〠 I went to Batam 5 times in 2023 〠

please dont ask me why, but i can explain myself 〠

a bit of a context: my family and I never took the ferry ever since the Tsunami 2009. (i'm not sure of the year. I was very young back then).

I went to Batam for the first time in so many years in July 2023 with my mum, cousin & aunt. then when I found out how ridiculously cheap Batam is, i went on another Batam trip with my parents in September. third trip, it was with my friends from secondary school in October for 5 days. fourth trip, it was a company trip in November. then, lastly, it was a mother-daughter trip in December. i told myself no more Batam trip till 2025. time to explore other places. I think I love Batam, but not to the point of going to Batam so many times.

𖠌 my fav places in Batam

• Grand Batam Mall

It's similar to your Tampines Mall. There are a lot of shops but my fav shop is KKV. they have EVERYTHING. From skincare to toys to household items. I'm not surprised because I spent like SGD100(RP 1,000,000) in KKV. So, young modern people would love this. what the oldies can enjoy this mall is the basement. the supermarket is LOVE. They have $0.50 Indomie of different flavours and all the snacks, coffee, and tea that you can stock up.

•DC Mall (Diamond City Mall)

This is like your neighbourhood mall, aka West Plaza @ Pasir Ris. They are various people selling medicated oil, creams, and all those medicated and herbally stuff. They also sell muslim clothes like your telekong, tudungs and baju kurung. It's the type of mall you can spend 30 minutes inside and leave. the supermarket is also LOVE. super friendly supermarket with such a neighbourhood vibe. i stocked up on my body wash and feminine wash from there.

•Kamaya Spa

this spa is the opposite of Grand Batam Mall. you can make an appointment via whatsapp. i wonder why they dont have people coming in. their masseuses are so friendly and give out the 'be comfortable, im here to take care of you'. they are so affordable, and they have free pick up & drop off complimentary services. just google search them and see what they offer. i love it. i went like 3-4 times already.

•cafe fore

this cafe is opposite Grand Batam Mall as well. my fav drink is the buttercream tiramisu latte. it's so affordable and the staff are so friendly. the cafe is so minimalist. their pastry are always so delicious. i stopped by every day whenever im in Batam. It's just so delicious and comfortable being there.

•artotel hotel

i love this modernised young people vibe hotel. artotel is new in Batam, but they are always fully booked. i love it because their breakfast options are so delicious, and their room is so spacious. their room service is TOP NOTCH and affordable, too. you can ask for a bucket of ice for only $0.50. the garlic naan and butter chicken and char kway teow are just so delicious. one time, i ordered all of this food, and the total bill only came out as $20. it's just so good, and love.

•swissbel hotel (harbourbay)

i only went to this hotel because it's the one arranged for the company trip. i actually like the hotel. the room is okay, the bed is comfortable. But the TV is still the old type. no connection to netflix or youtube. the business desk is huge and the chair is comfortable. our company dinner that was prepared by the hotel was awfully bad and little so the point after the dinner & dance, everyone ordered Grab food 😂 the shower was amazing though. i would stay here if artotel Hotel is fully booked.

•alya layer cake - whatsapp number: +62 813-7898-4741

this is not a place but my favourite kek lapis seller. the kek lapis is not so heavy but just nice of the buttery feeling. It's delicious and perfectly sinful. i always order from them. you just need to whatsapp them your order and they will deliver to your hotel and give it to you. payment via cash only. so set aside some money left and order kek lapis first before going shopping.

for all the 5 times I went to Batam, i feel like every time i come back home to SG, i have way too many things. sometimes, being on a holiday, you would want to buy everything just in case we are never back again. that was what i kept telling myself, but I ended up coming back 4 times later 〠 #clownbehaviour

nevertheless, batam is a place where i feel everyone should go and experience life. of course people go there for the go-kart and other experiences but i go vacation to shop and just relax. batam again, but in 2025 instead.

#batam #indonesia #travel #ThingsToDo #ThingsToDo

if you need suggestions on Batam, do let me know! i can give you my itineraries and opinions 🩶