Travel to Batam: Dragon Fruit Plantation in Barelang Bridge and Seafood

When you arrived in Batam, Some tour guide told you to try a cake made of dragon fruit. Probably you will be wonder if the dragon fruit is the typical fruit in Batam?

When visiting the Barelang Bridge, you also can go to dragon fruit plantation there and you will know that the dragon fruit is the typical Batam’s Fruit.
The dragon fruit plantation normally located close to the beach. This is a perfect location to plant the dragon fruit because based on the growers the dragon fruit need medium that nutrient-rich, sandy, sunny place and not muddy (therefore the dragon fruit crops shouldn't be watered too often) to grow. There are two kinds of dragon fruit which is split according to its color, white and red( actually its purplish red).

It was nice to be in this plantation. The atmosphere isn't too crowded, the scenery is so stunning and crucial is you'll be able to enjoy the dragon fruit fresh from the plantation.

From the dragon fruit plantation, we can head to...seafood restaurant! It feels waste if we went to Batam but don't eat seafood.


In Barelang, there are many seafood restaurants that built above the sea. The restaurant was built using woods and drums as a baseline. In my opinion, this restaurant is very unique. Because it is built above the sea, when the ocean waves come, we can feel the restaurant moves. When the sea water gets high then the restaurant will go up. There are the houses of fishermen in beside this seafood restaurant.

In the center of the restaurant, there are many small pools like this that contain fish, shrimp, crabs and others, so you can choose directly the seafood that you want to eat.

Read more »

Galang Island Batam, Memory of a Past Tragedy

In 1979, the arrival of Vietnamese refugees to Indonesia becoming increasingly numerous, so it needs to set up a shelter area for them. Galang Island, one of the islands in the Riau Islands, eventually elected to serve as a shelter the refugees. Refugee camp that is now easily achieved thanks to the barelang bridge indeed been abandoned by its inhabitants since 2002. However, historical heritage they left behind this Camp makes interesting historical site to visit.

The History

After the wake of the Vietnam War was over, the conditions in the country became erratic. This makes a lot of Vietnamese people choose to flee to another country to get their lives safer and better. Their arrival to Indonesia began in 1975. The group's first refugees who numbered approximately 45 people are headed to the island of Natuna. And finally placed on the island Letung.

Since then, the group of refugees who came to Indonesia becoming more and more. And finally, after a survey, Galang Island established by the government of Indonesia as the location of the shelter the refugees. In 1980, about 50,000 Vietnamese refugees stationed at Camp Sinam, this Galang Island.

Recorded the total number of Vietnamese refugees who had been in Indonesia since 1975 until 1996 was as much as 250 thousand inhabitants. Of that amount, as many as 5600 people repatriated back to Vietnam, 500 people died and the rest received in countries that are willing to accept them as a citizen like the United States, Australia, France, Italy and others.

Live in Refuge

Over at Camp Sinam, Vietnamese refugees are handled by UNHCR. Their daily needs are provided by UN organizations. For shelter, built barracks housing. Health and education facilities are also available to all refugees.

The refugees are composed of a variety of educational and occupational backgrounds are also often being helped in various activities of UNHCR. Many of those also who trade in the area of ​​the camp. Noted that some of them set up factories such as clothes manufacturing  and so forth. There's also what makes the  money changer business.

Because the camp sites are close to Melur Beach area, the refugees would often make this place as a tourist.

Story of Tragedy

Various tragic stories were the life of these Vietnamese refugees. One is the story of Dai Nhan Tinh, a Vietnamese refugee woman. She turns brutally raped by several other refugees in one forest area refugee camps. Shortly after the incident, Tinh Nhan was to end her own life by hanging herself not far from the barracks where she and her family lived. This incident left a deep sorrow to the refugees.

To commemorate this tragic event, Humanity Statue was built at the location where the rape occurred. The statue was made by Nguyen Van Tuyen, a refugee who also sympathizes with this tragedy.

Another tragic story takes place when the Vietnamese refugees will be repatriated to Vietnam, having the opportunity to become citizens in western countries is closed. This situation is strongly opposed by the refugees, because of fears of what will happen when they return to Vietnam.

Some Vietnamese refugees who despair over the situation, eventually committed suicide together. While this happens, the repatriation of refugees to Vietnam continues.

