Ohllaaaaaa! I'm back from a real quick getaway and am feeling rejuvenated and refreshed now. I'm so glad to be taken away from the city to adsorb the sun and cool breeze from the ocean. The beach definitely had a calming effect that I was so reluctant to return home. The thought of waking up to a sea view is just breathtaking, something you can't have in a small city. This beach vacation is definitely the start to more.
Accommodation: Turi Beach Resort
After a 40 minute ferry ride from Tanah Merah ferry terminal, I reached Nongsapura ferry terminal. It is 5 minutes away from Turi Beach Resort. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a beautiful view of the beach and a somewhat warm hospitality. The front desk was a little chaotic and had some confusion between the taxi and check in lines but the staffs were very helpful and welcoming. The room, a decent twin bedroom, has the usual amenities of a hotel room except for a fridge. I was kind of surprised as I wanted to chill my water for the hot day ahead but could not.
Things I did:
1. Nagoya Shopping Centre
- Ayam Penyet Ria: The chicken was very crispy and the chili is spicy. They have a stall at Lucky Plaza so if you want to have authentic Batam Ayam Penyet, you can.
- A&W: It's a ritual for me to indulge in A&W whenever I visit Malaysia or Indonesia. The food is not the most fantastic but just because there isn't any in Singapore I had to eat it.
- Jco donuts: There's nothing special about the donuts, just that it is so much cheaper as compared to Singapore. So I bought them for supper.
- Massage: I did not had a massage at the all so famous Isabella Massage House because it has moved out of the shopping mall. So I had my massage at the only massage parlour on the top floor of the mall. A Massage is definitely a must in Batam because it is so freaking cheap! No joke, my massage, including tips, only cost $12!! You can never find such cheap massages in Singapore.
- Layers Batam: If you are looking to bring back something for your relatives or friends, their Kueh Lapis is a good gift. This brand is pretty well know over there so don't worry if you can't find it. It is everywhere.
- Hypermart: Everything in there screams cheap. If you are not lazy to bring extra baggage back, it is ideal to stock your necessities from here. Most items are at least half of what you will find in NTUCs.
2. Harbourbay Seafood Restaurant
It was one of those rare moments where I could have dinner by the sea with live music playing at the background. I was satisfied with my salted egg yolk crab but wished the crab could be meatier.
3. Catch the sunrise
More often than not, we tend to be sleeping while Mr Sun is rising from the east or get caught up with technology or our hectic schedule that we missed the moment. This time, I forwent my sleep and watched the ball of fire bring colour and light to the sky. It felt so magical and glorious as the sun lit up the surroundings and commenced the start of a brand new day. I was so glad to be able to capture the moment.
4. Sun tan and chill by the pool
I gave my skin some vitamin D and colour while reading a novel. Life like this is good but hard to find.
5. Room service
The price tags are equivalent to Singapore cafe price thus affordable if you are lazy to head to the shopping malls.
Total expenditure: $218.50 (It is super wallet friendly, so much cheaper than a staycation at MBS.)
1. 2D1N Turi Beach Resort accommodation + american breakfast + 2 way ferry and land transfer (alldealsasia.com's promotion) - $99
2. Extra ferry fees: Singapore PDF & fuel surcharge - $20 & Batam terminal fee - IDR 50,000
3. Personal expenses (shop & dine) - $94
Overall it was a relaxing 2D1N escape from the bustling city and is so glad to be able to squeeze so many things into 2 short days. I also love that everything screams cheap, very important for a student with a tight wallet like me. One thing to note is to bring insect repellent if you do not want to be bitten by those blood sucking monsters.
