One-day Visit to BATAM , Indonesia

We took the Penguin 5 (luxurious high-speed air-conditioned ferry) from Harbourfront for Batam Centre

Arrived at the Batam Centre after one hour from Singapore

Map of Batam - an island in the Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, 20Km off Singapore South coast. The area is 415 square Km or 160 square miles and has a population of 713,960 (2006 census).


Had tea-break in this restaurant.




After the tea-break, we went to First Tengku Fisabillilah Bridge ( the cable stayed bridge)


The First Tengku Fisabillilah Bridge is the first bridge of the total six bridges to connect Batam to Rempang and Galang. This the reason why some people call Batam Island the "Barelang" nowadays.

Fried sea-food offered by hawkers.


There are 17,000 islands in Indonesia and here are some of them.


After visit to the bridge, we proceed to the Baker's Centre for some local specialty.


Kueh Lapis



After some testing of Kueh Lapis and a cup of tea/coffee, we proceed to "Yong Heng" a local shop selling local products of Indonesia, keropok, crackers, dried cuttlefish, dried fruits and many tit-bits.


Next door, they are selling local fruits.



After hectic shopping, we had lunch in this Golden Prawn 555 Restaurant.


Sea-food Restaurant - Golden Prawn 555



Many types of shell-fish are available

The Restaurant is on stilt near the sea


Fresh Coconuts to quench our thirst - the water is not so sweet


Fresh Fish in sweet & sour sauce - good


Fresh Shell-fish


Fried Kang Kong with belachan


Fresh Fried Prawns


Fresh Fried Sotong (Cuttlefish)


Chilli Crabs


Tofu vegetable soup


After lunch, proceed to more shopping. The shopping centre is huge.

There are so many shops in this Shopping Mall that you can spend almost the whole day just looking around and shop.


Shopping Mall - Not so crowded


There is a Food Street inside the Shopping Mall where many varieties of food are sold, from Fast Food to local Indonesian specialties.

More shopping, there are hypermarket and shops selling almost everything.

One of the local specialty we were recommended for dinner is AYAM PENYET.


The Ayam Penyet is really very good with chilli belachan. We would recommend you to try it if you do make a trip to Batam.

More visit to the Polo Ralph Lauren shop

One special observation on local practice - beautifully decorated congratulation messages with flowers used instead of a bouquet of flowers.


One last shopping at the Batam Centre before night falls.


The sun set, night fell, time to go back to Singapore after a full-day of food and shopping. With the price offered, there is always a bargain. The food is good and cheap. It is a day worth spending with colleagues and friends.