I guess I could remember this pretty vividly as this was my first overseas trip ever (as mentioned in my post title) and I remember being very hyped about the trip. It was a 2-day trip to Tanjung Pinang, Indonesia. I was really hyped about the trip due to the fact that we were heading to Tanjung Pinang by ferry! Besides, it was our first family trip together with a new addition to our big family, my brother-in-law. I assume this trip was a few months after their wedding back in 2008. It was for family bonding purposes, since there's a new addition to our family :)
So we headed down to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and off to board the ferry! It was really scary for me to board on the ferry cause it felt like I could fall into the sea any time and for the fact that I can't swim made my imagination run wild. But I made it on the ferry safely and got myself comfortable in my seat. I think there were about 8 of us in total so it was very chaotic and noisy yet entertaining at the same time. I was getting a little sea sick so my mum passed me some sour plum which apparently helps to reduce the urge to throw up. It worked! And my sweet third brother passed me some chips to munch on as I seemed off, resisting the urge to puke. The ferry ride was an interesting ride, you can see all the islands as you pass by them. I just wished it wasn't so shaky. I got out with my sister to join my brothers who were enjoying the breeze outside. It was indeed really breezy, in fact it was really windy and my scarf was flying everywhere! I guess this would be the plus point for a ferry ride, you're free to move here and there, and also enjoy the wind/breeze outside as you're sailing to your destination.
We finally reached Tanjung Pinang after about an hour! What a shaky journey. It was safe, just that the fact I was slightly sea sick made it unpleasant. We headed to the hotel and checked in. I got a room with my sister! :) After unpacking, we went to eat and shop! I can't exactly recall where we ate but I know we had lots of food from everywhere ;) Like those finger food from the roadside stalls. And of course, Mee Bakso! Yummy :Q_______ I was just a kid so I wasn't exactly particular about food hygiene. Now that I'm all grown up and in this course, I really wonder how hygienic those stalls were! :O
Well, we then headed back to our hotel to freshen up before heading for more food for dinner!!! THE WATER SEEMS UNCLEAR TO SOME EXTENT....... It wasn't muddy or really dirty but you can see that it wasn't the pure running clear water that we have back in Singapore. Which was rather disgusting but we had no choice. So thankful for clean water in Singapore!!!
What I remember most from this trip to Tanjung Pinang was how friendly Indonesians were. Not only the staffs that served you but also the general public. They're so nice and definitely are not shy to strike up a conversation with you. It was an eyeopening experience for me too as they were many beggars around the area that we went too. It was really heart wrenching, seeing how they are begging for money. Some are old, mothers with a baby and even kids that were just probably 5 years old? But, they didn't force you to give them money, which was a good thing as for me, it should come from the heart and sincerely. If we didn't give them money, they would still smile at you. I like how they live life positively, no matter how bad it was.
This family bonding trip over food and shopping was indeed a memorable one for me! The ferry ride will always be dreaded though :/
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