Went for a short 2days 1 night trip to Batam for spa. I took this Harris Resort deal, which provide bowling, pizza and an hour massage at their spa. Got a room with a pretty nice view facing the sea. However, the small lift that can only take about 4 people has such a strong air freshener, i had to control my breath everytime i took the lift. Harris staff welcome us with smiles, and sang the usual YMCA song, that i heard last year.We hoped on the bus to Nagoya Hill Shopping area. The trip took about 45mins to an hour. We went to this coffeeshop and their food is good and cheap. If i remember correctly, its called Jims or Jimmy, at this corner of the Nagoya Hill circular area. The spas there are so much cheaper than the resort rates. Compared to Singapore, one hour massage there is about 20 plus. Perhaps i should have just booked a hotel near this area and try the massage services there instead of the resort.
We went back to the resort for the one hour massage. As usual, the environment in the massage parlour was good. It was in this windy and quiet hut. Feeling refreshed, we got the pizza for dinner after that, we looked through the menu at the resort coffee lounge and the restaurant as well. It was expensive, and everything was at sg rates. We went to bowl and the bowling alley has only us as their customers. I feel that, if let say you want peace and tranquility, i think the resort is good. It is quiet and away from all the bustle and hustle of city. There is a pretty nice swimming pool too. Nice to chill and just read a book spending your very own personal time.
Bintan Massage Trip Nov
I wanted to go Tanjung Pinang, heard that the beaches there are better than those in Lagoi. However, i was so blur this time, i booked a hotel in Tanjung Pinang and actually bought the ferry tickets from Bintan Resort Ferries. After reading up, i realised, there are other ferries, that does go to Tanjung Pinang from the Tanah Merah Terminal, and it is not be advisible to take a cab from Lagoi to go Tanjung Pinang and back. It would cause about 60dollars for a trip,paying extra 120 dollars for both is not worth it. In the end, i cancelled my hotel in Tanjung Pinang and booked Nirwana Resorts in Lagoi. Thanx to Agoda, fast and efficient, who is agreeable to cancelling my request without any extra fees.
Nirwana provided a shuttle bus to the resort. As we reached the resort pretty early, we are told we can only check in after 2pm. We recce the resort, it has a very nice morning beach view and the resort also keep big lizards. There are also shuttle buses to Pasar Oleh Oleh, at just 5dollars, we can take unlimited number of rides.
So we decided to head there for our lunch. We went to Cafe Helo Helo, which sell zi char food like Singapore, almost the same as SG hawker centre rates like 3.50 for fried rice... not too bad. The soup we ordered was a big bowl though. Massage spas there are super competitive, we see shop keepers trying to get you to try their massage. There are like for example Aura spa to the supposed to try famous Aroma Spa (that i read from trip advisor) and many smaller spas. If you call them to book appointment, some would fetch you from the hotel and send you back. We decided to try one of the small spas for their bali traditional massage, its called Bali Mayura Spa. They offered us at 37 or 38 for one and a half hours. Do not expect a nice cosy environment, its like in the wooden room above with a not really working air con. The massage was good though, was pain initially but they really released the tension in my back and my legs.
I wanted to try the food at the Kelong restaurant back in Nirwana Resort, but come to realise the price for two person is not really advisable. I can easily get the same kind of food in Jumbo restaurant for almost the same price. We went back to Pasar Oleh Oleh to try the Idola cafe. They offered this set meal for two person at just $48. I tell you ah, the portion is small...not so filling for big eaters like us! I personally like the Siew Pak Choy with garlic, the crispy baby squid and the chicken with chilli sauce. What was disappointing was the crab with black pepper sauce, it is pretty small, cannot really taste much meat from there. But well, what to expect for just $48...
We entertained ourselves with taking pictures of the beach. Nirwana has a nice scenery with the swimming pool overlooking to the sea. Very nice and comfortable, there are a few areas in the pool with "jacuzzi services". There was quite alot of food for breakfast, personally i always go for the asian cuisine. Not exactly fantastic but filling definitely. The Nirwana activity centre also provids various activities for the tourist. I tried air rifle shooting and managed to get the hang of it. There are also elephant rides for kids. The elephants had their feet chained up so that they would not run away. Our hearts goes to them as we feel that animals belonged to nature not to be used for monetary purposes.
That was the end of my Bintan trip, once and that was it. If i ever go back to Bintan next time, i would love to visit Tanjung Pinang instead.
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