Hidden Beauty of Riau Islands (Kepri) : Miraculous Batam

Batam island, located in north west Indonesia, and south of Singapore, is a small industrious island. People go here mostly because of job. Many job seeker from all part of Indonesia come here. This island also called as "mini Indonesia". At the first glance, there are nothing special about this island in the case of tourism. But spend about 1 week in this island make me realize that this place is quite special. Foods, view, and also trade was so unique. In this article, I want to share to you some place that good for spend your holiday in Batam.

1. Barelang Bridge

Barelang bridge is an icon of Batam island. the unique architecture of this bridge with the beautiful "sea" view makes this place worth to be visited. Furthermore, an batam special seafood name "Gong gong" also available here. In this place also sell many delicious seafood such as crabs, squid, shrimp and fish with cheap price.

 View from Barelang bridge

Barelang bridge

2. Batam Center

Batam center has port which serving transportation between Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. In this place, there are the biggest mall in Batam, name Mega Mall. 

3. Jabal Arafah Mosque

For moslem people, pray in the mosque in the new place is very special experience. Jabal Arafah mosque, located in Nagoya area has good place for both pray and vacation. This mosque has tower where from there we can see Batam from above. Near this mosque, there are Nagoya hill, one of famous mall in Batam where we can get many cheap things compare to other place.

Jabal Arafah Mosque Tower

View from Jabal Arafah Mosque Tower

4. Tanjung Pinggir Beach

Tanjung Pinggir beach is famous place where we can see Singapore from Batam Island. The beautiful night view from Singapore light can be enjoyed from here. For Buddhis, they like going here for pray. One of the most special things here is the beautiful sunset which is breathtaking view. 

 Sunset from Tanjung Pinggir Beach

Singapore from Tanjung Pinggir beach

5. Park of Traditional Mini House of Indonesian Culture, Bengkong
In this park there are mini house from all provinces in Indonesia.

6. Mata Kucing Park

Here another wonderful nature view that successfully captured by me from Batam Island

 Full moon 

 Sunrise

Red sand hill

Traveling alone? Why not!

Adjusting leisure time with friend to go vacation is always unease. Sometimes, planning is just planning cause each other never meet match time to go holiday together. Therefore, some people prefer to travel alone. For the first time, traveling alone is fear, especially for woman. Going alone to the strangle places even looks so dangerous. But, traveling alone is so adventurous for sure. For beginners like me, there are based tips to make your alone vacation to be a wonderful trip.  

1. Know your destination

Of course it is not easy to know some place where the first time you’ll be there. But don’t worry because we have internet! Internet doesn’t tell everything but is enough to help us for now little about your destination. At least you have to see the full map so you can estimate your journey. Why? Because only see the information on the spot is wasting time, so it better if we know even little before we go to that places. After that, we can make plan! And also you have to take a look at public transportation. Some places don’t have good public transportation that will make you to think and prepare more! 

2. Book the home stay 

If you plan to have more than 1 day vacation it is better for you to book hotel or home stay for staying. You can search and choose based on your budget. It is better to look at others testimonies about the place so you can have little image about the place where you going to stay. Don’t worry for asking by email in order to know more. Because you don’t want to waste your money for bad place right? 

3. Bring “Selfie” stick

For some people bring camera or smartphone is enough for capture all memories. But for me, take a picture of good place with my face inside is also important. For this, you should bring “selfie” stick so you can take a picture of yourself without disturbing others. 

4. Don’t get phobia with others language

Study English is better to support your holiday, especially if you trip abroad. But for some country where the English is not mother language, you can prepare pocket dictionary or small conversation book and study little conversation. Such as “Terimakasih” or thank you in Indonesia. Because, if you can speak local language it will be better to get close to the local people. But if you can’t, you still can use body language right?! For moeslim, if you are going abroad, halal food is always a matter. Don’t worry, just know the word for some forbidden food or ingredients. And keep asking guys! As Indonesian say “Di mana ada kemauan di situ ada jalan” or “There are always ways to who want”. Just confidence! 

5.  Just Go!

Don’t be afraid doesn’t mean that you just be careless! Indeed, you have to be careful for everything especially if you go to some dangerous places. Dangerous here means that many thief or same thing. You did not  want to lose your money or mean goods right? 

Finally that’s a brief tips for self travelers from a beginners like me. So, what are you waiting for! Make a good planning and go! Happy holiday…