Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

If you’re in Singapore, going over to Batam, Indonesia, for a quick break (and yummy food!) is SO easy, and relatively affordable.

After we decided to stay at the Pacific Palace Hotel during our quick trip to Batam last week, we found out that the nearest Ferry Terminal (to the hotel) is called ‘Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal’.

And the only way to get there from HarbourFront Centre, Singapore, is via Wavemaster Ferries.

[Click HERE to see the list of Ferries available from HarbourFront Centre]

As for the ticket price, a round ticket (Singapore-Batam-Singapore) costs $48 per person.

There’s a ferry going over to Batam’s Harbour Bay every hour, so as long as you’re at the Terminal at least one hour before the stated departure time to purchase your ticket, I think you’ll be fine.

…

A few quick tips and more info:

– Book your hotel in advance, and see if the hotel can pick you up from Harbour Bay Terminal. Taking a taxi from the Terminal to the Hotel will cost so much more!

– Pacific Palace Hotel charges Rp. 25,000 to pick guests up from the terminal, and taxis at Harbour Bay charge Rp.40,000 to drive us to the hotel. And mind you, the Pacific Palace Hotel is VERY closely located to Harbour Bay Terminal, so it really shouldn’t cost that much at all.

[Note: We thought the hotel facility was good, the breakfast buffet range was nice, the staff was relatively friendly, the massage at its spa centre was relaxing, the price promotion at the time was good, BUT the overall service by the staff was below standard. We had a few disappointing experiences there]

– Hotel Novotel Batam (opposite Pacific Palace Hotel) picks hotel guests up from Harbour Bay Terminal at NO extra cost.

– As far as I understand (please do correct me if I’m wrong), converting your Singapore Dollars to Indonesian Rupiahs should be done before you travel to Indonesia as the exchange rate will be better here than there!

Anyway.

I’ll share MORE photos of our trip to Batam over the next few days!