The rivers of Banjarmasin have always played an important role throughout the history of South Kalimantan’s capital. Although shopping malls and international brands are increasingly leaving their mark on the Indonesian city, the traditional trade on the rivers is still kept alive. Every morning at sunrise farmers from the surrounding areas load fruits, fish, vergetables and spices onto their boats for trade. One of the most colourful meeting points is the Lok Baitan Floating Market located on the Barito River.
Some refer to Banjarmasin as ‘River City’ or ‘Venice of South East Asia’. This harbour town at the southern coast of the island Borneo is located on an island in a river delta – Banjarmasin, Indonesia 2014
Life is shaped by the two rivers Martapura und Barito – Banjarmasin, Indonesia 2014
People live in wooden homes built over the water and fish or trade on the rivers – Banjarmasin, Indonesia 2014
Mostly women transport all kinds of goods on small boats from nearby villages to the Lok Baitan Floating Market – Banjarmasin, Indonesia 2014
The best products sell quickly. Most shoppers arrive when it is still dark – Banjarmasin, Indonesia 2014
This colourful event takes place every morning as soon as the sun rises – Banjarmasin, Indonesia 2014
At around noon most boats return home before it becomes too hot on the river – Banjarmasin, Indonesia 2014
Much like lots of places in South East Asia the capital of South Kalimantan hopes for holding on to its traditions while striving for economic growth – Banjarmasin, Indonesia 2014
One of the big challenges Banjarmasin faces is the rising pollution of the canals. Due to the absence of a functioning disposal system a lot of trash ends up in the water – Banjarmasin, Indonesia 2014