KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Original Title: Would you consider to go Batam/Bintan for a short trip?

Hi,

Anybody has experience or reccommendation about holiday in Batam?

I suppose it should costs less than going to Thailand?

And no risk of getting stranded in airport

IMO, Bintang yes ... Batam no.

Bintang has a number of beach resorts that are affordable and ideal for short getaways.

while there is no risk of getting stranded at airport, the ferry ride can be very rough at certain point where the sea is quite choppy (My boy was seasick on the return journey). There is some recent news about upgraded version of ferry that promise smoother rides, I have not tried these new ferry yet.

tankee wrote:... Bintang has a number of beach resorts that are affordable and ideal for short getaways...

Yes, I love Bintang myself, but I just can't get rid of the feeling that I'm still in Singapore whenever I go there. They accept our money there, stuff cost as astronomical as here in Singapore, and the locals even watch our Mediacorp 8 programmes!

Its Bintan and not Bintang (which means star)

Bintan is ok for relaxing and doing nothing but just to laze around. 8)

But the stuff there quite expensive. I remembered looking at a 1.5ltr bottle of soft drink which cost SGD4.

There is a pasar ole-ole where you can get souvenirs and stuffs but still expensive.

if it's like that, I might as well just park myself at Sentosa....

Lookingforsale wrote: if it's like that, I might as well just park myself at Sentosa....

But you don't get really nice beaches in Sentosa...

Both Batam & Bintan have their own merits..

Bintan has nice beaches but its rather expensive as most of the things are
in Singapore $$.... really nice place to chill.. I believe buds has posted
some pics of our recent trip..

Batam is far cheaper if youre looking for good bargains.. Its not
as "sleazy" as many people think.. There are many shopping centres
which offer really value for money deals and nice eating places..

Not forgetting the SPA treatments which are only at a fraction of the
price.. buds & I enjoy going for the SPA treatments.. even our DDS enjoy
being pampered with mini hair treatments or haircuts there..

But just a word of caution.. Go with someone who is familiar with the
place.. Dont try your luck by exploring the place on your own.

I prefer Batam to Bintang.

Harris Resort is a nice place with a good spa too. The food is not too bad.
There is also nice seafood nearby and a shopping mall nearby where one can get manicure, pedicure at a reasonable rate.

But given a choice, I would rather be off to beaches off the East Coast of Malaysia - Redang, Kuantan and offshore islands like Rawa, Sibu, Tioman anytime.

csc wrote:I prefer Batam to Bintang...

But given a choice, I would rather be off to beaches off the East Coast of Malaysia - Redang, Kuantan and offshore islands like Rawa, Sibu, Tioman anytime.

Hmmm.. its "BINTAN" lah..

Of course, if given a choice, the beaches off the East Coast of Malaysia is better lah.... So is the one at Coral & Khai Islands of Thailand..

csc wrote:... But given a choice, I would rather be off to beaches off the East Coast of Malaysia - Redang, Kuantan and offshore islands like Rawa, Sibu, Tioman anytime.

Ah Tioman... lovely memories. Went there with my wife while part-tor-ing. Dropped by ABC Island. It was off season and there was this gorgeous ang-moh babe who kept mucking around in the low-tide near us... TOPLESS :!: . She kept staring at us intensely until we also mah-lu... weird, considering that we were at least in our swim-wear while she's missing a, um, piece of it. My ego was finally deflated when I realized that she was actually trying to chat up my wife!