Konichiwa mina-san !
Went for a short getaway to Batam - Indonesia last Sunday with bf and friends . Coincidentally, after all discussions of dates available for all, the trip falls on my bf birthday !
We bought a deal from deal.com.sg and it costs us $99/pax which includes the following:-
We bought a deal from deal.com.sg and it costs us $99/pax which includes the following:-
One downside of this resort is - there is no free wi-fi in the rooms .
I'm fine with it tho, but this spoils bf's plan to play this mobile game called Iruna . (his current favourite mobile game). Orbi ! HAHAHA. The upside is - we did more awesome things in the resort instead !
We took the earliest ferry (7.40am) to Batam and the last ferry (5.10pm) back to Singapore by wavemaster (included in the deal).
We need to check in 1 hour before the ferry departs meaning we have to reach the ferry terminal by 6.40am ! No complains as the next ferry was 11plus and I was really excited about the trip !
So we left our homes for Batam at about 6am and cab down to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal . The timings for public transport will not take us there on time . hurhur .
That notsobulky pink flora backpack was all I brought there. Inside it, there are 2 sets of clothes and swimwear ! I also brought along some sachets of cleanser, moisturizers, shampoo, conditioner, etc. And of course rupiah sgd and our passports .
Camwhore when we reached the ferry terminal !
Called my mom and bid goodbye. She reminded me to eat something before the ferry in case I 晕船 (felt dizzy on the ferry). The 7-11 there wasn't open until 7am sharp . So we head to this Killiney Kopitiam to fill our tummies !
Collected our boarding passes. On top of the $99 we paid for the trip, there is some charges "payable directly to Batam Fast ferry operator" - passenger's departure fee at $6 and fuel surcharge of $14 per pax;
When returning - Batam terminal fee of IDR 50.000 per pax; "payable to Nongsapura Ferry
Terminal Batam"
If it's your first time there, do take note of these charges ! :)
We were one of the first few to enter . HAHAHA
Took this photo on our way to the ferry ! A quick snap .
And so, this is the ferry we took . Feels like the one I took to Tekong during bf's BMT .
Goodbye Singapore !
On our way to Batam, we sat at the upper deck of the ferry for the view .
Only Steve is paying attention uhh .
Whee!
After about 35 minutes, we reached Nongsapura Ferry Terminal Batam !
It was a fast ride !
Land transfer from the terminal to Turi Beach Resort was provided.
Was greeted by friendly chauffeur when we spotted their mini coach and off we go !
The lobby area of the resort ! Only place with free wi-fi.
We reached there at about 8am batam's time. The check-in time is 2pm so, we have about 6 hours to roam about !
Staff were friendly. We are allowed to leave our baggage with the reception.
Oh ! There is also a free welcome drink - Chilled Ginger Tea. A tinge of spiciness . and I didn't like the taste of it . Bf finished it tho . LOL
After all the check-in procedure , we left our baggage with the recept and bwah ! Off for water sports !
We didn't carry any camera/phones with us so there are no photos :(
Initially we went for a swim at the pool in front of the Tiata wing as the watersports only open at 9am batam's time.
After swimming/relaxing at the pool, we went over to book our watersports!
We took 30 mins of the jet ski which costs $57 (twin sharing) for the "older model" and $65 (twin sharing) for the "newer model".
And.
IT WAS AWESOME !
Driving on waters was so so so awesome ! Definitely an unforgettable experience . Our main goal there was to play their jet ski , so . task completed ! Totally worth the money .
We tried kayaking as well, not our first time but chasing and splashing each other adds so much more fun to it . HAHAHA .
After enough soaking and tanning ourselves , we bath and got dressed up and head down to Nagoya Mall !
The resort provides shutter bus service to Nagoya Mall and costs $8 per pax for a return trip . However, on sundays, the only time slot they have is 10 am (to) and 1pm (fro). We made a smart decision to play watersports in the morning instead of the afternoon as the sun was freaking hot during mid day ! >_< . Also, we didn't like the idea of limiting ourselves to less than 3 hours of shopping .
Alternatively, we took a "cab" from the resort to Nagoya Mall which costs us Rp150,000 for a one-way trip . One thing to caution is , the driver will "recommend" you to many many places like seafood restaurants / places that sell kueh lapis . When they do, just politely decline . The prices ain't gonna be cheap . I was cautioned of these before our trip , when the driver really does that , I was like "OMG ITS TRUE", HAHAHAHA . So we didn't fell for it lah .
Oh another thing is , we didn't want the return trip which costs Rp300,000 as they only limit us 4 hours of shopping . >_< . Didn't like the idea ya .
Anyway, it's easy to get a cab back to the resort from Nagoya Mall ! :D
Snap a pic while the cab was on the go.
Then I was "forced" to take a pic we papamei (Steve and Rachel's daughter) ! HAHAHA
And papamei photobombed :O
Building opposite Nagoya Mall . Didn't went in .
BFC ? HAHAHA
Our lunch ! The long lost in Sg A&W !! Not very awesome tho .
Atrium of Nagoya Mall. All decorated for Christmas !
We then went to opposite of the mall for a full body massage ! It's super cheap . Rp100,000 for 1 hour 45 minutes of massage !!!
Bf said the Thai massage at BKK is better . hurhur.
After lots of shopping and dinner, we head back to the resort at about 9pm batam's time !
Comfy beds, fully amenities provided :D
The bathroom is super duper spacious !
But no bathtub :O
Balcony facing the sea !
Ceiling fan and lamp . Wondered why there's a fan ? I wonder why too . Guess it's for people who want seabreeze and not the aircon ? Hmmm.
Overall, the rooms and bathrooms were super clean !
Played card games till about 2am and off to sleep !
And we concluded our Day 1 in Batam . :D
*some photos of the resort's lobby and room are taken on day 2. Day 1 no time take lah . HAHAHA*
To summarise our itinerary:-
6am - head to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
7.40am - Board the Ferry
8am (batam's time) - Reached Turi Resort
8am to 12pm (batam's time) - Watersports in Resort
1pm (batam's time) - reached Nagoya Mall, massage, dinner
9pm (batam's time) - check-in pack stuffs, played card games
2am (batam's time) - sleep !
:D
thanks for reading, xoxo
.
.
.
.
.
.
The best sea travel and tour for the best sea destination please follow us at :- The most important as well as NYC Jet Ski Tours necessary thing about such water boat services is that it is enhancing the whole feel and giving individuals something new to try. The all new as well as whole concept about the water boat travelers will give you the chance to enjoy in massive new ways. Users can also arrange Jet Ski Tours Manhattan diffident birthday parties or all kinds of occasions at ease with such kind of water boat services.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post. I really liked the information you have shared.
ReplyDeleteAdventure Activities
hello guys, nice sharing :) June is here, there is also a mobile app to book ferry tickets from Singapore to Batam, called EzBooking, feel free to check it out guys, it is easier and cheaper than ticket counter. It is available at AppStore and PlayStore, for more information, you may visit ezbooking.co
ReplyDelete