SelatPanjang-Riau-Indonesia

I had a blessed holiday in my hometown, SelatPanjang, in December 2013. It was great to see the town again after haven’t been back for 5 years. I grew up here and spent my childhood years until I was 13 years old. It holds many memories. A picture is worth a thousand words so here are the photos – all are taken using IPhone4S so will be simple and humble. Click on individual photos to read more stories behind them! I hope you enjoy them.

Temple-for offerings. Majority of the chinese that lives here are Buddhist. This temple is located in the town centre and therefore quite crowded most of the times. People come here to pray, seek help, ask for the lots and give offerings to the Buddha and God. My parents are Buddhist so my Mum brought me here very often when I was a kid.

Temple-selling joss sticks & paper money for offerings

Temple-Inside. It was recently renovated and the work done to it is actually quite impressive, I mean for this small town.

Temple

Some of the noodles I had. Food is so cheap here! Noodles cost around A$1 only! The portion is definitely smaller than in Australia but it tastes soooo much better! And you can always order two portions for just A$2! I miss food back home especially noodles!

One of the streets in SelatPanjang. SelatPanjang is a small town without cars. People go from A to B using motorcycles, bicycles or tricycles or walking. As a kid, I would cycle to school and it took just 5 minutes. It is such a small town that you can get to places in minutes. When I got onto the motorcycles, it felt like a whirldwind, one minute I am here and the next minute I am somewhere else. Although, there are cars popping in and out during my last trip, it is still countable. This is also a town without airport – people uses the ferries if they want to get out of the town. Life seems really easy here but ofcourse I am not used to this anymore.

My Primary School – Sekolah Kristen Kalam Kudus. This definitely brings lots of memories – bittersweet. I lived in SelatPanjang until I was 13 years old (Primary School). My parents sent me to Singapore to attend Secondary School there for 4.5 years. Then I moved to Australia for University.

Rooftop garden

Mangosteen season. It was Mangosteen season during my last trip. My parents love this! but I don’t like it so much.

Gereja Kristen kalam kudus-Church affliated with the school. You must be wondering why my parents choose a Christian school for me to attend primary school? Well, this is the only private school in SelatPanjang and private school is better. I loved the sunday school – the singing, listening to the bible (it was storied for me as a kid). I enjoyed and loved the idea of being a Christian then but I was not allowed. It was only in my twenties that I decided to be one.

One of the coffee shops that is on top of the sea. It was held with planks of wood so that they could stay above water.

Char kway teow stall. This definitely brought back memories. This stall is just behind my house – it took probably just 3 minutes by feet to give you some sense of distance. I used to cycle here after my tuition classes and asked for a packet of char kway teow, grinning and then quickly cycled back home to have it for afternoon tea. Those carefree and always happy times…

Ujung Jalan Dorak-SelatPanjang-Riau-Indonesia. My brother brought me here one afternoon. People usually come here to relax and wind down after a busy day. It was quite a drive – using the motorcycle ofcourse. But quite lovely to see another quiet and relaxing side of SelatPanjang (that not often the case in town centre).

Ujung Jalan Dorak

Little boats. People often go from one town to another using these or transport goods. I don’t think I have been in one of these little boats. It looks really unstable and scary to be in.

One of the houses on top of the sea. This is what I was saying on the other photo – the coffee shop.

I had such a blissful time back home with my family even just for a week. Thank God for this holiday. It was great to see some of the changes to the town after 5 years. Although I have moved and lived overseas for more than 10 years now, this town still hold many beautiful memories and will always be in a special corner of my heart.

I hope you have enjoyed the very simple photos and this post!

Images Copyright Suryani Tan.