Tanjung Pinang is the main town of Bintan Island which is more than double the size of Singapore Island as testified by the time taken to travel by road from the town to the Bintan Beach Resorts to the north(45mins away from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal) is nearly two hours, like driving from AMKio to Kulai town, Johore.
Tanjung Pinang is situated at the entrance of a large inland bay with opposite Senggarang, a distance of probably five times the length of the old Merdeka Bridge across the Rochore-Kallang River bay and takes less than twenty minutes by motorised sampan between each landing point.
Tanjung Pinang town-area is bordered like Rochore Road-Stamford Road/Plaza Singapura-Shaw Towers(Beach Road) with shopkeepers mostly Indon Teochews.
Senggarang is a fishing village developed into a mini-resort by mid-2008 and frequented by inter-islanders, and since the opening of the airport seventy minutes away from Tg Pinang town, in early 2009, the place has attracted visitors from Kalimantan(Banjermasin 65mins), Java(Jakarta 85mins), Sumatera(Medan 70mins), Sulawesi(Makassar 95mins)
DEPARTURE – Saturday July 16 at 10.20am from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (Bus No.35 from
Bedok Interchange or Tanah Merah MRT Bustop
Kindly be present by 9.30am to buy two-way ferry tickets $50
Not more than fifty persons travel to Tg Pinang daily with ferry-boat
capacity of more than eighty passengers
RETURN – Sunday July 17 at 1.30pm(Indon time, Spore 2.30pm)
EXPENDITURE – Pay-as-you-travel mode. Besides fare for ferry ticket, a further $100 expense(680,000
rupiahs) is adequate. Hotel room-rates(Hotel Melia) not more than 350,000rph(twin
sharing)
TRAVEL CONFIRMATION – Members are required to RE-CONFIRMED their availabilty to travel by
contacting FRISNA at the LATEST 1pm on Friday July 15, in order that Frisna
subsequently can call-up for replacements, other members on the
Reservations List, if any.
GROUP SIZE – Fourteen persons, excluding two EOs
Hi Abel and Frisna,
It’s very nice of you to initiate this travel and sharing the holiday with fellow members. I am out the whole month, so wont be able to join you. Have fun.
Terence Seah
Abel, very good lesson on the geography of Bintan Island;
save me many hours of research.
However, what are we going to see and do there during our stay?
Hi James,
As indicated, this is a Free & Easy tour as the ferry shedule has curtail a few spare hours of touring time.
Begging members’ pardon, the intinerary was left out which is 1. on arrival and after checking into the Melia Hotel and lunch, we shall proceed to Senggarang which I have only once drop by for about half hour in 1998 or 1999
2. depending on “attractions” in Senggarang, we shall however, not spend more than three hours roaming about.
3. upon return to Hotel Melia which have several rooms with windows sea-facing, and rest, we shall have seafood dinner which is one of the “magnets” besides cheap karaoke plus some over-friendly hostesses during the 90s, though up to mid’98 the exchange for Rupiah to Sing $ was less than 3,000 Rupiahs per One Sing$.
4. On departure day, we shall check out by 9am (10am Spore) and take a leisurely walk, to browse or shop on our way to the ferry jetty. By the way, the Melia is less than ten minutes walk to the jetty, therefore we shall proceed on an anti-clockwise detour. By all means do so if some of us just decide to park themselves at one of the several eat & drinks stalls clustering near the jetty.
Regards
bel Tan
Hi Abel
the followings are interested to go. Can you put their names under the Registration List? Thanks
1. Daisy Yeo
2. Laura Ng
3. Tan Sock Hwa & friends
Hi Abel
also put up
4. SK Chua
Hi Abel / Frisna,
Tentative please include the name as follows :
1). Sue Chan
2). June Koh
3). Irene Poh
4). Thomas Lau
5). Andrew Koh
6). Judy Lim
Will keep you inform if any changes few days before the departure date.
Thanks for organized the trip.
Judy
Hi Abel
also pls include:
5. Esther Mok
so besides you and me + the 6 names i give above (incl 1 friend) + 6 from Judy. it’ll be 14 names altogether.
Hi Abel/Frisna,
From what I read from those above comments, I presumed that this will be EC (Event Coordinator) activity i/o of EO (Event Organiser) as outsider were being included here, rite? If so, kindly amend this accordingly. Cheers.. Dolly
Dear members,
As normal in other clubs too, members have priority over non-members in participating in any of the club’s event.
