Thailand beyond solo backpacking

Ferry Port Klang To Dumai,return via Malacca Port

2016-06-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

Thailand highlights

2016-03-31T08:55:00.000-07:00

Zoom in street views

Morchit-the northern route bus terminal

2016-02-15T08:17:00.002-08:00

Morchit -northern bus terminal to be spread all over Bangkok

Vietnamese Tet Lunar New Year

2016-02-07T20:51:00.000-08:00

Tet Calligraphy Writing Festival Hanoi

Ushering the Chinese New Year in Bangkok

2016-02-07T20:42:00.000-08:00

Celebrating the Year of the Monkey

Thailand is top Asia-Pacific stop thanks to Chinese

2016-01-27T19:41:00.001-08:00

Thailand is top Asia-Pacific stop thanks to Chinese: SINGAPORE — Chinese tourists can't seem to get enough of Thailand, with visitor numbers to the Southeast Asian kingdom surging over the past year at one of the fastest clips in the Asia-Pacific region.

Urumqi flights begin quietly

2016-01-27T19:39:00.001-08:00

Urumqi flights begin quietly: China Southern Airlines has established the first direct air link between Bangkok and Urumqi, the capital of China's Xinjiang region.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/676768/phuket-patong-passenger-van-service-starts

2015-09-01T05:46:00.001-07:00

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/676768/phuket-patong-passenger-van-service-starts

Getting to Ayutthaya,ancient Thai capital

2015-01-21T00:43:00.001-08:00

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya is the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam.
Located about 64kilometres north of Bangkok ,the city is right at the junction of Chao Phraya ,Lopburi and Pak Sak Rivers.
Ayutthaya was the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai and the city has various historical well preserved ruins and has been designated as Ayutthaya Historical Park also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Some of the temples appeared as backdrop scenes of movie film like Kickboxer,Mortal Combat and Ring of Fire III.
Despite the city's close proximity to Bangkok about 2 hours away by train,making a day trip is possible but will have time constraint in exploring and savoring the best part of which Ayutthaya's city has to offer.
It's best to start exploring from early dawn before the late afternoon heat causes temples fatigue.

The cheapest means of transport to get here is by train from Bangkok.
Departure time via Northeastern Line:(Thai time)
Ordinary 339: 05:20am   arrived:-06.44am
Special Express 21: 05:45 arrived:-06:58
Rapid 135: 06:40            arrived:-08:25
Express 75: 08:20am      arrived:09:39am
Express 71:10:05am       arrived:-11:24am
Ordinary 233:11:40am    arrived:-13:06pm
Rapid 145: 15:20            arrived:-16:56
Other departure time:-17:15, 18:35, 18:55,20:00,
                                  20:30, 20:45,21:50 & 22:25.

Upon exiting Ayutthaya's Provincial train station,backpackers can cross the road and walk left.
Along the way there will be some guesthouses such as Tanrin (Tel:035-245545),
Sabay (Tel:089-1039989),
The Seven Seas
Ayotthaya Riverside Hotel (Tel:035-234873-7)
Krung Sri River Hotel
After ten minutes walk,a short distance nearby KrungSri Hotel is the stairway to the flyover bridge to cross the Chao Phraya.There were no ferry nor river crossing boats to the old city.
Walking along the flyover to the other side via pedestrian pathway(left side with traffic flow.) only takes ten minutes.

Walking along the shophouses (Uthong Road)will finally land you in the main city centre where buses to other towns,minivans and the main market square were situated.
Across the Family Mart Superstore will be the night hub of backpackers where there were many guesthouses.
Tony's Place (Tel:035-252578)
Good Luck(owner speak Mandarin) (Tel:089-9251902)
Chantana Guesthouse
B.J 1 Guesthouse (Tel:035-251526)

It was the Loy Krathong Festival and Ayuthhaya had a spectacular night celebration of lights and sound at the Heritage Site.

Ayutthaya to Wangnoi Bus.
Distance 23km
Getting more industrialized
Foreign direct investment include factories like TDK,Okamoto,Toyo etc.
Economic transformation has improved the livelihood of the masses.
Honda Ayutthaya Rojana Industrial Park car manufacturer's plant is along Highway 3056 towards the north of the main rail station.

Insight Bagansiapiapi

2014-10-24T02:28:00.002-07:00

Chinese temples can be seen in almost every corner of the town center.Many of which belongs to each individual clansmen associations.The most historic one is the Klenteng Ing Hok Kiong where the annual celebration of Go Gwe Cap Lak was being held.Majority of the Chinese here practice Taoism as well as Buddhism.The official records normally states as Buddhist the main religion.

The surname "Soh" Clansmen Temple along Jalan Perwira has been honored to lead this year's Barge Burning Ritual procession.

A school band also participated in this auspicious event.Devotees as well as lion dance troupe from Vihara Sasana group arrived early to perform prayers at Klenteng Ing Hok Kiong.
Immigration officers from Dumai also took time off to have a selfie in front of the temple.

The procession started from Klenteng Ing Hok Kiong and proceeded to Jalan Perdagangan which is the main business hub ending near an open space where the replica barge would be anchored.This is where the main highlight of the Ritual Bakar Tongkang comes to an end.

The Annual Barge Burning Festival is a national event where top officials throughout Riau Province will be present to officiate the event.

An open air evening of entertainment running till midnight with fireworks display during the Go Ge Cap Lak festival features artistes from Taiwan and Malaysia performing for three consecutive nights.
The main stage was sponsored by a local tycoon whose name was synonymous to the bolts and moulding industry in Indonesia.

Sweet Bagansiapiapi students dressed in traditional Qing Dynasty costume and Japanese kimono were performers during the night concert.

Lion Dance troupe from the Vihara Buddha Sakyamurni group with the lead role fan dancer by Roy Murdiono whom I met earlier while at Wisma Srivijaya guesthouse.

Huge joss sticks donated by devotees from all across Indonesia

The local Malays also came to witness this special celebration.
.
Charming girl students of Gita Spansa school. The Drum Band Gita Spansa students welcoming the Ruler of Riau Province during the Ritual Bakar Tongkang Festival. Jumaidi,an official at the governor's office dressed in Bugis costume. Decorative 'becak' to be use for ferrying dignitaries during the festival.

SMP Bintang Laut,the most popular school in town.Met students Valentino,Vanessa and Feby Cherolina.

SMP Negeri 1 Bangko,an upper secondary national type school has a unique pair of lion at the entrance to the school's block.
Normally you do have a pair of lion in front of Chinese temples but this one seemed strange,must have a historical value behind it.

Masjid Al-Ikhlas,the grand mosque

Apart from the usual pushcart vendors,coffee shop and restaurants in shoplots,most of the food outlets in Bagansiapiapi were operated in front of their dwelling houses.A reflection of original home cooked recipe.
Pricing each at 15,000 Rupiah,the wonton noodles is one such popular culinary.
As for morning breakfast,the signature food of the town is the Nasi Curry.

Famous seafood restaurant in town,Ang Kau Ban Restaurant has been here for generations.

SD Negeri 001 is a national type primary school.
Mandarin language being taught at a kindergarten .and primary school operated by the Pengurusan Kristen Methodist

Colorful batik children garments designed to suit the local taste Made in Bagansiapiapi.

Catholic church St Petrus & Paulus in Jalan Mawar just nearby the main Chinese Temple.
A football stadium in Jalan Sumatera Laut with seating capacity less than fifty spectators.
Motorized trishaw has now being use .

Being invited into Ng Ah Beng's house just opposite Wisma Paradise guesthouse which was my first engagement with the locals.A single storey wooden house sprucing up for this Go Cap Lak Festival.As usual in a traditional Chinese house,the main hall will be the altar with respective deities as well as ancestral tablets.
Traditional Chinese village houses like this is facing extinction with modernization and it will be a great opportunity to still see this in Bagansiapiapi.The people here spoke mainly the Hokkien dialect.

A handful of street boys could be seen around town where they prefered to use the quiet streets as their playgrounds.They were quite entertaining and do not make a nuisance out of it.
For some folks,earning a living through collecting of recycled goods was part of their daily life after all they also ensured that the streets were kept clean.

Bird nest harvesting buildings were a common sight throughout the town.It seemed that the chirping sound of birds were played through an in house sound system 24 hours a day.The skies was very clear with no sign of swallow birds flying around.Seemed strange as the birds must have preferred to come after dusks and with too many nesting place to choose.Most ideal buildings were those with cemented facade.

Getting out of Bagansiapiapi is very convenient with the availability of many minivans.Permata Bunda is one such service located at the 3rd mile Jalan Pahlawan(which is the main road leading in and out of town)This is the owner of the business who has his family house just behind.
Van departure hours were at 7:30am(to cater those wishing to reach Dumai Ferry Terminal early)
Another depart at 9:30am,reaching Dumai just on time which is the ferry departure time.
Beside his servicing outlet is also the normal Bagansiapiapi to Dumai bus stop terminal.Departure time also 9:30am and is usually packed.Expect many stops along the way as well as loading of consumer goods.

Accomodations in Bagansiapiapi.

2014-08-29T22:02:00.003-07:00

Moving around the small town of Bagansiapiapi was very easy as the main commercial activity area is around Jalan Perdagangan and Jalan Sumatra area.

There were many 'becak'(motorized trishaws) and some 'ojek'(motor taxi) readily available..To most backpackers,it will be just on foot exploring every corners of the street.

The Drum Band(DB) Gita Spansa Group from SMP Negeri 1 Bangko school welcoming some dignitaries attending the Barge Burning Ritual Event.

The building in the background is Dekranasda(Dewan Kerajinan Nasional)or National Handicraft Center along Jalan Gedung Nasional displaying locally made handicrafts,silks,'songket' and many unique crafts which were also for sale.

The local municipality secretariat beside the Bupati (regent)office along Jalan Gedung Nasional.

Bagansiapiapi is the capital of Kabupaten(regency) Rokan Hilir in Kecamatan(district) of Bangko and part of the Riau Province.

The executive of the province is a governor who will be elected by the electorate every five years term.

Banner welcoming the new governor(standing left) of Riau province to the Ritual Bakar Tongkang.
Standing beside is the Regent of Rokan Hilir.

Trilingual road sign having Bahasa Indonesia,Bahasa Arab and Bahasa Tionghoa.
Very exclusive and helpful for foreign tourists.

Hotel Bagan
24,Jalan Sentosa
Tel:0767-21888
Rates:200,000 - 500,00Rp
Located in town center.

Hotel Kades Bagan
39-B,Jalan Sentosa
Tel:0767-23139
Rates:250,00 - 400,000Rupiah
Directly opposite Hotel Bagan.