Religious Living

The Vietnamese refugees who lived on Galang Island adhere to different religions. They also set up various religious places in accordance with their religion. There Duc Ta on Me To Catholic Church and Nha Vo Duc Me Nhiem Catholic Church used by the refugees are Catholics to hold Mass, or conduct meetings. The uniqueness of Nha Duc Me Vo To Nhiem Catholic Church is a statue of the Virgin Mary on a 'ship' out of this church, as a warning for the safety of Vietnamese refugees to Galang Island by boat. Those who founded the Protestant Church Tinh Lanh.

The majority of Vietnamese refugees at Camp Sinam embraced Buddhism. Not surprisingly, many pagodas and other religious places are standing in this place. Some religious places of Buddhism there is the Bodhi Tree and Worship Site for goddess Kuan Im. While many pagodas standing was Chuan Ky Vien Pagoda, Cao Dai Pagoda, Chua Kim Quan Pagoda and Quan Am Tu Pagoda.

Tu Quan Am Pagoda

Tu Quan Am Pagoda Statue of Goddess characterized Gung Shi Sha Pu (Goddess Kuan Im) are large, located on the outside. There is a prayer altar in front of the statue of the Goddess Kuan Im, where it is believed when praying at the altar will be given a soul mate (for those who have not paired), prosperity and tranquility in an attempt to settle down. As for children, will be successful in the study. By tradition, after the prayer is expected to throw the coins as an offering to the front of the statue of Goddess Kuan Im.

Boat People Plaza

In this place, exhibited some type of boat used by refugees to sail the seas to get their new life in another country. Can imagine the suffering they experienced during the trip, because the boat that measures just so overwhelmed by the tens and even hundreds of people. Not surprisingly, many victims who died in the course of using these ships.

Trang NGHAs Grave

In this cemetery, there are 503 graves of refugees are Christians and Buddhists. The magnitude of death was due to various illnesses they suffered after months of sailing on the high seas. In addition, mental depression makes them become physically weaker.

Pilgrimage graves by family and friends who've lived together in this camp has been done several times. The pilgrims were former refugees who have sponsorship from countries like the United States, Australia, Canada and now live happily and well established in these countries.

The Museum

Visitors can also visit the museum which is a resource center of Sinam Camp. Here, on display various relics and works of the hands of the Vietnamese refugees. Shape the work of the hands of refugees is usually a craft clay and painting.

There are also photographs of activities and events at Camp Sinam. Like the scouting activities of Vietnamese young people at Camp Sinai, activities celebrating religious holidays, rallies inmates for better welfare, the process of repatriation of refugees to use warships and other military property.

If you want to get additional information, visitors can also meet with the officials who maintain the museum. Gladly, they will share information that visitors want to know.  

Read more »

The Essences Of Batam Island

Batam is a dashing Indonesian Island widespread for its water sports activities, beaches and recreation centers. It's an excellent spot for anyone looking for a busy vacation spot. Batam is also famous for its Indonesian delicacies and breweries.

Batam is a fast growing island but it still retains plenty of the wild, native charm of a tropical island. The island provides you an amazing mix of offbeat attractions as well as common tourist activities. It is an awesome place to witness and observe the development of a tiny green island to a colourful vacationer’s hot spot.

Batam has steadily grown from a jungle to consider one of Asia's foremost seashore resorts and urban developments. Batam is a superb pit stop to make while touring the Pacific Islands. The shopping centers will greatly attract those seeking to load their luggage with ethnic curios, fabric and jewelry.

Batam has grown tremendously and has marked itself on the worldwide vacationers Atlas. The hospitality industry here has come a long way in establishing a few of the most impressive   hotels and resorts in Indonesia.

Batam is very famous for its spa resorts. The spas and massage facilities in Batam make this island a perfect getaway, to relax and rejuvenate body and mind. You have some of Asia's finest masseuse at your service to pamper your senses with sensual massages and effective fragrances. A holiday that guarantees to be not simply fun and frolic, but also therapeutic!

While eating at Batam one cannot miss sampling their well-known golden fried prawns and different sea meals delicacies. Savor fresh seafood cooked with an eclectic mix of spices at Batam’s finest restaurants and food courts.

