benchmarc

Ole, I’m back from my trip to Batam. Sad to say, I went with my uncle who is someone that doesn’t really enjoy sports and stuff. The only thing we did was bowling. (-_-”). But overall, it’s like a first-hand experience on the place itself. I might just head back there, but definitely with a group of friends.

DAY 1

We both left Harbourfront at around 9:20am, reaching the Waterfront city jetty at 9:20am. Yes, it’s Indonesian time. Don’t worry. Don’t get confused. Once we arrived there, the resort staff from Harris Resort are already there to settle everything for you, from your passport chops at the immigration check point to the transport to the resort itself. Quick and efficient I would say. They allowed us to check in earlier as the it was a weekday, obviously because there isn’t any other tourist around other than 2 couples and a pathetic me with my uncle. There’s Whitley Secondary School kids as well on a holiday or something. The rooms were fine, like any normal resort. Not that bad. At least the fridge and Cable TV made up for the disappointments, if there were any.

Ooo. Root Beer Float. Haha.

The first thing we did was to get a trip down to the town area. Due to the thunderstorm that greeted us, the only thing sensible to do is the get out of the resort, so we apparently head down to town via a complimentary 2-way bus ride to town. Town was normal. Kinda remind me of Brunei. But amazingly, I discovered A&W – the extinct fast-food restaurant in Singapore. Yes, jealous as you can be, I tasted their Root Beer float that ever amazes you. Of course, how could I forget the curly fries? They have chilli sauce that is REALLY CHILLI SAUCE. Not like those packet sauce that you squeeze out in Long John Silvers and doesn’t taste spicy AT ALL. Their sauce is like – Balachan. Good stuff really cannot bluff. I regretted not eating their waffle with ice cream. Crap. But overall at the A&W was magnificent. Like a whole new fast food deal.

After the meal, we walked around in the shopping centre named Nagoya Hill. They have Adidas there, which sells their apparels at a cheaper amount than in Singapore. Then they have one of the oldest brands of jeans that are extinct in Singapore. Branded Wrangler, their jeans are like SGD$43? What the hell man. Even Levi’s cost SGD$60 at least. Hmmm. Walked around and like Brunei, it’s not surprising to see fake goods everywhere. From shoes to sunglasses, from perfumes to wallets and purses etc. Was a bit tempted to buy the LV wallet, but saved on it. It’s $6 by the way. LOL.

Chilli Sauce. Woah.

I discovered a competitor for chicken in the fast food industry. That company would be no one else other than BFC. Named Best Fried Chicken, I was taken aback at the sign when I saw BFC this 3 big letters. I thought i was some stupid football club or restaurant. And perhaps it WAS a restaurant. Cool yet laughable at. LOL.

BFC at it’s best. LOL.

We headed back to the Resort around 3pm that day, with the terrible weather still crowding the sky. We didn’t have to do much. Rest till the rain stopped around 6, and we went down for a stroll. Swimming pool nicely done, cafe area at the lobby, with the resort owning a store of their name. And their Polo. Yes, having heard all the things about cheap polo in Batam, I have come to realise that the Polo that they have is – yes, you are right, NOT the USA brand. Seemingly the same as the USA brand, their price range do differ a lot from the ones that you purchase in Singapore. Design wise, they are definitely the same. But the price at $52 per polo-tee is definitely not a price that I would buy for. And it’s an Indonesian Polo. Not Polo Ralph. Don’t be mistaken.

Harris Resort.

Had Carbonara for dinner. The restaurant they had was fantastic, with their food that surprises your taste buds. Just when I expect the least from an Indonesian resort. Really a great job done by them. Service was fantastic as well, with their waiter or waitresses always putting a smile on their faces and yours definitely.

Pasta Carbonara in Style. Lol.

After the dinner, strolling was necessary as this plate of pasta was really really filling. Walked around the area to discover their bowling alley, their pool and billiard area, gym, squash court etc. Not really surprising that it’s rather low in maintenance. But nonetheless, you won’t know till your try. Hmm. Back to bed. Suppose to be waking at 2:40am to catch the Uefa Cup final between Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg. OVERSLEPT. LOL. Blah.

DAY 2

Woke up and head for breakfast at around 8am Indonesia time. Buffet style. Haha. They have a very good range of food to be served. From omelettes to bread, Honey Stars to noodles, rice to beef, porridge to pastries. Whatever, it’s there. Even fruits. Woo. And it’s nice as well. This place really needs some recognition for their food.

Rested awhile at the room before going for cycling at around 10:15am. It was complimentary for 2 persons at half an hour each. Knowing that we can’t go far, we manage to cycle out and try to go around the surroundings. Discovered a few restaurants (Don’t expect restaurants to be air-conditioned and high class) opposite the resort. Nice views and some river that stretches across the shady trees and green pastures did prove to be something different that we hardly see in an urban Singapore.

Kelong look-a-like discovered while cycling.

Shady pathway.

River View. Fantastic stuff.