Pasar Pelita along Jalan Perdagangan.
Morning market while there were many individual stalls selling garments,daily necessities and many others within the complex.

Bagansiapiapi is the third largest fish producer in the world in the early twentieth century as it has a seabed within the Sunda Platform.Unfortunately a dwindling sea harvest with the restriction on trawlers activities has affected her ranking.

The population consensus based on year 2010 figures stood at 82,500.Most have migrated to bigger cities across the archipelago in search of greener pastures.

Wisma Dragon building along Jalan Perdagangan,Chinatown area.
This is also a hotel which I initially thought was a Chinese restaurant.

For the Wisma category,room rates were normally 150,000 Rupiah onwards.

Almost all hotel rooms in town including those of Wisma were fully booked six months ahead of any Chinese festivals,so it would be advisable to check it out while in Dumai before getting here.

Hotel Horison along Jalan Perdagangan.
Tel:0767-21001
Rates from 200,000 Rupiah

Most of the residential houses were single storey made of wooden planks supported on concrete stilts.The nature of land mostly of peat soil.

Since Bagansiapiapi in near the Rokan River bank,the chances of flooding from an overflowing river might occur.

Hotel Mulia,
Jalan Perdagangan.
Among the new high rise building in town,wonder whether it's an affiliate of Hotel Mulia in Sendayan,Jakarta.

Visitors to Bagansiapapi will notice that most of the buildings have upper level extensions which served as swiflets houses.The chirping sound of swiflet birds can be heard all over the town.

Swiflet farming has now become the economic contributor and Indonesia is the largest producer of swiflet nests.

Swiflet Farming is a multi million business throughout SoutheastAsia mostly found near the costal plains.
Hon Yen(Bird's Nest Island) near Nha Trang in Vietnam, Mekong Delta region right till Khanh Hoa in the north with many limestone hills and coastal islands is the second major producer.

The 'yen-wo' (bird's nest soup) is a Chinese herbal delicacy believed to have the capability of enhancing body metabolism and immune system.

Wisma Srivijaya off Jalan Sumatra.
1,Jalan Sedar
Tel:0767-21613, 0823-81125119
Rates from 150,000Rupiah
The upper level of this building is the swallow nest farming house as seen in above photo.

Wisma Paradise
13C,Jalan Perwira
Tel:0767-21917
Rates:from 150,000 Rupiah
Near the Soh Clansmen Ancestral Temple.

Hotel Kesuma
owner Mr Tong Hok(0812-9060724)
22b,Jalan Manggis
Tel:0767-21111/fax:0767-21999
h/p:0812-75669938

Wisma Cahaya Baru.('Xin Guang')
A new hotel just started a few months old,owned by one Teo family.
Off Jalan Perdagangan access through a small lane
Lacks publicity and vacant rooms available.
Room rates a bit exorbitant,quoted by the motor taxi man(agent).No receptionist at counter.
Rates:450,000Rupiah.

Most of the dwelling houses in Jalan Pedagangan have near similar design with a bridge road leading to main entrance.
This must be a belief of 'Chi',Chinese feng-shui energy of flow.A welcoming strength nourished by fresh,clear and freely flowing strength.
A cheerful looking house indeed.

New coat of pain and sprucing up for the festival.
Wording inscription on red paper cut out,each placed parallel beside the main door is a very common sight among most Chinese houses maintaining the old tradition.
Inscriptions such as peace,harmony,good fortune or health are the usual headings.

Old shoplots similar to those ideas imported from Tong Ann in Fujian Province.
There's limited nightlife activity after dark and the locals normally hangout around coffeeshops and food stalls .
Other places to stay:

Wisma Mawar,Tel:0767-22346 (near junction of Jln Perdagangan/Jln Gedung Nasional)

Hotel Mahera:17,Jln Utama Tel:0767-21819

Nearby Places of Interest:
1) Sinaboi -55km,an upcoming port city.

2) Pedamaran-17km,a new cable bridge linking mainland to Berkey Island.

3) Kubu-23km,Pulau Halang part of this district,get there by boat and watch the beautiful sunset.

4) Panipahan-60km,go there by boat,another place with Chinese community,some hotels available.

Pulau Jemur(日姆尔岛),45km,an island in the middle of Malacca Straits.
Green leatherback turtle landing spot,Old World War II Japanese fort,Chinese Temple,beautiful sandy beaches and great snorkeling.It's an uninhabited island and the local government is inviting foreigners to develop the island as a tourist destination.Rent a speedboat for day trip,two hours from Bagansiapiapi or One hour journey from Panipahan.

Bagansiapiapi,Indonesia's little MinNan Village

2014-08-22T21:52:00.000-07:00

Bagansiapiapi is a small little town about 150km to the north of Dumai city in Central Sumatra under the administration of the Rokan Hilir Regency,Riau Province.

Located at the mouth of the Rokan River that flows into the Straits of Malacca,this town has its historical origin dated back to the Dutch East Indies colonial era during the early 18th century.

What drew my interest to visit this town is the annual Barge Burning festival(Hokkien:'sio-ong-chun') which usually falls on the Chinese calender month of May 16th(Hokkian dialect:GocapLak[五月十六])

The only mode of transportation to get here is the shared eight seater Toyota Kijang Innova taxi van which I booked direct from this PSM company at No:424,Jln Jend Sudirman in Dumai.Contact No:(0765)33492.
They do provide pickup as well and can book through the phone.Fare :70,000Rupiah.
Departure at about 10:30am and arrived in Bagansiapiapi at about 12:30noon.
Local mini buses only operate in the morning,non air-conditioned and expect to take three half hours with many stops along the route.

Old library archives photo of early Chinese immigrants to Bagansiapiapi taken in front of the oldest Ing Hok Kiong Chinese temple beside the Rokan River.

Such scene has its similarity to the riverside quay in old Malacca and the boat quay in Singapore.

The early Chinese immigrants were mostly coolies,rickshaw pullers,traders and rice dealers who brought along their cultures and Hokkien language when they emigrated from Amoy (now known as Xiamen.) during the Anglo-Chinese War (1839-42) and later the longest civil war to overthrow the Qing Dynasty.

The Anglo-Chinese war started at the Pearl River in Canton,followed by an attack on Amoy and then Dinghai port near Hangzhou.

Xiamen was the main port of China during the 18th century and was opened to foreign traders.
The weakening of the Qing government and a country torn into rebellious anarchy forced many mainland southern Chinese to migrate across other Southeast Asian port cities.

This is the reason for the first waves of China's southern emigrants set sailing in large wooden Chinese junks from their homeland as most were poor peasants compared to those of the northern Han Chinese.

Whereas in Thailand,Ayutthaya was the early focal point where many settlers were mainland Chinese from the Chaozhou prefecture of eastern Guangdong Province who spoke the Teochew dialect as till today.

Surprisingly,the three governing states of British Straits Settlements of Malaya have ethnic Chinese of whom majority of them spoke the Hokkien dialect tracing their roots to the Fujian Province of China.

Bagansiapiapi's close proximity to Malacca is midway between Penang Island and Singapore.
Having a physical landscape similar to that of Xiamen Island ,Gulangyu and Kinmen with many sheltered islets and rich marine resources,Bagansiapiapi seemed ideal to the early Chinese settlers due to her strategic advantage.

Initially there were three wooden sailing junks that set sail from Amoy and only one fleet managed to discover the shores of Bagansiapiapi.The sailors offered prayers to two deities namely Tai Sun and Kie Ong Ya throughout the difficult journey which provided them the perserverance.

Majority of the pioneers that landed in Bagansiapiapi had the surname 'Ang' and as today there are about twenty eight different clansmen ancestral temple spread across the new found homeland.
For the best seafood cuisines around town there were two of these Ang family restaurants that were operating for generations.

On this very day of the sixteenth Chinese lunar month of May back in 1826,a temple's thanksgiving celebration was held to pay tribute to the two deities and the wooden sailing junks(tongkang) was put on flames as a goodwill gesture of sending the spiritual King Ship(Hokkien:'Ong Cun') back to sea and the underworld.

This practice has now become an annual tradition with thousands of visitors and devotees congregating in Bagansiapiapi specially for this event.
It has now been declared a National Event of Indonesia known as Bakar Tongkang

Jalan Pahlawan,the narrow main road leading into town.
At the fourth kilometer is the minibus stand to Dumai leaves at 09:30 & 10:00am which is opposite a Malay owned guesthouse,Penginapan Ulung Ujang.Rates 100,000Rupiah.(fan shared bathroom).
Local outstation sales people normally use this as base.
Caution:owner tend to charge day and night occupancy instead of rates per night adding to confusion,advisable to pay day to day and get the receipt.

Due to hotels around town being fully booked,the 'supir'(van driver) dropped me here.Though it's a hot stuffy wooden shack,getting settled and scout around town for better accomodation is a priority.
Beside the minibus stand is a 'lotex' short name for lowongan taxi or taxi van booking outlet. Fares to Dumai is 70,000 Rupiah.There were many taxi van booking agents around town as well but some were unreliable.

Hotel Lion,Bagansiapiapi at the end of Jalan Pahlawan along Jalan Mawar.(less than a km from Klenteng Ing Hok Kiong)
A three star modern five storey hotel,opened in early 2008 with one level for vehicles parking.
Rates from 350,000 Rupiah.
Contact:(0767)25551/2/3
Email:info@lionhotel.co.id

SMP Bintang Laut near Hotel Lion along Jalan Mawar,a famous junior high school in town.
This school name 'Bintang Laut' is quite synonymous throughout Indonesia as it belongs to the Yayasan Prayoga or Catholic Foundation.
Students whom I met have interesting names such as Valentino Yoga,Gregorius Joso,Feby Cherolina,Gina Fabiola and Vanessa Huang.

Beside the secondary school is the Sekolah Dasar (SD) Bintang Laut primary school.

Taman Kanak-kanak (TK) Bintang Laut,kindergarten for preschoolers is just opposite the primary school.

Wikimapia

Exploring Riau Province in Central Sumatra

2014-06-30T01:26:00.002-07:00

Riau Province lies towards the east coast of Central Sumatra in Indonesia.
Comprising of ten Regencies and two autonomous cities with the main capital at Pekan Baru which is Sumatra's third largest municipality after Medan and Palembang.
Other major cities in Riau Province include Dumai,Selat Panjang,Bagansiapiapi,Bengkalis,Bakinang,Rengat and Siak Sri Indrapura.

With abundant natural resources such as petroleum,natural gas,rubber,palm oil and fiber plantations,the Riau Province is one of the biggest contributor of Indonesia's economy.

