Talking about
island hopping, Riau Islands is one of the best to experience. There are more
than 1000 islands scattered from Malacca Strait to the South China Sea, each of
them comes up with their own attractions, from diving, snorkelling, white sand
beach (Lagoi in Bintan Island), business and shopping (Batam Island), sports
destination, and more.
We, four of us,
went to Abang Island (Pulau Abang the locals called it) where we spent full-day
time by none other than… snorkelling. Did we? Ya! And it was exciting and fun!
How to and what to do
Batam Island was
our starting point. We booked a tour package costing USD25.00 per
person and it included:
-
Pick up – drop services in
Kepri Mall, Batam.
-
Boat transfer from Galang
Island – Abang Island
-
Lunch
-
Snorkelling with instructor in
three different spots (islands) around Abang Island.
The bus picked
us up at Kepri Mall at 7.30 in the morning. We went to Galang Island, where
there was a small ferry port to Galang. I was so excited as I was about to see
the Barelang bridge for the first time, even though I’d been here for about two
years.
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| The location of Pulau Abang in Riau Islands |
It took less than 2 hours from Kepri Mall to Galang Island. Just so you know, the island is the
southernmost area Batam and was connected by six bridge through the four island
in between Batam and Galang, and it stretched for 50 km length the road through
and it was smooth. Along the way through we could see dragon fruit plantation,
some junctions to the nearby virgin beaches, vegetable farms, and we could
spend some time in Vietnam Camp, the place under UNCHR for Vietnamese refugees
during Vietnam War. I liked the concept of how the bridges were firstly
introduce, though less result we could see from what the government had expected
at the first time. Third-world country.
We arrived in
Galang and was transferred by a …what to say…small….traditional boat to be
exact to Abang Island. It was cloudy then rainy on the sea. Some passengers
were like “Omigod!” “Oh, shit! Don’t fall, don’t fall (into the water)!” as the
wave was a bit striking. Actually the waters is fine. I mean, it’s not like in
the middle of ocean during storm or something as it was really nice. Maybe
because first we use traditional boat and second it rained. Overall, we did
feel good. We could not wait!
It took 1 hour
from Galang to Abang Island. Once we arrived, we were like “Hurray!!!” We could
see the traditional house of the locals living there. I wondered how thy dealt
with everyday life there. I mean, with
your house above the water and no such things to do there (seemed so). So
local. Our instructor had been waiting for us and ready to break the waves. We
had to wait at least for half an hour as it was suddenly rainy and we were like
“Shit!”
The first spot
is in an island (sorry that I cannot remember the island’s name other than Abang.
So many island), 30 minutes away from Abang by boat. Equipped already, we
jumped into the water and the instructor lead us to the snorkelling (and
diving) spot nearby. It was our first time to snorkel and it was so crazy. I mean,
we didn’t even have no idea how to these equipment work hence we kept our
instructor BUSY just train us HOW TO BREATHE. But it’s okay, anyway. I mean, that’s
part of his job and we’re sorry that we’re just that dumb in it. Not to mention
it was very difficult to move with we-called-it-Penguin-Feet attached in our
feet. You know what I mean, don't you? Gosh!
 |
| Snorkeling in Abang Island |
Beautiful the
coral was. And it was… deep at some points. We could even see “Nemo”! Just like
in the” Finding Nemo”, from A-Z, the colour, shape, and the way it moved. You
know what I mean, right? We spent around 1 hour exploring what’s beneath the
surface and it was fun…and…yeah, exhausting. I mean, maybe because it was our
first time and we didn’t even have any regular exercise before, quite shocking
the body.
The next spot
was on the island 10 minutes from the first spot. The water is clearer and
deeper than the previous spot. We spent around 1 hour and we saw fish, some
creepy creatures attached in the anemone, and sea urchins (locals called it “bulu
babi”) everywhere. It was so bad to see many of them as it didn’t look good. I mean,
the sea urchins.
Our instructor
asked us whether or not we went to the last spot. And of course we said “No,
thanks!” as we were exhausted like hell. We just passed through some groups
preparing to do snorkelling on the spot, and we looked so messy and tired. I
wonder how the diver or even traditional diver did it every day and even longer.
They must be kind of half-fish.
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| One of the islands |
Instead, we went
to another small island to enjoy our lunch. It was cooked by the local and it
was nice! I liked the sotong (squid) very bad. It was sauced and it ruled! What
made it crazy was that the rain suddenly fell while we enjoyed our lunch. We
got back to the boat and had it there instead.
It is okay
(maybe) for those who had curiosity and just going local. Something we can
learn, about simplicity (?) whatsoever. However, when it comes to “bathroom
things”, for most visitors it’s more about hygiene, comfort, and that’s what
the government should pay more attention to. Please do not get me wrong, as we
saw numbers of visitors from the neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore there, but
yeah, one day trip only. So bad for the islands offering lots of natural attraction
and we were like no choice to stay longer just because of some little basic thing
less properly provided.
We went back to
the basecamp to clean our body before going back home. That’s when the issue
came out. Actually it was a nice trip but minus the facility like bathroom. I
was quite shocked knowing that we had to have shower outdoor.... like really…….
Overall, it was
quite fun time for us in Abang Island. Love it!!!
Pricing &
Tips:
- Pulau Abang fullday all in:
IDR398,000.- (USD25.00), the payment all in Indonesia Rupiah, subject to change
but the price would be around the range. Some visitors were independently coming
without taking the package, but it would be a bit difficult for arrangement on
the spot as more took the package instead. Not to mention, it’s all in. Ease
yourself up.
-
Use sunblock/sun-screen lotion
as it’s a tropical island.
-
Better bring your own snack and
drinks from Batam.
- Don't bother for social media updates. No signal there for data access. It's time to fully be out of the office and paper works!
-
Please keep the environment
clean.
