Batam, Indonesia

October 19, 2013
Batam, Indonesia
One-Day Tour

I was staying in Singapore for my yearly semestral break tour and I decided to go to Batam, Indonesia. The trip would not have been possible without the help of my friend Marian Gomez. She was the one who booked the tour at the below-mentioned travel agency. 

Kabayan Travel PTE LTD
304 Orchard Road # 03-26 Lucky Plaza Singapore 238863
Tel 6836 6768-69 / 6732 2511 / Fax 6836 6770 / Email: kabayan@singnet.com.sg

The cost of the tour was 59 SGD.

Assembly time for the tour was 7:15 am at Harbour Front Prima Ferry # 03/47 to collect our boarding pass. We checked our respective boarding passes for the name and details. 

There were four of us who joined the tour, namely: Marian, Maricel, Sheena Marie and I.

We were booked to board the Prima Ferries. Everything was in order and we were excited to go!

After that, we passed the immigration at Departure Hall at Level 2.
We passed the immigration in SG and went straight to the boarding area. We waited for 30 minutes before we were allowed to board the ferry.

We departed from SG to Batam Island by a high speed air-conditioned ferry. Along the 45 minute journey, we cruised along the islands of Riau Archipelago.

Upon arrival at Batam Centre Ferry Terminal, we passed the Indonesian immigration and custom clearance. We were greeted and escorted  by our tour guide named "Sastra" to our air-conditioned coach and proceeded to our scenic tour of the Batam Island.

Our first stop for the day - Chocolate House.

Then, followed by the 1st Factory Outlet (where one can purchase branded clothes like American brand Polo Ralph Lauren).

After, window shopping, we went to another spot - Souvenir House & Local Market (where one can purchase fresh food stuff, some local dried food such as Ikan Bilis, Udang Kering, Kerupuk Belinjo).

The best part of the tour was the Go-Kart Center.  The track is 395 meters in length, has 9 turns and 6 straights with access speed of more than 50 km/h.

We had to pay an additional 15 Rupiah for the kart for only 15 minutes. It was fun!!!

It was past 1 pm SG time when we went to Golden Prawn 555 Seafood Kelong Restaurant (12:15 Indonesian Time). The place is built with wood and bamboo along the seashore. It serves Indonesian traditional local seafood with a nice view of north eastern coast of Batam Island (from left to right: Sheena, Marian, Maricel and I).

Vihara Maha Duta Maitreya

After our sumptuous lunch, we went to Thoa Pek Kong Chinese Temple and Vihara Maha Duta Maitreya.  

The first temple is what they call as the small temple and second temple is the biggest and famous Chinese temple in Batam where one can pray for happiness and harmony!

After the temple visit, we proceeded to Batam Shopping Mall (the biggest shopping mall in Nagoya town which is famous for its souvenir shops, massage parlors, coffee shops, food courts, karaoke, hotels and restaurants).
We bought t-shirts, key chains, ref magnets.

Last part of the tour was the traditional Javanese Massage.

We had a one-hour massage and after that we went back to the Batam berthing area.

It was 6 pm Indonesian time (7 pm SG time) when we boarded our ferry back to SG. A one day-tour filled with happy and unforgettable memories of Indonesia!

Wonderful Indonesia! =)