Kuala Tungkal

 Kuala Tungkal is an exotic small town located in the northern city of Jambi. To reach Kuala Tungkal from Jambi it takes 3 houra by car

The city is so quiet and the atmosphere is really touching to me. Most of the houses in town were built  on stilts because Kuala Tungkal is  a marshy and swamp  area, the city has also widely established terraced houses  that are used for bird's nest.;anywhere in the city and surroundings we can see houses specially built for the swallows birds;they export the bird's nest to Hong Kong,Singapore,China where thery are a exquisite food

Attractions that we can enjoy in this city among others is 'port' Kuala Tungkal, a traditional market on the edge of the river (near the sea,the strait of Berhala);the river Batanghari that crosses through Jambi becomes 2 branches,one leading to the strait of Melacca and this other one to Kuala Tungkal where it meets Strait of Berhala 

  Many travelers  use this port to go to the island of Batam and even to neighboring Singapore. The view in the morning and evening when sunset and sunrise is truly exotic.

In addition to the traditional markets, along the road to the market are lined with shops that sell second hand goods.

To explore the city and feel the atmosphere of busy city of Kuala Tungkal, you can use the rickshaw bikes' distinctive Kuala Tungkal and several cities in Sumatra.

Main entrance to regency of Tanjung Jabung Barat(one of the regencies of jambi)

This was on the road to the regency Tanjung Jabung Barat I saw a tree full of
bee hives and a steps in the tree to go up to pick up the honey

We arrive to the main antranke to Tanjung Jabung Barat capital city Kuala Tungkal
Jambi province is divided into nine regencies (kabupaten) and two cities (kota) 

Just entry in Kuala Tungkal we met this Buddist temple;in kuala tungkal there is abig chinese communitie 

Inside the Buddist temple

Rumah Walet(house of swalows)

Swallows House ,anywhere in Kuala Tungkal you can see this buldings
without windows and only small holes for the swallows to get in and make the nests
Then they export the nests to  Hong Kong,China,Singapore,Taiwan
In Hong Kong, a bowl of bird's nest soup would cost $30 USD to $100 USD.A kilogram of white nest can cost up to $2,000 USD, and a kilogram of red nests can cost up to $10,000 USD.

Fish eggs
In Kuala Tungkal live suku laut(tribes of the sea),they are related to the Sea Gypsies of natuna islands in Riau and not far from here;they live mainly from fishing

Boats from here goes to Batam island and to Singapore

A villagers house in the swamps,most of the surrounding areas of Kuala Tungkal are swamps so th ehouses are many on
stilts 

We get some food,fried banana and other fries

One busy street on the port of Kuala Tungkal,these alleys between wooden houses are built over the sea on stilts

Suku laut or Sea Gypsies

Fresh prawns

Old Suku Laut woman;her lips are red from Betel Nut chewing

Anywhere there are swifts nests houses

Another Swift nesting home

Buddist temples

Transportation of timber