It was November 2022 when we last visited Serikin. So when a friend suggested a little Sunday expedition back that way, we were definitely up for it.

Situated right on the border with Indonesia, it's chiefly famous for its huge market, to which traders from both sides of the frontier flock. It was still in its post-covid revival phase when we were there last, and though colourful and interesting, it was a shadow of its pre-pandemic self. According to our driver, it's still not totally back to its heyday. But it was way bigger this time round. We got there about 0730 (after a nice little breakfast stop on the edge of Bau). Some two and a half hours later, by the time we were done shopping and gawking and strolling and sipping and sampling, it was all buzzing along really nicely.

Highlights:

-- The colours...










-- Freshly pressed orange juice (the nice little green oranges we get here are obviously on stream at the moment, because orange juice was everywhere, and -- as the vendors suggested -- it's really enhanced by just a touch of salt).

-- Freshly squeezed soursop juice (whoa, it's SO long since we had that, although it was one of our staples when we were in Indonesia).

-- Nostalgia... We felt this last time too. There's just so much that takes you back, so much you don't even realize you've forgotten about.


-- Predictable purchases. I turned round at one point to find a snack-seller stuffing Nigel with samples. I went over to rescue him, which I did so effectively that we came away with five bags...

-- Spontaneous purchases... We didn't go looking for a little stool, nor yet for a wasp-whacker... And yet, somehow...


-- The wonderful variety of shapes and textures...






We stopped briefly at Paku on the way back:



Grand day out. Lots of fun.