Kelong
Kawal. It was during one of those beer sessions
with my contractor and he recommends me to this place. "Good
food, cheap beer! Whole lot better than Kukup. What else?!",
he said. Ok, since it will take only a weekend, why not
take a look? I'm sure I will see more Indonesian towns than
the introductory trip I had in January. So got a name card
from him and here I am!
Basically,
Kawal is in the eastern part of Pulau Bintan (45minutes
away from Tanjung Pinang). Off the beaten track, very few
tourists ventured there as it was either out of the way
from backpackers or nothing worthwhile to attract wealthy
Singaporeans. But once you got there, you have to be amazed
by its sheer quite and peacefulness. It also helped when
beer is cheap (compared to Singapore) and almost free flowing
(I hope).
Accommodation
was just ok but food was scary in quantity. We were constantly
stuffing ourselves with food, mostly seafood (my favourite).
And we watch the evening sun, me holding a beer. I had 13
beers overall. Cool... Common, it was really easy to get
away from work! |
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The
routine picture. On Penguin ferry to Tanjung Pinang. Excited
as we watch "Under Siege" and sip free flow coffee.
I got Bb the "Howl Moving Castle" book. I thought
Bb was very happy and surprised. I just wanted to make her
let down her hair to have a good start to the trip. |
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Bb at
Tanjung Pinang Ferry Terminal - Selamat jalan painted on
the roof. Was it done for tourists who wants to take photographs?
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On the
van to Kawal. My first Bintang for the day. We went to a
shopping center (Mahligai Pasar Raya) and grab 11 Bintangs
and 2 Carlsberg. Bintang: Rp 4750/can Carlsberg: Rp 5250.
Carried the big big shopping basket to the counter and realised
they dont accept Singapore dollars (Shit)! Luckily for my
Visa card, else I would have gone beer-hungry for the weekend.
The nice lady actually reminded me that I can't bring the
beers back to Singapore. Beer were not expensive in Singapore,
the TAXES were! :( Had 2 on the van and the mood actually
changes! |
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Kelong
Kawal finally - Walking on wooden planks to the Kelong.
Around 1km. Not easy because I had a heavy load of Bintang
Bottles. One bottle on my left hand as well. Both of us
were pretty excited. |
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Lunch
with Bb. We were in for a shock. There were steamed flower
crabs, assam fish, fried Kang Kong, curry stew clam meat,
shark meat with spring onions, calms and a big bowl of white
fungus chicken soup, followed by a big plate of papaya.
How can anyone finish this?! |
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After
lunch, its time for a dip into the pool. Look at my shacked
face. Realised that water wasn't too clean though as the
"used" water for toilets and dirty plates are
washed in as well. *No comments*. |
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Bb on
the way to a deserted island on the speed boat. She looks
excited. She should be as we will be having a hardcore swim
later. |
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No pictures
of the hardcore swim as both of us were too tired. Bb in
deep thoughts (did she had esctasy pills?) with Bir Bintang
and Lonely Planet Indonesia. |
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Bb trying
to look closely into the sea while i quickly snapped a picture.
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Me in
deep thoughts with "Beer Buddies", Bintang Bottle
1 (left) and Bintang Bottle 2 (right). |
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