Greenshrub

Batam is one of the islands in the Riau Islands Province. Dominance of marine tourism can actually be an alternative for Batam residents and travelers for a vacation. But unfortunately all maritime tourism potential in this area, looking very minimal handling and innovation development. One of maritime tourist direction that frequently visited is Melur beach, because the white sand and a vast clean and clear panorama of the sea. Melur beach on Galang island territory, which is one of the islands in the group of islands that extends to the southeast island of Batam, and between each island has been connected by bridge.
For those who like to do culinary tour is available at various beach seafood or seafood, from crab, squid, and some types of fish are ready devoured by various preparations.



Galang island, in addition to our maritime tourism can also find historical tours of the former camp. Vietnamese refugees. The location of this Vietnamese refugee camp adjacent to the Melur beach. In the past Galang Island was suddenly become the world's attention, especially the UNHCR (United Nation High Commission for Refugees), because it became a shelter of Vietnamese refugees. Visiting this former refugee camp, we can recall wrenching stories behind the camp which is located in the village named Sijantung.

This human tragedy starts from the conflict between South Vietnam and North Vietnam (Vietcong) in the 1970s. Takeover of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam by North Vietnam in 1975 triggered the recurrence of war again. This situation is forcing thousands of Vietnamese exodus out of the country.

The refugees generally use a small boat and loaded with dozens of people who later called boat people. With a small boat of Vietnamese refugees a few years ago risked crossing the South China Sea, in order to get a better life. After floating in the sea, some for months or even up to half a year, many of them are stranded until the waters of Indonesia, including Tanjung Pinang, Natuna, Teluk Keriting, Batu Hitam, Tg. Unggat, Sungai Walang and other areas. In 1979, the UN high commission in charge of refugees (UNHCR) in cooperation with the government of Indonesia chose the island covering an area approximately 80 ha to accommodate refugees scattered, before they were transferred to a third country.