Exploring Batam
While Batam is not as aesthetically pleasing as its neighboring cities, it did give a sense of relaxation and contentment away from the hassles of the city life.
Who would have thought that with just a forty minute ferry ride away from Singapore you can already experience a staycation of sorts (semantics!). Batam is the largest city in the Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, across Singapore and is the third-largest city in Sumatra region (Thank you, Wiki for that fact).
If you want to go for a quick massage (the specialty!), a shopping spree as the items are relatively cheaper than that in the city, and eat some seafood then you came at the right place. Staying over for a weekend, we were not really able to try the massage as we end up lounging on our hotel rooms instead, watching movies from the cable television (a.k.a. the definition of chill).
We did a bit of a city tour, though, made possible by our lovely, accomodating tour guide. While Batam is not as aesthetically pleasing as its neighboring cities (there is not much to see, to be honest), it did give a sense of relaxation and contentment away from the hassles of the city life. Sometimes we just cannot help but long for the simplicity. It even made us miss staying in the province back home. It did not stop us from having fun, of course.
Here are some of our stops, as told in pictures:
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| Being exposed to different races and culture is one of my favourite things in all of my recent travels. It has made me understand the people, in a way. And it interests me to learn a thing or two about their beings. |
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| I'd say the highlight of the actual tour is getting to visit the Buddhist temple. |
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| Catching fire. |
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| And if you like causing trouble up in hotel rooms..... |
FOODIE ALERT
(Mainly chocolates, from the usual to the weirdest. Er... durian-flavoured, anyone?)
SNACKING!!!
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| Empanada and cupcakes. We also tried their avocado smoothie. (not shown in photo). It is good. |
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| I have not really been to an A&W before so we tried their rootbeers out. #InstaDiebetes, tbh. |
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| Of course, I had to try at least one matcha dish/dessert. This one's a gelato of sort. It tasted okay, although I can taste a bit on Durian (probably because of them using the same pan for the preparation) |
No pictures included in here but we bought J. Co Donuts, too! They are relatively cheaper in Indonesia (Well, this is where the cafe/donut chain has originated so...)
To end this little reminiscent trip, let me also share the Unusuals (and the Punny.)
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| Er.... it probably goeas before KFC then? |
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| WHEN YOU SEE IT! (Spiderman looked normal until you looked closely to his hand) |
Until our next escapade.
x
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