[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It is with the friends telling me that I make my trips look fun, here is one section dedicated to your wanderlusts. Hope this information I share helps a little with your planning.
Once every few months when the man has an off in lieu to clear, this is our go-to place. It all started when I asked my Secretary where does she head to when she needed a short break some years ago.
Travelling to Batam is a simple joy to us and here’s a little step by step breakdown of our itinerary.
– Bookings & Pre Trip Info
Mr Husband sets out an Off day date, and Eile goes online to www. batamfast.com to make ferry booking. (Note: it is just because of le Secretary’s recommendation since then, and we are creatures of comfort, so we haven’t changed! Shout out if you have any other good alternatives).
Do note that Batam is 1 hour behind us so we would book the lunchtime slot and make it for lunch when we arrive (cheap thrill!) Hotels will then be booked off random sites when I Google. We have tried a couple of hotels so far, from Holiday Inn to BCC but iHotel Baloi stays as a top favourite. (more details later when you read about what we do)
Extra note to why we love Batam: There is no need to be at the ferry terminal 2 hours before boarding, and you can also bring water & liquids in your bag. So far, we carry loads of barang barang back (which I will tell u what later), and we never have an issue with baggage allowance. Sounds less stressful than flying or driving to JB already?
Coming over here on weekdays is like you own the place because there is no queue for anything! From immigration to the hotel will only take you 15mins! There is taxi stands at both exits, and you just need to tell them which hotel and they will give you a price alongside with a receipt to pay the driver upon arrival of your destination. (70,000 rupiah is the price for the terminal to iHotel baloi)
– On Arrival
Upon check-in, we would freshen up and then head out to BSC mall for lunch. We hang out here pretty much all day till dinner. Lunch options are aplenty and we make a point to choose a different place every time we are here. This mall can even be seen from your room. This is why we go back to this hotel time after time and bonus points for it being relatively new, has a modern feel, and they have a decent breakfast. We usually stay at places where minimal transport is needed just because I hate to haggle with taxi drivers.
– Things to do
After lunch is mani-pedi time at A.N.Jell Nail & Makeup (Level 2 Row Smart Girl) and even the Mr has learnt the art of not knowing how to cut his toenails anymore. The prices are a steal vs what we do at home. We have been going to this shop since our first trip, and the rest is history. If I am not wrong, it is probably a family business. One of the sisters is an award-winning nail artist, and you can even check out their Instagram page (Instagram.com/anjellmakeup) and plan your nail art for the month before heading over.
After getting your sparkly nails, it is tea time where you can choose another cafe to grab a teh tarik. We are those who make sure we have local food when we visit a place unless it is a super long trip and we are bored already. We also found this crepe place on the third floor, and we would share one ( large variety to choose from and costs averagely 30,000 rupiahs)
Then it is supermarket shopping on level 1. This is where you can go crazy in the dental aisle and for the girls, check out the sanitary pads, body scrubs and feminine wash aisle too. We also stock up our wet tissues and even detergents and dishwashing liquids. You are talking about prices like 10,000 rupiah which is like Sgd 1 dollar can?!
After lugging all that stuff in my multiple recycle bags, we head down to the basement which is your handphone accessories paradise. Jiajia at Best Accessories (B1 super brightly lighted shop near escalator) is a dear friend that we had connected through her sister in law via our Hong Kong friend (tell me about connections!). This is where I get my screen protectors, happening handphone covers and accessories! Madness variety and they speak Mandarin, Bahasa Indonesia and Teo Chew (so that you know that you will be well understood). So everyone, please say hello if you happen to pop by!
We will then head back to drop the stuff in the room and did I tell you, the area that separates the hotel and mall is A2 food court which is like the Newton Food Center of Batam. We make a point to try a different stall each time. This round we had Sio May ( it is like a fishcake texture snack that is steamed and it comes with a peanut sauce like gado gado). Pretty yum.
After the not so heavy dinner (yeah right), we will head for some foot reflexology, and our current favourite is Aiko Spot Massage which is just at the side of the food court. Tell me about hassle-free.
It is then bedtime followed by breakfast the next day and visiting the markets opposite the hotel! (There is a decent small pool on level 2 if you would like to have a quick swim before eating more) We are talking about old school coffee shops, and we have had our kopi there. You will hear the people speaking in teo chew and you forget you are now in Indonesia. The wet market offers an excellent variety of fruits and vegetables! I often bring back some mini papayas, and they are super sweet!
The most exciting will be those keropok selling shops lining the streets. This is where most of your monies will go if you are a big fan like me and this is also where we get that kueh lapis back for family and friends.
We then head back to the hotel for final packing and check out. By then, the clock says that it is the time for a 2-hour spa time followed by lunch! It will then be the last call for shopping and more food before we head to the ferry terminal to head back to Singapore.
These short breaks are so precious to us as it plays a vital part in our relationship. While I am talking non-stop out there every day and when I hit home, I hardly have lots to say, and there are always other things to do when I hit home. In short, we just don’t get to spend enough quality time. Most days after a long day, we barely talk, and it is with trips like this, we get to communicate and create memories.
Hope I have inspired you to plan something for your favourite person. We are off to preparing for another trip in March. Till then.
P.s: Not advertised post, all based on personal experience and preference. Feel free to share any of yours, would love to try out on my next trip![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
