As-salaamu alaykum(good day)
If you really want to feel the real life of Basilan you have to go check out their wet market and dry market! These places are so alive full of colors, sounds and smells its an experience you wont forget.
First stop is the wet market. Its busy a bit messy and wet but thats all part of the fun and charm.
The first thing you will see is piles and piles of fresh seafood. There are so many kinds of fish big ones small ones shiny ones colorful ones.
All of them were just caught from the sea that morning so they look super fresh and ready to cook.
You’ll also see crabs shrimps squids and all sorts of shellfish all neatly arranged and looking great.
The sellers are really friendly and loud in a good way. They call out to you to show their goods and if you buy something they clean and cut the fish right in front of you.
Everyone is talking laughing and moving fast. The air smells like the ocean and you can feel how busy and happy everyone is. It feels so real and down to earth.
Right next to it is the dry market and its just as interesting. Here you wont get wet obviously.
You will find sacks of nice rice different spices that smell so good dried fish and other preserved food. There are also clothes shoes bags and things for your home.
You can walk around slowly and look at everything. The people here are also very nice you can chat with them and even bargain a little to get a good price.
Its like a one stop shop you can find almost anything you need here from food to things for daily use.
Going to these markets isnt just about buying things. It’s about seeing local life meeting warm people and feeling the happy vibe of Basilan definitely a must visit.