July 25, 2014

• Island of Belitung – day 2.

  As discussed the previous evening, it is agreed that we would focus more on good eating for today.  So, first thing first… eat!

  First stop – Warung Kopi Kong Djie (Kong Djie Coffee Shop)

  A tiny place on a street corner in downtown Belitung island, serving good strong local coffee, and happens to also serve a favorite breakfast item of mine, half boiled egg.  The coffee shop, serving mostly working class male adults, also provided several kinds of home-made local pastries, including sugar-coated deep-fried dense cake-like donuts.  Perfect with their coffee.

  

  Second stop – Shopping.

  Afterward, we continued on to a wet market located within a walking distant from the coffee shop, solely to get some local steamed cakes we couldn’t get enough of the previous day.  Then we moved on to a souvenir shop to purchase some dry snacks, such as the famous fish crackers and various things seafood related. Then back to our hotel to check out, before we off for more beach exploration.

  Third stop – Pantai Bukit Berahu (Berahu Hill Beach)

  The sun was mighty high and bright.  I lathered myself with many squirts of SPF50+ just to keep myself away from getting baked.  My only wish was that we should have been there after 5PM, as the beach is actually known for the sunset view.

  

  Fourth stop – Pantai Tanjung Tinggi (Cape High Beach)

  We were overheated by the sun at the previous beach stop, that by the time we got here we were in need to chill.  At the opposite side of the beach entrance there was a food vendor that sells freshly cut coconut, and so we stopped by to quench our thirst and to get a fix of rujak buah (fruit salad).  This fruit salad consists of cucumber, kedongdong (ambarella), mango, papaya, pineapple, and watermelon.  All topped with spicy-sweet peanut sauce, made with palm sugar and chilies, and served with peppered salt.

  

  Properly fueled, we crossed the heated sandy street and greeted by large boulders at the entrance to the beach, with enough gap in between to allow us to slip through and to discover the beauty hidden on the other side.  Located on the north-west part of the island, this beach is the crème de la crème of Belitung.  It is THE spot people come to this island for.  It is the shooting location for the famous 2008 local movie Laskar Pelangi, which made the island of Belitung famous, including this beach in particular.

  

  Fifth stop – Rumah Makan Sian Lie (Sian Lie Restaurant)

  Alas, the trip won’t be complete without another finger licking feast.  Different in concept from the seafood restaurant we went for dinner last night, this place offers a less Chinese influence on the cooking part, despite its Chinese name.  It specializes on the spicy and sour fish head soup, which I devoured happily while sweating a bucket.  Other dishes we ordered include grilled chili fish, braised sea cucumber with pineapple, steamed crabs, deep fried calamari, and three types of local veggies.  All served with steamed white rice and local tea.

  

  Last stop – Airport.

  Our flight got delayed.  Apparently, we had to wait for our plane to bring in the Minister of Tourism from Jakarta, for her visit to Belitung.  Upon her arrival, there was a big welcome paparazzi going on.  I don’t know what the big deal was.  Minister or not, it wasn’t right to keep a whole flight on a delay for two hours!

  Anyways, aggression and grudge aside, I’m glad to have agreed on joining this trip.  I have always wondered what Belitung looks like and now I know.  Now I’ve seen the beauty, bathed the sun, walked on the sand, swam in the water, and tasted the food.  And I would gladly recommend anyone to do the same.

  • 2:38 am
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