Batam Trip

Yesterday finally realised the trip which I've planned long ago.

The previous trip to Batam was in Nov 2008 together with my family and relatives, and I had a good impression and memory of this Batam island. I enjoyed the seafood, the roadstreet bbq foodstuff in the night, and shopping spree with good deals.....cheap mannn...

It was only on 30 April, then I confirmed this trip with Steph and her family. And on 1 May, about 9 am plus, we arrived at the Harbourfront Cruise Centre to book our ferry tickets to Batam...and to our astonishment, the only earliest ferry tickets available will be only 2.20 pm... oh my gosh! I thought only M'sia is Singaporean's favourite places to travel to during long weekends/holidays.... never did I knew that Batam island is so overwhelmily visited by Singaporeans! Now, learnt a lesson... next time must do a advance booking via telephone-booking with the ferry agency...

Hence,from 10 am... loitered around Vivocity, had breakfast and lunch and window-shopping until it was time for checking in at about 1.20 pm...

It was only about 2.30 pm then we got to board the ferry. It took us about an hour to reach Batam Centre. Our 2nd uncle (he worked in Batam for 12 years liao), together with a driver (whom uncle has helped us to engage) was already there to receive us. As this trip was of a short notice for 2nd uncle, hence, he was unable to keep us company for the day due to his prior dinner engagement. So, we had the driver to take charge of chauffeurring us throughout our shopping trips.

Our shopping trip started at about 3 pm (Batam time), at the Nagoya Hill shopping centre. All of us had a great buy of the Polo T-shirts which cost about between S$20 - S$40 plus (in average) at the Mahatari departmental store. I also bought some t-shirts for MIL (for her to wear to downstairs for her daily exercise). Each t-shirts cost only about S$3. Thereafter, we had a light dinner at the A&W restaurant at about 6 pm.

At about 6.30 pm, we went to BCS, another shopping centre which also had a great number of shops. In here, I found and bought my sons' Pokemon cartridges (which cost about S$15 each). Informed them over the phone, and they were so happy about it...

At about 7.30 pm, our driver dropped off us at our final destination - Mega Mall @ the Batam Centre. As we have already finished buying most of the stuff that we wanted, hence, we only window-shopped at here.

At about 8.30 pm, we were already at the ferry terminal, checking-in to board the last ferry at 9.00 pm. By this time, everyone of us was already tired.

We reached Harbourfront at about 11.15 pm (Singapore time).

I am delighted to have proceeded with this trip, and it was really 满载而归! More happy to have Jacie to accompany us in this trip as she had been cooperative, cheerful and really liven up and entertained my day! At the end of the day, she must have been very tired that she felt asleep in the ferry and all the way through reaching home...so cute!

As 2nd uncle had mentioned, he suggested that we could have come here with more friends, and to stay over for a night, so that he could play host and we could have more fun to enjoy the nightlife of Batam in eating local seafood and specialties, and to go for massage or spa...

Looking forward to the next trip where I can have more friends to join me along...