Batam Island - An Indulge Island Near Singapore

Batam is a well-liked vacation spot for fun starved Singaporeans, who find the Singapore's digital life a bit 'dry'. Batam is greatest visited from Singapore, where the connecting ferries present an excellent service and frequency for connecting to Batam, although the ferry fare of average S$ 45 for a return fare for about an hour trip is kind of steep.

Batam is a short ferry ride away and belongs to Riau Province of Indonesia. The distance between Batam and Singapore is less than 20 kms. Nature and panorama wise, Batam Island doesnt have much to offer, however if you wish to get pleasure from cheap seafood and do loads of shopping at very reasonable price, Batam is the place for you. Nightlife is also quite lively, though, typically for all of the bad reasons. However, spa, massage and beer are very low price here. The hotels are a lot and for food, particularly seafood, you're spoilt for choice.

There is not much one can indulge while in Batam. One can try some of these activities:

1. Go for a long Drive through the Arch Bridge (Barelang bridges) to neighboring islands and to the Vietnamese refugee camp.

2. Need some pampering? Get a spa treatment at Batam! It is very cheap as compared to the packages in Singapore. You just paid S$50 on top of the accommodation to have a 2.5 hour treatment including body scrub, body massage, facial treatment and herbal bat.

3. Shopping at Nagoya Hill, It was a 30 minutes ride from the resort to Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall. First thing you may curious was, "Why is it called Nagoya Hill when you’re not in Japan?" No idea.

4. Go pubbing in numerous bars and discos

5. Dining, Batam has several fine restaurants where you can enjoy some great cuisine. If you want to enjoy the Batam fast-food experience, the best places are the A1 Pujasera, Windsor and the Nagoya Food Courts. If you want fine dining then don't miss out on going to the Golden Prawn Seafood Restaurant in Bengkong, for some fresh seafood dishes.

Batam is not famous for good beaches. So don’t expect a lot. But there are a few sea- facing resorts like Turi Beach Resort, Batam View beach resort, located near Nongsa village, which are worth exploring.

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Ferry Batam – Singapore Information

A little info about sea travel by ferry between Batam - Singapore - Batam.

There are several ports in Batam ferry to Singapore, namely in Batam Centre (near the Otorita Batam and Megamall), Batu Ampar/harbourbay (closest to the shopping and entertainment center that is Nagoya Batam), Sekupang, Waterfront City Marina

These four ports that depart from or towards the ferry port of Harbourfront in Singapore. In addition there is also a ferry port in Nongsapura that specializes in serving the route from or to the port of Singapore Tanah Merah ferry. Among the five ports are classified as crowded and favorite port are Batam Centre, Harbourbay in Batu Ampar and Sekupang ports.

There are several ferry operators providing ferry services from Batam to Singapore and back to Batam, including Penguin, Batam Fast, Wavemaster (specializing in HarbourBay Batu Ampar), and the latest Pacific ferry (serving only route to and from the Sekupang).

The cost of ferry tickets to be issued, for the passengers passports Indonesia, if you take a return ticket (back and forth) from Batam, then the total cost including the cost of back after tax / tax is Between SGD $ 40 ~ SGD $ 48 . If taken from Singapore will be more expensive about SGD $ 5. If you just take a ticket for one-way (one way), then I only recommend the Penguin ferry ride where you will not be so loss, compared with other operators ride. A clear one-way ticket costs would be more expensive than half the price of a return ticket, but if you take a return ticket, tickets to go home you can still be used until a few months ahead, and that too can be transferred to someone else because no names are listed in tickets before you buy.

And, as I had mentioned, there are two ferry ports in the port of Singapore to Batam Tanah Merah (Batam route serves only to Nongsapura), and port Harbourfront (the main port and the most widely used to Batam). Harbourfront located right in front of the Singapore Sentosa Island. This port is located in a mall in Singapore, and directly connected to the MRT railway lines, not far from access to public buses, as well as taxi services are always available.

Scheduled departure both from Batam or Singapore almost every hour, starting from 6 am Batam time (Batam Centre specifically) or 7 am Singapore time until about 9:00 to 9:30 pm local time for the last ferry. You will not be able to book a ferry ticket at the ticket counter 15 minutes before departure time. You also should book ferry tickets in advance by phone if you wished for a specific departure time, especially at times of booming passenger (usually weekends and the holidays), unless you have a more flexible time.

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Water Sports in Batam and Bintan

Calling Of the Wave

Enjoy a holiday at the beach is one of the alternative weekend activities you can do. To be relaxed after activity throughout the week would have been very nice if you enjoy the refreshing atmosphere of the beach. Besides swimming, there are many water sport activities you can do at the beach. From the most extreme to require special skills to do so, until a very easy and everyone can do it. Here are some of the water sports you can do in Batam – Bintan Island.

