The ferry was supposed to depart at 8.20am, but it arrived late so we just sat there and waited. Bubsy was inpatient, so my mum had to carry him all the time.
 |
| I'm so bored!!! |
We finally boarded the ferry and departed at about 9am.
When we arrived at Batam customs, there was this really fierce customs officer. There were people talking in the queue, so he used his stick to whack the "Do Not Make Noise" sign board. Everyone got a shock and kept quiet. He even said "You cannot see this sign? If you make noise, I don't give you chop. You have no chop you cannot go in, then you stand here or take ferry back to Singapore." Everyone kept very silent. I was so so SO SOOO thankful that bubsy was sleeping at that time!!!! What if he cried or made noise? I can't stop or control a baby who doesn't understand what is going on. Judging from that fierce customs officer's character, he would surely deny bubsy entry into Batam.
Upon exiting customs, we were greeted by our local tour guide. Batam's time is one hour behind Singapore, so it was 8am when we arrived. There were nearly fifteen other travelers in our group. Our first stop was a Chinese temple. Apparently it was the largest temple in Asia.
Upon exiting customs, we were greeted by our local tour guide. Batam's time is one hour behind Singapore, so it was 8am when we arrived. There were nearly fifteen other travelers in our group. Our first stop was a Chinese temple. Apparently it was the largest temple in Asia.
Next stop was a Kueh Lapis Home bakery. The owner bakes hundreds of cakes each day. It was really soft and rich in butter. We loved it to bits. I liked the plain one, but everyone else liked the one with prunes. As I've got a very active bowel, I didn't want the prunes. However, the majority won so we ordered 3 prunes and 1 original.
 |
| The home bakery employs about 10 staff |
Then we went to a chocolate shop, selling Indonesian-made chocolates. They sold foreign chocolates too like kinder bueno, but it was so expensive!! A pack of 10 was about S$25. I could buy a pack of 10 from NTUC at S$9-$12 (depending on the sale period).
 |
| Bubsy making that face again when he saw me holding up the camera! |
At the chocolate shop, bubsy was the star attraction. All the tourists and even the staff neglected their duties to play with bubsy ^^
 |
| Store staff on his right, left and centre all came to greet and play with bubsy~ |
 |
| Bubsy didn't want to let the cashier's hand go |
We also went to see miniature kampongs.
It was really hot in Batam. I always thought that Singapore was the hottest, being on the equator and all that. Alas, Batam was much hotter! It was at least 36 degrees that day.
Will I return to Batam again? Maybe. There was nothing to do there, besides shopping and good massage. The food isn't that good and there isn't any nice and fun places for children.
Also, Batam is not safe. We were warned by the tour guide to ignore if anyone taps on our shoulders - if you turned to look, you will be hypnotised and unknowingly follow your kidnapper to your doom. It was scary just to hear that this sort of thing exists, let alone happens! Not only must I watch my money and bags, I had to protect bubsy too!
However, I really loved the massage. It was so comfortable and soothing. I actually fell asleep during a massage for the first time!!!!! Bubsy woke me up shortly after with his sheer cries :( My bones cracked a lot - signs of stress and fatigue. I felt rejuvenated right after the massage. In fact, my grandma loved the massage so much that she unknowingly wore the massage shorts back home! When she realised that she had worn her pants over the shorts, we were already at the shopping centre so we just got rid of the incriminating evidence by throwing the shorts away before boarding the tour bus ^^. Will return to Batam again just for the massage - but without the kid! ^^
No comments:
Post a Comment