Karaoke is without doubt one of the most popular and well-liked activities in Asia and Batam are no exception. The city of Nagoya is well-known to have karaoke bars at every nook and corner.  You'll be able to take part in a public karaoke lounge or even hire a personal karaoke room for the stage shy singers.

Batam is also immensely famous for its roaring nightlife. From discotheques, to sport bars, Batam is aware of the right way to live the better pleasure life! Batam has a great variety of breweries that serve the world's hottest beer, which is the main source of fuel that maintains Batam's nightlife alive!

Read more »

Batam Island Before and After

When I first arrived in Batam island in 2003, the island's weather was so hot and stinging (about 33 ° C showed at that time). From Hang Nadim Airport, we set off towards the lodgings provided by our company. Along the way, we seen a lot of trees on the right and left side of the road. This island looks like a forest that has not been touched by human hands. There are still many visible puddles like small lakes between trees, red soil which adds to the impression that the island is really still half of forest. However, after 15 minutes we entered the heart of this island. Although still many trees and hills seen along the road, but we're starting to see some houses and shops that line in the city. Moreover, after entering Nagoya district where we staying, Nagoya is a far cry from the first impression we get when we set foot on the island of Batam, a wilderness. Nagoya is a sparkling area with full pulse-beat of the people doing business.

But in seven years, the development of the island is growing very fast. New housing, new malls, new hotels are popping up a lot. Areas that had been a land of trees to be razed and replaced with residential buildings and ruko (house – shop). Not only land was trimmed, hills were cut, battered and cut down to establish of housing with atmosphere of the hills. Development is so fast in this island that sometime ignored environmental preservation.   

Batam Island alone possesses the 415 km2 area. But Otorita Batam (Batam Authority) has expanded it by building bridges to several islands including the island of Rempang and Galang. Bridge was named Barelang Bridge (Batam, Rempang, Galang). Batam has become 715 km2. (Larger than Singapore which only 647 km2). Natural disaster someday will happen to this small island if we do not keep and preserve its natural. So I think the local government is keen to control the preservation of nature before it’s too late. Do not let the island is submerged by the flood! Do not let this island landslides leveled to the ground!

Read more »

Sun, Beach and Fun in Batam

This time, it was Batam. Located about 20 km south of Singapore, Batam island is very much similar to Bintan which we had visited last year. Lush greenery, plenty of 'sea' to 'see', sun, beaches and sand. Nothing less to expect from this truly beautiful island in Indonesia.

Our population doubled this time - we were a group of (lucky?) 13 restless souls, just waiting to get our asses out of our labs and a few hundred kms away from research. And get off we did, in style :). Merry-ly taking the ferry ride from Tanjong Pagar, we made for Batam on Feb the 15th, the start of Chinese New year hols. The ferry ride is a most enjoyable experience - apart from being hot due to the sun, the ride is actually pretty Cool :). Watching the busy Singapore skyline (and along with it, all memories of research fading into the distance.. seriously, no feeling could be better !

KTM resorts - thats where we stayed. Beautiful place. No testimonial would be enough to do justice to the five-star royal treatment we got there. Just - dont try to expand the name K-T-M :). Since the exchange rate was pretty high, we were millionaires by the time we reached, and immediately set about blasting off every inch of currency that we had stored up.

Water sports are one of the major attractions in Batam. Para-sailing, Jet-skiiing, Banana-boating and Kayaking - these were the items on the menu. Needless to say, we ordered all :). The para-sailing was a first for me- being slightly afraid of heights, I never thought I'd pull(rather, fly) it off, but it turned out to be an awesome experience with a sufficient amount of 'high' to it ! :). After sufficiently wetting ourselves (no pun intended ;) ) on all the rides, we decided to call it a day (er.. at 4 pm in the evening) and go around city-seeing a bit. The Barelang bridge was 'bery bery laang', and actually a let-down.. there was nothing to do there except to.. er.. watch it :). Tired of letdowns, we retired to our beautiful villas.

Needless to say, the high-night was one of the high-lights of the trip. Dumb-C was called for. Despite being 'dumb', we were pretty noisy out there, mind you :). 3 hours and a few kilos of junk food later, we made for the beach, and wasted away sometime until we decided to call it a.. thats right.. night. Next day, after refilling ourselves with enough food for a few days, we set out to Nongsa beach.

