Preview: A short getaway - Batam

It's here! Another short getaway to Batam this coming March, in less than a week time! In case you are not my reader or you seldom read my blog, I went Batam on last year end which means 2 months back then.

Why Batam again?
As I'd mentioned in previous post -last part (Batam Part III - 2011). This year, I'll be busy with Internship which will be on April onwards, FYP (final year project) in 2nd semester and Y is working hard in his work, as well as studying at the same time. Despite both of us are really packed, we still managed to squeeze a short getaway(somewhere nearer to Sg) in between, for this year. After this short getaway, we might not be able to squeeze in any getaway for this year.

Both Y and I are always looking forward to a getaway because whenever there's a getaway, it's the time that both of us are free for a period (regard short or long). Free from school, free from work. So then... we'll always been looking forward to relax ourselves

This post is a preview of which Hotel I will be staying. Not Resort this time, kind of disappointed though because I prefer the Resort that I stayed on the previous trip to Batam. But since there isn't any package (inclusive the previous Resort) hence we chosen this Hotel. Never stay never know right?

We'll be staying at Mercure Hotel!

Can't wait to soak in the Outdoor heated pool!

There're two restaurants (1 international, 1 Japanese) and also a bar.
The reviews by traveler was good.  There're more facilities like; Fitness area, Sauna and Massage. It's going to be one day shopping & relaxation trip and spent just one night here. To be frank, I don't have high expectation to this Hotel because the environment does not really attract me but just for a day, it should be just fine. Sorry to say, I'm very particular about the environment when it comes to travel.

Last year it's a fulfilling year with a ending of a short getaway. So a short getaway to start this year! Hopefully it will be a fulfilling year like last year. Can't wait!



Stay tune for my upcoming trip post~

A short getaway: Batam (Part III- Nongsa Point & Marina Resort - next the day)

Bright and shine in the early morning!
A bird was chirping as early as 5 am therefore we managed to get at least 4 hours of sleep that day ONLY! That irritating bird stopped chirping around 6-7 am, by the time I'm so wide awake already. Started preparing after receiving morning call from bff and her bf.

Those 'buildings' in front our balcony are Two / Three Bedroom Chalet.
Definitely Two / Three Bedroom Chalet are way bigger (different room layout and lighting) than our room but still, our room is way better and so much better - At least you wouldn't have that feeling of living at Downtown East Chalet when you're actually in Batam right?

View from our balcony (Hill view).

Lobby display. There's meaning behind this ship but I don't bother reading it.

Just in time for a full spread breakfast. This was my breakfast spread.

Pardon that chubby and bare and cramp face of mine.

Breakfast by the sea view. A cooling morning.

Another lobby display. The overview of the resort itself. Was totally shocked to see such huge and wide resort Nongsa point marina is.We'll be back here again for the yacht one day! This is life!

Back to our room to chill and pack our bag before we set off.
Ride to Batam ferry centre took 35 mins of our precious shopping time.
Shopped at a shopping mall nearby and settled down for local Malay cuisine.

Had such a bad experience for queuing for ferry next. Hundreds of people queuing and cutting queue at the same time and you wouldn't know if you're out of the exact 2 lines queue untill you reach a certain point with divider. If people consistent cutting queue in front, you will never reach the check out point even if you're an hour early to queue. Fortunately, when the ferry arrived, the security guards will at least informed and allowed the ferry passengers  to have the priority to cut the queue.

BYE BATAM till I see you again soon~

HI SG! Forever a safe, secure and peace country.

Keratosis Pilaris (often called "horny plugs") started appearing on my forehead the next day, maybe due to a new and not so good environment and the whole entire rushing trip (get up and down the bus).

Some of you might not know what Keratosis Pilaris is, so am I (in the beginning). Look at your nose and cheeks area, some of you might have lots of spiky "dots" and you thought these are pimples or blackheads or whatever you call it. As for me, I feel as though I have permanent goosebumps. It is definitely not serious or harmful to skin but just appearance may be annoying (to me).
You can read more about Keratosis Pilaris here.

