I never fail to suffer from an insufficient dose of rest before an oversea trip commences because it always has to be planned very early in the morning. According to the groupon grabbed from www.deal.sg by Kenneth, we were scheduled to reach the Ferry Terminal at Harborfront 90 minutes prior to departure. That being said, we had to reach the dock by 0650!
After all the process of the necessities at the custom, we arrived at the ferry terminal awaiting for our turn to onboard.
DUTY FREE SHOP.
An array of colorful liquor on display for visitor to choose from pandering to their likings.
My boarding pass to Indonesia Batam!
Finally onboard!
You guys know that feeling? It was like BMT, the penguin ferry and everyone dragged their feet onboard. The whole ferry experience is equivalent to going Palau Tekong.
Everyone was excited. Fun seemed like the sole word that describe our feelings. We were so anticipate what this tour was going to offer us!
Sorry Kenneth. But it was fun imitating you, mini eyes.
Having some fun whist en route to Batam.
This seat-in coach experience was totally out of expectation. The tour guide whom introduced herself as Tini (Ti ni dao wan shang), shared with us the itinerary for whole day as follows:
SINGAPORE
SIN 0650 Assemble at HarbourFront Centre, Collect our boarding passes.
SIN 0750 Embark on the hugh speed air conditioned ferry
INDONESIA
IND 0720 Upon arrival at SEKUPANG International Ferry Terminal, after immigration and custom clearance, we were greeted by a Local Guide.
IND 0800 Our first stop would be CHOCOLATE FACTORY, followed by a TEMPLE VISIT, DIANA HOMEMADE LAYER CAKE then POLO RETAIL and BATAM OTAH-OTAK, traditional Indonesia Otak-otak Fish mousse in banana leaf.
IND 1200 Lunch would be served at GOLDEN PRAWN 933 LIVE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT.
IND 1300 After lunch, we would be visiting GOLDEN BEACH, then the GTS LOCAL PRODUCT SHOP and then BENGKONG DRY MARKET FOOD STUFF
IND 1350 Check in at GOLDEN VIEW HOTEL
IND 1430 Assemble at the concourse of the Golden View
IND 1530 Landmark of Chinatown Batam THOA PEK KONG TEMPLE, then BATIK OUTLETS
IND 1730 Free and easy shopping at BATAM SHOPPING MALL and DINNER.
IND 1930 ASSEMBLE at the second floor Customer Service
IND 2000 MASSAGE
IND 2100 Back to Hotel
CHOCOLATE FACTORY
After the acknowledge the fact that we had to sit in the coach for the whole day, our moods were dampened by half. Especially Kenneth mysteriously quietened down and no amount of cajole would goad him into happiness.
Back to topic, the chocolate factory consisted of many local chocolate at a very low price. Of course, I did not purchased any products of their because I only brought around S$20. You guys know what? I always thought that Chocolate Factory is a really factory that manufactured chocolate or a house that is made of chocolate.
How sweet if some girl would hand me a chocolate hamper and say you are sweet like chocolates. Yes, I'm daydreaming.
Look, guys! The crowd was overwhelming. Imagine how much would this shop earn in a day if everyday was this crowded. I heard that whatever we bought from the shops listed in the itinerary, our tour guide Tini would earn commissions.
RP 120, 000!! Imagine this was in Singapore Dollars.
天恩弥勒佛院
Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya where located in Sei Panas, Batam is the biggest temple in Southeast Asia. With a land area of 4.5 hectares, Vihara Duta Maitreya was built in 199. As the name implies, this temple has a very strong religious value which matches with the message of Buddha Maitreya, which is message of universal love.
Almost in every corner of the building found the status of Buddha Maitreya that has a high width posture, dense ears and belly fat, innocent personality and always laugh, Once seen, felt a warm welcoming feel of life, it looks Maitreya said: Welcome to loving world. He led all human into a new world, life with peace and happiness.
Besides the status of Maitreya Buddha, the monastery is also contained other Buddha statues, like statue of Buddha Guatama, the Goddess Kwan Im, Satua Kalama, Amitabha, Naisajyaguru and others. The statues are scattered in various parts of the monastery with each peculiar.
In this monastery there are five buildings, the first is Graha Maitreya as the main function, where Maitreya people do praying three times a day to God Almighty, Buddha Maitreya and the Buddha Bodhisttva. The capacity of the Graha is 2,000 people.
Furthermore there is a Graha Patriatm this hall is for devotion to the Buddha that also serves as education and training and also for Dharmasala.
Wei Siang sure have an immense faith and connection to deities in the temple. According to Wei Siang, he can find inner-peace and unspeakable happiness whenever he is neared them. Of course, when I did a thorough observation on him during the trip to temple, I could see that his eyes was sparkled with immense enthusiasm. Upon entry, he instinctively pull out his camera mobile and captured the holy deities in all three devotion halls.
Whereas for Kenneth, he was still putting his gloominess and misery on display. He was alarmingly quiet and forlorn. When asked for the reasons, he merely came out with a, 'Oh I'm just tired.' Come on Kenneth, you can't deceived us with your eyes wide open and your actions already betrayed yourself.
Hey peeps, please pardon me for my forgetfulness. My mind isn't functioning well after the trip to Batam and if I could squeeze out a title to name this place it would definitely be SOUVENIR SHOP. Aww, Wei Siang actually did not forget his family even he was in overseas.
