Indonesia 2016: Riau Islands Vet Charity Program...

"If the traveler cannot find a friend to go with him, let him travel alone. Rather than a fool for company..."

(Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia)

The Riau Islands are an archipelago in Indonesia, located east of Sumatra. Two islands are south of Singapore.

The Riau Islands Province came into existence in July, 2004, when it was separated from neighboring Riau Province on the island of Sumatra. It includes the islands of Karimun, Batam, Bintan, Singkep-Lingga, and the Anambas and Natuna island groups in the South China Sea. the far-flung islands of this archipelago make up one of the most important historical regions in the country.

An archipelago of over 3,000 islands, the region has benefited greatly from its location: straddling the sea routes between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. For thousands of years traders and pirates alike have taken advantage of its relatively calm and shallow waters, along with its many safe harbors.

The earliest Malay kingdoms may have arisen in Sumatra but their prosperity relied on trade through these islands, while their navies were supported by the Orang Laut who lived in the archipelago. After the destruction of the Malacca Sultanate at the hands of the Portuguese in 1511, the Riau Islands and neighboring Johor in Malaysia became the center of a powerful successor sultanate.

Tanjung Balai and Batam

8 - 10 August, 2016

DAHP 74/78 Group

(Breakfast at the Kukup Golf Resort)

(Misty Golf Course early in the morning)

(Ready to drive to Kukup Ferry Terminal)

(Boarding the ferry to Tg. Balai, Batam)

(All on board for an hour ferry ride)

(Taking in the scenery from the upper deck)

(A brief transit at Tg Balai)

(Boarding another ferry to Batam)

(The many choices of ferry for commuters)

(Another hour of ferry ride to Batam)

(Arriving at a Ferry Terminal in Batam)

(Our tour bus in Batam)

(First stop at a Nasi Padang lunch))

(A famous nasi padang restaurant in Batam)

(A spread of delicious dishes to choose from)

(Checked in Lavina Inn and a short rest)

(A tour around town)

(Massive traffic jam in some areas)

(A nap while others went for shopping)

(Nagoya Shopping Mall)

(Dinner at a Sunda Restaurant)

(Clean restaurant with nice ambiance)

(A group photo in front of the hotel)

(Local scene at Pasar Jodoh)

(Dry area of the Pasar Jodoh)

(Fruit stalls selling varieties of local produce) 

(Fresh vegetables from the villages)

(The taxi stand)

(The coming Music Festival)

(Tasting the roadside local food)

(Resting tired bodies after a long journey)

(The busy town center)

(On the way to the Ferry Terminal)

(Boarding the ferry to Tg. Balai, Karimun)

(Arriving at Tg. Balai Ferry Terminal)

(The hotel is a walking distance from the Ferry Terminal)

(The hotel lobby, waiting to check in)

(Spacious, clean and cozy room)

(Getting ready to explore Tg. Balai town)

(Transport for the locals, rentals are available)

(Walking along the narrow streets)

(Another Ferry terminal, Pelabuhan Rakyat)

(A typical shop along the main street)

(Trishaws for hire)

(The Grand Masjid of Tg. Balai)

(The Pasar Sri Karimun Jaya)

(Shopping for lace and curtains)

(Signage and propaganda along the main road)

(Seafood dinner at Gerai Setia Menanti)

(Taking a night stroll along the water front)

(Pengkalan Utama Angkatan Laut)

(Colorful shop houses)

(Last minute shopping at Tg. Balai)

(The view of the Ferry Terminal from our hotel)

(The water front of the hotel)

(Checking out with additional baggage)

(Waiting for our ferry)

(Goodbye Karimun)

(Arriving at Kukup Ferry Terminal, Johor)

(Breakfast at Shimah stall in Pontian)

(Stopped for lunch on the way to KL)

(Delicious Kambing dish with nasi Arab)

👈Thailand 2016 Umphang Death Highway Road Trip...

  2016: Srinakarin Dam, Thailand👉