Karimun island is a beautiful indonesian island near to Malaysia and Singapore. It's main town is TanjungBalai or Tanjung Balai. Look past the narrow and dirty streets and the staring locals and you will see a laid back and natural island with smiling people.
In January 2009, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inaugurated Free Trade Zone (FTZ) status on the island of Batam, Bintan and Karimun (BBK) in the Riau Islands Province. This is a very important to the future development of Karimun island.
Karimun island's proximity to Singapore(1.5 hour ferry ride) and Malaysia(1 hour ferry ride) makes it an important transport and business hub. It also connects to the smaller islands around the area as well as stops for the larger ships to Medan.
Tanjung Balai Karimun is a lovely island in Indonesia, closer to Singapore and Malaysia.
ReplyDeleteSet your watch +7.00 hours GMT when you arrive here by Ferry from Singapore. (i.e. 1.30 hours behind Singapore time and 1.00 hour behind Indian time).
The local people are a multi-ethnic community and some persons from Java, Sumatra, Batam, Sulewesi are working in business centers here.
There are also occasional visitors from Singapore and Malaysia, mostly during weekend.
Recently there has been an influx of expatriates from Italy, India, France, Philippines, Africa, Colombia and Portugal to work for the multi-national Oil field Contractor Saipem which is building it’s world largest Fabrication yard in Tanjung Balai Karimun.
The locals are easy going and friendly. But some times the Ojek drivers (Motor bike taxi’s) parked on either side of the roads can be irritating. They don’t leave any passer-by, and call out loudly and repeatedly for Taxi ride.
Though it’s a beautiful island, there is no good beach resort like Bali and Batam.
Hotel Maximillian seems to be the best hotel in town. Hotel Padimas (now Aston) is grand and huge but not in town center.
Tanjung Balai Karimun has many Churches (Catholic, Protestant, Full Gospel and Pentecost)
Means of entertainment in this island is Pubs, Karaoke, Disco and some snooker centers.
Of course the world’s oldest profession is also in practice, like elsewhere in the world.
Unfortunately there is no good Fitness center or GYM. The only Fitness center in town is Odiva and not upto standards.
Local food is delicious and plenty and there are also some Pizza and fried chicken joints.
The thriving business in town is Massage parlors, which are plenty and worthy.
If you get up early in the morning at 5.00 and jog around the ferry terminal and the seaside, you can see plenty of joggers and Aerobic sessions.
There are neither Cinema halls, Shopping malls nor other major entertainment centers.
The majorities here are Muslims and you can find very attractive Mosques everywhere.
There are also colorful Buddhist temples around in many places.
Though Hindu’s are plenty in Bali, here in Balai you cannot find even one Hindu neither a Hindu temple.
The Island has a big Government hospital, but mostly understaffed.
The Immigration, Police and Cultural departments function efficiently.
Karimun is famous for its Granites and you can see many Granite quarries here.
Granite and rocks from here are being exported to Singapore and Malaysia.
The Local language is Bahasa Indonesia in which the scripts are in English.
Majority of words for Bahasa Indonesia have been derived India’s Sanskrit and some Arabic.
Some English words are also being used in Bahasa Indonesia.
The Main attraction for tourists is an Waterfall in a small mountainous place and 2 beaches, Pelawan & Pongkar beach.
Food is mostly Se-food and rice. Nasi Goreng is fried rice which comes in many forms…chicken fried rice, sea food fried rice etc.
Soups, salads, fruits and are available in plenty.
Some eateries make Paratha (Parotta) a traditional Indian Roti, but mostly for breakfast.
There are also many beauty parlors and saloon in the town.
Ok Guys and Girls……enjoy your stay in Karimun….EDDY JONES…wishes you a pleasant stay in Karimun.
Tanjung Balai Karimun is a lovely island in Indonesia, closer to Singapore and Malaysia.
ReplyDeleteSet your watch +7.00 hours GMT when you arrive here by Ferry from Singapore. (i.e. 1.30 hours behind Singapore time and 1.00 hour in advance tod Indian time).
The local people are a multi-ethnic community and some persons from Java, Sumatra, Batam, Sulewesi are working in business centers here.
Chinese descendants are here and been called Tiangho.There are also occasional visitors from Singapore and Malaysia, mostly during weekend. Recently there has been an influx of expatriates from Italy, India, France, Philippines, Africa, Colombia and Portugal to work for the multi-national Oil field Contractor Saipem which is building it’s world largest Fabrication yard in Tanjung Balai Karimun. The locals are easy going and friendly. But some times the Ojek drivers (Motor bike taxi’s) parked on either side of the roads can be very irritating. They don’t leave any passer-by, and call out loudly and repeatedly for a Bike Taxi ride.
Though Karimun is a beautiful island, there is no good beach resort like Bali and Batam.
Hotel Maximillian seems to be the best hotel in town. Hotel Padimas (now Aston) is grand and huge but not in town center. Tanjung Balai Karimun has many Churches (Catholic, Protestant, Full Gospel and Pentecost)
Means of entertainment in this island is Pubs, Karaoke, Disco and some snooker centers.
Of course the world’s oldest profession is also in practice, like elsewhere in the world.
Unfortunately there is no good Fitness center or GYM. The only Fitness center in town is not upto standards. Local food is delicious and plenty and there are also some Pizza and fried chicken joints. The thriving business in town is Massage parlors, which are plenty and worthy. If you get up early in the morning at 5.00 and jog around the ferry terminal and the seaside, you can see plenty of joggers and Aerobic sessions. There are neither Cinema halls, Shopping malls nor other major entertainment centers.
The majorities here are Muslims and you can find very attractive and colorful Mosques everywhere. There are also colorful Buddhist temples around in many places. Though Hindu’s are plenty in Bali, here in Karimun Balai you cannot find even one Hindu neither a Hindu temple. The Island has a big Government hospital, but mostly understaffed.
The Immigration, Police and Cultural departments function efficiently.
Karimun is famous for its Granites and you can see many Granite quarries here.
Granite and rocks from here are being exported to Singapore and Malaysia. The Local language is Bahasa Indonesia in which the scripts are in English. Majority of words for Bahasa Indonesia have been derived India’s Sanskrit and some Arabic. Some English words are also being used in Bahasa Indonesia.
The Main attraction for tourists are an Waterfall in a small mountainous place and 2 beaches, Pelawan & Pongkar beach.
Food is mostly Sea-food and rice. Nasi Goreng is fried rice which comes in many forms. Crab, Squid, Fish are vailable in fried, grilled, sauced froms. Chicken fried rice, white rice,sea food fried rice are available in almost all eateries. Soups, salads, fruits and are available in plenty. There is only one Wine shop selling Alchohol but Beer (Heineken, Carlsberg, Tiger, Bintan) are sold in all supermarkets. Some eateries make Paratha (Parotta) a traditional Indian Roti, but mostly for breakfast.
There are also many beauty parlors and saloon in the town. Ok Guys and Girls……enjoy your stay in Karimun….EDDY JONES…wishes you a pleasant stay in Tanjung Balai Karimun, Indonesia. Selamat Datang...(means Welcome)
Thank you for your description Eddy, I shall pay a visit to Karimun this December with my group and aI hope they will enjoy themselves. If you know of other cheap, interesting places for budget travel, please let me know.
ReplyDeleteMy contact is llisenglish@aol.com. Thanks.