Reservations Lists were created in case there were last minute non-participation by pre-confirmed members and here again members have first preference.
Kindly note in order not to ruffle feathers do please refrain from “proxy bookings”.
Regards
Abel Tan
Hi members,
Sorry, being not an active member, therefore I am not familiar with nearly all members’ names except for Daisy Yeo and S K Chua, both of whom have had travel with me in previous tours. Nevertheless, the following are now deemed as registered travellers :-
1. Daisy Yeo
2. Laura Ng
3. Tan Sock Hwa (friend in Reservations’ List)
4. S K Chua
5. Esther Mok
6. Judy Lim
Judy, kindly verify the names you put up are Silverhairsclub members, for if they are your non-member friends, then their names will be in the Reservations’ List, and again a gentle reminder that members’ names in the Reservations’ List will take precedent over non-members.
By the way, the minimum numbers to travell is SEVEN including the two EOs.
Regards
Abel Tan
Hi Abel,
If I’m able to pen my comments here, this would justify that I’m a SHC member, and so are the rest of the names that Judy did register on our behalf.
Suggest you make a slight amendment to your posting as regards to a Group Size of 14 pax required to fulfil this trip with your sudden decrease to only 7! Do exclude me from the list please…thanks!
Hi Abel,
Kindly note that those names I have posted are the SHC members, I tot you have posted total of group size was 14 travellers including the two EO, you may delete my name in your list if you have reduce to 7 travellers.
Thank you
Judy
Hi SueC #11 and JudyL #12
i happened to see your comments and would like to point out the misunderstanding as i know both EOs don’t log in daily.
According to Abel’s main post, the group size of 14 pax, excluding the 2 EOs is the MAXIMUM no. of travellers in the group.
#10. The MINIMUM no. of travellers for the trip to be successful is 7 including the 2 EOs.
So, it’s an unforeseen misunderstanding….. as of today i think there are still 2/3 vacancies for members. :)
Hi Abel and Frisna,
paiseh i explained on your behalf.
Adik Sue, da salah paham. Jangan marah. Kita pergi ka Tg. Pinang sama sama ramai rami. Makanan di situ enak lo. Ayo…
#11 Sue Chan
hallo nona manis, ya only salah paham, jangan marah dong. am really looking forward to explore Tg. Pinang with you.
#12 Judy, hope you and the rest of the group will join us!
#13 Jassmine: thanks for the MINIMUM & MAXIMUM! so, will you join us?
Kak Frisna dan Daisy,
Jangan khawatir, aku baik-baik saja dan saya akan bertemu lain waktu. Nikmati perjalanan Anda dan menjaga juga yo!
Bersulang!
Hi Jassmine/Abel/Frisna,
Thanks Jessmine for your clarification.
Sue & myself might have misunderstood, initially 6 of us are keen to participate in the trip so I decided to post and reserved places for 6 of us whom are the members upon their confirmation of the participating.
Hmmm, however we decided withdraw as we are worried that due to unforseen matter in last minute and arrangement might cause any inconvenience to EO since the departure date was more than a month away.
Once again, thanks Abel & Frisna’s efforts to organized the trip & wishing all of you have an enjoyable trip in Tanjung Pinang.
Best Regards,
Judy
Hi Frisna #15
ini kali tak boleh pergi. Lain kali, ya?
Dear Members,
Sorry for the confusion and misunderstanding and do sincerely trust the “dust” is already settled.
The following are deemed to be confirmed travellers:-
1. Daisy Yeo
2. Tan Sock Hwa(friends in Reservation List)
3. S K Chua
4. K C Lau
5. Laura Ng
6. Esther Mok
7. Frisna(EO)
8. Abel (EO)
The last day to reconfirmed travellers’ participation is Monday 11th July. Kindly do sms me for your re-confirmation.
By the way, there are still SIX vacancies available. Personally, shall be very glad if Judy, Sue, Irene, June, Andrew & Thomas re-join the group.
Regards
Abel Tan
Hi Abel,
Read your post today, however we are unable to commit at this moment, will inform you before your dateline once we could make it.
Thank you.
Judy
Dear Abel/frisna
Hope to join you all next time. Have fun !!
