BATAM TRIP DAY 1 22/06/2012
Below is our total cost for the trip
Bigdeals deal: $59/pax
Departure Fee & Fuel Surcharge & Terminal Fee: $27/pax
(Payable to Pacific Ferry)
Tips for the coach & driver: $2/pax
(Payable to tour guide)
Travel Insurance: $13/pax
(optional, but we buy from Great Eastern)
Nett:
$101/pax
We exchange our SGD at Raffles Arcade Place.
Its known for its good exchange rate since 20 years ago when my elder sister was going there to exchange her money whenever she was going oversea. Always compare the price as each shop offered different rate.
Our rate is SGD 1 - RP 7400
The day have come! We check in 1.5hrs at Indo Falcon ferry Ticket Counter #03-42, Harbour Front Centre before departure at 950am from Singapore Cruise Centre.
Goodbye Singapore.
45mins later we reach Waterfront City Ferry Terminal - Teluk Senimba.
Our tour guide, was waiting for us at the arrival gate.
Upon boarding our tour bus, our 1st destination is massage.
The journey from the TK Senimba Ferry Terminal is pretty long ~ 30mins.
The massage was too strong for me as I rarely massage.
For my boyfriend, it was good. I personally prefer the cup of ginger tea that was given to us after the end of the massage. We also give each our massager a little token RP 5000/pax
(optional)
Across the road, was our 2nd destination - 1st Factory Outlet.
Nothing fantastic as none of them are real.
Shopping discount voucher of RP 50,000 was given with minimum purchase of RP 250,000.
Then we cross back the road again and went to 3rd destination - Batik Factory Outlet.
Usual soveniors store & imitations branded bags & accessories.
Then we took the tour bus to our 4th destination - Kueh Lapis Factory.
Original is selling at RP 190,000 & the other flavours prices as below.
Then we walk to the side to a tent to our 5th destination - Pondok Wisata Culture Show.
The Roaster Dance.
Peel coconut skin using mouth.
Eating Fire balls.
Eating glass.
Jump through the fire ring.
Time for our Seafood Lunch.
955 & 933 are just beside each other.
Just before we reach the restaurant, we walk pass our 6th destination - Bird's Nest Shop.
A bowl of it cost RP 110,000.
Too expensive to accept. Not for us.
Here our Lunch at 7th destination - Golden Prawn 933 Seafood Restaurant.
The food is quite nice for me.
My boyfriend said its acceptable for the price we pay.
8th destination - Golden Bay City.
The area is quite big, the driver have to drive us to each game that we are going to play.
Btw each game station do accept SGD.
Go Kart.
Each round of 10mins race cost RP 110,000 but we have a discount RP 10,000
(Maybe they run out of small change)
Hence it cost us RP 100,000 ~ S$13.51
Its super hot and our head are all wet after just wearing the helmet for 10mins.
They are concern about hygiene issue too.
We were each given a shower cap to wear then we put on our helmet.
(I do prepare our own, since they give us. I saved mine)
After hot race, we board the bus.
Paintball.
Each round, 20 bullets cost RP 75,000 ~ S$10.14
I asked my boyfriend to play first.
" Its too hard to aim and shoot even for me as a marksmen! " my boyfriend told me.
So I did not play in the end.
Flying Fox.
Each flight cost us RP 45,000 ~ S$6.08
Both of us are so afraid of height.
But since we are here. We just have to do it!
Its too disappointed for the flying ride.
Its as slow as an ant.
Hence if you are seeking for some excitement, save ur $$.
Then we went to our 9th destination - Bengkong Dry Market.
Its not a market. Its a shop.We were told 20% discount will be given for any dry food purchase.
Forget to take a photo of the shop to warn you all.
Reason is - Its a
black market! So please do not buy any stuff from there.
We have been cheated RP 201,000 in total.
1 can of 100 Plus - RP 6000 ~ S$0.81
1 can of Sarsi - RP5000 ~ S$0.68
1 bottle of Ah Tub Chee - RP 28,000 ~ S$3.78
40 packets of Indomie 5 different typesof flavours - RP162,000 ~ S$21.89
Comparison:
A can of beer here selling RP 11,000, outside sell only RP 7000
Original Indomie a pack of 4 packets RP 16,000, Hypermart sell only RP 2275/packet
We didnt go to the 9th destination - Indonesian Miniature Park & 10th destination - Indonesian Temple.
As the whole tour bus people said the weather is too hot. Hence they decided to pass it.
But i actually wanted to go and at least take a photo of the temple & mini structure :(
Finally the last destination - Batam City Square (BCS)
Its F&E and me & my boyfriend went to source for good deals!
I managed to buy 2 Young Hearts bra.
