Heartbreaking History of Vietnamese Refugees With a Trip To Galang Island, Batam

History of Vietnam Refugee Camp on Galang Island, Batam If you learn history, definitely remember the events of hundreds of thousands of people of southern Vietnam flee leaving their homes to flee to other postwar countries in Vietnam around the 1980s. Although it has been a long time ago, you can look back on the incident, even without using a time machine. When the incident took place, these refugees left their country using boats in conditions of concern. In one boat can be occupied 40-100 people.

For months the refugees were swayed in the waters of the South China Sea, with no clear purpose. Some of them are dead in the middle of the sea and some can reach land, including Indonesia, such as Galang Island and Tanjung Pinang. This wave of refugees attracted the attention of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Government of Indonesia. Galang Island, precisely in the Village Sijantung, Riau Islands, finally agreed to be used as a temporary shelter for the refugees.UNHCR and the Government of Indonesia are building facilities, such as IDP camps, places of worship, hospitals, and schools, which are used to facilitate about 250,000 refugees. In this place, the Vietnamese refugees resumed their lives throughout the years 1979-1996, until finally they got asylum in developed countries who would accept them or repatriated to Vietnam. The refugees were concentrated in a settlement of 80 hectares and covered interactions with local residents. This is done to facilitate oversight, regulation, security, as well as to avoid the spread of venereal disease of Rose Vietnam brought by these refugees.

Currently, the former refugee camp is used as a tourist spot by the Batam Authority

Touring At Tanjung Balai Karimun

Located west of Singapore and Batam, the Karimun Islands stand guard south of the busy shipping lane that is the Straits of Malacca. Together with Batam and Bintan, Karimun forms part of the Batam-Bintan-Karimun Free Trade Zone, which is being developed into an industrial and tourism region.

Capital of the Karimun Islands district in the Riau Islands (Kepri), is Tanjung Balai, a busy medium town largely built on stilts, with a significant Chinese Peranakan population. Here are found a number of Chinese temples, oldest of which is theVihara Cetiya Vidya Sagara at Jalan Jenderal A. Yani at Meral, built in 1926. Others along the same street are the Vihara Bodhi Maitreya.an the Vihara Sasana Diepa. Further away at Jalan Athena is the Klenteng Tua Pek Kong.

Tanjung Balai Karimun should not be confused with its namesake Tanjung Balai in Asahan on the main island of Sumatra. Similarly, Karimun in the Riau Islands province should also not be confused with the Karimunjawa Islands, located north of Semarang, capital of Central Java.   

With trade and investments mounting fast in this region, it comes as no surprise, therefore, that this once sleepy town has become a hive of activities, although still retaining its coastal rural character.

How is the fastest way to Batam Island...?

Batam Maps

The capital of Riau archipelago in Bintan island, but for business purposes entrepreneurs more interested in coming to Batam. In this area was actually enacted three free trade zone covering Batam - Bintan - Karimun. In particular on the island of Batam ferry port selection is pretty much it, it would be quite difficult to choose the port where the ferry is best that you have to go the closest to your hotel in Batam, either from Singapore or Malaysia and otherwise. Whether you are a businessperson who pressed for time or a tourist who wants to relax, you'll want to choose a point of arrival or departure is not too far from your hotel. To help you choose the best ferry port for your trip, here's a quick guide to five major ports in Batam..........

Marina Beach Batam

As a city which has 345 islands - small islands, the coast is a major tourist attraction on offer. Marina Beach, you not only get the beauty of the scenery, but also a calm sea waves will cause the atmosphere to relax while swimming, sand play, and perform a variety of water activities. Marina Beach is located in the integrated resort Marina Water Front City. In this area there are famous and luxurious resort in which there are sports games.

For those of you who hobbyist bowling, gocart, and aeromodeling can also practice on the track that has been provided.

That is no less exciting, you can taste a variety of fresh seafood dishes cooked with seasoned chef recipes. Some seafood to the menu cuisine Batam. Fish, shrimp, crab, squid and other marine hewat obtained from the fishermen in the vicinity of this tour.

  

Asia Pacific Volley Ball Championship in 2010

Asia Pacific Volley Ball Championship in 2010 will be held in Batam on April 20 to 24 at the Turi Beach Resort, Nongsa. It will be followed by the best teams from 13 countries. The 13 countries that will compete at the Turi Beach Nongsa later, including New Jeland, Australia, Kazastan, Iran, Oman, Tahiland, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. Asia Pacific Volley Ball Championship 2010 is a great event to support the Visit Batam 2010. Given this event, according to Bambang, certainly will increase the number of tourist coming on Visit Batam Island.

Indonesia as host of this tournament will sent 6 mens and womens team will go down in Asia Pacific Beach Volley Ball Tournament Batam Open 2010 which will be held . One of the strong teams from Indonesia is the son pair Andy Ardiansyah / Koko Prasetyo.
This Asia Pacific Volley Ball Championship it unique. Where the game is not carried out on the beach, but on top of the hill but directly overlooks the sea.

Nongsa Beach Batam

One of the most beautiful beaches in Batam island is Pantai Melayu Nongsa. The distance is about 15km from downtown Nagoya. Can be reached in about 15menit by using private vehicles and using public transport 30min.
In this white sandy beaches, tourist can enjoy the blue water with a sloping beach and the waves are calm, that it is safe for those who want to swim and play around.

While relaxing on the sand beach surrounded by palm trees, you can enjoy spectacular views over the ship and ferry traffic to pass. At the same time you can see the border areas between Indonesia (Batam) to Singapore.
On the front stretch of beach Nongsa, there are outer islands called Pulau Putri Batam. Tourist can freely cross over to the Island Princess by using wooden canoes beheaded or outboard engine. The journey took about 10 minutes a rate of about USD 2,5 - 3  for one trip. This beach is also surrounded by resorts, hotels and golf courses.

Mega Wisata OCARINA

Now Batam have " Fantasy Wolrd " like Jakarta one, Its named OCARINA.
From the grand opening by Desembre 28, 2008 last week. Thousand people crowd here. It's realy-realy fantastic event.

Ocarina named from China's music traditional instrument made from bamboo.
As Director Coastarina said, as a music instrument Ocarina will fly Batam City name around the world of tourisme.
The opening of Ocarina is like the dream come true... for batam civilians willing to have other choice of vacation in Batam Island.

Photoshot take from " Kampong Indonesia " one of food corner located near Ocarina gate.
Many games you find here : water game, Giant Wheel, Sky Runner, Banana boat, jestsky, water bike, Roller ball, Water ball and many other games service.

For kids, there is kiddy Land. Need only 5000 Rupiahs to entrance.

So... It's good time to go to Batam Island.....