Increase in Ferry Port / Terminal Tax

This is the latest increment in the port tax. You have to pay this when you depart Karimun island. About a year ago, the port tax was only rp 10k. It then went up to rp 25k. From May 2009 onwards, it will be rp 60k for foreigners and rp 30k for Indonesians. This makes the port tax even more expensive than the port tax in Malaysia and Singapore!

This wouldn't be so bad if the facilities and services were up to scratch. The waiting lounge is always very stuffy. The air conditioner never works! When you arrive, every opportunity is taken to take uang kopi from you. If you bring in your laptop, you will be delayed. If you do not have an Indonesian chop on your passport, you will also be asked to contribute...

When you are about to depart and you are paying the port tax, you can be sure there is no change available if you do not have the exact amount required. Or if you do not have any indonesian rupiah left, they will ask you to pay in RM or Sing $. Not the converted amount but the foreign amount as is RM25 to pay for rp25k! Then every step of the way to your ferry, there will be numerous people asking for uang kopi!

I know some good people in immigration. They are not all bad. However the port terminal experience is one of the worst for visitors to Karimun Island and Indonesia in general. This is the place where people will decide whether they want to return again if they have such bad experience. It's unfortunate that so much potential tourism is lost for such short term corruption and gain.

Things to do around Tanjung Balai Town

Take a walk around town. Don't get stuck in your hotel or else you will miss many things. There are only 2-3 main streets in town. They are narrow, so be careful. Watch out for the holes in the sidewalk. Some places, you have to walk on the main road because the sidewalk is blocked. Watch out for the traffic when you do so.

There are a few nice cafes/restaurants which are airconditioned. Try them out.

This is a schoolbus carrying the local kids. The body is made from wood. Very colourful and cute. Note the driver's window.





This is a chinese temple on Jl Nusantara near towards the market area.






If you head towards the ferry terminal, you will pass the pasar malam. This night market opens around the late afternoon and is open till about 10pm. Great to buy snacks and food.







One of the food stalls at the pasar malam.

News: MV Falcon rough ferry ride from Singapore

PT Info Falcon Management reported that it's ferry, MV Falcon 2, could not depart from Singapore due to high waves and and being swamped rather than water leakage as reported earlier.

"Approximately at 19.00 WIB, whille passing Takong Kecil Island, MV Falcon 2 was trapped by very strong sea waves. The sea water came over the top of the ship, "said PT Indo Falcon Port Captain, Johanes Diano Bani , Thursday (23rd April).

Johanes thinks that the water came in through the ventilation shafts on the upper deck. Then it flowed through to the passenger compartment in the front. This condition prevented us from continuing to Tanjung Balai Karimun in the bad weather condition. So the captain decided for a rescue operation. He decided to change course for the nearest island for shelter and called his company for immediate evacuation.

Meanwhile Johanes said, the captain announced to the passengers of 46 people (not 63 people) that the ship could not continue in it's travel.

"After MV Falcon 5 arrived, passengers and goods were transferred aboard. The evacuation occured between 20:00 and 21:00 WIB. Passengers who were evacuated to MV Falcon 5 arrived in Karimun around 22:21 o'clock WIB in safe condition and no baggage was missing or damaged," he said.

The next day, Wednesday (22nd April) during high tide, MV Falcon 2 was taken to Tanjunguncang, Batam for a dock inspection.

"From the Tanjunguncang inspection, we found no leaks in the boat. There was no leak under the waterline. During the MV Falcon 2 incident, water came through the top of the ship and ventilation and could not sail to Batam, "John said firmly.

Hotel Wiko

Hotel Wiko is one of the newer hotels in Tanjung Balai. It has a bustling feel about it with a food court and restaurant area right on it's front step. The star pub is also popular for it's live band performances. I understand that the live band now only operates on Saturday nights, and the rest of the nights it's just a karaoke lounge. It was pretty empty when I went there on a Monday night. Actually even the food court was pretty quiet. The parking area seems to be always full though.

When I stayed at Wiko a few year back, it was too busy! The rooms are not very well sound proofed and you hear every footstep and activity outside your room.

this is one of the restaurant outside Wiko. A little expensive.

The location is pretty good as it is near the market, the disco, the massage parlours, etc. There is a hair salon on the ground floor.

Hotel Maximillian

This is the best hotel in Tanjung Balai Karimun. With it's recent renovation and additions, it is a complete destination by itself.

note the Wellcome on the sign (should be Welcome)

The staff are well trained and friendly, especially the ladies in reception. Roni Susanto, the asst. Manager speaks good english and will take care of your needs efficiently. I even had the manager/owner of the hotel offered and drive me personally to one of the local entertainment outlets one night, when the hotel taxi was not available.

There is a wide variety of rooms to choose from, Sing$28 studio rooms to >Sing$100 suites. Be aware that some rooms on the lower floors from the old wing do not have any views due to it being blocked by a building next door(bird nest factory).

This is the older suite (I was forced to take it once when the hotel was booked out). This can happen on weekends, so book early.

Some of the rooms in the new wing are also blocked, however you can catch the sea views when you walk the corridors in the new wing. The rooms are always clean.

new wing rooms with sea view




Corridor view








There is a hair salon on the ground floor. They are very professional, friendly and reasonably priced. The seaview restaurant in also on the ground floor with nice views of the sea and surrounding islands. There is also a conference room which seems to be quite well used.

This is the outside area of the seaview restaurant.

On the 2nd floor there is a spa and massage centre. Very nicely decorated and equipped. There is a cold and hot pool plus a steam sauna. The last time I went to have a look(when it just opened), the hot pool wasn't hot enough and the cold pool wasn't cold enough. It may be different now. The massage ladies were not up to my standard. I prefer to call in my "ibu massage" who does a better job. You can get your massage on the 2nd floor or up in your own room.



On the 7th floor, there is a cafe/KTV lounge. This area has fantastic view of the whole island. Very impressive.











There are 3 pool tables in the front area.





If you decide to stay at this hotel, please tell Roni that you heard about it from this website! I might be able to get a better discount next time I drop by... :)

No you do not have to walk up 7 flights of stairs! There is an elevator right to the top

News: Singapore opens consulate in Batam.

The Singapore Consulate in Batam is open, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday (23rd April 2009).

The consulate will provide consular services for Singaporeans visiting, living or working in the Riau Islands Province. As Batam is only about 1.5 hours from Karimun Island, this is a very convenient service for Singaporeans here.

It will also promote and facilitate more intensive interactions and cooperation between Singapore and Riau, said Singapore's MFA.

The consulate is located on the 8th Floor of Sumatera Convention Centre, Jl Engku Putri, Kav. 01, Batam Centre, Batam.

Contact details are: Tel: +62 (0778) 470070, 470071 and Fax: +62 (0778) 470076

The Consulate will open daily from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm, and from 1.30 pm to 5 pm.

It will be closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Global Economic Crisis Affecting Tanjung Balai Karimun?

Is the world financial crisis affecting Karimun Island? There is a definite decrease in tourism from neighbouring countries like Singapore and Malaysia. Anecdotal feedback from ferry operators, taxi drivers indicate a drop of around 30-40% in the last 4-5 months. Hotels have also been affected badly. There is no indication yet whether the FTZ investors like PT Saipem will be affected.