|
Set off to the island of Batam, Indonesia, on the morning of 14th june
2008. Weather forecast I checked shows that there is likely to be light
showers and thunderstorms in the aftern, but I was rather optimistic
dat it wouldn’t happen! (which it dint)
Our ferry (Batam Fast) was
at 1150 n we were there at ard 950 to get our tix n check in. well,
checking in was rather messy to me. The waiting area was crowded n
everyone juz rushed fer the seats coz it was free seating! But since
it’s a vacation n being the gd tempered me, =p, I was able to take it!
The
ferry ride was supposed to take 45 min, n the land transfer 15min.
However, the ferry suddenly took 1hr 15 min or so n the transfer took
20min to half hr! so we reached our resort, Turi Beach resort, at abt 1
plus, close to 2.
Checked into our rm, at level 3, which was
rather convenient to the lobby at level 2. Had a pretty classic
Indonesian look to me! Haha. room was actually a hut (divided into 2
rms), and built on stilts as it was on the hillside, resulting in the
different ‘levels’. Turned out the aircon wasn’t exactly working even
tho it was blowing air (only discovered dat at night).
After we
reached, we change into our wet wear, took a few pics in our rm, n went
out to lunch n den the wet activities as planned. As the resort was
undergoing a major renovation, there was only one restaurant opened n
it was temporarily sited at their function rm. Ambience weren’t too bad
there. When we arrived, there was a choice of ala carte or buffet. We
decided to take the ala carte fer lunch n buffet fer dinner as we were
gng to swim after lunch. I ordered ‘chicken in a basket’ n jul ordered
kampong nasi goreng.
Wad was annoying was dat we waited more den
half hr b4 our food finally appeared on our tables! Din noe y there was
such a delay but since we were on holiday mood, we were able to wait!
When the food come, jul’s fried rice looks gd! It had fried rice, with
a sunnyside up egg on top, fried chicken pieces and 2 sticks of satay n
sum keropok. My chicken was pathetic. There were juz pieces of fried
chicken and a basket full of fries. Nonetheless, it managed to satisfy
my tummy!
After dat, we went dwn to the pool/beach. The beach n
the pool was nearly side by side. The beach was basically divided into
into two parts by a jetty dat extends abt 150m out into the waters.
Facing the sea on the right, rocks extended out into the sea. The beach
was sheltered by these rocks n it really isn’t the beach u wld imagine.
There are a few huts along the beach, woth a playground which we took
qt a few nice pictures there!
On the other side of the beach, it
faces the open sea where the sea sports section was located. Basically,
they haf kayaking, banana boat, jet skis and rubber dhingy. It wasn’t
really enticing as the beach looks deserted and the kayaks are rundown.
The initially planned banana boat ride idea was scrapped when we
realize dat 2 person can sit banana boat n there weren’t anione else
ard. However, we manage to take sum pics there too!
Afterwards,
we finally proceeded to the pool fer a dip/swim. The pool is nt a
standard pool, rather den a leisure pool I would sae. It had a baby
pool, medium pool (1.2m) where the poolside bar was located, n a deep
pool (2.4m). Spent most of the time in the medium pool as that’s the
height where we can stand n thus, take photos! We ordered a cocktail
from the poolside bar upon recommendation by the bartender. The
alcoholic cocktail was named Batam Paradise. It was not too bad, but
tasted abit like funch punch mixed with alcohol. Haha. =x
After
swimming in the pool n enjoying our cocktail at the bar, we went to
suntan (it was more of my idea as I tot I cld get my tan back.)
However, by the time we finished swimming, it was abt 4 plus 5, n the
sun was gng dwn. Din get much of a tan in the end but din mind busking
n relaxing in the sun. almost fell aslp a couple of times. Haha.
Den
we went to explore this small concrete path dat disappears along the
beach after a bend. In the end, found out that it actuali links to
another jetty n another resort! However, we cldnt tak pics at the jetty
as it was nt safe n they were renovating it.Went baq to OUR side of the
resort and to our own jetty instead. Found out that it was undergoing
renovation as well! So disappointing! But manage to take a few pics
again!
