Trip - Batam - Day 1 - Going there

Good Morning Blog,

Today I can go Batam because my relative's child can't make it for the trip and asked me to fill in the slot. Since I have not been to Batam before, it is a good opportunity (all covered)! Yawning... Last night I reached home late and packed for today... Slept for three-four hours...

Woke up like 6am.

Had to travel down to the HarbourFront Centre for the first time, so I can't afford to be late.

Looking through my uncle's recce guideline, Alight from HarbourFront Station then Exit B. Follow the sign to HarbourFront Centre

Follow the crowds (with luggage) since the most shop-houses aren't operating such hour, I will follow them.

Arrive at Cruise Departure Hall

Then Go up to Level 2 - They restrict visitors to carry light (Maximum dimensions:  55cm x 40cm x 20cm, 10 kg (hand carry)

Random design for the lighting while going up at the escalator

Wow... Quite crowded already.

Yippee! :D Can take boat!

Fat fat me selfie-ing.

Even though, it was covered but I have to cover my own expense so I just exchanged S$30 and became a temporary small millionaire. (I think I won't spend much there)

Thanks my Uncle for organising this trip which included my relatives and friends.

I learned we have to remove details on our boarding pass to avoid "potential users" to retrieve our personal details like bank, address, whatever.

Time to go!

Wave and wave of people started to queue to get to the ferry.

Cable car still operating? I wonder how they get enough money to get it operating?

Shaky platform and whoever experiences sea sick... I heard you have to tape your navel so you won't feel sick, what a weird method which works mysteriously.

Spacious boat from Majestic Fast Ferry. The seat is quite comfortable, time to off my data.

After an hour, we reached BATAM!

Based on the time zone, Batam is -1 hour from the Singapore Time zone. Actually, it is weird when my relatives felt amazing that they are one hour shorter which is wrong... Based on the geographic location of Batam, Batam should be + timing from Singapore (not 1 hour though, perhaps a few mins) but because Indonesia is a large country and has to standardise the world time zone. So... Time is not real and true from people to people. Okay! Boring stuff, skip!

Batam clear blue sky. What a blessing for this trip than hazy

But the water condition... hmm... I won't want to dip in there

Who is this handsome dude? (Yuck! my fingers just vomited for typing those. LOL)

The hall of Batam Centre Point International Ferry Terminal

Opposite the terminal, there is one giant mall - Mega Mall.

Feeling relax because I am out of Singapore!

For a short experience on the road, Batam feels similar to quiet part of JB.

But their safety awareness is quite minimum. Hope this family will be safe from any negativeness.

First stop, my aunties and friends wanted to purchase one of their famous local delicate

Batam Layer Cakes

Based on the driver, here is one of the best place where sells Layer Cakes. (google map)

Everyone tried its taste and then decided which one to order.

Price for different layer cakes

Its price as compared to the shopping mall, here are costed slightly more, but it's taste makes up for its price.

As we travel deeper; away from the city zone...

closer to where the local stays...

Their lifestyle is rather Simple and slow... not well doing...

but they strike their best to live their life contented

Like this guy, selling chendol

Even though there is no customer, he still waits patiently and "happily". Too bad, I can't be there to support him or anyone. Just like I am in another dimension looking out.

While everyone was shopping and playing Go-Kart, I went alone exploring somewhere. I looked around and found this Miniature House Indonesia (google map)

Let's enter and explore it together

Hmm... what is interesting here?
They have many 'human-height' size buildings like temples, churches, and other interesting constructions. Let's check some of them out below.

Overall, it is a simple and unique theme park, I can imagine the days when it started when most of the locals came here and having events. Life was so simple that time. I glad it doesn't require to buy a ticket to enter because overall, this place is just a meh place. If those Miniatures can extra detail like an interior designer doing a mocked up, it will be interesting. But... we should not expect more from a free theme place; I should appreciate whatever is available. I guess it is served as a simple iconic place for you to arrange a meet up at.

Exit entrance

A simple donation will be great. Sadly, I can't spare my money just too soon.

Okay, my relatives and friends had done shopping, time to visit some other place. Usually, when we ask anyone who had traveled to Batam, most people will say - eat, shop, massage, chill and repeat.

So... for the next post will be on shopping (next post). Let's check out their shopping malls.

Jeff