Pekanbaru TripThis trip is basically a food trip that consists 3 of us testing and sampling the foods, my virgin plane experience and not forgetting the fantastic exchange rates over there!
With William being the host, and his very caring parents that brought us around to eat good Indonesian food, Shao Cheng and me were in for a blast because we ate almost every 2 hours despite the travelling. Our stomach are bloated but we don't want to miss out any food that was introduced to us. I must have gained 2kg and an extra "spare tire" to bring home around the waist.
In case you are wondering where is Pekanbaru, it is shown in the map above. The place labelled "SING" is where we are and Pekanbaru is in Indonesia. The yellow square portion is the place that kena forest fire.
Before we go deeper, we need to know the currency rates over there.
It's supposedly 1 SGD = 7265.056 IDR but on that day we exchange, it was 1 SGD to 7450 IDR. Look at the graph and you will notice that the rates changes between hours. We were lucky to get the peak amount, if not highest amount of exchange rate since we chose the correct timing to change! (Credits to William's father)
The hotel that we stayed is Grand Zuri Hotel. It is a three star hotel that is very near to 2 shopping malls out of the 3 they have in Pekanbaru. Total price for the 4D3N stay is RP350,000 which is about SGD$47.
Before I officially start typing about the real Pekanbaru trip entry, be warned that it will be an entry full of mouth watering food pictures. You might want to get ready some food by you so that you don't have the sudden urge to lick your screen.
Of course, huge credits must go to Shao Cheng for the wonderfully taken photos and thanks him for sending me the photos through MSN one by one! He was no push-over when it comes to taking food photos even at the start of every eating session. When William's parents was bringing us to different places to eat, he bravely take pictures of foods like nobody's business and that is something I must salute him for!
Met Sc at JE mrt, 6:30am. Reached Changi maybe at about 7:45am? Actual timing to reach was 8:30am but because we are typical Singaporean and Malaysian, we cannot just be punctual, but early. In fact, way earlier. We are super hungry by then and we decided to settle our stomach first.
Eat at this restaurant.
Bloody $7.80 for this bowl of century egg porridge. The total bill came up to $19.05 and I gave the waitress $20 and waited for the change. She said "Thank you" and bow a bit without giving my change back!!!?
After we finished eating, the timing is just nice to check in.
Had our tickets and passports checked and we went into the gate. Ours is budget airline "AirAsia" and the plane haven't arrived yet. So we roam around and found some massaging foot machine and gave it a try.
However, after the whole massaging session, our foot like became worse. My ankle like go out of shape?
When the plane finally arrived, we called William so that he can get ready to welcome us at Indonesia airport because it only takes 45mins to get there by plane!
I love the feeling when the plane is lifting off the ground. You can literally feel the plane off the ground and up into the sky.
Didn't managed to get the window seat. Me and Sc were actually seated together but the two Indian girls beside me change place with Sc unknowingly and pretend to NOT understand what we say and just don't move away.
Later on in the aeroplane, their stupid hair keep blocking me and I can't see the window at all. Super angry. Don't know what they are talking about also!
Landing was rocky as if the front wheels hit the ground terribly. For a moment, I thought the whole plane lost control and tumbled off some cliff.
Quickly take a photo with the aeroplane after landing safely. Was so afraid to stay for too long at the landing platform because I scare the next plane that is landing will crashed into ours LOL.
We were queueing up patiently to get our passport stamped when out of a sudden we heard the one in front of us saying "Kanasai lah, this one KNS one lah, Want money only".
We faster KPO a bit and they told us that they are indonesian and they had a friend along with them who is from Singapore. The singaporean only bought one way ticket and the officer refused to let him pass. One of the indonesian, the prettier one, commented that the officers wants money only and out of kindness, asked us if we had bought the two way tickets, which we did. She felt relieved for us.
I mean, she is not related to us in any sense but she hope that we will not get cheated. Besides, she had a set of beautiful eyes but forget about the "KNS..." part.
When everything is settled, we finally meet up with William and his dad which drove us to the hotel. On the way to the hotel, Uncle was explaining and telling us about Pekanbaru which is very interesting for us, "newcomers".
The common language spoken there were Bahasa indonesia and in some parts, Hokkien. I am at a major disadvantage because I can't understand even simple malay and I can understand Hokkien but not able to speak them.
We also exchange our money here and we quickly unload all our bags in the hotel and begin food trip!
First up, Pizza Hut
You say, "ellah~ Pizza hut who never eat before?" I say, "You don't know one lah, stupid."
