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...

234. KLUANG IS SO HAPPENING

This is the initiative of a vibrant group of passionate artists from Singapore and local Kluang residents. There's so much talent, so much creative energy on display...

My Art Space and its founder, Chankerk Teh, teamed up with his alma mater, NAFA (Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts) and other former students and teachers, to materialise this exhibition...

At the local Government level, they hope to have Singapore weekenders who travel into Johor Bahru, to come further North and spend some time in Kluang. It's about the tourism dollar to boost the local economy...

Had a mention...

Kluang Days - where Chankerk Teh has his studio, exhibition space and a cafe...It's kept simple - simply Space and Cafe! Like!

All women! Talented Kluang sketchers who took time off to participate with the visiting Singaporeans and drive us around...thank you Ladies!

Participating artists, Singapore

Oscar Ng

Uhky Uhky

William Sim

Soong Ching Yee

Will join Uhky2's next water colour session at My Art Space

Serene Shee's a Kluang artist who runs her own studio

There was a good number of sketchers from Kluang participating in the outdoor sessions, all were super. They're passionate about turning their hometown into a happening place comprising of a vibrant artistic community, hip cafes, old style coffeeshops with traditional homey fare - in the footsteps of other small Malaysian towns. Kluang has her share of old heritage buildings...once restored, they will be even more beautiful...

Masterclass

Passionate sketchers. While they're at it, I'm distracted by these old trees...and just had to check out what the little old family shops carry...

Eat, sketch, paint - the social mission is to support small businesses - Like!

Thorny issue

Low hanging fruit

Dose of culture

Focused.  I focus instead on the rhythm of the gong and drum and allow the vibrations to work on my spiritual body - deep!

Love the facade of this market, it's so retro! 

My feeble attempt

Assessment/critical appraisal

Separated at birth - lost and found! Singaporean artist/instructor Oscar Ng

Soong Ching Yee

Picturesque Zenxin organic farm

Banyan tree hideaway

 Once again, I find myself drawn to trees, dead or alive...! The 2 dead trees in this large compound are installation art. The owner of this property appears to have a sensitive soul, he/she has kept the compound neat and clean, there's order in its chaos and the dead trees are left as is. I suspect the owner is male, not once did he show up to say hello or take a look at the sketches out of curiosity. Perhaps he looks from behind the screened windows as we invade his compound. It isn't the first time he gets sketchers, permission has been sought, he's good about it. There's no human life seen here, only plant and animal life and it's all good - it's a little haven right here...I soak in the energy of the place...

There's free coffee sampling and free crackers - how do you beat competition like this?

The brand Cap Televisyen has been around for donkey years, still going strong...

Quiet, focused, meditative

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Alone but not lonely is a wonderful state to be in...