Motorcycle Diaries #1

I grabbed a breakfast of gado-gado and very sweet milk coffee next door. I had brought milk and muesli but got tempted into this.

Yesterday I had finally agreed to go with the pricey car excursion. That’s what I thought but at 1000 Meng turned up on his motorbike (called “Honda” in Natuna regardless of make). It wasn’t a long drive to Batu Sindu just north of town.

We went off the main road to near the air traffic radar and parked then made our way downhill by foot. We were met with a good view of Batu Sindu and the surrounding area. It was truly a magnificent spot!

It was hot and sweaty climbing up. Meng had another spot for me for the morning which was Batu Rusia where the crew of a wrecked Russian landed. It was really nothing to see here so we stopped briefly before being dropped off at the hotel for a rest before the afternoon outing.

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As I was still full, I had some muesli and milk. Rested and fed, we headed out again at 1300 on Meng’s motorbike to Alif Stone Park where I met his friend Aeno (whose father was the architect of the local grand mosque). Aeno and his father have a home and homestay at the clean and picturesque spot.

I wandered on the walkways around the various rocks some of which are upright which gave the park its name (upright like the Arabic alphabet “alif”). Meng promised we’d come back for a swim but we would continue further north for now.

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It was quite a long ride passing various beautiful spots in particular Pantai Tanjung before we turned around at Tebing Bamak. Along the way, the smell of cloves perfumed the air as they were left out to dry in the sun.  Meng had originally wanted to take me to Tajung Datuk but it was another hour from Pantai Tanjung and it was too far for me!

After a few obligatory photos of the stunning view, we turned back for some snacks and a drink at Pantai Tanjung. I was parched and felt lucky that I could buy a drink as the snack shacks only open on Sunday.

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As promised we dropped back into Alif Stone Park. Aeno was already in the water and I joined him for a swim. He was good to chat to and very knowledgeable about a lot of things. What a nice way to end the day’s touring!

I had mentioned the desire for something healthy like capcai so Yuli drove Meng and I to a place where we had exactly that and a couple of other Chinese dishes.

I had asked Meng how much I owed him for the day but he said “nothing”. He wanted to take me out. I really don’t know how that happened after I had agreed to the pricey car excursion. I will leave some money for him via Yuli before I leave.