Tuesday, June 16, 2009
BaTaM TrIp
I didn't tell anyone about going to Batam, it just so happens.So my mum was kind of disappointed with that. But I assured her it was going to be OK over sms. Her disappointment wasn't long as she told me to get some KEROPOK and enjoy myself there. Which I did.
I'm not a very good storyteller. I'm just good with words when it comes to deep thoughts. Here goes anyway...
Ida's driver was waiting for us at Batam centre once we reached by ferry. First we went to Barelang bridge to admire the view and take pictures. We had lunch at Lapangan Tembak foodstall which sold very nice Bakso soup and other regular fried dishes. Food there was cheap. No smoking signs is nonexistant there in Batam. We relax at the hotel for 2 hours in the afternoon.
Breathtaking top!
Breathtaking under!
Heading for lunch...
Arrived at last.
Then we went to DC mall to shop for some keropok ,had A&W waffles and fries, bought some perfumes. Then we went to visit Ida's father who has a food stall there selling satay in front of Avava mall. The satay is one of the best. Ida's father Jaffar, told us it was real meat unlike the ones in Singapore. They had some family "reunion and discussion" which puts ME out of the picture. Ida was running out of cigaretes. The cigarettes there are less than 2 bucks. I didn't keep track of finances, which was a mistake on my part. I trust her and just keep passing money to her. Note to self that I have to prepare an excel spreadsheet for future trips expenses in different currencies. Dividing numbers by 6.5 soon became less confusing as we got use to it. Things were relatively cheaper there when it comes to food and clothes.
The cigarette seller who was passing by almost tricked Ida into paying more for the ciggies, but Jaffar's father scoffs, "Hah! Depan aku pun kau nak tipu ke aper?" It started to rain. We tapau the satay and chicken cuz we already ate a lot from A&W. In the evening we went to Coastarina beach which was further out of town. Reminiscent of sentosa. The place looks cleaner as it just opened. Initially Ida wanted to take the Ferris wheel but we went to get tickets for a Kerispatih concert instead. The Ferris wheel happened to be just outside the concert. Damn! I told her its ok, we may not get the highest best view but we get to WALK the view. We didn't stay for the concert but just lepak there and admire the place. Although it was not very well lit, it was spacious and very soothing to hear the waves of the sea behind us. Later on, one of the Kerispatih members showed up at Noname club at our hotel playing the drums.
I realise Batam is just like a small town and our driver, Cik Malis was taking us to the different malls in circles. I began remembering roads better after a while before it got dark. And some of the road junctions had no traffic lights so cars were coming in and out like its their father's road and in these junctions you have to watch carefully. Another thing I notice, a lot of unlit buildings at night. A lot of unlicense shops selling crackers and beverages without electricity using standard white lamps which barely illuminate in the dark. And there are many of these kinds of stalls which dun lit very well in the evening. In the thick forest growth you can see some illumination in the distance, means people are living somewhere at the back of these forests. Its almost like a backward country when its at night. But I was told its not that bad.
Cik Malis briefly put it that to join military here you need some savings and a good education, unlike in singapore where u just need the heart to do it and sign a bond. You also need some form of education which is not compulsory. In Batam you can choose to go to school or just work. Does the police here make a lot of money? Not so says cik Malis. Unless they choose to. In Batam a lot of cars are unlicense, so in order to make some money, the police there will have to issue fines to make a little extra. Of course they can also be corrupt and make some illegal money along the lines.
The taxi drivers here are either licensed or private. Cik Malis warn us to not take private ones although they are cheap. Either you get voodooed into giving them more of your money, or you might get into trouble with the authorities. How they operate is to rent different cars at different times and pose as cabbies. Even the locals are likely to get voodooed by the private cabs.
The law in Batam is simple. If somebody commits a crime and makes a run for it, its shoot first ask later. The police has more power, so Batam is relatively safe when it comes to violence.
The food here is great. But I stay away from outside stalls as a friend of mine from school found a cockroach leg in one of his dishes in a seperate trip. Already fried!
I stumbled upon an old friend unexpectedly at a club in Harmoni hotel that play some dangdut music and international ones. The chicks singing on the stage had awesome voices. I can't help but to just smile looking at them until Kartini burst my bubble by telling me "Wan, she's looking at you!"
I stumbled upon Ali Sluardalam, notorious for walking around in his underwear during SRB days. Hahaha! His is a sight to behold. He tapped on my shoulder and there he was like I imagined him there! He was going for a handshake with that "I can't believe its you" look on his face with his jaw wide open. He was speechless. At that time I was on the dance floor with Kartini and Idah. I was in complete bliss. I literally smiled dancing the night away. Kartini was teaching me some of her moves as I tried to follow. At some point we were suppose to dance together as she took my hand but at some point, it didn't connect. It was Ida's birthday too. Kartini bought her a cake and we got a complimentary one from the club. We didn't finish the cakes. The night was happening! But I still prefer house trance rnb music over dangdut. We left the club at 2am.
Day 2, had big breakfast in the hotel, left the hotel at 1pm. Went to eat at Lapangan Tembak again at Megamall. I notice they also have Es Teler there. I didn't know what Teler means until then. :) Anyways, after I had my fried rice with crabmeat and eggs with Avocado juice, we later chilled at Godiva where I ordered Strawberry shake and Chocolate Delice. Yes, you can even smoke here at Godiva. Still getting use to it. I had 3 desserts for that day alone as they cost about just 4 bucks each. Ida blanja the food again. So kind of her. As I sponsored her for the trip for her birthday. They had internet connection, but we couldn't use it cuz we are not using their telco.
Kartini and her guy fren joined us later and she started talking crap. She brought bakso soup and ordered pasta to go with it, but didn't finish her food by half. Then we went on to BGR stuff at some point. We chilled for the whole afternoon till it was almost time to depart at the ferry terminal. But first, Ida wanted to get a few floss breads from Breadtalk. It was 8pm Singapore time when we got in the ferry to head back to SG. It started to rain. I fell asleep for 30 mins, shagged from the whole trip.
I was so happy to finally set foot at harbourfront terminal, where the shopping malls smells clean once again.
There's only so much I can put in an entry, but I learn so much about the people and the food and the culture there. The trip has definitely given me a new perspective. And it has taught me to be more prepared next time round.
Next destination, Kuala Lumpur!
Labels: batam aviva godiva barelang bridge harmoni noname
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