Overnight in Bengkalis.

Shasha’s Dad invited me to accompany him for an official inauguration of ferry service from Bengkalis Indonesia to Muar Johore on 1 March 2010. Haji Adenan brought his family along and Shasha with little brother Darwis came along. We put up a night in Muar as Haji Adenan got to sort out the welcoming ceremony program and formalities with Muar District Office and Municipal Council Authorities.

The Mulia Kencana from Melaka to Bengkalis.

Shasha and Darwis in the ferry.

That cheeky little fellow - Darwis.

On 28 February 2010 we took the ferry “Mulia Kencana” from Melaka crossing the Melaka Straits to Pulau Bengkalis. The journey took us 2 hours 30 minutes and it was smooth sailing all the way. Since it was the first ferry ride for Shasha she was very excited and I chaperoned her to the upper open air deck to enjoy the sea breeze. I dare not take Darwis along as that little cheeky fellow was difficult to control.

Shasha at the open air upper deck.

They have landed at Bengkalis.

The ferry berthed at Benkalis Terminal and after all Immigration and Custom formalities cleared we checked in into “Pantai Marina Hotel”. The Hotel is a distance away from the Ferry Terminal situated on reclaimed land and facing the esplanade. It is a two star Hotel running on powered generator. It was announced through the room PA system that the generator would be down for minor repair and no current available between 1900 hours 2100 hours. We took the opportunity to stroll at the Esplanade and adjourned to town for dinner. We were joined by the Bengkalis counterpart.

Bengkalis town from the sea.

Pantai Marina Hotel.

Bengkalis town at night is completely dead. Surprisingly for an Indonesian town! There is no entertainment, disco, karaoke, and strictly no sales of liquor. It is strictly Muslim governance.
I had difficulty sleeping as the air condition was emitting warm air and it often tripped with a loud cracking noise like someone bashing the room door. I summoned the Service Electrician and we found out the air condition filter was completely choked. No one serviced the filter for ages. Bloody crazy!

The dome building is the ferry terminal from the Hotel.

The cargo terminal at the back of the Hotel.

Bengkalis Town.

The following day after breakfast I took Shasha for a trishaw (beca) ride around town and at the same I wanted to survey the town of Bengkalis. The becaman was once working at Guthrie Estate in Kluang. He grinned when I offered him RM 10 for his service. In the meantime, Haji Adenan was busy at the Bengkalis New Terminal and the pre inauguration ceremony. Back at the Hotel it was announced again that there would be no current. The only consolation I could open the windows for the sea breeze to cool off the room. I sat by the window and watched the panorama and melodrama at the Esplanade and by the sea frontage.

Bengkalis beca.

We checked out at 1100 hours as we had to make about 40 minutes by road through the kampong to the New Terminal at Selatbaru. Selatbaru Terminal is facing Melaka Straits whereas Bangkalis current terminal is facing Sumatra Island. Along the way as we passed the kampong I saw several beautiful Mosques. Selatbaru Terminal would be International and Bengkalis town Terminal would cater only for domestic. Selatbaru is gear for a Port in the making and within five (5) years, Selatbaru Port would be in the map.

The Office and Palace of the Bupati.

One of the Mosque.

When we arrived at Selatbaru Terminal there was a huge crowd and the fanfare. All the kampong people came out as the Governor (Gabenor) of Riau Province and Bapak Bupati of Bengkalis was around. The place was full with Indonesian Government Officials together with TV crews. We had no time to squeeze for our lunch. Our Passports was taken care by the Indonesian Immigration Officials as only three Malaysian adults and two children would be boarding the inaugural ferry service.

The Bapak Governor (Gabenor) and the Bapak Bupati with their wives boarded the ferry “Laksamana” and followed behind by the Government Officials. We boarded last as our row of seats had been reserved. I was surprised though unlike in Malaysia there would be “Doa Selamat” but at Bengkalis there was none. I thought Bengkalis is a strictly Muslim country.

The journey from Selatbaru to Muar in Johore took only about two hours but there was a delay when entering the Muar river estuary. It was low tide and the ferry had to move in slowly to avoid being stuck at the sandbank.

Muar reception committee welcomed the Bengkalis entourage with kompang, lion dance and fire crackers. We alighted last and back to Malaysian soil. The Governor and Bupati went to the District Officer’s residence and the rest to the Majlis Perbandaran Muar. At 1900 hours the same delegation make the return journey home to Bengkalis.

As for us, we took the car ride home and home sweet home at 2230 hours.