Nongsa is one of those paradises on earth called a beautiful beach. Thirteen hot people out there (yea yea, hot cos of the sun ;) ) - we 1st cooled ourselves in the inviting blue waters. Few hundred pics and some desperate attempts at swimming and stunt-making. A pitiable round of volley-ball was followed by a coconut break, and even more pitiable gaming :). Truly, I have never had enough of sea, sand and sun in my life. Finally when we'd all turned different bright shades of crimson, we decided to call it quits and return to the city. BCS mall was our final stand - our shopping consisted of an incredible mixture of tatooing, food, and sun-glasses ! Loads of them ! Finally we made a desperate rush for the resort and then the ferry terminal.

The night trip back on the ferry is a beautiful experience too. An hour or so later, we were thirteen tired but satisfied souls, cribbing about what lay ahead for us in our boring labs the next day.

Read more »

20 Reasons Why You Should Go to Batam

There are many reasons to go to Batam island, probably thousands of reasons. I've listed the top 20 reasons to travel to this beautiful country filled with warm, fun loving, people, and very beautiful feminine women.

#1. Batam women are friendly and hospitable In comparison to others Asian countries and some Western countries, the women in Batam Island are much friendlier and approachable. You can easily make new friends with young sweet Batam girls---just by being sincere, and they will make you feel at home very quickly.

#2. More Women then Men The ratio of women to men are higher then in most other countries in the world. Especially in Batam, where it is believed there are 100 women for every 40 men.

#3. Batam’s women love foreign men! If you are Singaporean , American, German, British, Australian, Japanese---or from any other country, then Batam women will love you. They have a thing for foreign guys---most Batam women are fed up with Batam guy's reputation of 'players'---but can you blame these guys? With such nice ratios of women to men and numerous hot young ladies to go around, it's very easy to fall to temptation!

#4. Great place to learn Bahasa Indonesia If you want to practice some Indonesian language, then this is a great place to start. Be sure to practice some basic phrases before you come! You will have plenty of women to practice with trust me.

#5. Great food, Batam sea food is very good and cheap. Be sure to go to a 'sea food restaurants' while your down there.

#6. Great weather all year round The average weather in Batam fluctuates around 28'C to 33'C degrees all year long.

#7. Pacific Discotheque , Almost half of the girls you will meet here are working girls. Either way, it's a great way to warm up with the local ladies.

#8. Friendly Indonesian culture In Batam it is culturally accepted to treat everyone, especially foreigners---with great hospitality. A smile and a friendly greeting is very common from strangers.

#9. Stable political climate compare with others area in Indonesia and improving economic situation - Compared to other area in Indonesia , Batam is experiencing a period of unprecedented economic growth and investment.

#10. Pay for play is always an option, especially in Nagoya, There are many popular places in Nagoya where you can find plenty of young hot working girls. Pacific Discotheque is one of them.

#11. The Euro, Pound and Dollar are stronger then the Rupiah (the Indonesian currency) Your currency is stronger. This means while in Batam most local goods will be much cheaper for you. Especially the Euro and Pound, you guys will live like Kings!

#12. Investing- Apart from life's pleasures, Batam is also a great place to invest in. The Batam economy and importantly the rates of interest and currency are recognized as stable and supportive for foreign investment. The city is also experiencing unprecedented growth.

#13. Batam is not a earthquake risk unlike other area such as Sumatera, Jawa in Indonesia.

#14. Cost of living very low compared to Singapore, Japanese, American and Western Europe You can live like a King in Batam. You can live with 50% of what it would cost you in Western Europe, USA, Japan, UK, Canada, Australia and other wealthier countries.

#15. Real Estate in Batam is Booming! Don't wait til it's too late. Now is the time to invest in Batam,!

#16. Batam has a great night life scene, There are numerous night clubs, cafes and bars in the major metropolitan center like Nagoya.

#17 Batam island is beautiful and very near Singapore (take only 1 hour by Boat),

#18 Batam shopping tour is perfect for you, you can combine your shopping tour with a Spa, the spa is truly a must place to go. The prices are really reasonable once you've tried one of their massages or facials. They truly give you personal attention and you feel so pampered by them.

#19 Complete C.I.Q (Customs and Immigration) facilities for international departure and arrival with visa-free and visa-on-arrival ports of entry and port official’s that recently changed more professional will encourage more foreigners to travel to Batam island.

