Eat, Shop and Relax at Batam

It was like my friends and I were going to Indonesia without any plans at all. Oh, we have. We planned to just figure it out when we touch down Batam. So there. As we arrive at Batam Centre Port, we checked some booths around the area offering hotel accommodations and travel packages. While I was inquiring to one of the receptionists, I thought being a millionaire in Indonesia is okay but being asked for a popular singer in the Philippines is more fun. While the reception is holding my personal details which revealed I have the same surname with this popular balladeer not only in Philippines but Southeast Asia. She could not help but asked my relationship to him. Well, I jokingly said he is a close relative to me, can't you see the resemblance? LOL She was referring to, Christian Bautista.

Anyway, we finally got our place to stay and now we are ready to explore the small but busy island of Batam.

There's not so much to go in Batam Island like a tourist attraction or a famous spot but this island nearest to the fine city, Singapore, definitely has something worth visiting for.

As the title suggests, here are the top three reasons to go in Batam Island, Indonesia.

EAT.
One thing we know of about the island that we must try is their awesome seafood. When we asked the locals where we could have a nice dinner, there were two restaurant names that came out to be the best place for tourists. Golden Prawn and Golden Fish. We went to Golden Prawn by taxi for about 20 minutes from our hotel in Nagoya. There were a hundred meals to choose from their menu but we ordered Chili Crab, Buttered Shrimp, Fish and had a few Bintang beer.

The ambiance was great. The feel was seaside. The nipa hut sitting under a fishpond. There were performers playing live music. The food were served with large amount. And the taste was unbelievable. Now, I know why it is a favorite. Seafood is what they serve best hence the restaurant names. Around half a million rupiah, the best seafood meal was served on our plate and left the place with our stomach pampered.

The next day, we got to try Golden Fish for dinner. Another seafood restaurant with a good view of Barelang Bridge or what I regard as a Lover's Bridge. Along the bridge were a group of guys and gals obviously couples waiting for the sunset view. Their motorbikes which locals call as ojek were just parked along side of the bridge in a huge number as we passed by.

We also rented a taxi cab for two-way going to this seafood restaurant in Relang Island about an hour from the hotel in Nagoya. We had squid with asam java, steamed lobster, crab with black pepper, fish and gonggong. Their food was great but I still can't get over with Golden Prawn.

SHOP.
We went to Nagoya Hill were we thought at first was a hill (judging by the name). We were so eager to see the place imagining this would be a must-visit park where plenty of tourists enjoy their walk while having photo ops but unexpectedly, it was a mall.

Shopaholics will love it here as they have a lot of malls even in this small island. Aside from Nagoya Hill, we have seen Mega Mall, located on the opposite side of Batam Centre Terminal. And they also have Kepri Mall, Center Point and there's just more.

RELAX.
Going around Batam is relaxing as they only have either a cheap taxi cab or motorbike for transport. We took the taxi cab from Batam Centre Ferry Terminal to our hotel in Nagoya around 20 minutes for 50,000 rupiahs. We were also impressed with the hotel we stayed in. We get to relax with their rooms so clean, complete amenities including spa, sauna, mini pool and gym. And of course, a complementary breakfast.

It has been a long time that I wanted to treat myself a massage, and finally I took it here in Batam. I had reflexology and massage about an hour for 128,000 rupiahs.