Visit to Batam, Indonesia (08/08/2013 - 11/08/2013)

With list of places to visit and lots of hopes and dreams, we reached harbourfront ferry terminal to get the ferry to Batam. No wonder there was a huge a crowd. And so many confusions and messing ups of ferries. Not the plans messed up, but people messed up only because of the hurry to get into the ferry. So finally our ferry 'Ocean Raider' of Batam Fast came and we just got in. We were the third to get into the ferry. So, We occupied window seat so that we can enjoy the sea view. And it was my first ferry ride. So I was super excited and started enjoying my voyage.

There was a huge ocean grand ship approaching Singapore traits. I think that was the first time I saw a ship that closer. As the journey continued we were about to reach Batam and I could see the Harris hotel from the ferry. So it is definitely in a walking distance.

As soon as we reached Batam ferry terminal, we cleared immigration and got out to find a way to our hotel. Yeah we booked 'Harris hotel', Batam center. It is just few minutes away from the ferry terminal. We entered the hotel and first impression was superb. The color theme of the hotel is orange. So it was eye-catching and the interior design and the cleanliness added more beauty to the hotel.

Reception and Dining area of Harris Hotel Batam Center

Even though we were earlier than the check-in time, they allowed use to check-in. We got a room in the 9th floor and it has the sea view as we wanted.Upon check in the room I spent some time in taking pictures of the arrangements and enjoying the see view with ferries coming and going.

View of Sea from our room

 

It was around 1 pm and we just had a bath and decided to go somewhere since we had our lunch before we came to the hotel.

We discussed with the hotel staff to get a taxi and he assisted us few places which are close to each other so we can visit them in one trip. And taxi fares are relatively high I would say. But no other option, so we hired taxi for 3 hours, we had to hire minimum 3 hours and the fare was Rp110,000/hr(1 SGD ~ 7500). So we decided to visit Kwan Im statue, Adhi vinayakar hindu temple, Tua pek kong temple and Maha vihara duta maitreya temple in one trip. First we went to see the Kwan Im statues since that was the far most among those 4 places. It is the biggest statue of the Goddess of Mercy.

Kwan Im Statue

Temple near Kwan Im statue

There was a resort called KTM Resort and it was so beautiful.

KTM Resort

From there we could see the Singapore Sky-crappers.

Singapore sky-crappers seen from Batam

Next, we visited Adhi vinayakar hindu temple. Unfortunately that temple was closed. We could see the temple from the outside.

Adhi Vinayakar Temple

 And there was another temple just beside that temple. So we went there and asked the priest when that Adhi vinayakar temple is opened. Then he said "they open it once in a while, and it's maintained by Indonesian. These two temples are not related. Both have their own poojas and cultures". So we prayed and left the place to go to Tua Pek Kong Temple.

Tua Pek Kong Temple

Tua Pek Kong Temple is built in the traditional Chinese style and has many courtyard statues.

Statues in Tua Pek Kong Temple

And there were several wall paintings on the walls of Tua Pek Kong Temple.

Batam Island Map

This also known as Vihara Buddhi Bhakthi Temple is well used by the locals for their each day prayers and offerings. We took pictures with some of the statues like laughing budhha. And there was a spring like things were hung on a string near the entrance of the temple. We were wondering and went closer to see what was it. It's actually incense sticks/ not sticks but spring shaped.

Spring shaped incense sticks

Then next day in the morning we had a buffet breakfast at the hotel and it was yummy. After the breakfast we decided to visit the famous 'Barelang bridge' and again it was also in a far distance. So we had to hire the taxi for 3 hours and go. The bridge is a chain of 6 bridges of various types that connects the islands of Batam, Rempang and Galang. "Barelang" also refers to the islands themselves. BAtam, REmpang and gaLANG becomes BARELANG.

The weather was gloomy and about to rain that day, so we couldn't take nice pictures. But we took pictures.

Even though the bridge is beautiful people have made it dirty just by putting garbage here and there. People sit on the bridge and have their snacks and throw the bags on the bridge. That's why it's become dirty. Taxi uncle took us to 2nd and 3rd bridges but those were not special just normal bridges.

Full span of the Barelang Bridge

Wherever you around from the bridge, you will see many islands. Taxi uncle said there are thousands of islands in Indonesia. Less than 300 islands have been named and people live in those islands. Others are just there anonymous.

Islands everywhere

Islands everywhere

So we returned back and on the way back we went to 'Miniature house park'. It has small miniature houses to get to know the house designs of all 33 provinces of Indonesia. It was so nice and I loved few houses like Bali, and few more.

It was almost raining and we rushed taking photos and moved to Golden Prawn 555 Restaurent.

We thought of having our lunch there but it was almost house-full. So we didn't want to wait.We just returned to the hotel.

Third day, after having our breakfast at hotel, we decided to visit the places we left since we had only one day before we return to Singapore. Ocarina and Nongsa were the 2 places left in the list. So first we went to Ocarina, and nothing much there except the Giant wheel and some statue of zodiac signs.

Giant Wheel - Coastarina

Animals represent 12 Zodiac signs at Coastarina

Took few pictures and went to Nongsa. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to go to Nongsa point because it's owned by a resort or something.

Beautiful road towards Nongsa

As far as i have noticed, all of the resorts have captured some of the areas of the beach and they allow only their guests but some resorts like Turi, allow outsiders by charging money.

Glimpse of Turi Beach Resort

We went to Turi beach because it's one of the beautiful beach. But again, we couldn't go. They said there is a package for 30+ per person. We didn't want to go since we had a waterfront city for Harris Resort and we have entrance free. So we decided to go there and visited. It's just amazing. Resort, surroundings, Pool and Everything is just mind blowing. I just wanted to lie down on the pool side bed and day-dream. :)

I wanted to buy a souvenir as we always buy a souvenir to remember the trip and the place wherever we go. But couldn't find any during our visit to those places in Batam. Last day we just asked the Taxi driver to take us to Nagoya shopping mall.

Biggest Nagoya Shopping Mall

Thankfully, we could buy a Barelang-bridge wooden souvenir with our names and date carved on it. :)

We came back to hotel before lunch time. After the lunch we went to take pictures of "Welcome to Batam". It's on a mountain and you can see it from a far distance too. No one will miss taking pictures at this place.

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So we are done with visiting places. Now time to chill at hotel. We got down into swimming pool and playing for some time. Even though i can't swim, i love playing with water. ;) So we took pictures around the hotel as well.

Finally, the last day came. And we had to leave the hotel to come to Singapore.

Singapore Sky-crappers seen from the ferry on the way back to Singapore

With pictures for memories we came back to Singapore and started our daily life. :)