Fun things to do in Riau Province

Indonesia is famous for many items and souvenirs made of the rattan vines. There are many useful hand-made items from rattan which you can purchase at a very cheap price if you walk around the stores of various cities and towns in Indonesia, including Riau province.

(Information transferred from my previous VT Indonesia page)

As you know, Indonesia has the most number of islands in the world. If you have time, do explore some of these beautiful and tranquil tropical islands with beautiful beaches to get away from the busy city life. One of the charms of South East Asia are the numerous islands which make up this region of the world.

(Information transferred from my previous VT Indonesia page)

Batam Island (called Pulau Batam in Malay language) is part of the Riau chain of island and it is just about 45 minutes by ferry from Singapore. There are many people who visit Batam Island from Singapore every day, and the ferry service is freely available at the ferry terminal at Singapore's World Trade Centre. Things to do at Batam include various water sports, bungee jumping, go-kart racing and many other fun filled games at reasonable price. You can stay at the various hotels, but I find the Waterfront City very good. You should visit the city of Nagoya, the island's only city and the beautiful seaside villages. You can get a lot of things here at a very cheap price, especially in Nagoya. More photos and tips are at my VT Batam page.

(Information transferred from my previous VT Indonesia page)

Change your currency before going to Riau. You can do this at the ferry terminal. Do not bring so much cash and extravaganza gadgets. (you know laptops, handphones, mp3) this will lead to aliens stalking you from behind.
Find "Batagor". Delicious local food.

Bawah Lake and Pulau Besar Lake founded at Zamrud petroleum exploration fields. It is has wonderful view that very astonishing. Entirely of the lake founded Fauna Reservation that it wide is 2,500 hectares which kind of exotic flora and fauna.

Life resources that founded in the lake like red pinang, arwana fish, and balido fish are protected. Kind of wild animals at Fauna Reservation at Pulau Besar and Bawah Lake are unique wealth for water recreation tour at Riau.

This Moorish style palace of Sultan of Siak was built in 1889 by Sultan Syarif Hasyim Abudl Jalil Syarifuddin. It is about 120 km upstream from Pekanbaru on the Siak River.

Now, a museum, the palace contains the sultanate’s royal paraphernalia and other items of historical interest. Established during the 16th century, the Siak Seri Inderapura sultanate lasted until 1946, when it became the victim to the popular upheavals following the Japanese surrender to the close of World War II.

Penyengat Island wide is only 3.5 km that placed at west side of Tanjungpinang Municipal. Between of Penyengat Island dan Tanjungpinang Municipal founded one strait that wide is 1.5 km that it can pass by boat or motorboat which familiar in local community is called pompong.

This island is hills, the sand compositions is sand with pebbles, whereas the beach is spreading, swampy, & rocking. Former, the island which in front of Riau Rivers always placed for transit of the sailors that passing this zone, importantly for receiving fresh water.

The old citizens at this area say that happened one moment where is the sailors whose received water were attack by kind of bees that called stinger or in Indonesian Language is call penyengat. Because those animals killed some men, they were considering most sacrificed. Since that moment this island name is Penyengat Indra Sakti Island further most familiar is Penyengat Island.

History is truly proof which during happened of wars between the Riau Kingdom with the Holland Kingdom (1782-1794), this island was made for important point. King Haji That Fourth Riau of Young Honours (Raja Haji yang Dipertuan Muda Riau IV) that well known as Raja Haji Syahid Fisabilillah Marhum Teluk Ketapang that lead of wars versus Holland build some forts at Penyengat Island where are Penggawa Hill, Tengah Hill, & Kursi Hill. Those forts completed with some cannons in some sizes. In age of Sultan Mahmud Syah (1761 until 1812), when he was married Engku Putri binti King Haji Syahid Fisabilillah on 1801, this island was give to his wife as wedding price of him.

Because participation of Penyengat Island was very important in historical of Riau Kingdom, so the island what relatively is very small it is to be well known & attention peoples to visit it. More over at there is still has much kind of historical last sites. At this island beside has much some kind of historical sites, it founded another interest objects like wonderful views, tradition couch, arts attraction, & traditional villages.

Entire of way from municipal district into Tujuh Pintu Serangkai Cave which estimate interval is 2 kilometers we can enjoying wonderful nature that back grounding by hills and the leafy of trees until front of Tujuh Pintu Serangkai cave door.

The cave what we visit is not one but in 10 hectares area founded other cave as Sungai Cawan Cave, Langkuk Cave, Sungai Panturun Cave, Sungai Lo Cave and Sungai Pisang Cave.