1st set at RP 110,000, 2nd set at RP 55,000. (Promo 50% off) ~ S$11.15 /set.
SG selling $16.33. Good deal found!
My boyfriend bought 2 Board shorts, Billabong and Qicksilver each at Rp 165,000 ~ S$22.30
SG selling $89. Good deal found!
He also bought a LV passport holder RP 3500.
We also bought 2 600ml mineral water for our drinking tonight at RP 3000 ~ S$0.41
At 450pm Batam Local Time, we gathered and meet at the entrance just now and was drived back to check in to our hotel International Mercure Hotel Batam.
Checked into our room 426
To our surprise, we have a free upgrade of twin sharing bed to a double bed.
All the FOC hotel items like shampoo, comb, complimentary mineral water are given.
The room is clean n quite spacious. After settled down our bags and stuffs, we head down to go Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall.
Beware of illegal taxis in Batam.
The legal taxis is yellow plate. Hence its still safest to get the lobby counter boy to help you get a taxis after you have negotiated the price. The lobby offered us RP 35,000 ~ S$4.73
Here we are Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall.
1st stop we went to is Famous Every Singaporean Must visit - Ayam Penyet Ria.
Location: Level 2. Directly opposite A&W.
We order a plate Sambal Fried Chicken RP 12,500
A plate of white rice RP 4000
A cup of Avocado RP10,000
Total plus 10% service charge is RP 29,150 ~ S$3.94
Then we went to exchange more Rupiah as we are broke!
The rate not as good. We went to the Exchange store right at the entrance.
The rate was SGD 1 - RP 7300. But what to do??
Then we explore abit of the shopping mall.
Level 1: Electronics Section
Level 2: Food Street
Then we have our 2nd round of dinner @ A&W.
There is 2 levels. No matter which level you go, you will get your Root Beer Float serve in Glass Mug if you upsize ur drink. Hence just upsize it as its worth it.
We order a 2 piece chicken meal with fries RP 37,000
Drink upsize and change to Root Beer Float RP 14,000
1 chocolate ice cream waffle RP 22,000
Total is RP 73,000 ~ S$10
Not to forget their excellent service.
They are very friendly and quick to attend to you.
The moment our chilli spill on the table(as the plastic chilli holder they provide is too soft to hold), one of the staff at work saw it and came to clear the chilli mess for us within 3mins!! Thumbup!
Then after the dinner, we went for shopping again.
My boyfriend purchases are:
1) 2 more passport holders for his best friend - Sze Ta & Ivy. Each cost RP 35,000 ~ S$4.73
2) A FOX board short RP 89,000 ~ S$12.03
3) Gucci key pouch RP 40,000 ~ S$5.41
(Intially the girl offer RP60,000, after we bargain & she heard us wrongly, she agreed to RP 40,000)
4) 1 litre of milk RP 13,900 ~ S$1.88
5) 2 packet of Mini Yakult RP7500/pack ~ S$1.01
My purchase are:
1) A pair of slipper RP 95,920 ~ S$13.14 (after 20% diacount)
2) 1 dozen of J.C.O donuts RP 59,000 ~ S$8.08, each donut is only S$0.67! Half price in SG.
3) 2 packet of Mini Yakult RP7500/pack ~ S$1.01
Our 1st Travel Magnet:
Batam Island Square Magnet RP 20,000 ~ S$2.74
Then we took a taxis outside the mall taxis stand.
Intially he offered RP 40,000, but my daring boyfriend reject him. NO!
" We will look for another one." He said.
Then the uncle followed us awhile and agreed to send us back to Mercure at RP 35,000 ~ S$4.80
Reminder: Beware of illegal taxis again!
Remember the
Black Market we went this afternoon?
Reason being I saw Hypermart selling the same Indomie at this price.
I am so sad and thus I took some photos as prove for you all to see.
Indomie Jumbo Original: BM RP 4000/pack, Hypermart RP 2275/pack
Indomie Jumbo BBQ: BM RP 4000/pack, Hypermart RP 2275/pack
Indomie crunchy crackers spicy: BM RP 2250/pack, Hypermart RP1425/pack
Missed out the photo of 2 more flavours of Indomie we bought.
Hypermart definitely have more flavours to pick & choose.
Plus they are generally 35% - 45% cheaper!!!!!
In fact, they have cartons packed all ready for you to bring back.
After we bathed already, we pack all our stuffs into the bags and watch one of the TV movie while enjoying our supper - 3 J.C.O donuts plus milk. The donuts are really soft and yummy!
Forget to mention that J.C.O donuts is located out of the mall.
Its just outside at the Level 1 entrance.
Btw, Batam do have our TV channels like Channel 8, Channel U etc.
Good Night, End of day1 :)
