Saturday, August 11, 2007
...INDOMIE GORENG, TEH BOTOL SOSRO, KOJEK, STEEP SLOPES...That's Tanjung Pinang for you! It was one of my parents' frequent visits to Tjg Pinang, only difference is that their children wanted to tag along, together with their 2 grand-daughters. Going to M'sia on SG's National Day and the day after, would mean traffic congestion and trouble in getting hotel rooms at the last minute. (we decided abt few weeks before). That's a 1st for me being away during National Day. Made me less patriotic! (I did catch the NDP on TV tho')
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal was packed with people going to Batam, Bintan and Tjg Pinang. Boarding the ferry was a nightmare cos it's free seating and you better have a seat with your frens and family cos it's abt 2hr ferry ride from SG. Otherwise, you'd juz puke cos of motion sickness and boredom.
Tjg Pinang town is located on Bintan Island, but totally different from the other end of Bintan where you can find 5* resort, hotels and things are much more expensive. In Tjg Pinang, you can find only 3* hotels which seems to be 2* hotels.
We stayed at Hotel Pelangi where the Deluxe Room is only SGD40. There are no fridge, safe and bathtub, but there is a swimming pool with no one in it, except my bros! But they provide 24hr transportation to town, which is very very useful. A drop-off is FOC and you just need to call them to fetch you when you are done. For them to wait till you are done with shopping, you just need to pay around $7 to $10. If you don't mind the simple amenities (incldg our TV which automatically lowers down its volume!) and it being a bit away from town, this is the hotel. Otherwise, there's the Comfort Hotel which looks nicer but without the transportation services.
Anggun had a culture shock, when she said to me "Auntie Nani, Anggun tak suka lah gi sini. Kenapa kotor? Kenapa hotel ni tak cam hotel kat KL?" Hehe...she just need to get used to it. Cinta? Everytime we were in the van, she would take off her slippers, make herself comfortable and just look out of the window, and ask us every single thing she finds fascinating or diff.
On the 1st day, together with our relative at Tjg Pinang, we went shopping at Ramayana dept store, where I juz bought 1 kurta. But my bro and I shopped for lots of munchies, errrr...even kicap manis ABC. Looking forward to my tunch cos I was famished. Beside the store, was a warung (with lotsa cats...sheesh). Indomie Goreng was tasty with chicken bits, eggs, fried onions and flamingly spicy green chilli. Satay Ayam & Ayam Bakar was nicely charred with sweet soy sauce and its spices.
Late dinner was seafood, which I pictured to be grilled prawns and stingray in front of our table and to be at some eatery on stilts, kampung style. But we were brought to this lavish looking restaurant (with only 1 table occupied) which has al fresco dining at the back, facing the sea, which I can't see in the dark. It's menu details no prices at all, so we were prepared to be charged ridiculously. We ordered ikan kerapu, sambal kangkong, hotplate beancurd, ayam goreng, tiny smashed battered prawns - 1 dish each (very small serving), and drinks for 11 people. Charges? Rp 610,000 (approx. SGD100!!!) Seafood at Newton Food Centre is much more worth it and tastier.
Our 2nd day (last day), we went to the coffeeshop, where our relative is working. He makes great roti prata. The prata was soft and crispy at the same time, and the best of all, not greasy! I tried the Gado-gado, when it came, I was surprised that it actually has a bit of noodles along with the usual keropok, rice cakes, vege and peanut sauce. It looks weird but it blends well (try doing it on your own). We were even entertained by a couple of street performers.
I am impressed with the service at their coffeeshops. There was no "Self-Service" signs to be seen. They would serve us, together with serviettes and the bill detailing how much is each dish nicely written.
Walking in the market, was a bit challenging. You gotta look out for traffic especially the bikes. And have a bottle of water with you. It's hot! Mum ordered her curtains for Hari Raya - her sole purpose and also bought her tempe crackers, cuttlefish, etc.
The Hotel has surprisingly packed a drink and cake for us to eat in the ferry. Before we head to the ferry terminal, we visited our relative and went back with more stuff.
The ferry ride back was smooth except when we were in Spore waters. Choppy waters made the ferry swayed vigorously. Some passengers vomitted. And I had to carry Cinta, fearing that she would lose balance at the gap between the ferry and the platform. But after I carried her, I was worried, I would fall!! I think she's only half my weight. SIL, I'm glad you didn't vomit!
Take a look at the pictures we took @ Tjg Pinang.
naniz @ 9:04:00 PM