Palembang, Indonesia – Mini Me Bangkok!
Before this trip to Indonesia, I had never heard of Palembang in South Sumatra.
I only know about it because I was told there was a large blogging community there called Wongkito. They have been showing me around their city and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.
Palembang shares many things in common with Bangkok. It is a river city, and a lot of daily life occurs on the river called Sungai Musi.
Except unlike Bangkok, there aren’t loads of tourists here in Palembang. And that’s why I like it!
Palembang, Indonesia – In Pictures
Wongkito commandeered a pumpboat for a leisurely cruise down the river to see what it’s all about.
Some of the Wongkito members are shown below:
Cruising down the river provides a great insight into the daily life of Palembang residents. I managed to take some great shots on the pump boat trip. This is what happens on a typical day:
People taking public transport
Women doing the daily washing.
Men fishing
Ship maintenance
Loading and Unloading Goods
Checking out what the neighbours are doing
The thing is, I haven’t seen another foreigner here at all. I’m not hassled to buy anything when I walk down the street.
I’m more of a curiosity here more than anything. People look at me in the street because they obviously don’t see too many foreigners, or ‘bule’ (pronounced boo-lay) in Palembang. But they all are friendly and say hello, and I like saying hello back.
In fact, people want me to have a photograph taken with them.
Like this:
If you are ever near Palembang, spend a couple of days here and check it out!
More Palembang Stuff
Find out more at Footprint Sumatra Handbook: The Travel Guide.
Air Asia have helped me get to Indonesia to experience this great trip. You can do the same by going to their website and checking out their cheap airfares all over South East Asia.
you were a rock star, everybody want to be on the picture with you… you should come again next year, and we will show you more of Palembang…
[Reply]
nice post ..
U are Rock ..
[Reply]
Koh Samui Aboriginal Reply:
May 2nd, 2010 at 2:49 am
I agree with you =)
[Reply]
Twitter: suzannita
wow… it’s really Palembang… I agree with Ira, you should come to Palembang again
[Reply]
Great pictures sir. I hope Palembang can be more famous in the future. I am also member of wongkito, but i am working at oversea now. Nice to hear a good respon about Palembang from you sir.
[Reply]
wakakakakka, you’re like a star, but a human ^_^
[Reply]
you are too funny.
[Reply]
nice post… I Love Palembang, the environment, the foods, the rivers…hu hu..
[Reply]
I very like those photos, two thumbs up for U. Those pics really2 show Palembang with Musi River daily routinity. Thx for promoting our city
[Reply]
yuhuuuuuu!
[Reply]
have fun in bandung, ant! *counting the days* :p
[Reply]