21-day South-Asia trip (2007)

The next morning I met Dominic at the southern pier in Singapore to catch a ferry to Tanjung Balai, Indonesia. We took the Indo Falcon.

Three hours later, we landed at a developing-nation pier. Surrounded by a cast of characters including customs officials, hangers-on, taxi-drivers, touts, louts, children, business-men, money-changers etc.

We stayed at Holiday Karimun Hotel, a great value for money. This place was very clean, marble floors, beautiful wood paneling. It was also very empty. Dominic and I were about the only guests in probably a 40-room hotel. But then, Balai does not see many tourists, especially as Lonely Planet describes this place as "attracting shady characters".

Drive around town in the local bus: a minivan with a couple benches.

We spent a long time walking along the shopping district. Bought some Batik products. Dominic haggled for me and got me a good discount.

The main event: night market.

Food:

Authentic Indonesian satay
Pancakes
Char kwiteau

January 18th

Woke up 8am.

Breakfast: Ba Kut Teh
Pork rib soup w/rice
Indonesian coffee

Visited the markets

Wet market sells vegetables, meat and fish. Such a variety!

We bought several kilos of jackfruit, passion fruit, small bananas and snacked on some deep fried banana fritters

Fast ferry from Balai to Tanjung Pinang.

Booked a room at Paradis Hotel.

This was the best eating experience of the trip for me:
At night, around dinner time there is an area just down from the hotel that turns into an outdoor food court. There are probably 100 or so different stalls set up, with a seating area in the middle. Locals flock here to feast probably every night of the week.

Dinner:

Char Kwiteau
Gong Gong
Fried Fish
Satay
Roti Plata