It was a pleasant surprised in term of a different view of Batam. Totally brought the enjoyment to a whole new level (positive one). If you have such perfect plan like mine (most importantly, the resort/hotel have such good services), totally you'll enjoy the trip there! I don't even have a single mosquito bites, or itchy-ness, furthermore  it was on a rainy season. Perfect place for a getaway - provided you must did some researching before going there because it wasn't safe if you have no idea where to go, what to do, etc etc.

P/S: There're actually more activities that were being lined up but due to rainy season (really raining there), we couldn't get to experience those activities such as performances, more shopping, etc.


Hopefully my PART I, PART II, PART III Batam trip does help you in completing some researching part and hope it does change your point of view of Batam!

Would like to share again; Despite having a busy schedule this year(Internship + FYP (final year project)) and Y is working hard in his work, as well as studying at the same time in order to have a great move in his career path, but both of us managed to squeeze a short getaway(somewhere nearer to Sg) in between, SO...
we are going to Batam again this coming March with more people this time round because Y's friends joining us too! Can't wait for another short getaway! This time round, will be Hotel and not Resort! Hahaha! This will be the last trip for a getaway there till years later I guess? Stay tune!

A short getaway: Batam (Part I - Tour)

#ootd for Day 1 (decided to take out my knitted top because it was a sunny morning)
I woke up as early as 6 am that day (22 December 2012 - Saturday) because I am always the latest when it comes to meeting them. Despite waking up early but I'm still the latest one -.- (as expected).

We were just in time (after rushing to grab a bite at Mr.bean). We have to reach an hour early before the boarding time.

The ferry that we took.

Scenery is always a must to take whenever you travel (regardless you took a plane[clouds, sunset], bus etc). The ride was 45 mins long, glad I never suffer from sea sick.

We alighted at Sekupang ferry terminal (one of the ferry terminal in Batam).
We had a thrilling experience right after we stepped into the terminal for our check-in. We were being approached for 'Express check-in' - meaning, we just have to pay them S$3/ per person and we can skip that longlonglonglonglonglonglonglonglonglong queue. Expected but still shocked. First time experienced such situation.

& we really paid them for that because the queue was terribly long. Too long untill we got irritated (the smell of the environment, inconsiderate typical Singaporean cutting queue, etc) Anyway, it wasn't illegal doing so in Batam. It was definitely a common thing you will see if you are planning for a getaway, work trip there. But of course, you have to be real careful of your belongings.

#doubledatevaccation

I took a picture of this clock, sort of a reminder that Indonesia time is actually an hour earlier than Sg timing. (SG: 8.00am which mean Indonesia: 7.00am) In the first place, we didn't know that. We thought our watches sort of spoiled or sth. 45 minutes away yet an hour difference...

Random street shot

Our 1st station: Batam Chocolate House (I didn't get anything though. 1st: Not worth the price, same price as Sg chocolates. 2nd: Hot weather, chocolates would have melted before checking in to the resort).

That's Su, my bff and with a... chocolate bar?

2nd station: Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple (biggest and cleanliness Temple at Batam)

3rd station: Polo Outlet (authentic)

4th station: Dining in at Golden Prawn 555 for lunch (no air-con, so warm).

Exterior

Interior (we were sitting at VIP area - according to the signboard) but I don't see what is it different from a non-vip area and vip area when non-vip area have traditional cultural dance performance -.-

Me and bff again. Starting to perspire due to the hot weather.

Hardly see Y laughed so wide and bright. Such a pity that I only took half of his side face.

Last station to end the tour in Batam: Batam shopping mall.

I was actually surprised that the clothes they sell wasn't cheap (same price as Sg). Maybe because they know that we're Singaporean?

If you realized, we had a sticker (pink in colour) that stick on our top (left chest area). We decided that it will be safer if we join tour in Batam since it is so messed up there (security wise) and we had no idea which are the ideal places that we should go.