Snorkeling in Batam: A Potential Nature Tourism Yet Needs (Some) Touch!

Talking about island hopping, Riau Islands is one of the best to experience. There are more than 1000 islands scattered from Malacca Strait to the South China Sea, each of them comes up with their own attractions, from diving, snorkelling, white sand beach (Lagoi in Bintan Island), business and shopping (Batam Island), sports destination, and more.

We, four of us, went to Abang Island (Pulau Abang the locals called it) where we spent full-day time by none other than… snorkelling. Did we? Ya! And it was exciting and fun!

How to and what to do

Batam Island was our starting point. We booked a tour package costing USD25.00 per person and it included:

-          Pick up – drop services in Kepri Mall, Batam.

-          Boat transfer from Galang Island – Abang Island

-          Lunch

-          Snorkelling with instructor in three different spots (islands) around Abang Island.

The bus picked us up at Kepri Mall at 7.30 in the morning. We went to Galang Island, where there was a small ferry port to Galang. I was so excited as I was about to see the Barelang bridge for the first time, even though I’d been here for about two years. 

The location of Pulau Abang in Riau Islands

It took less than 2 hours from Kepri Mall to Galang Island.  Just so you know, the island is the southernmost area Batam and was connected by six bridge through the four island in between Batam and Galang, and it stretched for 50 km length the road through and it was smooth. Along the way through we could see dragon fruit plantation, some junctions to the nearby virgin beaches, vegetable farms, and we could spend some time in Vietnam Camp, the place under UNCHR for Vietnamese refugees during Vietnam War. I liked the concept of how the bridges were firstly introduce, though less result we could see from what the government had expected at the first time. Third-world country.

We arrived in Galang and was transferred by a …what to say…small….traditional boat to be exact to Abang Island. It was cloudy then rainy on the sea. Some passengers were like “Omigod!” “Oh, shit! Don’t fall, don’t fall (into the water)!” as the wave was a bit striking. Actually the waters is fine. I mean, it’s not like in the middle of ocean during storm or something as it was really nice. Maybe because first we use traditional boat and second it rained. Overall, we did feel good. We could not wait!

It took 1 hour from Galang to Abang Island. Once we arrived, we were like “Hurray!!!” We could see the traditional house of the locals living there. I wondered how thy dealt with everyday life there.  I mean, with your house above the water and no such things to do there (seemed so). So local. Our instructor had been waiting for us and ready to break the waves. We had to wait at least for half an hour as it was suddenly rainy and we were like “Shit!”

The first spot is in an island (sorry that I cannot remember the island’s name other than Abang. So many island), 30 minutes away from Abang by boat. Equipped already, we jumped into the water and the instructor lead us to the snorkelling (and diving) spot nearby. It was our first time to snorkel and it was so crazy. I mean, we didn’t even have no idea how to these equipment work hence we kept our instructor BUSY just train us HOW TO BREATHE. But it’s okay, anyway. I mean, that’s part of his job and we’re sorry that we’re just that dumb in it. Not to mention it was very difficult to move with we-called-it-Penguin-Feet attached in our feet. You know what I mean, don't you? Gosh!

Snorkeling in Abang Island

Beautiful the coral was. And it was… deep at some points. We could even see “Nemo”! Just like in the” Finding Nemo”, from A-Z, the colour, shape, and the way it moved. You know what I mean, right? We spent around 1 hour exploring what’s beneath the surface and it was fun…and…yeah, exhausting. I mean, maybe because it was our first time and we didn’t even have any regular exercise before, quite shocking the body.

The next spot was on the island 10 minutes from the first spot. The water is clearer and deeper than the previous spot. We spent around 1 hour and we saw fish, some creepy creatures attached in the anemone, and sea urchins (locals called it “bulu babi”) everywhere. It was so bad to see many of them as it didn’t look good. I mean, the sea urchins.

Our instructor asked us whether or not we went to the last spot. And of course we said “No, thanks!” as we were exhausted like hell. We just passed through some groups preparing to do snorkelling on the spot, and we looked so messy and tired. I wonder how the diver or even traditional diver did it every day and even longer. They must be kind of half-fish.

One of the islands

Instead, we went to another small island to enjoy our lunch. It was cooked by the local and it was nice! I liked the sotong (squid) very bad. It was sauced and it ruled! What made it crazy was that the rain suddenly fell while we enjoyed our lunch. We got back to the boat and had it there instead.

