PALEMBANG

PALEMBANG

Palembang is never in my travel list until I was invited by the Ipoh Orchid Society (IOS) to cover an event on Orchid Show. Frankly! I did not even know where is Palembang until the trip was finalised, did I realise I am leaving for Indonesia.

We then left for Indonesia via Air Asia Flight AK980 – from May 7 until 12, 2008.

Check into the town centre Hotel Duta located at Letkol Iskander, Palembang.

ASEAN ORCHID SHOW 2009

On our first and second day, the Asian Orchid Exhibition 20018 went on as usual – we assisted in putting up booth, arranging the 150 cut flowers , 6 top cuts and 25 Phalaenopsis brought over from Malaysia - for the one week competition. The event is also meant for foreign grower and nursery showing their best orchids, held at the Kampung Iwak. 
 

MAYOR'S WELCOME PARTY

At the Welcome Party organised by Palembang Mayor – showcase the traditional dance theme “Gending Sriwijaya Dance” - performed for welcoming honorable guests – consisting of 13 dancers carrying betel leaf box, accessory box, umbrella and spears as they danced away the night.

ASEAN ORCHID SHOW 2009

Besides attending Orchid Show, arrangements were made for us to go for a one-day de-tour Palembang. Attractions cover - Musi River, Cik Eipah Batek Shop, Antique House, Market Areas, Handicraft Centre, Mosque, Old Market and the Kemaro island. If one is staying longer – visit the grave sites of Ki Gede Ing Suro and Grave Sabo Kingking, Limas Traditional House & Kapiten Kampung and Floating House and the Siguntang Hill.

Palembang is the oldest city in Sumatera with a population of 124 million, was previously under the governor of Sriwijaya Kingdom. According to Indonesia history, Sriwijaya Kingdom covers the periods of 7AD – 13Ad centuries – whereby the Karang Anyar Museum showcase archaeological artifacts of Sriwijaya and a boat.

HI!! MR TRISHAW

One of the common sight is the numerous trishaw in town center – waiting for customers. One can pose for a photograph with the trishawman and his trishaw.

Musi River is the biggest river in Palembang - measuring 460km in length is a magical place to visit – eight tribulataries living here namely Komering, Ogan, Lematang, Kelingi, Lakitan, Semangus, Rawas and Batanghari Leko.

AMPERA BRIDGE OVER MUSI RIVER

Palembang also called the City River is located in South Sumatera – is divided into two parts by Musi River – namely Seberang Ulu and Sebarang Ilir which are connected by Ampera Bridge or Golden Gate above the river. Musi has been witnessing the majestic of Sriwijaya Kindgom and the Palembang Darussalam Sultanate. Along the riverbank, monumental legacies are erected along with historical legend and myths. There are floating houses, fertilizer factory, Ki Merogan Mosque, Benteng Kuto Besak (fortress), market and Bagus Kunning Areas.

CIK EIPAH BATEK SHOP

Next stop,is the popular Cik Eipah Batek Shop – comprises of clothing, songkok, handbag, keychains, sewet Tajung (men cloth), songket (woven cloth) and sewet pelangi (silk cloth). 

MIR SENE ANTIQUE GALLERY

Visit Mir Sene Antique Gallery – to view the handmade master art of antique, here. There are mirror, table, chairs, lazy chair, cupboard and dining table.

DRY FOOD SHOP

Another interesting stop is the Dry Food Shop – where one get buy the 8-layered cake, kerupuk, satay, mee suah and sweets. Palembang typical food comprise of Pempek, laksa, nasi kebuli (rice cooked with curry), nasi gemuk (rice cook with coconut milk), ketan tumis (sticky rice cooked fried), and curry fish.

PAGODA AT KEMARO ISLAND

Kemaro Island is worth visiting – located in the middle of River Musi – take a 10-minute boat ride over to the island. For the adventurous – try the Ketek (speedboat), Sigentar Alam (cruise) or dragon boat leaving from Jetty Benteng Kuto Besak to the island.

Here, I am amazed with the Pagoda and a Buddhist Temple located at Kemaro Island - popularly visited by devotees on Chap Go Meh. Inside the temple, lies the grave of Siti Fatimah and Tan Bun Ann – visitors are warned not to take photographs of the graves – as the picture taken will never turn out at all.

TOA PEK KONG FOUNDATION AT KEMARO ISLAND

 The island has a legend of a love affair between Siti Fatimah (nick name Sia Juan) who is the daughter of Palembang King- who was proposed by the son of a merchant named Tan Bun Ann. They got married but never stay together. On the day of exchanging gift – Tan's father send a broken urn, top with kam chye vegetable. Tan get angry throw the urn into the sea and the urn turn out to be gold bars underneath the urn. Tan dived into the sea to search for gold bars and never returned. The wife, Siti also went into the sea to search for him. Both never returned and an island was formed called Kemaro Island.

CREATIVE PRODUCTS

Another version of the story is that both of them did not get married when a tragedy happened to them at the river – both died leaving a curse both uttered “if a land emerges at the bank of this river, it is the place where I am buried”. Thus, the couple were buried inside of the temple.

MAY 7-12, 2008