Malaysia-Singapore-Tanjung Batu, Indonesia

Salam and good day to all. A week after chinese new year, i had a very truly adventurous journey to Indonesia, attending a wedding party at one of thousands Indonesian island called Tanjung Batu, Kepulauan Karimun. There are few ways to get there. Either we fly straight to Batam then continue with ferry to Tanjung Batu or drive to Kukup Pontian and take ferry to Tjg Batu or by train from KL to Singapore and 2 more ferries. After long considerable thought, the Captain (my husband) chose to board Senandung Malam train from KL Sentral to Woodlands, Singapore. And from there we took  Pelangi Ferry to Tanjung Balai. And then took another small ferry or boat called SB Sun Rico to Tanjung Batu Jetty. Of course, along the way we had many interesting, intriguing and sad moments to share with you all. 

SAD STORY

We started with 5 when we board the train but lost one when the train reach Seremban. It was a rather sad story to share here because my husband's uncle (closest one) did not make it to Woodlands. He passed away on the train... while sleeping. My husband stayed with his late uncle's body waiting for his children to pick him up at Seremban railway station. Well, he had to continue with the journey because his mom, auntie and beloved wife is on the train with all the biggest baggage enough for 1 month vacation. Luckily he got a taxi to catch up with us and it surprised us because our train reached JB ahead of him and the taxi only arrive 10 minutes later. It was not because the train was the supersonic one but it was my husband's ride that was far too slow for a car without busy traffic on a highway. My husband had to practically put a stick to his eyelid to make sure that he's awake to accompany the taxi driver who's driving 80km/hour.

YOU ARE FINED, SIR

And when we arrived at Woodlands, Singapore (as if my husband had not enough drama in his pocket already) he was fined SD38 for bringing in 5 packs of cigarette. Well he told me that cigarette in Indonesia has different taste (is it?). That's why he brought some with him. But for your info, he paid because again he could not let us wait for another hour for the customs officer to sign his 1st time offender release letter. To anyone who knows my mom in law, please don't tell her that it costs him SD38...Please eh. That story reminds me of one slogan - "Singapore! What A FINE Country".

This is nasi padang stall nearby the Jetty. Reasonable price but don't convert to RM ok!

We were waiting for our 1st ferry and we saw Virgo Star Cruise parking nearby. 

This is the interior of the ferry. 6 in a row. Our travelling group has increased to 10 pax now with my mom in law's cousin from Singapore. Look at me, smiling because I had already taken an anti-vomit pill just in case i could not take it.

Nice glassy and metal building alongside the jetty.

Ha-di-ha! This is our 2nd ferry from Tanjung Balai to Tanjung Batu. 3 person per seat for 2. 

First Nasi Padang restaurant opposite our motel. Wow! i thought we can eat for a cheaper price compared to here in Malaysia. The taste pretty much the same with our nasi padang..

There we are having Nasi Padang with all sorts of lauk.. 

Oops i just called it a motel.. Well it is a motel by standard. It looks glossy on the outside but fuhh! not so plushy on the inside.

We went to the wedding party where the akad nikah (solemnization of marriage) took place. This is the pelamin, so vibrant in color. It almost hurt my eyes hihi.  

The bridegroom in red is mentally stressed out I think. He got to give a reply to so many pantun thrown by the bride's uncle. 

This is me trying "Mee Lendir". We call it Mee Jawa  over here. Hmm I prefer normal mee jawa.. Well actually we were so hungry that we couldn't wait for dinner at the wedding party. It was already 10pm at that time and dinner was not being served yet. What to do?

This is the outside view of wet and dry market. I got new tudung for me and my girls. Pretty cheap. 

Ha! This is interesting one. You see all the chairs lined up under the ruffled tent. That was for the guest to sit while having their meal. No table ok. But when I think about it, actually it was a smart way to make sure all the guest will have a seat. You don't have any idea how crowded this place were at noon. They have to queue about 20 meters to get their meal.

That was me smiling to the camera because too excited to try Indonesian food..hehe. Well, we had boiled egg with chilli sauce, chicken and vege clear soup, pineapple pajeri, tempe and prawn dry sambal, chicken kurma (i think) and some keropok. Plus packed mineral water.

Me and my mom in law's cousin from Singapore. Went to her apartment worth SD350k. Nice one but here we can get a semi-D with that kind of money.

Silat show to entertain the king of the day

They are exchanging pantun. The bride's aunt is asking for toll money from the bridegroom. He must give it to her otherwise he cannot sit with his newly wedded wife.

Another pantun..fuhh!

Cultural Dance show

The MC is the senator from Batam who happen to be the bride's uncle. We witnessed how talented this family are..everyone in the family actually can sing. OMG I'm the worst singer you can find. Karaoke surely not my kind of thing.

This is the queue i mentioned earlier. Quite systematic right.

Homemade ice cream. Nice with coconut flavour. 

Look at the house model. Can you guess what is that for? The guess have to pass by the "house" before meeting and bid farewell to the bride's parent. And of course a custom understood by all, we'll sort of have to give contribution to the host.   

See the smooth traffic over there. Put the "envelope", greet the host and lastly wish the king and the queen for the day.

Me and my mom in law in "angkut". kind of taxi van without door which we have to hold on to the seat for our dear life to keep us contained in the van. I think I can win Fear Factor now!

Angkut as the main transport for Tanjung Batu population.

We had to hire porter to help us with the baggage. From domestic jetty to international one which was about 800m.  Wonder how they got that kind of energy..

Well, that was an interesting and unforgettable experience for me. Seeing new places, new cultures, tasting different foods, meeting new people..hmm indeed travelling opens my eyes to many wonders of life. I wish I can travel more.  Amin..