235. A NEW PLAYGROUND - KARIMUN

About a 90 minute ferry ride took me to the Indonesian island of Karimun, one of the many islands in the Riau Archipelago. It's a lot less commercialised than Batam and Bintan, more laid back, less expensive...for now at least, maybe for the next 5 years. Enjoy the peace for now...

The islands are washed by the Straits of Malacca and the Singapore Straits, merging into the Java Sea...

There's not a lot happening in Karimun if one aren't an outdoorsy person into island holidays. It's good for those Singaporeans who are jaded with regular escapes to Batam and Bintan. There's little traffic, Indonesian cities once commercialised has horrendous traffic. There's no shopping malls just a lot of market stalls and roadside meals on wheels. It's nice for those on nostalgia trips, going back in time to a Singapore of old. Great for leisurely chill out stays.

More thorny issues - my 3rd this month!

The durians were super!

The shopping enthusiasts will go for dry goods and believe it or not,  avocados. If there were more durians available, there would have packed that too! Some came prepared with insulated shopping bags...!

Had my fill of fresh seafood meals...taste wise, can't identify what's missing but definitely, I've tasted better. The lower costs will make up for it, foodies will go ahead and indulge...it's good for the small businesses, mainly family run and chiefly ethnic Indonesian Chinese...I do support sustainable shopping even if I shop very little on my travels...

Lovely sunrise and sunset views from the room window...

It's really provincial, mother and young son served the coconut drinks and are quite excited about it but happy I'm sure at our patronage!

And it's called Pelawan Beach! Which came first? Palawan on Sentosa in SG or Pelawan on Karimun?

A short 'trek' to their waterfall which was a 'baby fall' - perhaps it's a dry period...

This is the 'waterfall'

Enjoying his bliss...

In my element...

A fallen tree trunk makes the perfect crossing, during the wet seasons, this area will transform into a cascading waterfall and roaring river - beautiful...!

Surprise! Along a pedestrian pavement that was cracked in parts, an attempt to beautify it with these tiles which are actually quite nice...

Some pics came from follow travellers...