Stressed and overworked, we couldn’t resist another cheap getaway to Batam. With more experience from the previous trip, we are more astute in picking the ideal package from the plethora of options available.

 

Our choice: Pacific Palace Hotel + Buffet Lunch and no massage for $35 (+$27 for ferry +$4 for guide/driver).

 

The itinerary is not much different from the last time: KTM resort (Guan Yin statue) > Chocolate factory > Kueh Lapis shop > Kuda Lumping show > Dry market > Polo Ralph outlet > Indonesian buffet @ Sari Bumbu > Toa Pek Kong temple > First Factory Outlet > Massage > Hotel.

 

The buffet lunch was as good as I remembered. I especially like the bee hoon which had a unique sweet taste. It reminded me of a story I read as a child about a girl who accidentally added sugar instead of salt when frying bee hoon and it turned out to be delicious. It somehow occurred to me that it must have tasted like this.

 

While the others had their massage, we crossed the road to BCS Mall. Like the last time, we bought the Nasi Goreng Set (~30,000 Rp; ~S$3) from Best Fried Chicken (BFC) for dinner. In fact, the nasi goreng is one of the reasons that made me come back to Batam. The rice is nicely fried such that each grain is well-separated and evenly flavoured. Sedap! 

 

At the end of the city tour, the coach would make its rounds to drop us at the various hotels. And this time, we basked in the envy of the others as we got off at the grand Pacific Palace Hotel. Constructed in the form of a luxury cruise ship, the interior was tastefully decorated with Greek mythology statues and paintings.

 

 

A four-star hotel, the room was very much better than the one we had before. Peeling off the curtains, we had a beautiful view of the Kelong settlements. There were also children playing football on a sand pitch.

 

 

Our stay at the hotel was a pleasant one. We managed to squeeze in two workouts at the gym (before dinner and after breakfast) which was well equipped with a range of machines and free weights. The pool was under renovation but we managed to try the Jacuzzi, dipping in the hot pool and letting the jet of bubbles knead away the tension in our muscles.

 

 

We spend the night watching movies on HBO and Star Movies (That’s My Boy, Horrible Bosses) and tucked in contentedly knowing that a sumptuous breakfast awaits us when we wake up. The hotel breakfast did match up to our expectations with a decent spread of dishes and an egg counter!

 

Strongly recommended for people who are looking to nua (relax and do nothing) in a comfortable yet inexpensive environment.

 

Travel Tips

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[Ferry] Ferry to Batam is free seating. Take the window seat to the left of vessel for views of Sentosa, St John Island, MBS and flyer skyline. Window seat to the right for views of Reflections at Keppel Bay, Bukom, Semakau, Sebarok islands. Opposite directions apply for return trip.

 

[Porter] Porters at the ferry terminal will offer to carry your bags/ luggage but they expect to be paid ($1 per item). So insist on carrying your own bags if you do not want to pay.

 

[Drinking Water] Tap water is not potable in Batam. If you need more water than the 2 meagre complimentary bottles, the gym has a water dispenser where you can fetch cold water.