The above is soup of the day with extra toasted bread pieces. The price is a magnificant RP7,273 which is about $1.
Garlic bread, RP10,000. How much SGD you ask? Count yourself lah. Super cheap!
Tuna melt with stuff crust.
Shrimp Kress with stuff crust as well!
The white white thing is stuff crust, not mayo.
The bill came up to RP129,002 which is just $6 per person!
After Pizza hut, we went to meet up with William's driver that his dad assigned us to bring us around Pekanbaru. We felt like a king over there. Played some arcade there and with RP10,000 you can change 8 tokens.
There's no A&W in Singapore and when we saw it over there, we quickly buy their root beer. To our disappointment, they mixed water to the root beer and it taste diluted.
We got on the car and went to our next destination to eat Mie reebus. The food is cooked by the Chinese. There were also a lot of Chinese here.
Indonesian Popiah according to William
Closer inspection.
Mie Reebus. Kind of don't like the taste as the spice taste is too strong. The gravy is very thick and starchy. Very different from the Singapore Mee Rubus.
Chendol. Also different from the chendols in Singapore. This one has a syrup at the base of the bowl since I haven't stir it. Maybe the taste of it is different from the ones that I had in Singapore, and so I didn't like it. But according to Sc, who is a chendol lover, he likes it.
Artistically hand-written receipt. Ownself calculation and tally up with a cursive equal sign. Like anyhow.
Parking is done thanks to this guy who will be signaling you where to park your car. When you want to go off, just give him a RP1,000 note and you can go already. No time limit or whatsoever. I asked William, "what if you don't give him money then what can he do?" He say he will throw stones at your window.
Cute cars. They are like the the trishaws in Singapore that travel a short distance from places to places.
Road side stalls and this were considered dirty food because cars will be driving past and dust will get into the food easily. Flies will be sharing your food as well.
William bought this from the supermarket and it is one of his favourite drinks (Taste like jasmine tea). He bought it with a reason because he said that tap water can't be drank in Indonesia. He once tried it and he had diarrhoea (need to check dictionary) for 3 days straight!
After that we went back to hotel to count and calculate money. We are millionaires!
We jumped about in hotel room and bath for the longest time. When it was night time, William's parents came to fetch us and bring us to a Indonesian Restaurant. According to William, this restaurant is one of the place that he must visit when he's back in Indonesia.
For appetizers, they have unlimited amount of veges like cucumbers, cabbages and leafy vegetables that you can take just like buffet.
And then you can dip it into these chilli and eat it.
They served as a good appetizers because most of the indonesian food is spicy and it kinds of "open up" your tastebuds.
This soup is also a kind of appetizers because of it's sour taste. However, if it is served piping hot then it will taste very nice. When sour soup turned cold, it can be "undrinkable"
What a feast! The food is put into pandan leaves and ultimately placed on big straw tray. Unique.
Not forgeting the spicy fish which is a fast hand item meaning that it is being eaten up in a very fast rate.
Rice cooked with green chillies and onions. Placed in a pot and everyone is to help themselves to the amount of rice to scope up.
Satay that required no chewing. Very soft and tender meat plus the peanut gravy. Best!
The larger version of Ikan bilis. However, it is extremely salty and hard that it became a difficulty to eat it. William's parents said that it doesn't taste like that before and they told us to give up on this dish.
The sauce to go with the Ikan bilis but was brought out late.
After the sumptuous meal, William's parents drove us around to see the night life of Pekanbaru. We saw many road side stalls selling corns and you have to BBQ it over a big fire. Kind of interesting!
We stop by this place to buy supper.
In preparation. Can see that the ingredient involves lots of eggs.
The end product. I didn't eat it as I went to bed already.
On the way back, a market was on fire and many shops were burnt. Had to make a tour in the back alley because the main road was blocked.
So that is basically the first day.
Woke up at 8am(indo time) because we had free breakfast buffet. Since it is included in the hotel charges, no matter what also must wake up and eat it. We quickly washed up and we were advised, not to eat until so full. We must leave space in our stomach for even "splendid-er" meals afterward as told by william.
Basically skimmed through the food items that is available and take those that we like. Unavoidable wastage happens because we don't want to fill our stomach to the brim.
We went back to hotel room to recuperate, meditate and empty our stomach. Then not long after, William's parents came up to the hotel and bring us to yet another eating place. It was raining then.
This place is another eating house that has the "kampong-ish" feel to it. Those are the overview of the dishes. The main dish is not in the picture.
