Market in Lembang

colorful produce

On Monday, Helen and I set out to visit one of three tofu (tahu) factories in the neighboring town of Lembang. After driving there we discovered that the tofu factories are closed on Mondays. Disappointing, but we'll try it again soon. But since we were already there, we figured we might as well enjoy ourselves. We drove on into the main business area and walked along the perimeter of one side of a busy market.

 

For some reason, Lembang has no becaks (Indonesian version of pedicab) being used for public transportation. Instead, it is the horse drawn carriage. Here you see the horses waiting patiently to help you take a load off.

Muslim motor driver with garments blowing and child on back

We walked through a small bird sellers market and passed some produce stalls. Then we cut through a small corner of the inside of the market to return to our car. The market was huge and like any Indonesian market, a cornucopia of sights and smells. As we strolled through, we observed that one could buy just about anything there.

small bird market with variety of  tropical birds

The man in the photo above actually spoke English with us. He was buying the tiny wriggling worms (lower front) to use as fishing bait, but most people buy them to feed their pet birds. Goldfish were also being sold in clear plastic baggies filled with water, of course.

making rice cakes

dried fish,  yum yum!

       

man playing bamboo flute

  

As with any place where there are lots of people, you will see "musicians" walking around playing guitars, ukeleles or perhaps a traditional instrument as a means of making a little money. Here the man is playing outside the door of a warung, hoping his music will be appreciated.

woman buying rice (scale in lower left)

After returning to our car, we had Ferry stop on the side of the road and negotiate the price of some pomelos (Bali oranges, as they are called here) off the back of a pick up truck, then drop us off for lunch at a Chinese restaurant that had been recommended to Helen. 

Recommendations are a good thing here; otherwise we would not have the nerve to go inside some places! The menu was all in bahasa Indonesia, but we know enough to figure out rice (nasi) and noodles (mie) and the main meats. We felt like the mie ayam (noodles with chicken) would be a safe bet, and sure enough it was very tasty.

fun seeing the different fruits

Sweet 'n Sour Chicken maybe?

   

typical interior in Indonesian market

banana leaves are used for cooking rice

nice presentation!

yes, we do have bananas!

There are so many places here to visit and they are all interesting, even if it’s just seeing people as they go about their everyday lives. Or to put it another way, it sure doesn’t look like home!