The society is ethnically heterogeneous comprising of Minangkabau,Jawa,Batak,Bugis,Banjar,Tionghoa and many others .With rich cultural diversity,the Riau Province is one great place to explore.

The word Riau originates from the Portuguese version 'Rio'
In 1511,the Malacca Sultanate falls into the hand of the Portuguese conquerors and Sultan Mahmud Shah escaped to River Siak area in Sumatra being pursued by the Portuguese armada who then named the place as Rio.

The old capital of Riau Province was Tanjung Pinang until 1959.Today it is the capital city of the Riau Archipelago or Kepulauan Riau (acronym,Kepri)
After the fall of Malacca,the Riau Islands became the centre of politcal power of the mighty Sultanate of Johor challenging the Sultan Siak Sri Inderapura who also seek control.

Batam is the main core island,other populated islands are Bintan and Karimun.Smaller islands are Bulan and Kundur

Places of interests and festivals in Riau Province:

1) Pulau Jemur
Located about 45miles from Bagansiapiapi town and only about 45miles to Malacca.
Other clusters of islands within vicinity are pulau Tekong Emas,pulau Tekong Seimbang,pulau Labuhan Bilik and smaller islands good for snorkelling or scuba diving.
During the north east monsoon,the island is a main shelter for the fishermen.
Remains of Japanese Occupation artifacts are still being preserved.

2) Taman Nasional Bukit Tiga Puluh national Park
A lowland Tropical Rain Forest rich in flora and fauna.Covers part of the Bukit Barisan Mountain Range with many undiscovered wildlife santuaries.
Tribes still in existence in the mountain range includes Talang Mamak,Anak Rimba and Melayu Tua.

3) Pantai Rupat Utara, Tanjung Medang
The easy to reach Rupat Island from Dumai with many seaside resorts.Teluk Phu and Tanjung Punak with nice beaches.

4) Air Terjun Aek Martua
Located in district Bangun Purba near Barisan Mountains, a waterfall with a thousand stairs.

5) Strange waves at Bono Beach
Located at Desa Teluk Meranti(Meranti Bay) along Sungai Kampar and Sungai Rokan.
Bono is a natural phenomena of sudden rise in sea waves at times as high as 4-6 meter near the river mouth that occurs almost daily.

6) Marine Tourism in Kabupaten Siak.

A huge lake at Desa Zamrud in Kecamatan Siak Sri Inderapura comprising of Lake Naga at Sungai Apit.
Natural rain forests surrounded the lake with fishes such as the arwana,pinang merah and balido can be found in the area.

7) Barge Burning Ritual or Ritual Bakar Tongkang
An annual event in Bagansiapiapi,a town in Kabupaten Rokan Hilir which has a large Chinese community.
The event is held around the month of mid-June.

8) Chinese New Year at Selatpanjang,Kabupaten Kepulauan Meranti
Grand fireworks display.Another place in Indonesia with many Chinese temples.

9) Pekan Baru National Mosque (Masjid Raya) in Kecamatan Senapelan
An eighteenth century built mosque during Siak Sri Inderapura Sultanate by Sultan Abdul Jalil Muazza Syah and Sultan Muhammad Ali Abdul Jalil Muazzam Syah.

10) Siak Sri Indrapura Royal Palace built in 1889
Historical relics of the old Malay kingdom being displayed at this royal palace museum.

11) Candi Muara Tikus
Archeological site of ancient Buddhist temple complex and relics at Desa Muara Tikus in Kampar District about 135km from Pekan Baru.

12) Klenteng Hoo An Kiong/Vihara Sejahtera Sakti Selatpanjang
Oldest Chinese temple in whole of Riau Province also called Tua Pek Kong Bio(Hokkian dialect)
Built during Dutch colonial rule.

13) Seven Layer Fortress or Benteng Tujuh Lapis
Located at Dalu Dalu in the district of Tambusai,Rokan Hilir Regency built by Dalu-Dalu people to defend against Dutch invaders.

What's in Dumai port city

2014-06-27T21:31:00.002-07:00

The port city of Dumai is among the twelve major seaports in the Indonesian Island of Sumatra

Lies towards the east coast of Central Sumatra facing the Straits of Malacca,the city is part of the Riau Province("kabupaten")
.
The main provincial capital Pekan Baru is about six hours drive from Dumai.
Can you imagine Dumai is just 105km across the straits to Malacca on Malaysian side.
The best point to cut short the sea journey as an illegal immigrant is via the Rupat Island(45km away) off Dumai and land in the small town of Kuala Linggi in the north of Malacca.

During the 1980s of the Indonesian transmigration programme,the arrival of these guests was witnessed before me while managing a rubber plantation here in Sungai Linggi.
The sea is like a no mans land and travelling in a legitimate ferry compared to the illegal night route in a packed fishing boat makes one feel how agonizing the illegals have to endure with.

Once you have arrived in Dumai's jetty,your onward journey will surely have to turn into the main artery road Jalan Jenderal Sudirman with the first sighting is Comfort Hotel on your right.
Telp 0765-34888, 0813-65-100-888
Email: reservation@comfortdumai.com
Two star Hotel with about 100 rooms
rates:295,000Rp to 545,000Rp

A short distance on the same row with Comfort Hotel is a newer Hotel City
Jalan.Jenderal.Sudirman 445,Tel: +62-765-31550
Rates: Rp. 140.000 s/d 500.000

Temperatures was pretty hot in Dumai soaring to nearly 40 degrees celcius especially in the months of May.June July as it has a Tropical Climate.
The Equator Line is near Palembang city towards the south.

This bus parked in front of Indomal Express ferry office is specifically for transporting passengers with ferry boarding pass.
It's free and operates at 9:00am trip only.

Getting around in the city is by a motorised tricycle("becak"),the minivans("angkot:) or the motor taxis ("ojek")
There's nothing spectacular in this town I should say and it's a slow moving town with more on commercial activities.
To avoid the scorching heat while moving around,why not hop into an angkot and pay a fixed rate rather than having to haggle with using the other mode.
Some becak motor along Jalan Jend Sudirman will recommend bringing visitors to massage(pijat) centers in the Jalan Ombak area.

Penginapan Lenggogeni beside Indomal Express office.
Penginapan means Inn
Rates can be from 80,000Rp -150,000Rp

Across the road beside the Central Police Station is Wisma Andy's Nur
The word "Wisma" is an Indonesian term for mid-range guesthouse.
Rates can be between 100,000Rp -250,000 Rp.
Penginapan AA is just next door.

.

Walking straight after this traffic circle is also Jend Sudirman whereby a short distance is the Hotel Grand Zuri,(tel: +62-765-31999-tarif: Rp.285.000 s/d 650.000).
The very end of Jalan Jenderal Sudirman will be the Ramayana Plaza Shopping Mall beside a park.
Towards the left turn is Jalan Sultan Syarif Kassim where there is a Chinese restaurant followed by the Palapa Hotel and a newer Komala Hotel.
On the right turn is another 10 minutes walk to Gajah Mada Hotel as well as Penginapan Rahmat also on Jalan Sultan Syarif Kassim where there are more Chinese shops around here.

That brown coloured frontage building is the Gajah Mada Hotel with the CFC Fried Chicken outlet.
CFC stands for California Fried Chicken with about 215 chains across Indonesia.
The main brand of PT Pioneerindo Gourmet International Tbk listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange in 1994.
The pioneers were three Indonesians who were alumni of University of Southern California.
There were also kiosks servicing this brand by street vendors.

HKBP-Huria Kristen Batak Protestan Church on Jalan Sultan Syarif Kassim near Palapa Hotel and behind the morning wet market.

The Bataks are an ethnic group of people found mostly in North Sumatra especially around the Lake Toba-Samosir region which is 240km from Medan.

Lake Toba is the greatest crater lake in Southeast Asia and a tourists hotspot.

There were a few private limousines vans outlets that offer transport to outside Dumai.
Putri Sulung Mandiri's designate places such as Pekan Baru,Duri,Bagan Siapi-api,Padang and Medan can be bought on the spot or they may provide hotel pick up as well if made through phone booking.

Walk across the road from Indomal Ferry Express office and there are about three of these companies.
With enough passengers they will make the journey.
"Sopir" is the word for chaffeur which the locals used to call.

CV.Athirah Jaya also provide the route to Pekan Baru,Bagan Siapi-api,Bukit Tinggi and Padang.

I book a seat to Bagan Siapi-api which was my ultimate intention in this trip via a company PSM (Tel:0765-33492,h/p:0852-71527953/0823-82219711) located beside CV.
The fare was 70,000Rp.

What attracted me to visit Bagan Siapi-api is the article which I came across in Bon website regarding the annual Barge Burning Ritual or Acara Bakar Tongkang to be held on the 14th June.coinciding with the Chinese calendar month May 16 event (known as GoGeCapLak which is a Hokkien dialect version)

PT Pelnas Lestari Indomabahari is another ferry ticketing office that offers destination to:
1) Dumai port departures:
Bengkalis-Selat Panjang-Tanjong Balai Karimun-Batam(near Singapore)
Depart: 07:00WIB Depart 07:15WIB(include Tanjung Pinang stopover)

2) Bengkalis port departures-08:30/09:00 Batam route

return Dumai route:13:00/13:20hrs

3) Selat Panjang port departures:
10:30hrs Batam route/ 10:45hrs for Tanjung Buton-Pekan Baru/ 11:00hrs for Tj Balai Karimun-Batam-Tanjong Pinang / 11:00hrs & 11:20hrs for Bengkalis -Dumai. / 14:00hrs for Tanjung Samak-Tj Balai Karimun-Batam

4) Tanjung Balai Karimun port departures:
07:30hrs to Batam / 08:30hrs to Dumai route / 08:45hrs to Selat Panjang and Tanjung Buton / 09:15hrs to Selat panjang -Bengkalis -Dumai / 11:30hrs ,12:30hrs,16:30hrs to Batam.
13:00hrs to Batam -Tanjung Pinang

5) Batam port departures:
07:30hrs to Selat Panjang- Tanjung Buton / 08:30hrs to Dumai route.
09:30hrs To Tanjung Balai Karimun / 15:00hrs to Tanjung Pinang

7) Tanjung Pinang port departures:
06:00hrs - to Dumai

Banners on road divider along Jalan Jenderal Sudirma.
Some sort of congratulatory messages.
They are not printed banners

Message reads as:
Wish you Success,appointment PAC-PP,East Dumai
from Hotel Gajah Mada

Klenteng Hok Liong Kiong, a large Chinese temple located near the inter province bus terminal(AKAP)

Chinese temples in mandarin(miao),bahasa Indonesia (klenteng) ,Thai (wat).Vietnamese (Chua) and Filipino(na templo).