I thought this dish is a vegetable and I happily scope a fair amount so that I can go with my rice. To my horror, it is like chilli to go with food or an appetizer.
Asam Fish. Nice!
Fried fish. Supposedly the same kind of fish as the above one but different method of cooking it.
My favourites! It's so crispy unlike the Ikan bilis that we had yesterday. In fact, the whole thing can be eaten and I am drooling now!
This is another "favourite list" item. Said to be the legendary kampong chicken that roamed freely on their own. Their meat is tender and so full and juicy. No fats or whatsoever when you tear up the chicken meat. OMG!
Also kampong chicken but in fried style. After using hands to eat the chicken, your fingers doesn't have the "niam niam" feeling because the chicken has no fats at all.
Definitly a triple thumbs up if I can borrow a third thumb from Sc or William.
Like mini nyonya dumplings.
Super full to the maximum and we continued with our journey. We went around taking pictures in car and went to William's house in Pekanbaru for a short toilet break. It is also their stores.
Then William's parents drove us to see rubber tappers' houses. I am not sure whether they are rubber tappers or governors. Anyway, the security in there were strict as we need a pass to get through and the guards used a device to check if we bring in any explosive items.
Their house. Lots of monkeys around that area. Windows are closed often.
They even have their own golf course. Surely they are given special privileges because of the things they do.
We felt hungry again and we quickly move on to the next station.
This time also mie rebus but different place. Although it's prepared by Chinese again, this time the gravy isn't too thick. It is still okay although I never like noodles.
Not green bean soup or Wasabi but it is green chilli that is hot and bitter (according to Sc)
Passion fruit drink.
This is the food that the Chor Chor in Little nyonya loves to eat. Rempah udang. In my opinion, ayam one is nicer than coconut.
By this time, you would have noticed that we kept eating and eating non-stop. We bought fried bananas but didn't have the time to eat it. We were so full and getting ready for the next eating station which is at a cafe that William's mum had 50% off the receipt. WOW!
We pass by houses and there were umbrella shape-like satellites on their roof. Heard from William's dad that these are actually mediums that they can allow popular channels like TVB8 and other taiwan TV channels.
Next, we went to the Pekanbaru mall and look at the shops like Breadtalk, Junko and Billabongs shirts and tees. The price is roughly about the same as SG and so we went to the cafe right away.
The cafe is called Excelso.
Potatoes and eggs inside.
Avocado ice cream.
One thing bad about the cafe is that we are seated in a smoking area because there is not enough big tables for non smokers. We quickly got out of the cafe and we were introduced to the famous satay stall.
The meat has no fats at all again. Seems like Indonesian are very health conscious.
After buying satay, William's parents drove us back to the hotel. They specially asked us if we are able to wake up early tomorrow so that we can go to the market to eat Kuey tiaos and many more. We all thought we can and we agreed to the idea. (We must wake up at 6am)
So back in the hotel, we ate the fried bananas that resembles the hand.
The fatless satay. But something about the sauce, like no taste.
The rice along with the satay that nobody ate.
Then went to the nearby malls to buy ice cream and oreo biscuit and such. Played arcade and Sc accidentally change too much token because he was unsure about the Ruppiah.
We went back to the hotel and they have nothing to do and so they eat cup noodles. If you think that's the end, then you are wrong. They eat the ice cream that we bought just now.
I didn't eat it as I was really full already. Besides, eating ice cream at mid night isn't healthy at all!
Another day past and nobody managed to wake up for the market. William's parents came down to the hotel specially to fetch us but we were still sleeping. Felt really sorry for William's parents for making a wasted trip to the hotel as we aren't prepared at all. They were even kind enough to ask us to go back to sleep. Really sorry!
We finally woke up at 8am and we skipped the breakfast buffet. We decided to still go to the market and eat breakfast there.
Our room is like kena tornado and everything seems to be in a mess.
We just leave the room in this condition and I think the room service person will go mad if he sees our room.
We were given a driver today to bring us around and he was really good. He helped us to take photos and he always wait for us patiently in the car.
We went to a coffee shop that is owned by William's English tutor's sister. She was telling us about the history of Pekanbaru and the breakfast was simple yet refreshing.
Not very salty. Nice
Porridge is perfect for breakfast.
Don't like lontong.
After eating, we walked around the market and saw lots of interesting things.
I heard they ripped off the shell and slit their throat till they die.
Look at the huge cockles. The inner looks like ulcer. Yucks!
After walking around the market, we bought some kuehs but we never eat them (If i didn't forget)
The driver drove us to another mall and we bought lots of oreo, sweets, Mee sadap and many more. Sc also took his own sweet time to buy T-shirts over here.
