Exciting Vacation to Penyengat Island, Kepulauan Riau: Enjoying the Beauty of Nature, Culture and Religion

Penyengat Island

Welcome to my blog!, I am excited to share my unforgettable vacation experience with you guys. Let's start this journey together!

In December 2016, my family and I went to Penyengat Island. Penyengat Island was the center of government for the Riau-Lingga-Johor-Pahang Sultanate. It is also known as the "Mas Kawin" (bridal gift) from Sultan Mahmud Syah to his beloved wife, Engku Putri Raja Hamidah, in 1803. Penyengat Island holds historical relics that can be visited during the trip. To reach Penyengat Island, we had to cross the sea by using a small ferry or pompong from Tanjungpinang. Upon arrival, we immediately rented motorized trishaws to explore the island.

Sultan Riau Grand Mosque

Our first destination was the Sultan Riau Grand Mosque, one of the oldest and most historical mosques in Indonesia. It was initially built in 1803 when Penyengat Island was established as the bridal gift and residence for Raja Hamidah Engku Putri. In the mosque, I also saw a handwritten Quran. This Quran was written by Abdurrahman Stambul, a resident of Penyengat Island who was sent by the Lingga Kingdom to Egypt to deepen his knowledge of Islam.

 

       Malay Traditional Hall

After visiting the Sultan Riau Grand Mosque, we continued our journey to the second destination, the Malay Traditional Hall. The building is a replica of traditional Malay architecture, constructed in 1985 as a meeting hall for the community. Inside the traditional hall, we could see the traditional Malay space arrangement and equipment, as well as three wedding stages with distinctive Malay designs. The interior was specially designed for wedding ceremonies. The Malay traditional Hall directly facing a stunning beach, where we took a break, took photos while enjoying the beauty of the sea on this island.

Tomb of Raja Ali Haji

Before heading to the harbor for our return to Batam, we passed by a historical site, the tomb of Raja Ali Haji. Raja Ali Haji produced many literary works, with his most well-known work being "Gurindam Dua Belas" in 1847, which is engraved along the walls of his tomb. Besides Raja Ali Haji's tomb, there are also tombs of other kings in this cemetery complex. However, due to limited time as it was getting close to evening, we were unable to visit that place. Apart from those three places, there are still many historical sites that can be visited in Penyengat Island, such as the palace office, Bukit Kursi defense fortress, Engku Bilik Building, and others.  

If you visit Penyengat Island, don't forget to try the local specialty dishes. So before returning to Batam, we made a stop at a place that sells Penyengat's traditional food, such as Deram-Deram and Otak-Otak, to bring back as souvenirs.

Deram-Deram

Deram-Deram is a famous snack from Penyengat Island, Tanjung Pinang, Kepri. You can find it in various shops there. The snack has a donut-like shape with a hole in the middle, but it is smaller and has a unique flavor. Its crispy and savory taste makes it a perfect snack for your leisure time. According to the local people of Penyengat, Deram-Deram used to be served as a snack in the Riau Lingga Sultanate. It has continued to be a popular choice among tourists visiting Tanjung Pinang as a souvenir.

Otak-Otak

Otak-Otak is one of the traditional foods in the Riau Islands, both in Batam, Tanjung Pinang, and on Penyengat Island. This local delicacy has become widely known among the people of Tanjung Pinang. Tanjung Pinang itself has different variations of Otak-Otak compared to other places. Otak-Otak is made from minced and ground mackerel fish. The mixture is then wrapped in banana leaves and grilled. Generally, the color of Otak-Otak that you will find in Tanjung Pinang is reddish-brown due to the addition of chili in the mixture. Additionally, you will experience the distinct aroma of spices.

Penyengat Island is highly recommended for those who want to visit a place rich in history and religious significance. You will also find a wide variety of delicious and flavorful culinary delights there. Leave your mark on Penyengat Island and create unforgettable memories. So, make Penyengat Island your next holiday destination!