Location MAP of Dumai

Ferry from Port Klang to Dumai

2014-06-25T20:59:00.002-07:00

Crossing the busy sea lane of Malacca Straits by ferry is something which most travellers avoided in view of the availability of many budget airlines.

Unfortunately the port city of Dumai in the eastern coast of central Sumatera Island in Indonesia do not have an airport so the best option is via the availability of ferry services operated by Tunas Rupat Follow Me Express at counter 2 Level 1 at Port Klang Harbour City which is the legal entry and exit point.
Directing ticketing and booking telephone:03-31677186/016-2902511(mimie)

Ferry To Dumai available only Monday,Wednesday,Friday
Fare Price:
One Way-adult RM110 To&Fro-RM170
One Way-Children RM55.00 To&Fro-RM85
Departure Time:10:30am Malaysian Time,To confirm boarding 2 hours before departure.
Boarding Pass WILL only be issued on the departure day itself.

Departing passengers have to pay an extra RM20 being the port charges.
(breakdown RM15 passenger terminal charges + RM5 miscellaneous)
Quite a hefty charges by this privatized company. compared to departure port tax in Dumai which was just 20,000 Rupiah
Please note that the return ticket is an open date valid for 6(six) months and non refundable.

Asa Niaga Shipping and Forwarding Company which is the owner of Port Klang Harbour City has a servicing counter also on level 1 at the port terminal.

This morning took a 07:00am bus, company name 'Causeway Link' which was waiting across the road in front of Kuala Lumpur Central market.(short distance before LRT station) Fare:RM3.00.Walking distance to port on arrival at Klang Bus Terminal was less than a kilometre.
It's an hour's journey and the weather was fine initially.A sudden rainfall at the port terminal was rather unwelcoming as this will be my first trip using the cross straits.
Travellers heading to Port Klang Harbour can also use the KTM train services which stop less than 500 metres from the harbour's ferry terminal.
Fares :from RM1.70,journey duration 1 hour(train half hourly avail)
Where to embark?1) old train station building near the National Mosque 2) Opposite the SOGO Mall. 3)KL Sentral 4)Sentul-Port Klang KTM line.

It's boarding time and luckily the rain has stopped which otherwise passengers will have to bear with the rain as there won't be a covered shed at the jetty's end to get into the ferry.
Immigration section has now modernised compared to previous old jetty which has security lax where officials and illegals have a field day.
The porous coastline of Malaysia provides easy access to illegal immigrants and smugglers.
No wonder the ferry services to Dumai is no more on daily basis as port procedures have tightened.

Ferry to Tanjong Balai Asahan,further north of Dumai city,operated by Aero Speed Ferry Services.
There will be no visa-on-arrival for foreign tourists apart from ASEAN members countries visitors.
Tanjong Balai Asahan is nearer to Medan,about 4 hours bus journey and 2 hours to Lake Toba.
From Dumai by bus to Medan takes about 10 hours.

Vessel name:Malaysia Express 1
Type:-Passenger ferry
View of lower deck.
Fully air conditioned,fare price includes snack and mineral water.
Unadvisable to travel during the Muslim holidays as heavy bookings are a norm.
During off seasons,travellers can just come to the harbour terminal and buy on the spot,remember 2 hours before departure as the operators will have to submit a manifest list to harbour master.

View of entry to upper deck,while the toilets are only at the central deck on the front and back.
According to Dumai Express which I took on my returning journey,there are about 265 adults and 44 children lifejackets.
Dumai Express did demonstrate how to use a life jacket while the Malaysian Express did nothing.
Somewhere during mid journey, Malaysian Express nearly stalled and the aircondition malfunctioned.
Imagine passengers on the lower deck were sweating as if in a sauna room.

At about 2:00pm,arrived in Dumai port city after leaving Port Klang terminal at about 11:30am,so it's about two half hour journey.
Immigration formality includes fingerprints scan.
On exiting this small terminal,there won't be any bus services nor touts.
Travellers can just pay for "ojek"(motorcycle taxis) to respective destinations.Private vans ("sopir") are also available.
Please note that the office of Indomal Express is at Jalan Jenderal Sudirman,about 3km from ferry terminal same row as City Hotel and Comfort Hotel.Grand Zuri Hotel is after the traffic circle from here.All within walking distance in town centre.
If you have bought a return ticket,a free bus ride to the ferry terminal is provided at 9:00am sharp so make sure you check in and get the boarding pass before this time.

A look at the Ferry Tariff charges from DUMAI:
Bengkalis:85,000 Rp(adult) 45,000Rp(child)

Selat Panjang:190,000Rp(adult) 95,000Rp(child)

Tanjung Samak:250,000Rp(adult) 125,000Rp(child)

Tanjung Balai Karimun:270,000(adult) 135,000(child)

Batam:320,000(adult) 160,000(child)

Tanjung Pinang:380,000Rp(adult) 190,000(child)

Dumai To Port Klang(Malaysia):12:00pm WIB
Port Klang To Dumai:09:00am WIB
Days:-Monday,Wednesday,Friday
Adult return:570,000Rp
adult one way ticket:310,000Rp

Children return:290,000Rp
children one way ticket:160,000Rp

*WIB-West Indonesia Time (same as Thailand,Laos & Cambodia)

Days:Monday,Tuesday,Thursday,Friday
departure time:
Dumai To Port Dickson(Malaysia):11:00am WIB

Port Dickson To Dumai:09:00am WIB

Adult return:570,000Rp one way:310,000Rp

children return:290,000Rp One Way:160,000Rp.

GOOGLE MAP

Happy Wesak Day 2014

2014-05-13T00:23:00.002-07:00

Wishing ALL Buddhists readers round the world "A Happy Wesak Day" celebration.

One of the most important festivals of the Buddhist calender celebrated annually near the month of May's full moon.

The three most important events in the life of Siddiharta Gautama Buddha,who was born in northern India during the early sixth century B.C. were his birth,death(Nibbana) day and most important of all is the moment when he learnt the truth about life and how to avoid sufferings.
This very anniversary day is where all Buddhist devotees commemorates the three noble path of the "Enlightened One"

The local rendition of the word Wesak varies in different countries.

Thailand is called Visakha Bucha(วิสาขบูชา),Bucha means to pay homage.Asahara Bucha means his first sermon while Makha Bucha is the day where his disciples listened to his most important teachings in a sermon.
Where to visit while in Thailand:
Phuket: Wichit Sangkaram Temple (วัดวิชิตสังฆาราม)
Chiangmai: Wat Umong( วัดอุโมงค์ )
Bangkok:All over
Pattaya: Wat Chaimongkron(วัดชัยมงคล)

Wichit Sangkaram Temple on Thepkrasattri RoadWichit

Wichit Sangkaram Temple on Thepkrasattri Road

Buddha Statue in Sri Jayanti Buddhist Temple,Sentul,Kuala Lumpur,

Kuala Lumpur Rapid city bus that pass this route.

More aftershocks felt in Chiang Rai | Bangkok Post: Most recent

2014-05-11T18:53:00.001-07:00

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter scale that shook the northern province of Chiang Rai on Monday(5th May 2014) has caused severe damage to hotels, shopping malls, temples, houses and roads. (Photos by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

Thai Garment Exporters

2014-03-21T06:13:00.003-07:00

List of Thai Garment Exporters Registered with the Department of Foreign Trade

Family Garment Co.Ltd(11001/2548)
62/53-54,Moo 2.Bangbon 5 Road,Bangbon,Bangkok 10150
Tel:(662) 8925195
Fax:(662) 8925197
Email:wing@clickta.com
Products:baby,boy,girl,men,ladies T-shirt,shirt,jacket,pamt.romper,sweaters,infant apparels

Q.P.Products Ltd (12001/2548)
3,Moo 1.Soi Rama II Soi 25,Rama II Road sub-district Bangmod,District Jomthong,Bangkok 10150
Tel:(662) 428-4367,428 4468
Fax:(662) 870 0428
Email:export@qpproducts.com Web:qpproducts.com
Products:all kinds circular knitting sportswear,polo shirts,polar fleece

Greenland Garment Co Ltd(12002/2548)
4/98-101 Moo 7 Ratanakavee Road,Jomthong,Bangkok 10150
Tel:(662) 476 5753
Fax:(662) 875 2817
Email:pi_gli@yahoo.com
Products:knitted dress,coverall,bodysuit,sunsuit,poloshirt,sweatshirt,leggings,skirts

Amanda Garment Co.Ltd(12004/2548)
43/373,Moo7 Soi Ekachai 69,Ekachai Road.Samedum Bangkunthian,Bangkok 10150
Tel :(662) 8999111
Fax:(662) 8999350-1
Email:webmaster@amanda.garment.com
Products:boys and girls T-shirt,pant,jacket, skirt,dress,men and ladies T-shirt.pyjamas.nightwear,undergarment.

Come Prima Fashion Garments Co.Ltd(12005/2548)
1112/85-87,Soi Piyawach Sukhumvit Road.Prakanong.Bangkok 10110
Tel:(662) 23914257,3820383,7123920
Fax:(662) 3913137
Email:kastner@loxinfo.co.th
Products:polo T-shirt,jacket,slacks,shirts

Global Access Garment Co.Ltd(12006/2548)
527/12-14,Tanurat Road,Tungwatdon,Sathorn,Bangkok 10120
Tel:(662) 6764761-2
Fax:(662) 2874403
Email:gag@loxinfo.co.th
Products:Polo T-shirt,knitted shirts.

