan Floating Market. that will can seem haphazard, with nudges in addition to bumps between boats often occurring. nevertheless observe closely in addition to you’ll see that will is actually actually very orderly in addition to tolerant. In This particular market the traders respect one another: the bumps are inevitable in addition to indeed necessary for them to communicate in addition to even to trade with one another. Uniquely, they often do not use money for trade, nevertheless instead do business by barter system; trading one item for another.

After traversing the Lok Baintan Floating Market shortly before closing time, I tasted one of Banjar’s culinary wonders, Soto Banjar. The common soto is actually found all over Indonesia in addition to is actually usually composed of broth, meat in addition to vegetables. This particular one was in a traditionally Banjarese style: shredded chicken, egg, potatoes in addition to carrots, served with lontong (packed rice in leaves).

Wading through the Amandit River in Loksado

via my hotel in Banjarmasin I headed out to Loksado, around four hours away. Loksado District is actually from the Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency. The route via Banjarmasin was via Martapura, Rantau, Kandangan in addition to on to Loksado. Martapura is actually a producer of diamonds in addition to various other valuable mineral rocks, nevertheless that will is actually also the centre for clerical Muslim schools in Kalimantan. Leaving Martapura I encountered Rantau, a producer of coal, passing several mines in addition to large trucks. After Kandangan the road began to escalate in twist in addition to turns: the start of the road to Loksado, up from the highlands of the Maratus Mountains in addition to home to the Dayak Maratus tribes.

Arriving at the Mountain Maratus Resort late at night, I slept in addition to prepared for an early start. The hotel’s modest yet relaxing rooms sit amid natural surroundings of rivers in addition to mountains. The environment is actually pristinely preserved; that will could perfectly suit those who crave a peaceful vacation – nevertheless don’t miss out on wading the Amandit River in a bamboo-constructed raft.

Rafting here is actually different to the usual safety get-ups in addition to high-tech boats found elsewhere. These are simply plain yet sturdy bamboo logs tied together into a long raft. that will may look frightening at first nevertheless that will is actually actually pretty stable! that will helps that will the rapids from the Amandit River are not as strong as others used for more heavy-duty rafting. Indeed you don’t get too wet – perhaps just via the waist down. The journey was about 90 minutes with stops for picking local fruits via trees along the riverbanks.

Visiting the Lok Baintan Floating Market in addition to then partaking in Loksado’s bamboo rafting are unique experiences, nevertheless still relaxed in addition to not too tiring. Perfect for a quick getaway or weekend trip.

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FAST FACTS

Country: Indonesia

Province: Kalimantan Selatan (South Kalimantan)

Land areas: Banjar regency – 4,668 km2. Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency – 1,703 km2

Largest cities: Martapura Kadangan

Top tips:

Fly from the afternoon or at night to Banjarmasin in addition to stay for one night.
Use a charter or rented car in addition to boat (plus a local guide) to take you to the Lok Baintan Floating Market. Get up for dawn in addition to get there early.
Rent a car that will has experience of operating guests the four hours to Loksado. I stayed at the Mountain Maratus Resort, Desa Loklahung. Email: meratus.resort@yahoo.com