This is another of Malaysia's great institutions - the open-air flea market. And here in Sarawak, there is one place where bargain hunters flock to - and that's a small kampung called Serikin. Serikin is situated almost on the border with Indonesian Kalimantan, and every weekend the narrow, sandy streets are lined with traders - mostly from across the border - selling all kinds of stuff. And the bargains are amazing because the stuff mostly comes from Indonesia, and the traders have an enormous margin due to the exchange rate, so you can haggle right down to the bone, especially if you're not a foreigner!
Let some pictures do the talking instead of Prof. Madder:
You can, as you can see from the pictures, get almost anything under the sun, from locally produced fabrics, clothes, jewelery and craft goods to pretty good (fake) branded goods such as Rolex watches, Versace bags and Lancome perfumes. I came away with a "Boss" leather bag for RM 90 (about USD 25 - and I was ripped off, my wife told me later). The wife snagged a dainty "Louis Vuitton" back pack for RM 30 (about USD 8.50). Also, we got loads of clothes including Islamic headscarves (tudung) for my wife, niece and her mum Doris.
Here are some more images:
I hasten to add that the dog was not for sale!!
So I urge you, fair readers, to visit Serikin if you are ever in Kuching on holiday or otherwise. It's about an hour's drive outside the town along the winding and often foggy road to Bau town from Kota Sentosa, just past the airport.
Prof. Madder's advice - get there early! Be there before 7. 30 in the morning because parking is very limited. Bring your passport if you are a foreigner because there is a police checkpoint a couple of miles from the market and they occasionally ask for identification, this being border country. The Serikin market is on the Malaysian side, I hasten to add.
Happy hunting!!
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