Batam

Batam is the most convenient destination for a short getaway for Singaporeans since it is only a less-than-2-hour ferry ride away. Thus, you can see Singaporeans everywhere in Batam.

Public transportation in Batam is not very well developed. Their most common mode of public transport is taxis. They do not have buses, only mini vans which routes are difficult to understand. While I was there, my family rented a car which costs only 24 USD for 24 hours. And it is really convenient to have your own car since parking is cheap and easy to find, just that you have to have a smart phone to help you navigate around the island.

These are the views from Harris Hotel. I have stayed in Batam Novotel Hotel before, although the facilities are much better, Harris Hotel provides a more affordable stay, and it is within walking distance from Batam Ferry Centre, and Batam Centre Mall is just beside the hotel, thus it is at a very convenient location.

A&W is a must-have for me when I am in Batam since it vanished in Singapore. Although the food is really not fantastic, it is a habit of mine to at least have its ice-cream waffles and Coke float.

Can you believe that my family of five enjoyed the above dishes for only 22 USD? The dishes include Spicy Crab, Fried Squids, Fried Chicken, Fried Rice etc. And they taste awesome! The restaurant is hard to access as it is located in the local neighborhood. But its name is Xiang Xiang Chinese Seafood restaurant. Its address is: Komp. Anggrek Permai Blok B No. 7, Baloi Mas (Jl. Yos Sudarso, Baloi Indah),Batam, Kepulauan Riau. It is highly recommended!

The things worth doing at Batam would mainly include EATING! And massage, ktv, and the purchase of cheap snacks from the supermarkets, and fried snacks (keropok) at the local stalls.