Mastery Co.Ltd(12007/2548)
294/6-7,Moo 1.Rajaburana Road.Rajaburana.Bangkok 10140
Tel:(662) 4636542,4636206,4636186
Fax:(662) 46365744
Email:sale@master.co.th
Products:children's wear

Soen Knitwear Co.Ltd(12008/2548)
121/243-249,Moo 6.Ekachai Road,Bangbon,Bangkok 10150
Tel:(662) 4161650,8988530
Fax:(662) 4164895
Email: jiabhong@mweb.co.th
Products:all kinds of garments,children,ladies,men

Design Apparel(12009/2548)
120-123,Moo 13,Suksawad Road, Bang-peung,Pra Pradaeng SamutPrakan 10130
Tel:(662) 4156668
Fax:(662) 4156671
Email: nednuch@design-universal.com
Products: T-shirt,underwear,Polo shirt,T-shirt

Muangthai Garment Co Ltd(12010/2548)
82/252-254.82/255-256,(1-2nd Floor)Soi Ekachai 10,Ekachai Road,Bangkhunthien,Jomthong,Bangkok 10150
Tel:(662) 8937807-8
Fax:(662) 8937810
Email: teerawut@muangthaigarment.com
Products:Jeans trousers,jeans shirt,jeans jacket,jeans skirt

Liberco Co.Ltd(12011/2548)
79/209-211,Soi Poomjit,Rama 4 Road,Prakanonong,Klongtoey.Bangkok 10110
Tel:(662) 3900834,3901351,7120993-4
Fax:(662) 3918970
Email: liberco_cw@yahoo.com
Products:children wear

Siam Unicare Co Ltd(12014/2548)
68,Moo 16.Outer Ring Road East,Saphan Soung.Bangkok 10250
Tel:(662) 3681445
Fax:(662) 3681625
Email: siam@s-unicare.com
Products:casual wears men,ladies,children.Vintage garment top bottom

Sri Charoen Garment Ltd(12016/2548)31/22.31/106,Moo 5.Soi Suksawat 14,Suksawat Road.Chomthong.Bangkok 10150
Tel:(662) 4761767-9
Fax:(662) 4761776
Email: arunee@scgarment.com, vipa@scgarment.com
Products: woven and knitted garments,blouse,shirt,tank top,vest,shorts,pants,pyjamas

TJC Intertrade Co Ltd(12017/2550)
99/481,Moo7.Soi S.N.Takham,Rama 2 Road,Bangkhunthien,Bangkok 10150
Products:woven and knitted garment shorts,swim trunk,dress,jacket,pants.

Thong Thai Textile Co Ltd(13006/2548)
23/39.Moo 7,Petchkasem 81.Nongkhaem.Bangkok 10160
Tel:(662) 4310050
Fax:(662) 4310987,(662) 4209000
Email:sales@tttinter.com
Products:Polo shirts,seatshirts,jogging suits

K.H.Textile Co Ltd(13009/2548)
43/368-372,moo 7.soi Ekachai 69.Ekachai Road.Sameadum,Bangkunthian,Bangkok 10150
Tel:(662) 8999111
Fax:(662) 8999350-1
Email: webmaster@khtextile.net
Products:T-shirt,blouse,jacket,skirt,dress,sweaters,pyjamas.,undergarments

Kismet Garment Co Ltd(13010/2548)
604/446,448,450,452,Moo 1,Petchkasem Road.Bangkae-Nua,Bangkae,bangkok 10160.
REGISTRATION NO. :     13010/2548
Tel:(662) 8055501,(662) 4544383
Fax:(662) 4544382
Email: kismet@asianet.co.th
Products:garments,pants,hat,romper,jacket,T-shirt,blouse,infant wears
.
Fair Garment Factory (Thailand) Ltd (13011/2548)
442-443,Soi Thanakarn Arekarn Songkroh 1.Ngam Wongwan Road,Nonthaburi 11000
Tel:(662) 9526085-7
Fax:(662) 5899531
Email: pornchai@fairgarment.com
Products:jeans,unisex casuals,ladies men's pants,shorts,skirts.

Far East Knitting & Spinning Co Ltd(13012/2548)
600/91-95,Sathupradit Road,Yannawa,Bangkok 10120
Tel:(662) 6821188
Fax:(662) 2940097
Email: santi@fareastknitting.com
Products:shorts,T-shirt,sweatshirts,pants,boxer shorts ,underwear,pyjamas.

Hua Thai Manufacturing Public co Ltd(13013/2548)
25/17 Moo 4,Soi Sakolland,Chaengwattana Road,Pakred,Nonthaburi 11120
Tel:(662) 5730788-90
Fax:(662) 5734283
Email: suwannee@tristateww.com
Products:ladies suit,ladies men's casual

Castle Peak Holding Public Co Ltd.(13014/2548)
384/81.Moo 4,Phetkasame Road,Bangkae,Khet Bangkae,Bangkok 10160
Tel:(662) 4550300-39 ext 400
Fax:(662) 4550357
Email: veerada@castlepeak.co.th
Products:jacket,coats,pants.skirts

Theparerg Co Ltd (13015/2548)
66/2,Moo 4.Khok-Krabue,Muang Samutsakorn, Samutsakorn 74000.
Tel:(6634) 824719
Fax:(6634) 824720-1
Products:pants,shorts,dresses,jackets,skirts,blouse,jumper,shirt,overall woven.

Elta Co Ltd (13016/2548)
511,Ladkrabang Road, Bangkok 10520
Tel:(662) 3290099
Fax:(662) 3291247
Email: admin@elta.co.th
Products:sportswear.ski wear,snowboard,warm up suit,windbreaker,beach shorts,socks all categories.

C.P.G.Garment (13019/2548)
75,MU 8,Petchkasem Road,between Soi 50-52, Vabgwah Parscricharoen, Bangkok 10160
Tel:(662) 4550300-39 ext 400
Fax:(662) 4550357
Email: veerada@castlepeak.co.th
Products: garments,jacket,coats,pants,skirts

Roj Inter Group Co. Ltd (13020/2548)
189,MOO 7, Suanluang Ruam-Jai Road, Suanluang, Krathumban, Samutsakorn 74110
Tel:(662) 4312365-8
Fax:(662) 8110081, 4312532
Email: sangtip@rojinter.com
Products: pants,shorts,blouse,skirts,casual wear,executive suits.

N C Apparel Co Ltd (13022/2548)
523,MOO 2,Soi Tanakarn,Arakarn Songkroh 10,Ngamwongwan Road, Bangkhen, Nonthaburi 11000
Tel:(662) 5890123
Fax:(662) 5897031
Email: prasop@niceapparel.com
Products: pants,shorts,T-shirts,tank top,shirt,pullover,skirt

Thai Sports Garment Co Ltd (13024/2548)
666,Rama 3 Road, Bangpongpang, Yannawa, Bangkok 10120
Tel: (662) 6822658,6856500
Fax: (662) 2951146
Email: tsgbkk@icc.co.th
Products:sportswear.baseball shirt,baseball pants,warm up shirts,pants.

Art On Stitch Co Ltd (13025/2548)
219,MOO 10, Liab Klong mernprarom Road,Khlong Maduer, Kratumban, Samut Sakkon 74110
Tel: (662) 4295027-8,4875331,(634) 476264
Fax:(634) 476265
Email: aosco@aos1993.com
Products: sweater,(100% cotton,wool,acrylic)

Eastboard Industry Co Ltd (13027/2548)
89/19,14FL,Amornphan 205 Tower 1,Soi Nathong Ratchadapisex Road, Dindaeng, bangkok 10400
Tel:(662) 6923518-20
Fax: (662) 6922988
Email: surat@eastboard.co.th
Products: Polo shirt,boxer,pullover,dress,etc

Fang Brothers Holding (Thailand) Co Ltd (13029/2548)
124/1,MU 7, Soi Wat-Sriwareenoi, Bangna-Trad Road, Bangchalong, Bangplee, Samut Prakarn 10540 Tel:(662) 3128792-5, (662) 7400700-4
Fax:(662) 3128745
Email: kamolert@fang.th.com
Products: T-shirt,pants,shorts,skirts. .

Future Garment Co Ltd (13030/2548)211/18-26, Nonsee Road, Chongnonsee, Yannawa, Bangkok 10120
Tel: (662) 2947795-8
Fax: (662) 6813564
Email: w_supakit@hi-group.com
Products: shirt,Polo shirt,sweatshirt,boxer,shorts,T-shirt

Hi-Progress Knitting Co Ltd (13031/2548)
329/3 MOO 2,Putthabucha Road, Bangmod, Thungkru, Bangkok 10140
Tel: (662) 4264412-25
Fax: )662) 4264437
Email: hi-progress@hi-progress,com
Products:sweater.

Hi-Tech Chaiyaphum Apparel Co Ltd (13034/2548)
999,MOO 3, Lardyai, Muang Chaiyaphum, Chaiyaphum 36000
Tel: (644) 801222.801257-263
Fax: (644) 801260
Email: wallop@hi-progress.com, nipondh@hi-group.com
Products: sweater

Hong Seng Knitting Ltd Partnership (13035.2548)
649/4-5,MOO 2, Suksawad 30,Bangprakok, Rahjaburana,Bangkok 10140
Tel: (662) 4280031
Fax: (662) 4282528
Email: sukij@hongseng.com
Products: knitted garments,T-shirt,polo shirt,shorts.pants,dresses,sportwears.

J.M.Apparel Co Ltd (13036/2548)
26/55,Nanglinchee Road, Tungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120
Tel: (662) 6783969-72
FaxL(662) 6789228.2855843
Email: yuttana@jmapparel.co.th
Products: men's Polo,knitted T-shirt

Jiab Hong Garment Co Ltd (13037/2548)
485/68-71,Soi Watthanasin, Ratprarop Road, Makkasan, Rajthavee, Bangkok 10400.
Tel: (662) 2534680,2533154
Fax: (662) 2531561
Email: jiabhong@mweb.co.th
Products:children,men and ladies garments.

Juki Garment (13038/2548)
197/9-14, Phetkasem Road, Bangkok 10160
Tel:(662) 4204844
Fax: (662) 4203819
Email: aree@riansilp.com
Products: T-shirt,shirt,blouse,sweatshirt,cardigan pullover,jacket,pants,sports shorts,nightwear,hat,jumper.

NK Apparel Co Ltd (13043/2548)
523 MOO 2, Soi Thanakarn, Akarn Songkroh 10, Nagarmwongwan Road, Bangkhen, Nonthaburi 11000 Tel: (662) 5890123
Fax:(662) 5890732
Email: prasop@niceapparel.com
Products: pants,shorts,T-shirt,shirt,tank top,jacket,dress,skirt,pullover.

People's Garment Public Co Ltd(13044/2548)
666,Rama 3 Road, Bangpongpang, Yannawa, Bangkok 10120
Tel: (662) 6856522-3
Fax: (662) 2945159
Email: imexp@pg.co.th
Products: Ladies Polo shirts,Men's T-shirt,lady swimwear, men ladies pyjamas

Rian Silp Knitting Co Ltd (13045/2548).
101 MOO 7,phetkasem Road, Aomnoi, Kratumban, Samutesakorn 74130
Tel: (662) 4204844
Fax: (662) 4203819
Email: aree@riansilp.co.th
Products: garments for baby,children,men,women.Tshirt,blouse,shirt,sweatshirt,jacket,pants,skirt,nightwear,hat,jumper

S.Apparel Co Ltd (13045/2548)
4/2, Moo 8.Soi Wadsriwareenoi, Bangna-Trad Road,Bangchalong, Bangplee, Samut Prakarn 10540
Tel:(662) 7406271-5
Fax: (662) 3371659
Email: saha-cho@smarts.com
Products: men ladies shirt.