Irene
#18, #20, #21
jassmine, judy, irene – noted.
Update of the participants:
1. Abel (EC)
2. Frisna (EC assistant)
3. daisy yeo
4. laura ng
5. sk chua
6. esther mok
7. K C Lau
8. Pearl Goh
9. Tan Seok Wah (TSW)
10. TSW friend
11. TSW friend
12. TSW friend
Tim Liu, Dave Tan: are you joining? think Abel might need another “guy companions”
Abel is deeply etched in moi bosom as a butty, having held the lion’s tail at our CNY imprompto Lion Dance 2 years ago. So if he calls (even thru you), my ears prick to listen.
But there’s still time. Lrt me look thru the names first – you know I am so fussy farty to get along with esp with age catching up.
dave Tan. Good chap. He sat next to me in the coach. Never placed his hand on my lap. Never touched me.
No.13 Ann Lim
No.14 Tim Liu Liu?
No.15 Dave Tan? (Tim, can you contact him for me please? though no touching surely you got his number right?)
No.16 ?????
No, Frisna, I dont hv Dave-T’s mobile number.
I only ask people for 4-D, Toto numbers. He has mine tho.
If anyone wants to contact me, simple, open thy mouth and asks or find it out from my butties.
Since you’re my butty, I will get Tnterpol to put him on the red alert list and track him. You want him dead or alive?
alive and kicking!
Dave Tan, Frisna wants you.
Whether you’re in heaven, hell, in a casino or a casing, or urinating in Bush’s bush, please reply her.
URGENT !
Hi Frisna,
Sorry, I did not see your posting until now.
BTW, I am not able to join you all for this trip because I’ve got something on. Maybe, the next one.
Thank you and Tim very much.
Hi Tim Liu,
Come lah, join us cycling at Pengarang in Sep.
Don’t have to worry this time because there will be a safety/first-aid vehicle, by courtesy of Lily.
Pls don’t hesitant. Thanks.
noted Dave. enjoy your Pengarang!
thanks Tim for your “wanted ad”
Thank you Dave-T for responding to Frisna’s call. She was in heat. If you hadnt replied, she wd hv set herself ablaze.
Yes, I might join them – still time to look at the names.
The SM Resort trip in the last week of Sep, is still months away. We are not even into july yet. I may not be around or indisposed by then.
People can go into hiding from ah longs and wives/gfs. Death can strike in the form of accidents, illness, falling durians or hugs by durianas. People can go into asylums – political asylums included. Locked up in the zoo as an exhibit. Or get elected as a President.
Even if I am around and rounder than now, I still wont go. Pls enjoy yourself, Dont whistle at dogs slong the way – they will follow you home. The male ones will take over yr bed. The females will ask to sleep with you.
Seriously, hope the July 9 gathering of the unhappy (taking a leaf of the recent groundswell here?) wont turn ugly. Like to see Msia boleh not an ole ole riot.
Hi Members
We shall depart by Wavemaster Ferry Services on Saturday July 16th @ 9.20am. So, travellers please do be present at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal by 8.30am sharp.
From #22, do kindly note the maximum numbers of travellers is sixteen including the two EOs. On the other hand the minimum numbers to travel is seven including the two EOs.
A member has suggestted a side-trip to Trikora Beach which is located at the eastern coast of Bintan Island, approximately a distance from Toa Payoh to Mersing, Johor which will take a Singaporean to drive one hour 50/55mins but from Tg Pinang to Trikora take nearly two and a half hours when our two-vehicle convoy traveeled in 1996.
The going-home Wavemaster ferry depart Tg Pinang @ 2.20pm(3.20pm Spore time, arriving Harbourfront 5.20/25pm) on Sunday 17th. Upon enquiry on the 16th if the two-way trip to Trikora Beach take less than 4hrs 30mins, then we can leave, (optionally some of you may wish to stay behind and shop) at 8.00am(Indon time) and be back at the hotel by 1.15/20pm(Indon time).
By the way, Judy #20 if you, Sue, June, Irene, Thomas and Andrew are keen, please assist as EO and we shall all travel to Tanjung Balai, Karimun Island(Batam-size) on October 29/30, Sat/Sun. If the dates are unsuitable, we can KIV the trip for March next year.
Regards
Abel Tan
Hi there Abel
Thanks for posting my interest in Trikora Beach.
