Palembang in Indonesia is the capital of South Sumatra. It boasts a vast, muddy brown river called the Musi, across which lies the Ampera bridge that the locals are ever so proud of featuring on T-shirts etc. Having travelled to many countries, I always say Palembang is a place that 'could be'; clean up your waterfront and it creates a multitude of potential, take for instance, Cairo and Thessaloniki in Greece even. Unfortunately though, money does dictate and many homes, some looking derelict lie along the river and people have no choice but to bathe in such sewage infested waters; which I was about to have the joy of cruising in. FUN TIMES!
There is an island known as Kemaro, which has an interesting tale (to follow) and is around twenty minutes away from Pesar Enambelas ( Market 16). To hire a boat was easy and cost the three of us around ten pounds or 150, 000 in rupiah, there and back.
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| Boat stop |
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| Meet our boat master |
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| Our boat with added creak and chug- we like to travel in style. |
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| Ampera bridge-prettier and more colourful at night |
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| A pit stop at the petrol station |
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| View from the petrol station |
The journey there was interesting, the waterfront is mostly undeveloped and we played dodge the splash which is much harder than whack a mole, seriously!
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| Some of the houses along the river |
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| Colourful boat, I did take a closer shot but realised that there was a naked man showering on it. Ooops! |
A short while later, accompanied with tinnitus, we arrived at Kemaro island. So, story has it that the island formed from a love tale. A young Buddhist man of Chinese origin, fell in love with a Muslim, Indonesian girl named Fatima, against their parent's wishes. A chest was involved and for some reason some hidden gold which was flung into the river. The young man dove into the river to try and collect it and Fatima followed him, neither survived and the island formed from their misfortune.
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| Kemaro from a distance |
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| Kemaro from a distance |
The island is known to be very busy in February for Chinese New Year and involves lots of fireworks. Unfortunately, we weren't able to visit then and it is usually quiet at any other time of the year.
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| One of the leading gates |
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| Close up of the gate |
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| The story |
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| Some interesting carvings at the base of the tree |
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| The temple- which was closed |
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| This kind of reminds me of the Helter Skelter slides at fairgrounds |
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| Side view of the stairs |
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| I'm attempting to tickle his belly, but yes i'm short |
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| My new pal, Al |
We soon realised that there was not much else to do on the island, so after a brief wander around and some rehydration, we headed back. It was worth a visit to see life along the river and to tick it off the list of course.
