My First 2009 Weekend Get-away

It took me a lot of convincing effort before my mom finally approved my Indonesia weekend getaway. She believes that our family is prone to any water-related accidents – that is why she’s always nervous when we go swimming or do any water sports. Really weird because me and my son, as well as my siblings loves going beach or just taking a dip on the pool. However, she felt at ease upon knowing that I will travel together with Rica and her husband Tony. Rica is a very good friend of mine even way back college days. Relocated here in Singapore just a year ago and now married to a Singaporean businessman who is mostly out of the country. She’s like an elder sister to me – even the most disturbing facts of my past she knows. She is indeed a trusted friend that was there for me during the most trying times of my personal life.

During the planning stage, we initially choose Bintan. But Rica’s husband preferred to go Batam as he got free 18-hole play vouchers from Batam Hill Golf Resort (last December’s Christmas gift from a client he said). So unlike my last Malaysia trip that was totally backpacker style, this one was well-organized. We book everything to ensure a hassle-free vacation. We availed a complete package from ferry transfer to hotel accommodation up to shuttle services.

.

Saturday:

I met Rica and her husband at the Harbourfront ferry terminal at 7am and took the first ferry to Batam. Reached the Hotel Acacia at 7:30am (Indonesia time). Freshen up a little inside my room as a shuttle will pick us up at 9am and take us to Batam Hills Golf Resort.

.

Waiting for ferry boarding

My Deluxe Room

My room window view

Our shuttle hotel service

.

I got the surprise of my life when we reach there – Tony invited his other officemates to play with us on the 18-hole. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I instantly told them I won’t join anymore as all of them looked like professional players. Told them I won’t be of any challenge to them as I’m just an amateur and my last golf exposure was way back 2005 playing with my son’s dad. But they insisted – told them I will join only if Rica will play as well. So when Rica said “Ok, count me in”, I don’t have any other choice.

When Batam Hills Golf Resort shuttle arrived to pick us up

.

All together we proceed to the driving range and had 60 balls each. I availed the 30minutes recap tutorial just for me to remember the grip. Put my bag at the locker area then went main hall to rent the golf clubs (S$35) and golf shoe (S$10). No turning back as our assigned caddy took us to the golf course.

Enduring the 60-balls driving range

Waiting for our assigned buggy

.

The place is actually impressive and well-maintained. I can't help but compared it to some Manila golf course I was exposed to before - Baguio Country Club and Tagaytay Highlands. I honestly remembered some good memories of me and my son's dad. I smiled when I remembered too how my son will play the mini-golf course for kids. I promise myself that when Zyrus is back here in Singapore - we will go to Liliput so we can again play together. Miss you alot my son!

Golf Course

Last picture before I put my bag and phone on the locker

So after 5 hours of direct cancerous sun exposure, I obviously lost. My score is so pathetic that I can’t even mention it here in my blog (oh yes Tony, you won bigtime. I’m such a neophyte but at least I played better than your wife. Hehe…). Late lunch at the main restaurant and tour the entire vicinity before going back to the hotel.

Shared table w/ Rica while boys were having beer at the other table

5pm I met the couples at the lobby and all of us are ready for our city tour. We advise the shuttle to take us first to a recommended spa center. After a 10 minutes drive, we arrive at place – we got so excited to see that their services are so cheap. So we availed the 1.5 hour thai massage and 1.5 foot reflexology. Wow! Heaven! So relaxing. We ended up sipping an authentic ginger tea after our 3 hours theraphy.

While waiting for the shuttle to take us city

The recommended massage center

So cheap services

Very relaxed after my 3 hours treatment

Then we went to the town’s biggest shopping mall – Nagoya Hill. Bought some office dresses and home t-shirts. Quite cheap compare here in Singapore though I was very confuse with Rupiah denomination – talking about hundred thousand money bill. Nah! Had lunch at the mall foodcourt. Rica and I went back to the hotel at 10pm while Tony decided to go with his office friends for bar hopping.

Nagoya Hill foodcourt

.

Sunday:

Woke up at 8am and met Rica at the Hotel’s Main Café for our breakfast. Tony weren’t able to join us as per his wife, he went home at 4am and was a little drunk. The hotel was very dull and quiet. If not for the adequate staff, I will think that the place is condemned – as if we are the only guest left for that day. One good thing about it is that buffet table is only exclusive to us. Not bad right?

Lonely Hotel's cafe

Me at the buffet table

Spend the rest of the day checking the hotel amenities – went swimming, tried their simple gym and played minor sports like table tennis and billiards. Ate lunch again at hotel's restaurant (love the food actually). Check-out at 2pm and went directly at Sekupang terminal for our 3pm ferry schedule.

Love my fish fillet in oyster sauce lunch

.

Reached home at 4pm (Singapore time). Did my weekly room cleaning and laundry. Finishing this blog entry as I need to meet a friend at 8pm for a dinner at Changi Village hawker – heard seafoods are too good there.