After dat, we went baq to our rm, tinkin of lookin at the
magazine in the rm which showed wad other facilities which we can still
go to. End p there wasn’t ani other facilities left coz of the
renovation!! The karaoke lounge, jaccuzi, gym, gift shops were all
being renovated!! In the end we decided to go to the beach to see the
sunset since it was setting.
Went dwn to the beach n sumhow, we
started picking up seashells frm the beach. There were sum nice
seashells but we only took a handful each. Jul is keeping them! Managed
to take a few photos along the beach as well again! Finally, the sun
was close to setting n we discovered the sun was gng to set behind the
trees on the other side!! Cldnt really see it set completely as half of
it was obstructed. But managed to get a few nice shots ba.
Finally
we went baq to our rm again to bathe n change for our buffet dinner!
Whicle waiting fer jul to bathe finish, realize that they DO haf
Singapore channels such as chn 8 n chn 5! Then, we set off to the
function rm fer the buffet n it was pretty cheap, $18 fer one person.
Coz we were feeling qt dehydrated, we ordered a cup of coke each! The
spread at the buffet was qt gd ( better den lunch definitely). There
was pineapple fried rice, seafood youtiao, mapo tofu, sambal squid, bbq
chicken n fish, fried mussels (gonggong), chicken soup, French
pastries, desserts, etc etc. had a great dinner n tink I ate abit too
full in the end.
Armed with our camera after dinner, we decided
to head dwn to the beach n pool to capture sum nite scenery. The place
was so deserted at nite ( even tho according to the website its fully
booked), it spooks u out. As we were approaching the pool, bats flew
overhead. We den decided its better nt to go dwn to the beach but to
retire earlier instead.
Went baq to the rm n cfm dat the aircon
wasn’t working. But since it was already qt late, we decided nt to
change rm n juz make do w one nite. Who noes in the end, jul lied dwn
on the bed n fell aslp! I watched master n commander on chn 5 alone in
the end until midnight. At midnight, I finally woke her up n passed her
a card I made fer her, which she had caught a glimpse previously. She
was v delighted n I m glad! Coz I din really get her ath fer our 2nd yr
anniversary. After dat, we bathed again n went to slp as it was qt late
alr. there was free breakfast buffet tml n hence we needed to wake up
earli coz we wanted to take pics again.
Ended up, we overslept a
lil n missed the sunrise completely. Rushed out fer breakfast instead n
found dat actually there wasn’t much time to take pic as we needed to
pack our stuff n prepare to checkout. Found out that a bat actually ate
fruits at our balcony n dirtied the whole balcony!
After
packing, we went to the lobby to check out n this was when we realized
that there was actually a nice small bar counter by the side w a pool
table. We shld haf gone there last nite to relax n chill out!!
Nevertheless, we ordered our last drink there, which was Shirley
Temple, basically 7-up with lime juice n grenadine, n it looks n taste
nice.
The bus to fetch us to the ferry terminal finally arrived
n we were taken to the ferry terminal. There was nth much to shop there
as the agency actually planned the time so well dat once u reach, it
almost time to check in n wait fer the ferry to come! The return ferry
took a shorter time, maebe coz of the current, and we reached
harbourfront at abt 430. We were qt tired n we were napping thru the
trip.
After we reached harbourfront, we went to the mac to haf
sumting to eat n drink as the last meal we had was actually our
breakfast. Ate one strawberry sundae each n shared a large lemon tea.
After dat, we took NEL baq n juju took 72 frm hg hm.
In summary,
the trip was a great one fer me. We had a weekend to ourselves n indeed
it was a unique wae to celebrate our 2nd yr! even tho the resort wasn’t
as great w all the renovation, we still managed to haf fun thru the
company of each other n when the resort is fully renovated, I wldnt
mind gng again!
 |
Community 