#20. All the young Batam ladies that are waiting for you! That's the icing on the cake! Remember, in Batam there are more +women then -men = great news for you!

Read more »

Batam Bargirls Love, a Greatest Pretender

Let me share my friend’s experience (he is my colleague). In his early day went to Batam to join my company. He met a cute Bartender who is also a cashier in one of the pubs. She had a reputation for not being a cheap girl. Something stupid hit him and he asked her for a date and the next day they went for lunch. They both expressed his interest in wanting to get married as my friend already more than 30 years old and she was in late twenties.

He has a great fancy for her. He even sometime took half day's leave just to teach her how to use the e-mail or having a lunch and come back in the evening.

On one of they regular dates, she confided my friend and told him about her past where she had eloped from her home with a guy and her family cut all ties with her. The guy whom she was going to marry started beat her up every day and soon he left her and married another woman.

Being a very softhearted person, my friend was so sorry. He said he even saw tears in her eyes. He wishes He could give her the best and never make her suffer ever in her life and also try to restore her connections with her family. He also wanted to bring her to his family and show her the importance and fun of belonging to a family.

My friend later at one of afternoon asked her, if she had any boyfriends. She said, "No”. He asked her what did she think of the thought that one day He will ask her to be his girlfriend and she said it was a good idea but she needed a little time to think over it. She made him think that he was really the better candidate as the other was a lazy jobless guy in Batam who she really did not care about.

They continued their regular dates, sent each other a lot of e-mails and also talked a lot over the telephone. She would confide in him with her problems, He helped her with her little daytime business (she still work in the Pub at night). He would sometimes ask her to visit his home at Singapore and she said she would come one day when she had the time.

One day, He tried to call her to tell her that he want to take her out over the weekend but she was not in till the next day. She told him that she had gone to Tanjung Pinang (also small island near Batam) to sell something. He believed her without hesitation.

Nevertheless, they met during the weekend. During Lunch, she mentioned that she needed to borrow Rp.5 million (about US$470) to get a pre-paid card line and a handphone since her handphone was stolen. He told her to go for a broken down payment scheme and He will give her Rp 1 million a month. She agreed and within a week, my friend ran down during lunch time to give her the first payment and immediately returned to work.

Then, very recently, my friend insisted that she come to Singapore and he was annoyed when she was trying to evade this trip. So she came and said that she had to go back in the evening as she could not get leave from work at night. He said it was o.k.

When she came, she was showing off how she had no problems going through immigration and two weeks chop. While she was showing him her passport, my friend managed to see another chop which was dated the day when she said she had gone to Tanjung Pinang. He started being suspicious and when she was having lunch with him, she said that my friend need not accompany her till the boarding gate at WTC. Despite, he insisting to take her to the end, she became agitated and said he need not. He followed his instinct and told her after lunch that He had just signed up for a degree to upgrade himself and He could not keep a promise of being her boyfriend as He need to concentrate on the course (I forgot to say, that my friend previously had told her to make and decision to be my girlfriend or just say no. She said she just cannot make decision now. Then my friend gave her two months). But one occasion he asked for out. She exhibited little emotions and said she wants to be his best friend and prayed the best for his success.

Much later that night, He call her on her HP and in was out of receiving area, So he called her Pub and they said that she had the day off and had gone to Singapore. He knew it.

Further investigations revealed, through reliable resources that she has a string of foreign boyfriends but she plays the game very well. She calls all these including me as "Friends".

Could you believe it, three days after telling a lie that she was working in one company, she had the chick to ask him for Rp5 million. On one of their first date, she lied about her birth date, saying that it was the day before. But looking at her passport my friend found out it was four months before. Once having made a date, she asked my friend to cancel because she said that had signed up for a course and had to attend a course to upgrade but she actually she had to meet another guy. She always knew that my friend was the nice guy, always soft spoken so she could cancel dates easily call off trips to Singapore till my friend got pissed of last week and look how it became a turning point in his life.

She thinks she has got away with it and does not know that he have found out. She wants to be friends with him but my friend doesn’t think that is possible now. She said she will be sending him an e-mail. I feel like telling her I know the whole game.

The moral of the story is never trust these Batam bargirls. Many of them are playgirl and that is what they are. Just get drunk, and never even for a second contemplate a relationship with them. They are the world biggest pretender.

Read more »