The Unforgettable Ied Mubarak in Banjarmasin

Happy Ied Mubarak 1433 H for all who celebrate this holy day!

I celebrated it with an unusual situation, without my family, without having a new dress, without visiting my colleague's house, without visiting my relative's house, without ketupat and opor ayam, and of course without kastengels and other fancy cookies. I celebrated Hari Raya here, somewhere far from Jakarta, in the place named Kotabaru, one of a big sub-district in Banjarmasin.

Lucky me, I wasn't celebrate Hari Raya by staying all day long in the camp. Some of my HRD colleagues asked me to join a trip to Samar Gelap Island, near Sebuku Island (please see my Crazy Travelling entry entitled 'Somewhere Deep Inside South Kalimantan, for further story about my trip). 

After having fun in Samar Gelap Island, three of my moslem colleagues and I, had Idul Fitri pray at masjid in Kotabaru. It's a touchy moment yet unforgettable because I have to pray with other family instead of my family in Jakarta. But it's fun, how kind the Kotabaru people are. We visited some of our colleagues' house and we got a real Hari Raya's tradition of Kotabaru people. 

 after Idul Fitri's pray

 enjoyed the Soto Banjar

In Kotabaru, it's a tradition of all Banjar ethnics also, the host will provide a Soto Banjar to everyone who come to their house, please noted they are not offering you to eat, but they bring a plate of Soto Banjar and thrust it in front of you. I was surprise to see that tradition! Honesty, I didn't know how to reject that offer while the plate had already handed to me hahaha...and you know what, I visited three houses and I obliged to eat all of them! Whatta funny tradition!

the famous Soto Banjar

However, I love to spend my Hari Raya in Kotabaru, besides it's a big city, it has rich culinaries and ethnics. I saw several ethnics such as Bugis stayed here, though they speak in Banjar language, they still use Bugis accent in their daily conversation. How funny to hear their conversation hihihi...

Anyway, thanks God for all the gratitude you brought to me, though I knew my family wasn't here, but I have my second family here. 

Have you got a nice story of this year Ied Mubarak, friends, do not hesitate to share it here...

Happy Ied Mubarak once more...Happy Holiday!