Bangkok again with Singapore and Batam.

[moa999]

the long stay guests coughtail party.

Always interested in the background of folks doing this.

 

[drron]

Talking with the GM they were from all around the world but very few Americans as they prefer more upmarket places.There’s a Marriott and a Hilton both on the water near the centre of town. There’s also a Grande Mercure . Radisson and Wyndham have hotels with Convention Centres.
The longest stayers were a group of Australians who were having a ship built not far from the HI. They were here for 4 years.
All though are here for work

 

[drron]

Friday and after breakfast I walked around the whole property. They are painting one of the blocks. With large paint cans and rollers on rickety scaffolding.






You can see in that last shot the fellow pulling on the rope so that the paint can on the other rope is raised to the level of the painters. they have had to climb up the scaffolding.


Back to the walk. Close to the rooms the grounds look not bad.


But go a little further and things change. These probably were veggie gardens. Lemongrass still seen in one.




Then you come to the conference centre.

The car probably was for the guy doing some painting on that scaffold. looking inside all I could see was some scaffolding near the entrance. The centre obviously had some gardens you could walk around.


Most was overgrown.
Then you come to this building..


With a cabana that had a bar arrangement.


From there you could see a little way away an unfinished tower block Not part of the HI property.


Walking from the Cabana across the bare patch you come across another pool. This photo is in one of the lifts but the pool not used now.

 

[drron]

Walking around the building you come to the Chinese restaurant that is now a hotel restaurant. Though it and the conference centre have a separate entrance from the road wit signs describing them.






The restaurant which overlooks the tennis court.




On the website the Chinese restaurant was said to be open for dinner every night. But on the door a note saying closed for dinner from 19th May. We arrived on the 20th.










The signs for the conference centre and the hotel.










Not only a kids playground but a waterslide.






And back past the painters and some of the scaffolding has been removed.

 

[drron]

Sunset from our room.

 

[drron]

Friday night was the best meal we had at the HI. Japanese teppanyaki. We had the dearest course with the mains salmon, lobster and beef. you got a small amuse bouche which went before I took a picture plus a salad with satay sauce, miso soup, fried rice and some fruit for dessert.
The restaurant.




Someone else's fried rice.


The salad. Just as well we like satay sauce.


My beverage. Mrsdrron had 2 glasses of Sav Blanc.


Miso.


Our fried rice.


The salmon which was excellent.


And the show for our lobsters.





















They were only small lobsters but very nice. After that I forgot pictures of the steak and fruit.
It was also great value and the cost was $A101. You do get 20% off being a member of IHG. The wine and beer though was $26 of that.

 

[drron]

Saturday and I went off to the Grand Mall by myself. The reason was I was not able to do more than 6000 steps at the HI in a day but I figured mall walking in air conditioning plus the fact that the malls here had lots of seating so my legs could recuperate. I ended up doing just over 14000 steps for the day so I was very happy with the result.
First the drive to the Mall. The property next to the HI.


The developement that is slowly going ahead.


Motorcycles outside the ship yard which has a high fence around it.


But this is one end of the shipyard.


Past a cemetery.










A shopping centre which marks where the road improves.

 

[drron]

Dropped off at the grand mall and it is much more upmarket than the Nagoya hill more with more "names" amongst the stores.


Mrsdrron is known to the grandchildren as Nan.


The mall has all bases covered with a hotel and a mosque attached to it.


A kids train circles the 4th floor.


I don't remember seeing these in Japan and I really didn't want to try one.


An unusual name for a pizza parlor.


Just like Japan loads of kids games.



I had lunch at Baresto Cafe on the 4th floor. Certified Halal. Put into a section with no other diners whilst the ret was full. but I had 2 lovely young ladies serving me.I had a lemongrass slushie and fried soft shell crab with rice. The slushie was great the crab not so much.




When I paid the bill I had 2 1000idr notes left. Gave 1 to each server. initially they didn't want to take it but eventually they did. Last of the big tippers as each note worth $A0.10.
Just a couple more photos.