Considering the distance perhaps, not such a good idea after all, as we will hardly have time to appreciate and enjoy the beach.
Let’s have a relaxing weekend!
Some of the rustic sights, sounds, food etc. in Tanjong Pinang will bring us back to the days gone by in Singapore and there’s much to appreciate.
Shall certainly look forward to a great time with you guys!
Hello All
just a quick write up about our trip (yes, we made it, all 10 of us).
cost: ferry (ticket, agent fee, seaport charge) abt S$54
hotel: $39 for 2 pax
makan2: nasi padang S$6.50/head, seafood dinner same price/head
shopping: lots of local produce/kue2/kerupuk at very reasonable price. kue lapis abt S$26. sarong kebaya S$18.50/3pc outfit
Massage: S$9/hr at hotel massage lounge and S$14.50/hr at our room
All the ladies are very happy with their findings albeit Abel is rather disspointed with the senggarang floating hotel closed down and the beach area run down condition.
But all of us enjoyed the walk on the tilt houses/kelong and some are considering investing there (S$10-40K only). so next time when any of SHC members going to visit, they will be the tao kay n tao kay neo….
Happy that you’re back, and back to making noises. Good bcos this forum has been pretty quiet without Terence putting up new threads – threads that stir.
“……rather disspointed with the senggarang floating hotel closed down and the beach area run down condition…. and some are considering investing there (S$10-40K only). so next time when any of SHC members going to visit, they will be the tao kay n tao kay neo….”
What ! What sort of biz mind/model is that?
Members are more likely to see sad tao kay n tao kay neo chaffing tao gays when they visit.
Since you want to joke, I too will.
Early settlers from China started Chinese High which has lived up to its name. High and mighty it proves itself.
Another school might have been inspired to call itself not Nan Chiau Seconday but NC High. Well……?
The achool is doing ok but somehow, it didnt sound right to me.
Wonder if there’s a misinterpretation of communication between the two dears on towkay, towkay neo and towgays. Oh, never mind lah!
I think Frisna was trying to share as much in too few words and had not gotten over the excitement of our recent trip. Senggarang is not a floating hotel. It’s built on stilts in the sea somewhat like a kelong but linked to land by now cemented, used to be planks, walkways.
There’s no beach in Senggarang either but there are beautiful beaches in the Bintan resorts and especially in Trikora. Some of the SHC cycling enthusiasts can attest to the latter.
The S$10-S$40K investment Frisna is referring to are the costs of stilt houses in Senggarang ranging from a dilapidated one to one built with bricks and cement.
Senggarang is a very idyllic town with stilt houses and a mainly Teochew speaking Chinese population. You will see many houses with their main doors open even though there is no one at home we were told. Some were very enterprising catering to tourists like us, selling durians, rambutans, water apples, durian tarts, durian rolls, grounded pepper, sea cucumbers etc. etc.
One house in particular had a number of tanned old men sitting lazily in the patio, some grining toothlessly as we walked by. A few had fish, prawn and cuttlefish krepoks sunning outside their homes. Another sold homemade kueh kuehs. There was a billard palour and one with several pcs serving internet access too.
On food, well, some ladies and I had a simple lunch on Sunday in a local coffee shop. We had the local yong tau foo which offered only fish paste stuffed tau kwa, tau pok, fish balls and noodles (the bitter gourd has always been an early sell out!) and I think they cost about S$2 a bowl. Another had a plate of nasi melayu with rice, a drum stick, egg plants, tau kwa and another item I think – also about S$2. I had a plate of rice with sayur nangka and tempe and it cost me 90 cents!
Well, I can go on and on with a thousand word essay if I were to continue describing all about Senggarang and Tanjong Pinang here but I shan’t do this cause I’m sure there’ll be another trip sometime and I shall leave them all for you to discover.
I am sure the gals and the guy on this trip would like to join me in saying “Thank you, Abel!” for initiating this trip and leading the way (boy or boy, U should have been there to hear Abel sing. He rocks man! Beating the young Indonesians flat in singing their own Indonesian songs) and of course to lady Frisna in keeping a close eye on our welfare.
thanks Daisy for your detailed description of our journey – u r truely a “tg. pinangan”. too bad most of you dont want the photo to be published. the sunset scene at the seaside restaurant is beautiful! so are all of you!
cheers!