Finally left the country for a short getaway at Batam. This time, accompanied by Mr.Cookie., Willie and Adelene. Things were great, minus the few situations that we encountered. Luckily, no life was put at stake. Gonna post quite abit of pictures, so bear with me?
Day 1
Met Willie and Adelene at Harbourfront Centre on a pretty early Sunday morning. Went to the ticket counter and collected our travel passes before we head to MacDonald’s for brekkie. I was so excited about the trip since this was somehow my first without my family.
Went through the Singapore customs with my renewed passport *grins* and board the ferry. Was feeling jumpy throughout the trip while the rest of them napped. And before we knew it, Batam was within sight and we made our first step on this foreign ground.
I like the way the clouds look so close to the land
The “sentosa cove” - batam version
Once there, we looked our for the driver who was supposed to drive us to the hotel. Confused in just the best word to describe what we were feeling then. This man, who was supposed to be our driver, looked at my pass and returned it back to me. He didn’t even check and just assume that we are not who’s he’s expecting. If not for this other driver there to help our, I guess, the man will drive off without us *hmpf*
The ride to the hotel was really bumpy. The roads were rather disorganised and the place really gave me an experience of a kampung lifestyle. You’ll see alot of the roadside stalls selling staple food like rice and noodles - interesting.
Reached the hotel, but we couldn’t check in yet cos’ the room wasn’t ready. So we waited at the lobby, and they served us some chilled welcome drink. The hotel is a mini replica of the Star Cruise and the concept is a mix of European and Oriental. After a while of waiting, we were issued our key cards and we took our baggages, left it in the room and off to our first stop - Megamall.
Lunch was at KFC. I only have one comment, Batam Chili is crazily spicy but it’s nice. I’m not picky when it comes to food. Still prefer Singapore’s KFC though. After lunch, we had A&W’s rootbeer float for dessert. Yummilicious! Then we shopped around. The mall was insanely crowded. They had some celebration thing happening in the mall, so, making the mall not only crowded but NOISY. Checked out the newly opened cinema and bought the tickets for Skinwalkers (some gory show that I didn’t wanna watch but went along cos I didn’t wanna be a spoilsport).
And then, as we were shopping, tragedy happened. We were walking into the hypermart, when Adelene turned to Willie and exclaimed “Why is your bag unzipped?” Willie checked his bag and realised his wallet was missing. Yeah, so he got pickpocketed. It’s such a mishap, dampened the mood a little, but we decided, the holiday must still go on. One lucky thing is that he took out all his ATM and credit cards so Willie wasn’t totally penniless.
After the movie, we decided that it was kind of late, so bought dinner and went back to the hotel.
Dinner
Something funny we saw at the hotel
Day 2
Woke up to Willie’s wake up call the following morning. Woke lazy Mr.Cookie. up after some persuasion. Washed up and we went for brekkie at the hotel. The food was really up to some decent standard. I love the porridge and I ate the same thing for all the time I was there. I’m not someone who takes very heavy breakfast, but while I was there, I did eat quite abit.
After breakfast, it was time for some water activities. We went swimming at the hotel’s pool. The water was freaking cold and I was trembling when in the pool. My teeth couldn’t stop chattering and Mr.Cookie. had to pass me some warmth. Hahaha. But I decided to just sink myself underwater and after a while, I was swimming like a nemo *giggles* Soon, our fingers got wrinkly and we washed up before we set off to our next stop - Nagoya Plaza.
Did abit of shopping before we lunched at BFC. Ate some Ayam Soto which I felt was so so. Think Mr.Cookie.’s fried rice tasted better. A&W-ed again and did a bit of arcade before we head back to the hotel. Mr.Cookie. and I called up the massage service and we relaxed and loosened up our nerves. The traditional massage was a little painful, a little ticklish but shiok to the max. Money well spent indeed. Afterwhich, headed down to Golden Prawn for some seafood feast (the best meal excluding the hotel breakfast). The food was made fresh, serving was big, and price was cheap. Tummy satisfied and went back to the hotel.
Day 3
Was among the first to wake up. Bathed and all, then packed up our baggages a little. Woke Willie and Adelene up then went for brekkie. Went back to the room to rest abit more before we check out and the driver picked us up to the ferry terminal. Decided to get a later ferry back to Singapore so that we can shop abit more. But we all know, good things must come to an end. Soon, we were on our way back to our homes, waving bye bye to the foreign land.
haha
Look at how they sell their nuggets and sausages. I was thinking, let’s buy 1 hotdog home. haha
Bye Batam!
However, took time out to go to the Singapore Expo with Mr.Cookie. with a hope to hunt for some good buys. Initial plan was for the Adidas sale which was a GREAT disappointment. We dropped by the Food Expo, which was C.R.O.W.D.E.D. We had aunties squeezing their way through, cutting queues, snatching for free samples yadayadayada. Bought some fried chicken which obviously had not undergone any Q.C checks. Tried the Popular sale and Robinsons sale which was better off i.e. more walking spaces and better air to breathe. Mr.Cookie. tugged a big bag of buys from Robinsons while yours truly got some comestics and body care products. Cheap cheap cheap.