Siam Bestex International Co Ltd (13047/2548)
189,Moo 7, SuanLuang-Ruam Jai, Suanluang Krathumban,SamutSakorn 74110
Tel:(662) 4312365-8
Fax: (662) 8110081, (662) 4312532
Email: sangtip@rojinter.com
Products: men business casual wear,blouse,skirts,suits.

                                              Þ
Thai Biotex co Ltd (13048/2548)
151,Moo 12, Bangna-Trad Road (km 44),Bangwuao, Bangpakong Chachoengsao 24180
Tel:9638) 531530, (638) 532786-8
Fax: (638) 532191
Email: kamolert@fang.th.com
products:pants,skirts,shorts,jackets.

Thai Eastern Industry co Ltd (13049/2548)
42/220,Moo 5,Soi Mooban Sristhien, Petchkasem Road (km 29) ,Raikhing,Sampran,Nakorn Pathom 73210
Tel:(662) 4290162-4, (662) 4290563-6
Fax: (662) 4290988,4290155
Email: shipping@thaieastern.com
Products:men,ladies,children,baby garments.

Thanulux Public Co Ltd (13050/2548)
129/1,Chongnonthri Road,Chongnonthri, Yannawa, Bangkok 10120
Tel:(662) 6814923
Fax:(662) 2946505, (662) 2952385

Vertex Apparel Co Ltd(13052/2548)
667/5,Moo 2,Suksawad 30, Bangprakok, Rahjaburana ,Bangkok 10140
Tel:(662) 4280031
Fax:(662) 4282528 .                                     Email: sukiji@hongseng.com
Products: knitted garments,Polo shirt,T-shirt,dress,sportswear

Virut Weaving Ltd (13053/2548)
99,310 Moo 3,Suksawad 30 Road, Ratchburana, Bangkok    10140
Tel:(662) 4277417
Fax:(662) 4275787
Email: virutlp@asianet.co.th
Products: sweater

World Knitting Industries Co Ltd (13055/2548)
314-314/1, Soi V.P.O. 11, Settaku Road, Krathombaen, Samutsakorn 74110
Tel:(662) 6136517-9, 4291956, 4291517, 4291732
Fax:(662) 4294910
Email: somchai@world-knitting.com
Products: all kinds of knitted garments.

Yamaken Apparel Ltd (13056/2548)
548,Sukhumvit Highway, Tambol Paknam,Amphur Muang Samutprakarn 10270
Tel:(662) 7038806-8
Fax:(662) 7038809
Email: wilawan@yamaken-apl.com
Products:gauge knitted sweater,skirt,dress,scarf,poncho,vest(woolen/acrylic/cotton/nylon/spandex)
                                                                 Þ
American Phil Textile (Overseas) Ltd (13058/2548)
225,Soi Kingkong, Moo2, Teparak Road, Tambon Bangsaotong, Kingampur Bangsaotong, Samutprakarn Tel:(662) 3134421-26
Fax: (662) 3134427    Email: albert.wm.icc@apgroup.com , amy.r.kulcharoen@ap-group.com
Products: T-shirt,underwear,knitted shorts pants.

Foru Seas Garment Co Ltd (13061/2548)
121/214-221, Moo 6, Eakkachai Road,Bangbon, Bangkok 10140
Tel:(662) 4168182/87
Fax:(662) 4162951
Email: wiwatp@fourseas.th.com
Products: knitted T-shirt,Polo shirt,sweat shirt,shorts.

Golden City Garment Factory Co Ltd (13063/2548)
69,Soi Rubia,Sukhumvit 42 Road, Klongtoey, Pakanong, Bangkok 10110.
Tel:(662) 7120941
Fax:(662) 3811215
Email: gcxport@yahoo.com
Products: men ladies Polo shirt,T-shirt,sportswear.children wear

Oriental Garment Co Ltd (13067/2548)
299, Krungthep Kretha Road, Bangkapi, Bangkok 10240
Tel:(662) 3793072-8
Fax:(662) 3793963
Email: pairoj@orientalgmnt.com
Products: ladies jacket,pants,shorts,skirts,children garment,men T-shirt,jacket,sweatshirt

Pointe Russe Ltd (13068/2548)
108/3,Export Processing Zone, Ladkrabang Industrial Estate. Moo4, Lumplatiew, Ladkrabang, Bangkok
Tel:(662) 3260275
Fax:(662) 3260165
Email: customerservice@danceman.co.th
Products: apparel,dance shoe

Thai Beauty Wear Co Ltd (13070/2548)
9/9,Moo 5,Soi Seewapasawadi, Ekachai Road, Muang Samutsakorn 74000
Tel:(663) 4854471-5
Fax: (663) 4854722
Email: logistic@thaibeautywear.com
Products: Gap,L.L.Bean,Livi's,Bogner,Ulla Popken

Thai Two Way Fabric Co Ltd (13073/2548)
50/103, Moo 1,Soi South Lertpattana Jomthong Road,Jomthong,Bangkok 10160
Tel:(662) 4761013-4
Fax:(662) 4761151
Email: pakawat.a@thai2way.co.th
Products: pants,jacket,top
    Taitan Sportswear Co Ltd (13076/2548)
649/4-5, Moo 2,Soi Suksawad 30, Suksawad Road, Bangpakok, Ratchburana, Bangkok 10140
Tel:(662) 3902881-3,3813602-4
Fax:(662) 3902884/3917103
Email: sukij@hongseng.com
Products: T-shirt,shorts,pyjamas                                           Þ

Intimate Fashion Co Ltd (13081/2548)
140,Moo 5,Phutthamonthon 5 Road, Amnoy, Kratumban Samutsakorn 74130
Tel: (662) 8134041-5
Fax: (662) 8134046
Email: pornkiat@intimate.co.th
products: ladies' lingerie


Patamasakul Co Ltd (13083/2548)
13/16,Vipavadeerangsit Road Tungsonghong, Laksi, Bangkok 10210
Tel:(662) 9546400-2
Fax:(662) 9545707
Email: patama_s@surf-fashion.com
Products: boardshort,walkshort,fashion tees, polo shirt,pants,jeans

Satayako Product Ltd (13084/2548)
54,Moo 4,Tambol Ladsawai,Amphur Lumlooka, Pathumthani 12150
Tel:(662) 9945112-3, 9987346-7
Fax: (662) 5332407
Email" ashish@satyako.co.th, spltd@satyako.co.th
Products: ladies dress,kirt,pants,suit,jacket,blouse,top.shorts

Thai Kaneta Co Ltd (13086/2548)
329/86-87, Vibhavadi-Rungsit Road, Tungsonghong, Laksi, Bangkok 10210
Tel:(662) 5736222
Fax:(662) 5736854
Email: contact@thaikaneta.com
Products: men's shirt,ladies shirt

Thai Sock Co Ltd (13088/2548)
29/1,Moo 4, Poochao Samingprai Road, Samrongklang, Phrapradaeng, Samutprakarn 10130
Tel:(662) 7542767
Fax:(662) 3842834
Email: tsock@bkk5.loxinfo.co.th
Products: socks

Apparel Creations Co Ltd (13091/2548)
197/59,88.197/140-145,Petchkasem Road, Watthapra, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600
Tel:(662) 4578341-5
Fax:(662) 4575570,4675272
Email: info@apparelcreation.com
Products: circular knitted polo-shirt,sweatshirt,pants,shorts,blouse,dress,skirt,baby wear,light woven garments

Bangkok Phaisarn Textile Industry Co Ltd (13093/2548)
339/2, Moo 3, Soi Suksawad 74, Suksawad Road, Prapadaeng, Samutprakarn 10130
Tel:(662) 4641471
Fax:(662) 4641496
Email: bpk@bpi.co.th
Products: Polo T-shirt,sweatshirt, sweater,pant,shorts,trousers,dress,skirt,pyjamas,

Jintana Intertrade Co Ltd (13097/2548)
666,Boromratchonnee Road, Bangbumbu, Bangplad, Bangkok 10700
Tel:(662) 4468000
Fax:(662) 4468035
Email: bok@bpi.co.th
Products:Polo T-shirt,sweater,shirt,blouse,dress

S.P Brother Co Ltd (13101/2548)
821,823/1,Taksin Road, Thonburi, Bangkok 10600
Tel:(662) 8778600-25
Fax:(662) 4761749
Email: info@spbrother.com, pirapol.t@spbrother.com
Products: Polo T-shirt,woven shirt,pants,underwear,
   Asian Garment Co Ltd (13103/2548)
76/1,Soi Ngam Charoen, Rama II Road,Thakam, Bangkhunthien,Bangkok 10150
Tel:(662) 4518579-84
Fax:(662) 4518586
Email: asian@asiangarment.co.th
Products: T-shirt,polo shirt,sweatshirt,pyjamas,ladies dress.

Anna Garment Co Ltd (13104/2548)
82-90,Soi Phetkasem 2, Phetkasem Road, Wattapra, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600
Tel:(662) 4204844
Fax:(662) 4203819
Email: aree@riansilp.com, export@riansilp.com
Products: Baby garments,T-shirt, Polo shirt,cardigan,sweatshirt,blouse,pyjamas,skirt,pullover,shorts,pants,briefs,dress

Toffy Boutique Co Ltd (13110/2549)
1/33,Moo 7, Putthabucha Road, Bangmod. Jomthong,Bangkok 10150
Tel:(662) 8740205, 4282157
Fax:(662) 8740875,4282045
Email: info@toffyboutique.com
Products: 100% cotton T-shirt,Polo shirt,pants.
   Sampran Fashion House Co Ltd (13113/2549)
50-109/114,Moo 4, T.Thatalad, A.Sampran, Nakornpathom 73110
Tel:(663) 4322562, 3249822-6
Fax:(663) 4322563
Email: xsampran@ji-net.com, sfashion@ji-net.com
Products: ladies garment,blazer,suit,blouse,tank top,vest,skirt,shorts,pants,

Monthon Ltd (13114/2549)
58/63,Soi Naumit, Charoen Nakorn Road, Banglumpoolang Klongsan,Bangkok 10600
Tel: (662) 4375536
Fax:9662) 8603211
Email: kulanit@monthon.co.th
Products: men,ladies shirt

Thai Onono Public Co Ltd (13115/2549)
129/33,Soi Pongsirichai 1, Phetkasem Road, Om-Noi, Samusakorn 74130
Tel:(662) 8114711-20
FaxL(662) 8114722
Email: account@thaionono.com
Products: knitted underwear