Banana Boating

For those of you who want to feel the brunt of the waves and wind at high speeds, but do not want to take risks when to do it alone, banana boating is a water sport that is right for you. You just need to climb the banana-shaped inflatable boat and holding on to handles that are available. The boat will be pulled by a speedboat at high speed, until you will feel the sensation of high speed at sea. For those of you, who cannot swim, do not worry. Usually there will be officers who participated in the banana boat that you are riding so that your safety will be maintained.

Attention: When the Banana Boat slammed hard and feels impossible to hold on, do not force you to hold on. You will actually dragged by a speedboat speed. Remove your hands from the handle and feel the freshness of the sea water after you've slammed into it.

Body Boarding

By using a board for putting the body and floats on water, you can start doing Body Boarding. By directing these boards, various tricks can be done. Body Boarding can be done in waters that have big waves. You must be a good swimmer and have good health anyway to do Body Boarding. You should be able to swim well without the help of these boards. It should be studied in order to perform Body Boarding is the correct way of pedaling, until not draining when done. Notice that there are currents, so you know the rhythm of paddling you have to do. Combine strokes using the hands and feet, or do both simultaneously to move quickly.

Attention: Do not go too far from shore. It will facilitate the coastguard to help you when you're having trouble. Body Boarding Do not does it alone. Do not jump to Body Boarding after eating or after drinking alcoholic beverages. Check the board that you will use before making Body Boarding. Consider the situation around. Make sure you will not collide with others.

Jet-skiing

Crashing waves by driving a jet-ski will give you a shot of adrenaline rush that is very exciting. Sea water splashing on your face and your body adds to the pleasure gained. Riding Jet-ski not something too difficult to do. Once you climb the jet-ski, attach a bracelet linked by a cable to your left hand. Bracelets associated with this cable will immediately turn off the engine Jet-ski when startled. This Jet Ski is not intended to continue to drive in any direction when the rider fell. Light Jet-ski machine by pressing the green button located on the left handlebar. After the engine running, you just press the gas was in the right handlebar to start across the sea using a jet-ski! Do the various maneuvers are easy to get used to you riding a jet-ski. After more master control, try to perform various more difficult maneuvers.

Attention: Do not play too far out to sea, because the fuel available on a jet-ski is not too much. Always keep your body balance while maneuvering. Always look around your area. Do not until you hit a reef or others. When going back to the beach, turn off the engine Jet-ski you drive a little distance from the beach. This is done so you do not hit the beach jet-ski.

Scuba Diving

To be able to go scuba diving, it takes a special skill. For those of you who want to do are required to do the exercises in advance in order to master everything about this sport. In the area of ​​Batam - Bintan, many diving locations that offer an enjoyable underwater experience. This was caused by diving locations are still very clean and natural, so full of coral reefs and amazing fish to see.

Attention: Do scuba diving accompanied by experienced instructors. Consider the state of the equipment you use for diving. Breathe through the mouth. Note the safety stop must be obeyed. When headed to the surface, do not stop breathing. With stops breathing, can cause damage to the blood stream and cause blood out of the ears and nose.

Snorkeling

Things that make snorkeling a very fun thing to do are easy to do by everyone, regardless of age, can do it. It could be said that the snorkeling is the easiest and most fun for families to enjoy the beauty of the underwater world. However there are many things that must be considered in order to perform well snorkeling. Make sure you use the equipment in good condition and fit your size. The main equipment used to conduct snorkeling is a mask, snorkel, fins. Additional equipment that can be used is a mesh bag, sun protection suit, waterproof sunscreen, fish identification book, underwater camera.

Attention: Use tools that do not fit can cause discomfort when snorkeling. Mask and snorkel vest that greatness will certainly make anyone become lazy for snorkeling.

Wakeboarding

Wakeboarding is a water sport which has the same concept as snowboarding. By standing parallel to the board (board), various tricks can be done.

Although this has similarities with water skiing, that you are also drawn with a speed boat at high speed in order to keep sliding on the surface of the water. Various tricks can be done very similar to skateboarding, like 180 ˚ turn, slide and various other tricks.

Attention: Keep your balance when the speed boat began to pull you out of the water. If not careful, you can fall and be dragged by a speed boat.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing using a windsurf board, also commonly called a sailboard, usually two to five meter-sized and moved by the wind that hit the screen mounted on the boards. The screen is connected to the board by the U-joint that can move freely. Control is by moving and rotating the pole by hand, also by directing the board with his feet. This sport combines sailing and surfing sports, as well as some aspects of other sports such as skate boarding, snowboarding, waterskiing and wakeboarding.

Attention: Know in advance the direction and strength of the wind, because basically, windsurfing is a sport that uses wind as its driving force. Master the control windsurf board, either by moving the board or sail.

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