We saw this food and we are trying to buy it but we do not have smaller notes to pay and hence we need to exchange money in the arcade before we can try out this food.
Like curry puff but no curry. Just potatoes and other sweet things. Very nice when eaten warm and most importantly, it's super cheap!
Went to eat at this particular restaurant. Nothing special about except its duck.
The duck is very nice to go with the rice. It suits me perfectly because the bone of it can be eaten as they cook until it is very soft.
Beancurd. They said it's spoilt because it turned sour. But for me, I think it's very nice because I had tasted beancurd like this in Singapore and it is not because it is spoilt. I didn't have stomache.
Omelette.
After eating, William said he want to drive the car. Was a bit scare at first but after considering the fact that his driver will be beside him coaching, and the speed of the traffic in Pekanbaru which is very slow.
We took pictures along the way until we came across this green mosque.
Did a bit of research. This mosque is not the majestic Taj Mahal. The name of this mosque is An Nur Mosque which looks similar to Taj.
William parked his car near the An Nur mosque and he didn't pull the hand break. The car moves backward slowly and I quickly shout to alert him. Luckily there was no car behind. Very scary!
Later when we get back to the car, the engine dies off. We had to push the car a bit to get the engine started. For there onwards, William's driver took over and I was relieved!
We went to their Library and the building is very interesting. If you look at it from the top, you can see a book that is opened up. Other than that, I think our main focus is to get the air con and to walk around a bit so that we can get ready for our next eating place.
Went back to the first day place where we had the Mie Rebus. I ate the pineapple thingy because they say the pineapple in Indonesia is much sweeter.
Top: Potato
Bottom: cockle's meat
According to Sc, he said that the Mie Rebus gravy is not so thick like the first day we tried.
Sc loves it!
After eating, we walked around to take pictures.
We saw some tourists taking pictures with the guards on duty and we also want it.
This building has the Thailand feel to it~
After a tiring day, we went back to the hotel. We were shocked to see the room being serviced to a great extent because we clearly remembered that we left it in a "tornade-swiped-up-our-room" state.
We rest for a while, bath, eat tibits, watch TV and empty our stomach. We are left with the last stop to eat. It is at this Indonesian Restaurant that we had 3 fishes for about $20
I always like the way they put their rice in. It makes eating enjoyable.
Beancurd. Outside crispy and inside very soft.
Appetizer soup. Served hot and it was nice.
First fish, they fry it first then put it in a soup base. Garnished with tomato and onion to give the soup a tinge of sourness. Meat is tender but prefer the second fish.
Second fish, they fry it also but did not put it in a soup base. Instead they just pour two scopes of gravy over the fish so that it won't taste too dry.
Third fish, basically the same as the second one. We ordered it again because we had not enough of it. Very nice!
After that, we bought pukis for supper. There are a total of 8 flavours and each one is only RP1,000? We bought 24 and each of us is to eat 8 pukis.
Look like Doraemon's favourite food. In the end, I finished 8 of it and Sc bring back the rest for his room mates! We say that by the time you bring it back tomorrow, it will turn bad. He say Nevermind.
Since we need to get up at 5:30am tomorrow, we quickly pack our bags and we had difficulty squeezing the food in.
Look at the kiasu US!
We were curious about ordering food to the hotel room as we never try it before. Since it's the last day, we ordered Salmon and we felt like kings!
However, not very nice as it contained lots of bones!
After eating and packing, we all set alarms to make sure we won't miss the flight back tomorrow. We watched TV and all of us were extremely tired by then. I was the first to sleep. All of us felt that the 3 days was not enough. However, we ate a lot.
The next day, William's parents came to fetch us again. They drove us to the airport and deep in my heart, I really thanks them for the wonderful Pekanbaru trip. I bet if we had a personal tour guide with us, it won't be better than this!
When it was time to board the plane, I felt like taking bus at the bus interchange. We literally walked the path to the aeroplane and there were many planes around us.
I finally had the chance to sit at the window seat. When the plane was taking off, the feeling is a piece of calm mind. I didn't think of anything because I know I will feel sad about the whole trip coming to an end. I will need to face reality going back to school.
Reached Singapore and the first thing I want to do is to call my Mum!
After that, we had lunch at airport and accompanied William to buy vodka for his cousin. Then we seperate ways with me and Sc taking MRT all the way back to Jurong and William with his cousin taking bus to Bishan.
Stood all the way in the MRT until Commonwealth. Very tired!
