Travel and Shopping Tips in Batam Island

1. Cheap goods. Long ago, when import duties are exempted trade all foreign goods coming into Batam sold very cheaply, especially electronic items (mobile phones, Laptops, LCD, etc.), perfumes, bags and clothes imported. The price could be up to 50% of the price of similar goods that sold in other big cities in Indonesia. But along with the removal of duty-free policy by the city government to the Riau Islands (Riau), then only the price of perfumes and bags (Super KW and KW 1) course which is still much cheaper than the market price in Indonesia. However the price of mobile phones, cameras, LCD or laptop there is still discounting its price, depending on your skill in the bid price. Mobile / cellular phones and cheap camera you can get at Lucky Plaza in the Nagoya area, cheap laptop you can get on the DC Mall while the perfume / cheap bags you can get at Nagoya Hill.

2. Tourism places in Batam which is a must-visit categories are:

• Bridge Barelang. Barelang abbreviation word derived from Batam, Rempang and Galang, which are the names of the island. Just as the name suggests, is basically a bridge Barelang consists of 6 pieces of the bridge connecting the 3 island. However, the development known as the Bridge Barelang is the first bridge, or bridges connecting the island of Batam and Pulau Rempang. This bridge is used as an icon Batam to date.

• Vietnam Refugee Camp. Vietnam is a place of refuge which in 1979 used to accommodate the conflict in Vietnam refugees stranded on the island of Batam. There they lived, farmed and have children, then returned to their country in 1996. To commemorate the event the government of the Batam Authority packing area into a tourist area, namely by taking care of the relics of Vietnamese refugees, both of the boats used to sail from Vietnam, shelter homes, schools, religious worship, and the funeral.
  

3. Batam Special Food

• Gonggong is a typical Batam Island’s seafood in the form of cash shells, because these shellfish species is only in the Riau Islands. This Gonggong, you can get at many seafood restaurants in Batam.

• Layer cake. Foods made from pure Australian butter as the main ingredient to form the rich moist layers, baked layer by layer to perfection to satisfy your taste buds.

• Fish Soup. Suitable for breakfast and lunch.

4. Souvenir, as mentioned above, that Batam is a transit town, the majority of residents are business people and tourism, and workers outside the region, where the original residents are minorities. So Batam almost be said not to have the typical souvenirs. It usually took to stores in Batam sell imported products as souvenir items for tourists. You can visit the supermarket Top 100 and Batik Factory Outlet. There sold by-the rods at a cheaper price around 10000 rupiah, - compared to other shops stores in Batam.

5. Transportation. Transport medium you need to get to a destination point to the next destination point in the city of Batam. Media public transportation available in Batam city is taxis (no meter taxis need negotiate), public transportation (like carry or van) and Ojek (Motor cycle taxi). Given the Batam city is not too large (approximately 1 million km2 or 150% of Singapore's territory), then the cost is relatively inexpensive and usually taxi there was reluctant to use fixed price per point. So if you intend to rent a vehicle to visit all attractions in Batam (Batam Center- Bridges Barelang-Vietnam-KTM resort and others attraction area), then you can hire a car for one day.

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The Smile Hill (Bukit Senyum) Tourist Place in Batam Island

The Smile Hill (Bukit Senyum) Tourist Place in Batam Island
Batam city is not only known as a city of commerce and industry, but the city of Batam also has a remarkable tourism potential. At mid-year holiday season and year-end, the ferry port in Batam Island is always filled with local tourists and foreign tourists, mostly from Singapore. One of the favorite tourist attractions on the island of Batam, especially for tourists from Singapore is Smile Hill (Bukit Senyum).

The Smile Hill (Bukit Senyum) on Batam Island became a favorite tourist attraction because from this Smile Hill (Bukit Senyum), we can look at the sight of the distant city of Singapore. From the top of this hill, you can see the view of buildings in the city of Singapore and the ships passing to and from Singapore. In addition, you can see the view of planes taking off from Changi International Airport which also pass through this area of Bukit Senyum.

If the night has come, the more spectacular views of Smile Hill (Bukit Senyum). The lights of the buildings in the city of Singapore and also the lights of ships at sea present very beautiful scenery. Exotic scenery at Bukit Senyum at night can be enjoyed while lounging on the grass or can also be lined sitting on a bench that had been prepared by local merchants.

In the area of Bukit Senyum, you can select multiple hangouts, among other Pujasera Peak, Padang Pusako Eating, Eating Tofu Sumedang, and Sofonta Cafe. Take your most comfortable position to enjoy the view of Singapore City. In that area, you can also see the sights of Lubuk Baja Batam. Bukit Senyum became a favorite place to watch the turn of the year because from this hill the momentum of New Year’s fireworks seems so obvious.

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