Festival Jukung 2006

Festival Jukung 2006 (Festival of "Decorated Traditional Boats") this year will be held on December 21-23, 2006 at the Martapura River, precisely on the front of Governor's Office.
This yearly festive is one of the main event that people in Banjarmasin will not missed the "jukung" show.

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A dark room in the digital world…

It was 9.30 pm in the cold night, and till a few minutes later, no body come to print some black-&-white pictures. But Ruslan (62 yrs-old) keep patience waiting for his customers on his old kiosk on Jl. Katamso, Banjarmasin, South Borneo. Even he did not get bored sitting on his chair and watching many old pictures hanging on the kiosk’s wall.

Since 1975, Ruslan started his service for print any pictures. Start with a very simple tools and small kiosk, his services is still running until now. And based on his stories, he still owned a 35-years-old glass lens! That is more older than his older son, Rusdiansyah, who runs his own services like his father for the late few years. In the spare time, Rusdiansyah also works as “ojek” – a motorcycle-taxi.

In the world of digital today, the job that Ruslan and his son do, is might be “vanish” in the near future. But according to his own words, this father and son will keep his job as long as he could, although the income is getting low and lower compared about five years ago.

At that time, his kiosk was on the Pasar Blauran - front of Pasar Antasari(now Sentra Antasari). He could get more than Rp. 15,000,- (around US$ 1,5) per day and it could be more when a period of registering new students and government staffs incoming.

“Thank God, my income was better at that time” said Ruslan who ever be an amateur photographer on the late 1960.

If we think that we couldn’t get enough money, we should be thankful compared what has Ruslan got on everyday in his life. I think everyday is a hopeful day as Ruslan has teached us for more than 30 years doing his services.

Have a wonderful life !

MORE PHOTOS OF “A DARK ROOM”….

This artikel is taken from Apunk on local newpaper,
Banjarmasin Post, Sunday, November 19, 2006.
Edited and added by Okky Rahmanto

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Banjarmasin's Ramadhan Cake Fair

Here's an experience during Ramadhan (one month fasting period in Islam) where I can't find on other places in Indonesia.

People usually called "Pasar Wadai" means Cake Fair, which only happens in Ramadhan. It means one full month we could enjoy a really sweet cake and snacks after a whole day fasting!

Located on the road on the front of Sabilal Muhtadin Mosque, the most beautiful and the biggest mosque in Banjarmasin, where the spot is the center of the city, makes this 'temporary market' very easy to catch. There is more than 75 kiosk sell more than 50 different lovely cakes! I think one whole month couldn't enough to taste one by one per day! And there's more; there's a some cakes that only made in Ramadhan! What a rare cake!

This market is one of the traditions that always be kept by all Banjarese(Banjarmasin people). Also there's more tradition which all the Banjarese always done during Ramadhan, such as 'Tanglong Festival'(parade for decorated cars and lights/lampions), and 'Bagarakan Sahur' (wake the people up after midnight for taking any meals before fasting in the morning).

MORE PHOTOS OF "PASAR WADAI"...

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Floating Market

Have you ever buy a fresh fish or daily meat/vegetables on top of the water?

Follow me! I will guide you to the most unique floating market in South Borneo, Indonesia.

Located 10 km from central Banjarmasin, Capital of South Borneo this uniquely market become a attractive traditions that many tourist can't miss while in Banjarmasin.
Most daily needs, like vegetables, meats, fish, fruits and many raw food is sell in this market. Floating on Martapura River and Barito River, the villagers are sells and buys those things starts from 06.00 am in the morning.

Martapura River is one of the main river which across Banjarmasin city. Through this river, many villagers deliver a lot of daily needs that will be sell on the market. Even though the city has a main road for transportation, many villagers also use the river for travelling around the city.

Normally, during special even such as Independence Day, Ramadhan, etc, Martapura River become main attraction. Small boats, known as “Jukung” are the ‘star’ on the river, because all of the Jukungs is ‘dress up’ with many lights and coloured decorations. One of the even can’t be missed is the race of small jukung consist of 5-6 men. The race is more attractive when they are more forced to speed up the jukung when the finish line is getting nearer.

MORE PHOTOS OF FLOATING MARKET...

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