It is okay (maybe) for those who had curiosity and just going local. Something we can learn, about simplicity (?) whatsoever. However, when it comes to “bathroom things”, for most visitors it’s more about hygiene, comfort, and that’s what the government should pay more attention to. Please do not get me wrong, as we saw numbers of visitors from the neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore there, but yeah, one day trip only. So bad for the islands offering lots of natural attraction and we were like no choice to stay longer just because of some little basic thing less properly provided.
We went back to the basecamp to clean our body before going back home. That’s when the issue came out. Actually it was a nice trip but minus the facility like bathroom. I was quite shocked knowing that we had to have shower outdoor.... like really…….

Overall, it was quite fun time for us in Abang Island. Love it!!!

Pricing & Tips:

-       Pulau Abang fullday all in: IDR398,000.- (USD25.00), the payment all in Indonesia Rupiah, subject to change but the price would be around the range. Some visitors were independently coming without taking the package, but it would be a bit difficult for arrangement on the spot as more took the package instead. Not to mention, it’s all in. Ease yourself up.

-          Use sunblock/sun-screen lotion as it’s a tropical island.

-          Better bring your own snack and drinks from Batam.

-    Don't bother for social media updates. No signal there for data access. It's time to fully be out of the office and paper works!

-          Please keep the environment clean.

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Little Things To Know: Batam

For those not knowing yet about Batam, here are the things that uniquely to know:

Massive Deforestation
As any other developing countries do, they make living from cutting trees. Take a look at this picture.

It was taken three months ago when I happened to go around and found this newly deforested area. Now the tree (the last one remaining) is gone as it's became ashes already and there will be clusters for settlement and industries. And it's not the only one, trust me (see other pics). We all see that Batam

is center of industry. Many factories have been built and more others to come.  Deforestation is striking every inch of land in this island.

Dusty Cars

Believe it or not, MOST of cars in Batam are dusty regardless it is the tacky or the classy one. It's fulled of dust. And it's thick! 

The picture above shows the someone wrote "DASAR JOROK!" (GROSS!) on the windshield's glass in the backside of a car. What a joke! I mean, they shouldn't have made it if the dusty is not at least 5mm thick.


Free Area

As it is only 12 miles away from Singapore, we can find many things (imported products) which are cheap and better easily. Seriously. You can get Chivas here way cheaper than any other places in Indonesia. Carlsberg, Bailey, wine, snacks, many things.

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Dae Jang Geum: Korean Food in Batam

It's not about Korean Drama or anything like that. It's more about Korean food restaurant in Batam where you can satisfy your gastronomical desire! Well, I went to Dae Jang Geum again last Saturday night, and chilled out with my peers there. It was fun as you know, Korean food are somehow are unfamiliar to most of us. At least, some of the menu. Alright, let's go to the table for the dish.

We had Bibimbap, Ramen noodle (Mie Ramen), Korean Sushi and 3 bowls of rice on the table, that's it! Maybe you will say "What? That's it?" as we were 7 persons gathering and craving at the same time. Just so you know that Korean food is a big family portion. I ordered Bibimbap, Korean tea and rice. My friends ordered Korean Sushi, Mie Ramen, Bibimbap and another Bibimbap and another rice along with it. After 20 minutes of waiting, the condiment was served. There were kimchi and the other 5 things I don't even know what it is. It' okay anyway. Only 3 of us apparently like kimchi like very bad. The rest said it tasted different. When they asked me why I liked kimchi so much I just said as it tasted good even though it's rotten vegetable and they're just like "....okay....".

Some moment later was time for the pancake. I think, it was the most "making sense" dish for all of us as it tasted familiarly Indonesian, even for Korean food with NATIVE Korean Chef working on it. Now let's go to Bibimbap.

After searching in Wikipedia, it's said that Bibimbap is "mixed rice". It is served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with namul (sautéed and seasoned vegetables) and gochujang (chilli pepper paste). A raw or fried egg and sliced meat (usually beef) are common additions. The ingredients are stirred together thoroughly just before eating.

Yes, that's what laid right before my eyes on the table. There were mushrooms and the other kinds of "green", carrot (?), mushrooms, nori (seaweed), and they covered the rice (cold rice, not hot rice) underneath, with the fried egg on it's peak. Not to mention the paste that was served on a separated plate. All we have to do was just to stir and mix it all like crazy before eating. You can add the paste if you like but I don't recommend it (it's weird). Maybe the proverb saying that "When the people is craving they will even eat garbage" is right. I mean, it looks so much like garbage, but this one is a delicious garbage. Next!

Korean sushi is GOOD! I mean, the sticky rice with crab inside and the nori wrapping up. It's just gone less than 10 minutes. Like Godzilla found fish! You gotta try!

