[ID; 2022] Batam Day 1

Last trip of 2022 and decided to go somewhere nearby that doesn't require flying. (If you've been following my blog or Instagram, you know how intensive I've been flying)

Let's go for a 3 days trip to the island!

Batam Day 1

1. Singapore > Batam

We almost missed the ferry, but thankfully there was a small crowd that allow us to catch up with the customs after picking up the ticket.

 

Horizon Ferry

https://horizonfastferry.com.sg/

Tickets were booked on their website but I'm sure there are different channels that you can get them (maybe at a lower rate).

Why Horizon Ferry and not others? We wanted to board off at this place called "Harbour Bay". The immigrations clearance were slightly faster - if you manage to dash out of the ferry fairly quickly, you will probably be the first few to clear the immigrations.

2. Lunch

Restoran Pondok Batam Kuring

https://goo.gl/maps/gZwb55zQAgSDEGFa6

I was extremely hungry while queuing for the immigrants (we were in R&R mode and last few to get off the ferry), so google research recommended for this place.

It had a nice environment, would be such fun to eat in those huts if the weather wasn't that hot. We opted for indoors.

Food appeared fast and it was delicious - everything freshly cooked! Although fish was the signature of the restaurant, but I loved the garlic chicken instead!

Something that you need to note - there was plenty houseflies in the indoor sitting (you can imagine how busy we were eating).

3. Sightseeing

We also noted there is this bridge tourism advertisement around harbourfront for Batam, but nobody visited it before. Some google search directed us to this bridge place and since we were waiting for the hotel room to be ready, we decided to head off to the only touristy destination place... not knowing what's ahead of us. 40 minutes grab ride!

Barelang Bridge (aka Papan Nama Barelang)

https://goo.gl/maps/FN2omCJFMHncQvncA

If you input Barelang Bridge, it will not appear on grab. We placed the location at Barelang Seafood and our grab driver figured out we are not going for seafood but the bridge. Nevertheless he had to completed the ride by heading into Harris resort which was near the seafood restuarant. So local name - Papan Nama Barelang, will do the trick.

We laughed on our way there if the bridge worth the trip, so much effort, time and all the unknowns.

Our verdict: It does have some potential as a tourist spot if they can make the surroundings more exciting, and not just the bridge and nothing else.

Will I recommend? No, save some time and money on massage instead. Unless you really want some out of city vibe, maybe self-drive or rent a driver is better where you can hop cafes around the area.

There were some stalls where you can grab some snacks and food. They looked yummy but we weren't hungry.

4. Hotel Check-in

Probably the best thing we had was the Grab driver that offered to drive us back to the city (at the same rate). Well he couldn't get a customer in this ulu place either, and we cannot get a Grab driver if he is gone.

By the time we are back in the city - room ready for check-in!

Four Points by Sheraton Batam

https://goo.gl/maps/PQAY87fGximpQBRx6

Decent room at a good price - location wise not too far from everything in the city area so it was rather ideal!

5. Tea break

Level Up Coffee and Floating Bar

https://goo.gl/maps/zs4CACPXWPEw1A6x8

Recommend by social media - this was a perfect place for a drink and small snacks.

This place gave a kampung village vibe:

They had an extensive menu:

Food & drinks were average - just for the vibe:

There was no fixed sitting, so we left the platform area and shifted to somewhere among the trees. It was pretty with fairy lights.

Suggest to plan more time there, that area (outside the cafe) offers a lot activities and localised street food.

6. Shopping & Dinner

One Batam Mall

https://goo.gl/maps/H3m71PnsyWwB1RPq6

Visited one of the newest mall in Batam, and it was very clean and spacious. But gave a more neighbourhood heartlands type of mall vibe. Something fun - ice skating ring!

Citra Pempek

https://goo.gl/maps/sFcNC4kQrfqeScK39

We were furiously checking google review which restaurant serves good food - and this was one of the best, had ayam bakar!

It was surprisingly good - they collaborated with a bubble tea store nearby for drinks (a little sweet though).

Post dinner shopping - supermarket time!

And there were so many instagrammable bakeries in the mall:

Baking looks like a trend in Batam!

This marks the end of day 1!