Heart and Mind Apparel Co Ltd (13118/2549)
23/395, Moo 8, Soi Pongsirichai 1, Phetkasem Road, Omyai, Sampran, Nakorn Pathom 73160
Tel: (662) 4207957-8,4312174
Fax:(662) 4312180
Email: heart@heartandmindapparel.com
Products: baby garments,sportswear,knitted wear

Hua Thai Manufacturing Public Co Ltd (13121/2549)
71/1, Moo 1, Soi Tharua-Wangdaeng Road, Salaloy, Tharua, Ayutthaya 13130
tel:(663) 5223184-5
Fax:(663) 5223183
Email: williamlee@tristateww.com

Sabina Fareast Co Ltd (13122/2549)
12,Arun-Amarin, Bangkok Noi,Bangkok 10700                                                                  :
Tel:(662) 4229400
Fax:(662) 4357374, 4349312
Email: bunchai@sabina.co.th
Products: lingeries

Sabina Public Co Ltd (13125/2549)
177, Moo 8, Wangkaituen, Hanka, Chainat 17130
236, Moo 10, Duiung, Mueng Yasothorn, Yasothorn 35000
Tel:(662) 4229400
Fax:(662) 4357374, 4349312
Email: bunchai@sabina.co.th
Products:lingeries

Charter Enterprise Co Ltd (13128/2549)
110,Moo 1, Phetkasem 63, Phetkasem Road,Laksong, Bangkok 10160
Tel:(662) 4557736-8
Fax:(662) 4557739
Email: chartere@truemail.co.th
Products:Baby garment

Nuage Apparel Co Ltd (13130/2549)
110, Moo 1, Phetkasem 63, Phetkasem Road, Laksong, Bangkok 10160
Tel:(662) 4557736-8
Fax:(662) 4557739
Email: nuage@truemail.co.th
Products: Baby garments.

Eagle Speed Marketing Co Ltd (13134/2549)
339,Ladkrabang Industrial Estate, Chalong Road, Lumplatiew Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520
Tel:(662) 3260052-3,7394885-7
Fax:(662) 3260996, 7394888
Email: waew@lespeed.co.th
Products: jacket,pants,shorts,T-shirt,blouse.

Champ Ace Co Ltd (13136/2549)
3885/2, Soi Raja-U-Tis 2, Bangklo, Bangkholaem, Bangkok 10120
Tel:(662) 6898240
Fax:(662) 2912537
Email: chailert@champace.co.th, sangsawang@champace.co.th
Products: men's underwear,sportswear,leisure wear,swimwear bag,golf bag

Golden Axes Knitting Co Ltd (13137/2549)
52/1,Soi Hayapirain, Cheuapioeng Road, Thungmahamake,Sathorn, Bangkok 10120
Tel:(662) 2499554-60
Fax:(662) 2497292
email: goldenaxes2001@hotmail.com
Products: knitted T-shirt,polo shirt,pants,dress,night wear,coverall,blouse,infant wear

Papornchai Garment Co Ltd (13138/2549)
104/1-4,Moo 17, Taparak Road, T Bangsaotong, Bangsaotong, Samut Prakarn 10540
Tel:(662) 3303414-21
Fax:(662) 3303434, 3303425
Email: info@papornchaigarment.com, chaiyotp@papornchaigarment.com
Products: polo T-shirt,blouse,pyjamas,dress,jogging suit,denim,trousers.skirt

Sulawesi local cuisines

2014-02-08T00:40:00.002-08:00

Popular local culinary of Makassar : Otak-otak ikan tenggiri,Ikan Woku,Ikan Rica Manado,Cumi Masak Hitam,Cumi goreng Tepung,Nasi goreng ikan asin,bubur Manado,ikan asin tenggiri.

Otak-otak Ibu Elly Shop is the most popular in town located at Jalan Kijang No. 7 Makassar.
The retail price is 2,800Rupiah.
The white fish cake is actually extracted from the 'ikan tenggiri' fish which is also popular in making the fish ball.
The otak-otak serves as a good appetizer.

RM Lae-Lae at Datumusseng 8 which is famous for seafood and ikan bakar is another popular hunt.
RM stands for Rumah Makan or Food Court

Ikan Woku is a real hot spicy curry soup normally cooked in claypot and instead of fish can also cook with chicken or beef as an alternative.

Grass carp,red tilapia,red snapper or grouper fish are the most commonly use.

Another method of preparation is the 'pepes ikan woku' where the fish is steamed with woku spices in banana leaves.

The Ikan Woku dishes is one of the famous Indonesian signature culinary found all over the archipelago.

Ikan Rica Manado similar to the Szechuan spicy deep fried whole fish with flakes of red chilli and tomato dressings.

Manado city has a large Chinese(Tionghoa) community whose early ancestral could be traced back to China.

The early days Chinese migrants throughout Southeast Asia were economic migrants who were mostly originated from the coastal China cities of; Guanzhou,Hainan and Fujian Province.Henceforth the Chinese cuisines were integrated with the local culinary.

Cumi Masak Hitam or Squid cooked with freshly ground black pepper,a dashed of olive oil and squeeze lemon juice.
The people of Manado love eating food with spicy hot flavour. and this plate of kangkung (water spinach)(Thai-'Pak Boong')which is the most popular vegetable in Southeast Asia is prepared with red chilli pepper,lots of garlic and some soy sauce.

Cumi Goreng Tepung or Crispy Fried Squid(Cumi) with similarity to Japanese Sushi appetizer 'Ikamaru'

Udang Goreng Tepung or Crispy Prawn(shrimp) Fried is also yummy.

Bubur Manado (Manadonese Porridge).
This cuisine must have been introduced by the Teochew(Chaozhou) Chinese who have emigrated from the Fujian Province.Indonesian Chinese cuisines has a particularly distinct taste-it's spicier and more flavourful than normal Chinese cuisine,which by Indonesian standard tends to be quite blend.

Push-cart stall is a common street scene throughout Indonesia.
Indonesia is one country where you have endless variety of food and drinks which travellers could savour.
Day and night these push cart food sellers could be plying around the streets while some may be static at a certain corner.
They are the engine of growth providing the impetus towards an increase activity in the area which otherwise will be a sleepy city.

Mie Pangsit for 6,000 Rupiah from the push cart vendor.
This taste very delicious similar to the Bakso Mie which I had while in Surabaya.

Hokkien Mie for 27,000 Rupiah at Jalan Serui,Chinatown.(no shop name,a few blocks off Sulawesi Street)
The business start around 6:00pm in the evening and by nightfall the crowd will swell which I presume they pack it for night supper.
It's a house cum shop with a push cart beside the main entrance.
There's only two table inside the small compact shop house.I stumbled into it when it was just getting ready to open for business.
This is truly the original recipe from Xiamen.,Fujian style cuisine.

Education in Makassar

2014-02-02T21:07:00.000-08:00

The School of Menara St Martinus named after the famous 8th century medieval church in the Netherlands located along Jalan Timor in Makassar City

This is a private school for primary level students.
The education system in Indonesia is such that children aged 6–11 attend primary school, called Sekolah Dasar (SD)

The Spanish and the Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Sulawesi bringing along with them missionaries who eventually also started many mission schools throughout Indonesia.

Western education in Minahasa(ethnic group of people in North Sulawesi,Manado)whom majority are Christians started much earlier than in other parts of Indonesia.
Because the education were taught in Dutch, the Minahasans had an early advantage in the competition for government jobs and places in the colonial army.

Most of the schools in Indonesia start with the title SD or SMP or SMA.
ZION Makassar is another private school offering primary and secondary courses.

Sekolah Menegah Pertama(SMP) denotes junior three years secondary classes while Sekolah Menegah Atas (SMA)is senior three years secondary.classes.

Sekolah Zion(Zion School) Makassar banner Open House Day on the 24-26 January at her facilities at

1) S.Limboto Street for TK(Taman Kanak2) pre-schoolers or kindergarthens.

2) Dr Wahidin Sudirohusodo Road for SD(sekolah dasar)-primary school

3) S.Cerekang Road for SMP- junior secondary students

4) Dr.Wahidin Sudirohusodo for SMA-senior secondary students.

In Indonesia, all citizens must undertake nine years of compulsory education which consists of six years at elementary level and three in secondary level.

There are two types of education in Indonesia: formal and non-formal.
Formal education is further divided into three levels, primary, secondary and tertiary education.

Schools in Indonesia are run either by the government (negeri)or private sectors (swasta).
Some private schools go beyond the minimum government requirements, especially with the use of English as medium of instruction or having an international-based curriculum instead of the national one.

Students in Indonesia attending government schools also need to fork out about 350,000 Rupiah monthly for school fees.

Cari Sekolah(schools search)

wikipedia

Major towns along Trans Sulawesi

2013-12-23T06:34:00.000-08:00

View Larger Map
A detail look at the map of Sulawesi(Celebes)including the physical features of the landscape might deter travelers from trying to make an overland journey from Makassar(the capital city of Sulawesi Selatan(or Sulsel)to Manado(capital city of Sulawesi Utara(or Sulut)

Can you imagine the road distance from Makassar to Manado is approximately 2,000kilometers which might take couple of days to arrive in Manado.
Except for good roads out of the capital Makassar to Pare-Pare,further than this point will be the long and bumpy narrow roads through the hinterland.
Sulawesi is quite an enormous island with tough terrain and rich virgin jungles.

Trans Sulawesi highway is not an actual expressway like those in modern cities.There will be instances of unpaved roads,narrow and winding through the rugged mountains.
To adventurous backpackers,overland travel is quite a good marathon attempt.

The northern routes bus terminal is at Panaikang aka Dayak Terminal.in eastern suburbs of Makassar to catch the buses :

1) Pare-Pare,
-the hometown of third President Indonesia-B.J.Habibie
-population about 132,000 (2012 consensus)
-about 3 hours journey(200km),road condition excellent.Fare:22,000 Rupiah

2) Rantepao
-the gateway to Tana Toraja
-about 8 hours journey.Fare:55,000Rupiah(normal),70,000 Rupiah(aircond)

3) Tana Toraja
- about 8 hours,near Rantepao.Fare:70,000 Rupiah.
-Bintang Prima,a luxury busline direct booking at Makassar Mall.
LIST of bus companies and phone numbers for booking

4) Poso
-facing Gulf of Tomini,main port north eastern coast Central Sulawesi, situated on the Equator Line.
-Population about 40,000.Year 1998 sectarian violence flashpoint,Christians and Muslims(JI groups)
-situation now normal and expect security checkpoint within the vicinity.
-the shortest route to Manado in the northeastern tip has to pass through Poso.

5) Tolitoli
-capital city Central Sulawesi(Sulawesi Tengah)
-population about 200,000 human capital.
-main agricultural produce is pepper.