After the half an hour ride, I was sunburnt. That’s how strong their sun was at Batam. Knowing that I can’t take the “bra” shape imprinted on myself, I had to go for a swim nonetheless. The swimming pool was big, like there’s a 2m area for you to swim, plus there’s like basketball and water polo nets for you to have some games. And with all the rattan seats or benches and comfy cushion shades, suntanning and swimming never had such a great combo.

Swimming pool view. Not bad for me.

And for that, I got my “bra” tan off, and with additional tan. I wasn’t that burnt. But it’s definitely a great place to relax. Didn’t swim much. Played a bit of basketball in the pool. Then tanned. Then headed for lunch. At the same resort restaurant. Didn’t go to their H Grill outside because it’s too expensive.

Name of Dish – Seafood Vera Cruz’s.

Lunch was this uniquely named dish. Consist of broccolis, calamari, prawns, dory fish and a crab. Yes. Crab. I was rather surprised. Braised to almost perfection, the crab, calamari and fish were fresh indeed. The prawn was quite fresh but not totally fresh. Love this dish. Nice name especially. =).

After the food was bowling. Yes, sport after meals. Well, we needed air-con and of course, complimentary again. 1 game each for the both of us. We extend a further 2 more games each and the Harris counter staff decided to give us a 50% discount, which means we only pay for 2 games instead of the 4 that we played. Nice and friendly guy. And it’s like damn cheap to play bowling there. Like S$2.50 a game. We were the only 2 playing there la. Sigh. But it was fun. Beat him 2 – 1 hands down. And my highest score till date for bowling – 140. My oh my. See the picture below? NO ONE ELSE PLAYING. And that Harris counter staff was so bored that he HAD to watch the both of us play. That’s life. They have reflexology as well, and the guy was like damn bored la, reading his life away. Haha.

Quiet Day at the Bowling Alley.

After the “strenuous” activity to the hand, we went back to the resort, where I took a nap while my uncle had the time to actually walk to Holiday Inn Resort, which is like 15 minutes down the road. As for me, I came down at 5 plus Indonesia time to take a look at the sunset. There’s a major difference. Compare.

Sunset at 5 plus pm.

Sunset at 6 plus pm. Fantastic.

After the sightseeing at the makeshift jetty, had some Frappe Mocha at S$5 before he came back from his long walk to head for dinner at the resort, with the complimentary set dinner voucher that we have. Yes, I have typed “COMPLIMENTARY” for like many times, and it’s part of the package and I’m glad its free. The voucher was given to us and we have to make a choice with either a Set Lunch, Set Dinner or a free pizza, which I didn’t try. Smells good but still, only my nose was satisfied. Not my taste buds. Damn.

Frappe Mocha. Cheaper and relatively refreshing. And I don’t smoke. =)

While waiting for our dishes to be served, we had the 4 Amigos that go around entertaining people with their acoustic strings and groupie singing, bringing a smile to everyone’s faces. Talented as usual, they were able to sing Hokkien songs, Chinese songs, English songs etc. Great stuff from them. Just after they left, our food came. Haha. Didn’t take photo of the dish, but sure the Sauteed beef that we ordered was sumptuous. =)

Gangster look-a-likes. LOL.

And yes, went back and had nothing to do other than the TV. Head downstairs to walk around and got myself another drink – Raspberry Soda or something. Nicely done though, although the waitress gave me a spoilt straw. LOL. And it was bed time at 10:45pm Indonesian time. Sian.

DAY 3

Had breakfast again, this time with different food and still as great as anybody would have mentioned. Then later walked around and explored till we came to the Monkey Beach Hut to know that the meals there are CHEAPER. The area is kinda like Indochine, with the exception of a live band performance. With the bar counter and tables for eating, they serve Western cuisines to Asian cuisines to their traditional ones too. NOT BAD for a BAR. Why call themselves Monkey Beach Hut? Apparently I only saw ONE monkey as a pet over there. Apart from that ape, I saw a cockatoo. A quiet avian moving around without any sound. Hmmm.

Monkey Beach Hut.

The Monkey Beach Hut also provides Sea Sports facilities such as Parasailing, Cable Skiing, Banana Boats (not that brand of tanning lotions or sprays), Jet Skiing etc. Of course, all for a price. I didn’t try as my uncle himself is someone that doesn’t want to try these kind of stuff. Hmmm. We checked out at 1pm and had lunch over here. Ordered fried rice. Really good stuff indeed. And we definitely pay much lesser here than the resort’s meals. After that it was to the jetty and back home.

Home Sweet Home indeed.

Waiting for a conclusion? Yes, you will have it here at…. ok fine I won’t brag. Overall, Harris Resort is somewhere that a couple can relax as well as a place where families and friends in groups can enjoy the fun and serenity over here. You could say that it was a weekday that I went, but definitely for sure, it’s worth the stay. Perhaps weekends might not have some peace but overall, do visit this place for its excellent service, various facilities and of course, their food. =)

KNN. Long post leh. Lol.