The Mie Ramen is more like any other ordinary instant noodle. But it's much much much bigger portion! All is just the same. I mean, like, you eat 5 Indomie at once. That's it!

Anyway, it was fun having some quality time with friends with good dishes.

Sure I'm gonna come back again for more delicious Korean food.

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Explore Batam's Princess Island: Indonesia's Frontier In The World's Busiest Waters

Have you ever heard Princess Island aka Pulau Putri? It's not Pulau Putri in Kepulauan Seribu (Thousands islands) in Northern Jakarta, instead, it's the frontier island in Singapore Straits, between Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia's Johor Bahru.

I went there yesterday afternoon, just right before sunset and it was amazing! It's only 5 minutes away from Batam's Nongsa. You can reach the island less than 10 minutes from Nongsa on boat. You do not need to worry as the wave is just good (not rough waters) so it'll be joyful. We started the trip from Nongsa and we took a boat for 6 persons. It's less than 5 minutes were on boat. However, we have to take a walk for about 50 meters to get the shore as the tide was at its lowest. Anyway, it was fun. Once you get there, you'll find yourself like stranded. I mean, okay, there is a lighthouse but that's the only thing on the island, plus, a wrecked dumped ship. Yes, a wreck!

Pulau Putri is in Indonesia's territory. The island is just 50 meters in length and 30 meters in width. It seemed like there's 3 different island in Pulau Putri. When the tide is low, you can reach the next island on foot and there is another tiny island in the northernmost. When the tide is high, the rest two islands will be flooded by waters and look like a floating green.

I really wanted to go up to the peak of the watch tower but it was not allowed. So sad. Anyway, you could see and enjoy the sunset and have Singapore view (silhouette of the Harbor Front and the Marina Bay Sands) and it was beautiful! Not only is it. You can see Nongsa Point Marina in the North-East (it looked like a heaven in disguise!), Batam Centre in the South-East, and of course, Malaysia's Johor. As The Straits is one of the busiest strait in the world so lots of cargo ships just pass by like all the time. It's such a busy strait indeed.

Nothing much we can find in the island. There is only a food stall that operates in the certain time. A wreckage of a ship, and local settlement. I mean, the guards placed in the island. You know, it's a frontier island so there is patrol by marine guards sometimes. Afterall, it was a beautiful moment when we can--at least--see the life in the frontier. Not really felt isolated or something, it's just...different...and exciting!

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Explore Batam: Tanjung Piayu's Kampung Tua's Seafood-Heaven-In-Disguised!

Forget about Nagoya with its night clubs, shopping malls or whatsoever there is.

First thing first you have to seize (the moment) when you're in Batam is enjoying Barelang Bridge (so sad that I haven't even been there yet!), the icon of the island. But, you know what, there is another perfect getaway destination for your gastronomical desire. It's about 20 minutes southward from Kepri Mall and do not worry as it is money worth it. Okay, let's start the journey from Kepri Mall. Instead of going straight ahead if we go to Nagoya from Batu Besar, we turn left in Kepri Mall intersection. After about 3 miles away we'll find another junction and we turn left and down the road until the edge of the island (Kampung Tua Tanjung Piayu, Batam). The road condition is a little bit worse in 500 meters away from the place. Along the way there you will see the iconic Barelang Bridge on the other side of the island on the right and sea on the left. So, we're down the way southern-ward to the peninsula. I recommend you to go there in the daytime or afternoon just before the sunset as there will be WAY more beautiful view you can see. 

I don't know the name of the seafood restaurant as it is like, you know, traditional right-above-the-sea restaurant and I went there in the evening. We were like 20 persons and the total cost we had to pay was ONLY IDR1,000,000.00 (USD100 for 20 PERSONS! 5 BUCKS EACH!) and you know what, LOTS OF THINGS! Crabs (a buch of crabs!!!), shrimps, sauteed kale, gong-gong (a kind of seafood snail cooked with its shell and it tasted simple, natural and delicious!), buckets of rice, Lebam fish (with spicy dressing), coconut (a whole coconut and a straw attached just like summer time), sambal,  even though sadly the fried-crispy-cuttle fish were sold out, but still, delicious!

While you're waiting the dish to come, you can enjoy the islands view just outside the restaurant. You can chill out in a--let say--mini dock and see the islands spread out there. It took a little bit long time until the dish were served. I asked the local guy whether I can go around the tiny island (it's uninhabited!) but sadly it's evening. By the time the dish were served, all you're crave was like...paid off! Those things mentioned above just rushed on to the table and waited for your appetite!

