The island offers something different. There’s nothing glamorous atmosphere, or the roar of four-wheeled vehicles. If you often navigate the virtual world (internet), try once again to find out about Penyengat Island. Islands covering an area no more than 3.5 square kilometers would be more telling in English rather than Indonesian. In fact, this island in the territory of our country.

Located in the Riau Islands Province, long Penyengat Island attracts foreign tourists, who were traveling mainly in Singapore. This tiny island is not far from Singapore. With ferries, Penyengat Island can be reached within two hours from the State Lion. For this reason, many foreign tourists in Singapore are taking the time to stop in Penyengat Island. In their eyes, Penyengat Island has its own charm.

In contrast to Singapore’s glittering and loaded with symbols of modern life, Penyengat Island present yourself as a very natural and simple. Everything is. However, precisely this simplicity that makes Penyengat Island has such a strong attraction.

In addition to neighboring Singapore, the island is also relatively close to the island of Bintan. To reach the island of Batam Bintan Island takes approximately one hour by ferry. Bintan Island, the trip continued with a small motor boat (enough for ten adult passengers). With this ship, en route to Penyengat Island to within about 20 minutes.

Five minutes before landing on the island of Jaafar, so fresh air through the nose. Stretch of houses that form the stage began to be seen. Behind her, verdant grove of trees. Seeing all this, anyone want to immediately set foot on the island. In addition to natural climate modest nan, Penyengat Island has a number of historic buildings is well maintained. One of them is the mosque Penyengat Island. In a way, this landmark Penyengat Island.

What’s so special about this mosque? In contrast to the present building, the mosque was built by using the egg white mixture to strengthen the walls of the dome, towers, and other parts. It is said, takes shiploads eggs to establish this mosque. While yolk used to color the walls and dome of the mosque. Mosque that stood on 1 Shawwal 1249 Hijri or 1832 AD in the year it was founded by Lord Young VII, King Abdul Rahman. This mosque has 17 domes fruit. This is in accordance with the number of cycles required prayers in one day.

Generally, Penyengat Island residents work as fishermen. They are descendants of ethnic Malays and the everyday talk in Bahasa Melayu or the Melayu Riau. They are also fluent Arabic letters reading ‘bald’. Even the guide on this island was using two languages, namely, Indonesian and Arabic ‘bald’.

On this island, hardly any crime. Social etiquette between boys and girls are still closely guarded. It is forbidden for a young man in the house when a girl up before Maghrib. In short, residents of this island are still uphold religious values and decency.

There is only a motor rickshaw

If one time opportunity to visit this island, surrounded sempatkan for. Guaranteed, this will not drain your energy and bags. It took 30 minutes to circle the island. Understandably, Penyengat Island is not large, even a small practically. While the available vehicle is a motor rickshaw.

Never could imagine the car ride here. Because there was no motor vehicles with more than three wheels on the island. No wonder, the streets are generally narrow Penyengat Island: passable only one motor rickshaw and a motorcycle.

Azmi, one motor rickshaw driver, told me, the motor rickshaw tariff applies equally to foreign and domestic tourists. The price is too formal. On the days when many tourists visit, motor tricycles all 23 numbered pieces, the ‘conquest’ tourists who want to tour the island. In fact, the Selangor Sultan’s family every year visit the island and hire Penyengat motor tricycles for down island.

In addition Penyengat Island Mosque, there are several other places visited by the traveler always tombs of King Riau and their families. One of them is the tomb of Princess Consort Hang Sultan Mahmud. This tomb is located in the area in the Great. Still in the environment Puteri Hang graves who died in 1812, there are also tombs of King Ahmad, King Abdullah, King of the Empress Ayesha, and Raja Ali Haji. The latter is a national hero who is often called the “Father of the Malayo-Indonesian language. It was he who composed Gurindam TWELVE. Meaning-laden Gurindam was created in the month of Rajab 1263 Hijri. Penyengat Island was built by King Mahmud, Puteri Hang husband. Sultan Mahmud gave Penyengat Island as her wedding dowry to the Princess Hang whose original name Sultan.

Do not miss also to look Stempel. Buildings with distinctive architecture that Malays are used by locals as a center of activity. ”From a meeting to get married,”said Azmi. Who also love to pass the former palace of Raja Ali Raja Office. There are also building or buildings powder powder. Formerly, people used the island Penyengat this building to store weapons. Slowly, the sun began to sink. Adventures in this tiny island was a forced to be terminated. However, the charm of the island will still be attached Jaafar.

Origin of name ‘Sirih’

Who would have thought, Island Penyengat very humble, old (circa 1900) is the center of government. In addition to the palace as a place to live the king, the island also has a court, hospital, and adequate transportation facilities. It is said that the island’s position becomes very important as the war raged Riau in the late 18th century. At that time, Raja Haji Jaafar Island Fisabilillah make a major defense areas.

Then, why this island has a fairly unique name: stinger? According to the story that developed in the local community, the island’s name is taken from a bee or wasp animal. Once, long ago, there was a merchant who wanted to stop at the island to fetch water. Understandably, this island is known as the granary of fresh water. However, once set foot on this island, he was attacked by thousands of bees are hiding in the trees. Presumably, this is where the name ‘stinger’ is derived. Can believe, can not.