20 kilometres from the Singapore and a favoured retreat for stressed-out Singaporeans, is the island of Batam. Unlike Bintan, Batam got its start an industrial centre, where many local and multinational companies settle their regional production operations. Subsequently, except business travellers, few individuals knew much about the island. In the past decade however, as international resorts and hotels began flocking to the island, Batam quickly became named ‘that unspoilt vacation getaway noone knows about yet’, a reputation still carries today, while 5 star hotels spring up and word of its attractions escape and spread surrounding the region.
When contrasting the two islands, share many physical characteristics along with its sister island Bintan - long beaches, clear waters, and all. Also like Bintan, Batam is thought for its excellent watersports and well-tended golf courses, a precise attraction for international visitors. What i mean between Bintan and Batam is because unlike the former, Batam has a wealth of budget accommodations, ranging from motels within the town towards the rustic chalets by the beachside. The variety of accommodation choices ensures the island a particular favourite of independent travellers who choose to eschew package tours and jaunt around on their very own.
Another area wherein Batam differs from Bintan is contained in the activities available outside the resorts. Batam is really a duty-free haven, and as a result the most popular activity is always to take pleasure in retail therapy in Nagoya, the island’s main town. Nagoya offers plenty of little stores peddling everything from spirits to electronics at cutthroat prices. Visitors from Singapore and Malaysia who quake at today’s sky-high retail prices often nostalgically compare the price value of goods sold here to those they purchased in ‘the good old days.’ Then there's Batam Centre, the island’s response to Singapore’s Orchard Road, the spot that the largest shoppinge centre - the Matahari - is located, as well as banks, atms, along with such necessities of life. Another popular attraction in Nagoya is your Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Buddhist Temple, while the locals don’t contemplate it such. A lot of people still pray here everyday, paying little mind to camera clicks and whispers of many visitors. It's viewed as one of the largest Buddhist temples under the region, which happens to be a rising number of remarkable if you are manufacturer provided a staunchly Muslim country. The temple draws thousands of devout worshippers from throughout the region to hope and study.
Another sight sometimes visited will be the controversial Dewi Kuong Imra monument. This statue is really a tribute towards the Buddhist goddess of prosperity which is which you can find at the KTM station in Tanjung Pinggir. Much of the trouble surrounding it revolves around civic pride, as its massive 26 metre height causes it to be taller than the Garuda Nusantara monument at Batam’s international airport. Aside from the shopping and sightseeing, there are also a considerable amount of clubs, discos and other night time entertainments available, mostly to satisfy the fair-sized enclave of expatriates stationed on the island. As you’d expect because of an island, Batam also includes a good amount of excellent seafood restaurants. The truly adventurous may even contemplate a vacation into the highlands, where the temperature has differs from 16ºC to 26ºC and actually has been known to drop about 8ºC throughout the night.
The best way to get to Bintan and Batam is to make the water crossing from Singapore. Ferries to Bintan may be obtained thrice-daily coming from the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and dock with the Bandar Bentan Terminal. Ferries ply every 30 minutes during daytime between Harbour Front Ferry Terminal and either Sekupang or Batu Ampur on the north coast of Bintam. Yopu must have a visa and passport, depending on your country of origin, so it’s best to check first in the Indonesian embassy before you go.
For More Information , Visit Batam Hotel Website