6) Gorontalo
- the 32nd Province of Republic Indonesia administered by provincial governor.
-main hub to Tongean Islands
-accomodations Hotel Quality ,City Hotel, Hotel Tenteram, Liberty Hotel,Prasanthi Magna Hotel Resort

7) Tomohon
-Tomohon city website
-Wonderful Indonesia Official Tourism Website

8) Bitung
-ferry to Ternate in North Moluccas.
-best diving spot adjacent Lembeh Island.
-captivating Lembeh Straits.the world's number 1 eco-diving paradise.

9) Manado,capital North Sulawesi also the main gateway to Bunaken Island.

Taxi services South Sulawesi

Centrally located New Legend Hostel.

2013-12-06T20:56:00.004-08:00

New Legend Hostel
Located less than 5 minutes walk from the Chinatown arch off Jalan Ahmad Yani road.Tel:+62 411 3632123
Dormitory bunk beds are on the highest floor access by a spiral metal staircase as there's no lift in the building.
The bathroom during my stay was still under repair so I need to use an alternative one on the second floor.
Western breakfast inclusive in the room rates and starts from 8:30am till 10:30am.
Well it won't be noisy despite many vehicles passing by the road below.
In the afternoon after school,students will be playing futsal at nearby D'Jampea Futsal arena and you can hear their echo.

In fact the dormitory bunk beds are on the rooftop and directly infront below is this old Dutch style colonial mansion.

This is really luxurious during the olden days and only the wealthy can afford it.

Typical style during this period include large roof overhang, high roof and ceiling, and front and rear verandahs that opened on to gardens.

Beside the hostel is an ethnic Chinese coffeshop(kopitiam) name Phoenam established since 1946.
Wow,that's a year after the Japanese Imperial Army surrendered to Allied Forces during World War II.
Even Ujung Pandang(Celebes) has undergone the Japanese Occupation
The Hailam people form Hainan Island,southern China brought along with them their signature trade,that is the kopitiam business.
This is the most famous coffeeshop in Makassar and you should not miss to taste the superb coffee flavour.

List of branches:
Jl. Boelevard Blok F 32-33 Panakkukang Mas, Makassar, Indonesia

Phoenam Jampea, di Jl Jampea

Phoenam Tamalanrea, di Bumi Tamalanrea Permai (BTP)

Pheonam Ratulangi Jl Dr Ratulangi, Makassar

Phoenam Mal Panakkukang

Hotel Yasmin,Makassar is just next door of the Phoenam Kopitiam.
Jln.Jampea No.5 Makassar
Tel. 0411 320424, Fax. 0411328288 42
e-mail.Yasmin@indosat.net.id

Chinatown Arch Gate,Makassar,Sulawesi Selatan.

Simple design structure,missing out are the pair of dragons on both side of the roof top unlike the better ones in Surabaya,East Java.

The busy road in front is Jalan Jenderal Ahmad Yani.
A short walk towards the left is a 24 hours convenience store followed by the Polwiltabes Makassar(Police HQ)

Gerbang(Gate) China Town ini Dibangunkan tahun 2002,(constructed 2002) by Sdr.William Effendy.a renown building contractor in Makassar City.
Offical opening February 2003 by Drs A,Achmad Massalissi.

Just a 15 minutes walk at the end of Jalan Ahmad Yani corner is Makassar Karebosi Trade Center.
A huge modern shopping mall with Carrefour Hypermarket among the anchor tenants.
Foodcourt on the third floor.
Along Jalan Haji Oemar Said Cokroaminoto from MTC Karebosi another 15 minutes walk is the Makassar Mall.

From the Chnatown Gate,travelers wishing to head for the Losari Beach area can walk towards the right till this Welcome To Makassar Monument and walk left passing by Fort Rotterdam.along Jalan Ujung Pandang.

Jalan Ujung Pandang is the seafront road.

Losari Beach Hotel

The seafront is just across the Jalan Penghibur road but hardly any nice sandy beach along this stretch.
You need to go further up for a more decent beach.

Penginapan Wisma Pelangi Indah,guesthouse same row with Losari Beach Hotel.
Room rates around 200,000 Rupiah
The word Wisma is an Indonesian term often use for accomodation. They are quite cheap in most instances and from my experience in Pekan Baru,Sumatera ,they don't accept foreigners.
Maybe those in big cities like Jakarta do accept.

Near Makassar Golden Hotel was a side road where I stumbled into this boat landing pier

The heading says:
You Are Heading For
"Harmoni Pier BTN"
* BTN denotes Bank Tabungan Negara or National Funding Bank.

Lae-Lae Island,Ujung Pandang District,Makassar.

About Lae-Lae Island:
About 9 hectares in size,near the Straits of Makassar.
Lies between Samalona Island on the west and Makassar City on the east.
On the island south is Tanjung Bunga while in the north is Gusung Tangayya
Population 1,780 and main economic activity Fishing.

The distance of Pulau Lae-Lae from the mainland is only 1.5km so a small boat like this is quite accomodative for maybe eight passengers.
The 10 minutes motorized boat ride cost about 15,000 Rupiah
I would suggest backpackers should make it a point to visit this beautiful island as there are bamboo huts easily available for rent around 30,000/40,000 rupiah.
Food stalls and shops are also available.Not to miss out are the white sandy beaches ideal for snorkelling and a great scuba diving spot.
The deepest diving spot is about 9 metres

Dutch bastion Fort Rotterdam Sulawesi Selatan

2013-12-05T07:21:00.000-08:00

The Dutch East India Company seemed to be one of the greatest maritime colonial powers of the 17th century.
Malacca,my hometown was once known as The Sleepy Hollow where the Dutch booted out the Portuguese conquerors in 1641.
It's all about the monopoly of spice trade route.
Imagine the Dutch ruled Malacca for 183 years (1641-1825) before they finally gave in to the British in exchange for a new capital Batavia (now known as Jakarta).
Batavia being strategically located on the maritime route between the Straits of Malacca and South China Sea provided a valuable asset base for further expansion within the hinterlands of the Indonesian archipelago.More seaports were established by the Dutch which included Manado(North Celebes) and Macassar(South Celebes).
A visit to Fort Rotterdam gave me further historical insight on how the Dutch defended Makassar.(formerly known as Ujung Pandang)against any invading forces.This will be the Dutch East Indies battalion bastion.

As I entered the main compound,there's an open air stage with the theme Pagelaran Seni,some sort like cultural performance but that's in December 2012.
The Tourism Board also has a theme below saying Let's Visit South Sulawesi.
The program line up includes traditional karebosi dance,musical Ansam Bel,sketches Calling Back the Spirit Parody.
The guest star was Miss Sulawesi Utara 2012,Nathania Lukman(age 21,Height 5'8")

Makassar Chinatown

2013-12-03T22:50:00.003-08:00

Makassar's Chinatown,Sulawesi Island of Republic Indonesia lies between Jalan Sulawesi,Jalan Lombok and Jalan Wahidin Sudirohusado.
The main artery road of Makassar is Jalan Ahmad Yani where most of the financial,commercial and administrative offices were located.
Most of the ethnic local Chinese operates businesses with their residential houses(shoplot type) tend to concentrate around this part of Makassar(also known Ujung Pandang)
The Chinatown here is not that spectacular as not much activities can be seen.During the night this whole place can be very dark with sparsely lit streetlights.
Metropolitan Makassar has standing links to overseas communities bridging as twin cities namely:
1) Mobile,Alabama,United State of America
2) Aden,Yemen
3) Constanta,Romania,
4) Lismore,Australia
5) Peshawar,Pakistan
6) Hakodate,Japan
7) Tawau,Malaysia
8) Qingdao,China
9) Wellington,New Zealand

Mention Chinatown in any parts of the world,you definitely have the Chinese Temples.
In Makassar alone,there are four distinguish temples.
This one Gedung Istana Sakti Klenteng Xian Ma (Mother of Immortal )is at the corner of Jalan Sulawesi and Jalan Bali.

Other temples nearby include Tian Hou Gong (Heavenly Queen Temple) corner of Jalan Sulawesi and Jalan Serui.
Xuang Tian Shang Di Temple and The Long Xian Gong Temple.

The internal view of Xian Ma temple.
All visitors of any creed are allowed to enter this temple.

Dinasti Hotel lies off Jalan Sulawesi,Lombok 30 Street can be contacted at +62 411 3625657
email: info@dinastihotelmakassar.com
There's an in house massage outlet within,free wi-fi to all rooms.
Price range Rupiah350,000 onwards.

Strategically located in town center,walking distance ten minutes to Jalan Nusantara beside the harbour area where the nightlife gets hotter

For backpackers,across the Dinasti hotel here there's one guesthouse at the corner charging around Rupiah 70,000 fan private bathroom
Name:-Penginapan(Guesthouse) Kartini Tahel
Rupiah120,000 aircond attached bathroom
Room maximum two person,each additional pay Rupiah30,000 Kamar - room

Check in 06:00 WITA,Check out 13:00 WITA
*WITA stands for Waktu Indonesia Tengah.(Mid islands Indonesia time zone)

Late checkout pay Rupiah10,000 per hour fan room,also applies aircond room Rupiah 15,000 per hour

Vihara Ibu Agung Bahari (Tian Hou Gong Temple) one of the oldest temple in Makassar

GPS:: -5.130845568550237, 119.40663164627995; Built in 1736 by Kapitan Ong Giap.; Formerly the temple was known as Klenteng Istana Ratu Laut and was renamed to the present form in 1750 by Thio Heng Sioe.Most of the Chinese names have to be Indonesianised as required by the law.; This building looked quite new but the actual one should be behind me where I took this photo.; The old building looked totally wrecked.; Pelabuhan Makassar or Port of Makassar along Jalan Nusantara.; During the day,the street was lined with job hunters and when night falls the area being transformed into a red light area.; To get a bus back to the airport,find a bus stop near the port side as the bus do ply along this route.; For ferry services timetable refer to Government owned PT Pelni (Persero)

Tugu Selamat Datang di Makassar(Welcome to Makassar monument) similar to the one in Kota Jakarta.; View form the city center airport bus stop along Jalan Ahmad Yani.; Traffic circle from the monument along the left is just a five minute walk to Fort Rotterdam.; That cream colour building is Yazmin Hotel and two blocks beside is the Legend Hostel which I parked myself for three days while in Makassar.; My arrival on the first day was greeted by Legend Hostel staff Henrik.; The weather in Makassar was drizzling all throughout the day.and in the evening followed Hendrik to attend the Sunday mass at the nearby True Jesus Church or Gereja Yesus Sejati,

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2013-12-02T20:24:00.000-08:00