For 17 years lived in Pontianak, West Borneo, travelling
to nearby cities like Singkawang was a common activity for me. It takes around
3 hours by car from Pontianak, making Singkawang a frequent one-day trip
destination. Unfortunately, I didn’t have many memories of Singkawang’s local
culinary scene, which left me knowing almost nothing about it when my friends
from other cities visited for business trip. Therefore, during a long holiday
this year, I decided to revisit Singkawang with my extended family and explore
more authentic local cuisines.
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| “I Love Singkawang“ city signage |
As soon as arrived at Singkawang, I had lunch at Bakso
Sapi 68, a famous meatball spot that appeared in the film Aruna dan Lidahnya.
Back then, the restaurant didn’t have halal certification yet, so I never tried
it. Alhamdulillah, it is now halal-certified, and I could finally enjoy it
without worrying whether it was halal or not.
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| authentic Chinese-style layout |
I ordered the signature menu, Mie Bakso Spesial 68
(Rp46.000 for regular size and Rp44.000 for small). It is a noodle dish served
with meatballs, stuffed tofu, shrimps, beef slices, and fried egg. The taste
was amazing! The umami broth paired well with the noodles and topping. I
recommend dining onsite, as the restaurant features an authentic Chinese-style layout.
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| Mie Bakso Spesial 68 |
At night, I visited Pasar Hongkong, the well-known
night market, and chilled at Kopi Rusen, a popular kopitiam in the city. The
old building and its strategic location, right beside the “I Love Singkawang“ city
signage, make it a lively meeting point. The coffee itself felt like a typical kopitiam
brew, but the ambiance stood out, young people gathering and enjoying the night
with a direct view of Tri Dharma Bumi Raya Temple |
| View from Kopitiam Rusen |
The next day, before heading back to Pontianak, I had
breakfast at Bubur Pekong, located near Pasar Hongkong and Tri Dharma Bumi Raya
Temple. Bubur Pekong is meat broth porridge commonly found in West Borneo. Not
only the taste brings customer back, the surroundings are also visually
appealing, with a combination of temple views and mural art among the
shophouses, reminding me of Singapore’s
urban murals. |
| Bubur Pekong |
 |
| mural art among the shophouses |
The last culinary stop was Choipan Marga Tjhia.
Choipan (Hakka) or Chaikue (Teochew) is dumpling made from a thin, slightly
translucent rice-flour skin filled with vegetables such as jicama, chives,
bamboo shoots, or taro. When eating it, don’t forget to dip it into chili sauce
to enhance the flavour.  |
| Choipan or Chaikue |
Hunting for Singkawang’s local culinary delights in a short
time was quite interesting for me. Despite the limited destinations, the
ambiance, taste and affordable prices were strong enough to make me want to come
back again. See you next time!
Traveling always brings unique experiences. Even when
visiting the same destination, it can create different memories. One of my most
memorable moments happened when I visited Bangkok, Thailand with my friends
last year. From shopping at Pratunam, exploring historical places like Wat Arun
and Wat Pho, to hunting for local culinary spots Icon Siam Food Court, every
part of the journey felt special. But the most unforgettable moment for me was
when I encountered extreme street food for the first time. It was my first time
seeing exotic dishes such as crocodile meat and unconventional insects like
bamboo worms and scorpions.
The first surprising food was crocodile meat. The
roasted crocodile was displayed split open and flattened on the grill. Although
I could not consume it because, as a Muslim, it is prohibited, even if I had
the chance to taste it, I would choose not to. For me, a crocodile is a wild
predator, not something I personally see as food.
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| The roasted crocodile |
The next exotic foods were various unconventional
insects such as bamboo worms and scorpions. Worms are often associated with
something rotten or dirty, while scorpions carry the image of a dangerous
animal. Because of that, I never imagined myself trying them.
 |
| The various unconventional insects |
Honestly, I felt a little disgusted when I first saw
these extreme culinary options, but at the same time, I found them fascinating.
Knowing that these unusual meals are part of another culture made me realize
how diverse the world is, and how people can respect each other despite having
very different perspectives and traditions.
This time, I had a
short visit to Changi Airport because my flight with Singapore Airlines to
Japan had a transit there. I choose around three hours of transit time so that I
could visit the famous HSBC Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi.
The HSBC Rain Vortex
is located inside Jewel Changi Airport, which is directly connected to Terminal
1. For passengers transiting Terminal 2 and 3, they can take the Skytrain that
links the terminals. There is no entrance fee to see the Rain Vortex and access
is unlimited. It was such an enjoyable experience!
My Thoughts on Changi
Airport
Changi Airport have
become destination in its own right rather than merely transit point. While
this development offers several advantages, it also creates certain challenges.
On the positive side,
airports that function like city centres can significantly enhance the travel
experience. Long transit times often cause boredom and fatigue among
passengers, especially on long-haul flights. By providing shopping, dining, and
entertainment facilities, airports allow travellers to spend their waiting time
more enjoyably. This not only improves passenger satisfaction but also makes
certain airports more attractive as transit hubs.
However, there are
also disadvantages to this development. As airports become popular attractions,
they may draw large numbers of visitors, including people who are not
travelling. This increase in foot traffic can result in overcrowding, long
queues at public facilities, and delays at security or immigration checkpoints.
Such conditions may reduce operational efficiency and negatively affect
passengers who prioritise smooth and timely travel.
In conclusion,
transforming airports into lifestyle destinations has both positive and
negative effects. Nevertheless, I believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks,
provided that governments and airport authorities continue to prioritise
transportation efficiency alongside leisure development.