One more thing to know is that there were many fish, I mean, Lebam fish below us. I saw a kid fishing, using a bait attached in a string and you know what, he got 2 fish in less than 5 minutes and I was like "Oh my God, how could he do it?"

Overall, it was a very memorable moment and you gotta try! Just take a look at pictures and you'll see. I mean, it's not a lux place. Instead, it's more like local people's housing that's set to be a restaurant but the seafood rocks like the hipsters in the downtown. Lol

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Explore Batam: The Great Escape To Nongsa!

Batam is well-known as industrial center in Indonesia, the nearest island to the super busy neighboring Singapore. But do you know what makes it different to its neighbor? Yup! Batam has less polluted air than Singapore. My friends who went to Singapore often complain about the heat (sometimes reach 36 degrees) and since there is always traffic there so it's just crowded and people chase after the time. No relax lah!

Most of the foreign visitors coming to Batam are from Singapore and Malaysia since the distance is relatively short. It's only 40 minutes by ferry from Singapore to Batam and vise versa. There is an area in Batam that is the place of resorts. It is Nongsa.

There are several resorts in the area. Nongsa Point Marina, Batam View Beach Resort, Turi Beach and Palm Springs (for playing golf!) are some of the places you can escape to! With private beach and activities (land and sea sports, BBQ, partying, and stuffs!) the visitors will be pampered by the quiet, private, refreshing moments as what they just need after rushing for work along the weekdays. 

Craving for seafood? Just go to Kelong Seafood Restaurant (in Batam View Beach Resort). Overall, Nongsa is one of the best place to escape. The resorts with all facilities and activities and its inclusive beach is one of the the best with affordable price. 

The last, and maybe the crucial one. They accept US Dollar, Singapore Dollar and Indonesian Rupiah as transaction. There are money changers around the island. So, let's just escape!!!!

Next explore: Batam Central Business District!

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.....is finally BACK!!!!!

After like-a-thousand-years of waiting....

I can finally write again, fill this lovely forgotten-for-a-while blog with words, super words for us all to read.

Well, first thing first..

I'm no longer in Java, the most populous crazy island on this planet. Instead, I'm in Batam Island. A small LESS attractive island near MUCH more attractive tiny island of Singapore (You know what, it's only 15 miles away from Batam!) So, what am I gonna tell you actually? Let's just push the play button!

Batam is a tiny island located in Malacca waters, just 15 miles  North-Eastern-ward away of Singapore and South-Eastern-ward of Malaysia's Johor. It's a central business region of Indonesia's Riau Islands Province as it is set to counterpart its neighboring super busy Singapore.

What Am I doing here then?

Simple, I'm working! LOL

It's not really bad lah to work here even though it's a little, if not more, different. I'm working in the hospitality industry. yeah, I'm drowning in the hospitality industry and it's my very first time to get involved in this kind of thing.

I got a little bit .....er.......confused how to deal with this job. However, as the time goes by, I got used to it. Moreover, I enjoy this job.

Now skip the job thing and move to Batam things instead :)

What are there in Batam?

Many things!

When my feet stepped out of the airport corridor, what I felt was just.....HOT! HOT AS HELL!!! I mean, can you figure out how to deal with AT LEAST 33 degrees everyday? I need rain!

What I like most here is the food. SOME of the food. I mean, the Sumatra's cuisine and Chinese cuisine influence MUCH and sadly I do not really like Sumatra's cuisine as it is LOTS of coconut milk! No way lah for me to eat. Hehe.. But I love NASI GORENG SEAFOOD a la Batam! It ROCKS!!!!!!! You know lah nasi goreng, don't you? But, what makes it different with the ordinary nasi goreng is the seafood itself! The size of the ring-shape cut cuttlefish, the shrimp, and the "collision" between Nasi Goreng Jawa and Chinese's twist makes it look and taste like a leisure with pleasure. And...it's not over yet, as Durian Juice is waiting for you to close the muchy-time! You know what, It's only IDR15,000.00 for Nasi Goreng seafood and ONLY IDR10,000.00 for the juice!!!!!!! You don't even need a calculator to sum it up!

However, It's quite hard to find carrot juice here as it's sooo expensive! I mean, the carrot! My friend here told me that she once bought 3 carrots and it cost IDR12,000.00! And I once bought carrot juice here which was IDR8,000.00 and it was more like water than the carrot juice instead. It's disappointing lah.

There're so many things to share here about Batam, but now now lah. Later! :)

 

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