Its waters are the backyard of native seafaring nomads who fish and trade for a living. Their traditional wooden sailing craft, called 'pinisi' still do the forested channels of these islands, along with other indigenous craft, fishing vessels and cargo ships which call at the archipelago's main town and Tanjung Pinang port. Tanjung Pinang lies on the largest island of Bintan archipelago. Once known as Riau, it was the heart of an ancient Malay kingdom. Today, Bintan is the latest hot spot of development in Indonesia's surging economy.
A master plan is underway to turn it into a major tourist destination. Barely an hour away from Singapore by ferry, tourist accommodation has begun to appear to take advantage of its gateway from it all appeal. It consists of Riau Archipelago, Natuna Islands and Anambas Archipelago. Originally part of Riau Province, Riau Archipelago was split off as a separate Province in July 2004 with Tanjung Pinang as its capital. Anambas Archipelago, located between mainland Malaysia and Borneo were attached to the new province. By population, the most important Riau islands are Bintan, Batam and Karimun. Size wise, however, the sparsely populated Natuna Islands are larger.
Interesting Places
Penyengat Island
During the golden era of Riau-Lingga Sultanate, Penyengat Island held significant roles in governmental and educational sectors. The island was likewise the heart of Islamic teaching and Malay cultural civilization in the past. For that reason, the provincial government of Riau Islands fixed the island as the highly recommended historical tourism destination. The remaining traces of Riau-Lingga Sultanate can still be found in the island, even though some of them are in critically physical condition.
Penyengat Island is part of Riau Islands Province that includes administratively into Tanjungpinang Sub-district. To reach Penyengat Island, you can take water transportation called pompong from Sri Bintan Pura Port in Tanjungpinang City.
Batam
Batam is one of the 3,000 islands, which make up the Riau Archipelago and is closest to Singapore, which is only 20 km away or twenty minutes by air-conditioned ferry. It has a rapid-growing population of around 100.000. As the island develops into a major industrial and tourist area, it attracts an ever-increasing population from other Indonesian islands who see Batam as a haven of opportunity. Once almost uninhabited, save for a few scattered fishing communities, Batam's history took a sharp turn beginning 1969, when it became support base for the State-owned 'Pertamina oil company' and its offshore oil exploration. In 1971 a presidential decree designated it as an industrial area and in 1975 the Batam Authority was formed. In 1978 Batam was established as a bonded area.
Lagoi Beach (Bintan)
Lagoi Beach is one of the tourism pride District of Bintan, Riau Islands Province. World class tourism has beautiful natural scenery and clean environment. Coconut tree in a neat row along the coastal edge is also one of tourist attractions in the area Lagoi Beach. In addition to the natural beauty, friendliness of local people is also a distinctive feature, so it is able to fascinate the traveler who visited the area this tour.
The existence of the beach tourism Lagoi supported also with the natural beauty of the other not less interesting, namely Sebong River, Mangrove Forest, and the various resorts. Different place each offers a beautiful panorama of nature and its specialty.
To Lagoi the beach, traveling can be started from Tanjung Pinang by using the rental car, taxi, or travel. From the city of Tanjung Pinang to travel to the location will usually take about 1.5 hours.
Sekupang
At present, Batam's main entry point is Sekupang, where streamlined fast and air-conditioned ferries bring hordes of quests from Singapore and Malaysia. The twenty-minute voyage is enlivened with free cool drink and video show, although some prefer to stand on the top deck and watch the sights. Ferries shuttle daily every half-hour between Singapore's Finger Pier and Sekupang harbor, and during peak period, even more frequently. For travelers' convenience, there are hotel, taxi and ferry counters at the ferry terminal. Within walking distance from the terminal is Batam authority office. Further down the road overlooking Sekupang harbor is Wisma Batam where we can see, upon request, an audiovisual presentation on Batam's development up to 2005. Batam's two popular FM stations, the Batam Zoo 1101.6 and Coast 100 are in the vicinity. Looking over the whole Sekupang and the hilly interior is the Hilltop Hotel. Popular with long-staying guests as well as tourists, this hotel is to be expanded and upgraded to new heights. Its restaurant serves fine Indonesian food and western specialties. In Sekupang try the Indonesian Delights, where regional Indonesian dishes are offered to the accompaniment of traditional dances.
Nongsa
Batam's northern coastal area of Nongsa, an hour's drive from Sekupang, is the main tourist attraction, where the resorts and golf courses are situated. Batams has best known; the Batam View and the beautiful Turi Beach Resort take pride of place as does the nine-hole Talvas Golf and Country Club. Besides catering to tourists, these hotels are also popular for small conferences. At the end of the promontory is the small Nongsa River, which is to be preserved in its natural state. Hotel guests can take boat trips up the river and perhaps see birds and wild Monkeys, or take in the solitude of the quiet waterways. En route to the airport, just south of Nongsa is Batu Besar, a cluster of restaurants offering fresh seafood. Built on stilts out over the water, guests are assured of a cool sea breeze while dining, and drinking ice-cold beer or the cool juice from a large green coconut.
Nagoya
Nagoya is located halfway between Nongsa and Sekupang. Lubuk Baja, or popularly known as Nagoya is Batam's colorful and fast growing heart. Shops, stalls, footstools, nightlife, discos, music lounges, karaoke, restaurants and many small hotels make this busy community popular with the locals and the businessmen alike. Hunt here for bargains and Indonesian goodies. For a good time, Nagoya is the spot. Until the Batam Center is established, Lubuk Baja is Batams present center of business, trade and finance. Nagoya is Batam's entertainment center. While resorts offer there is own brand of quiet evening music, Nagoya is definitely the place to go for nightlife. Bars are plentiful and disco lively. Shinta Nightclub has overseas cabaret acts and the Regina Palace is one of the favorite nightspots. Tired folk can enjoy a relaxing and stimulating massage in one of the many salons In Nagoya. Karaoke Lounges are big news, where guests can live out their singing talents in congenial surroundings.
Foods
Gulai Balacan
Kep.Riau special food was not much different from the typical food of West Sumatra, Borneo or relatives cognate. Food typical of this one is characterized by a sauce balacan. Sambal balacan has become mandatory for the citizens of Riau vegetables at meals.
Siput Gonggong
These foods are specialties of Riau Islands Province which is a kind of sea snail with a thick skin which is only found in waters around the island of Bintan. Gongong snails are usually boiled and delicious eaten warm with a special sauce. Snails are usually presented as being true without supplementary food. This food is already well known to the neighboring countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Thailand and India.
0 komentar:
Post a Comment