T
Although King Koil is an American company in Asia they are made by A. H, Beard in Australia. the third A H became a patient of mine and we ended up friends. One of the few companies that paid back what they received through Jobkeeper during Covid.
Now back to wait for the shuttle. The traffic was a lot less on Saturday compared to Thursday. 4 people came to the Mall but only 2 went back.

 

[Austman]

They are painting one of the blocks.

I do enjoy reading your TRs.

I note though, that in this one you gave us about 6 photos of ..., basically ..., watching paint dry.

Just joking!

 

[Scarlett]

I know it’s too late now @drron but did you download the Gojek or Grab app? Select the GoFood / GrabFood section and you can get pretty much anything delivered to you (for about Rp14,000 delivery fee!) including wine. Red and White are located in many places in Indonesia and generally have an okay selection of wine. Would have been MUCH cheaper than the hotel rates.

Here’s a screen shot from my Grab app that I just set to Batam. First BWS type shop that comes up:


(I don’t drink so have no idea what is good, bad, value or otherwise)

In pretty much anywhere in Indonesia you can get somewhere to bring you anything in less than an hour, as long as it can be carried by scooter!

 

[drron]

I do enjoy reading your TRs.

I note though, that in this one you gave us about 6 photos of ..., basically ..., watching paint dry.

Just joking!

Now that going for long walks is of the agenda I often have nothing better to do than watch the grass growing.
There are a few more such shots coming up in this post along with non growing rock pics for our geologists.
So sit back and relax and see all the excitement of the shuttle trip back to the HI.






Some grass growing on a dam wall.


And the promised rocks.
























The fencing around the next door property is not in great shape.

 

[drron]

so dinner for saturday night was back in the Terrace Cafe. Lots more peope for Saturday night but most were outdoors for the buffet. Mrsdrron had the salmon again but overcooked possibly because they were busy. I had a local dish rice beef Tapsilog. I enjoyed it.


We had booked a taxi for 11am it probably was a ride service as we got a new black large SUV with no signage. And it reinforced my opinion that the taxi desk at the ferry terminal was a scam as this time the fare was 150000. And a much quicker and more comfortable ride. so only 30 minutes to the terminal and now 3 hours to kill. Nothing really at the terminal. So through Immigration. The e gates are for Indonesin or Singapore passports only as they were also on arrival in Singapore. Here though it ws a human to deal with who wanted to make sure we had our Singapore arrivals approval. Never had to show it in Singapore as it comes up whn you scan your passport in Singapore.

Then through the charade of security. Bags through the scanner then everyone walks through the Xray machine. Not once did a red light show not even with my knee replacement.
So then into a large holding pen with a Malaysian ferry section to the left nd a Singapore section to the right. both with very large signs. Despite that many Malaysians waited on the Singapore side and quite a few missed their ferries.

Our gate.


We were in the first half dozen through. Fortunately the person behind me had a problem with theur boarding pass so the hordes didn't catch up to me until I was virtually at the ferry. And a very kind young woman did ask if she could carry my bag for me. I thanked her but it was only a half dozen steps to the boarding plank and you just hand your bag to the crew member who takes it and places it in the luggage area. We were then seated in a row of 3 and mrsdrron kindly let me have the window seat. The row in front was the bulkhead seats and there was a sign that airlines might use.


Another thing that unfortunately has become more common in Asia is the lack of manners particularly the young. The row across from us-


The bag belonged to the couple behind whose 3 other bags occupied the middle seat in their row. In the row in front was a young woman who sat in the middle seat and a couple who boarded just before departure politely asked if she could move so they could sit together. She refused.

So off we go.


This ferry left at the same time but our ferry easily beat it to Singapore.


The views as we left Bataam. Lots of building going on.
























A fishing village survives.

 

[drron]

Continuing our cruise.


Then back to the Singapore flotilla.












And a cruise ship leaving Singapore. couldn't make out a name but recognised the funnel as the NYK line. They only have one cruise ship the Akasusa11. It started life as the Crystal Harmony. They are owned by Mitsubishi who started the Crystal cruise line before selling it to Genting Hong Kong.








The mega yacht was still in Singapore.

 

[drron]

I should give a summary of the experience in Batam.
Mostly I would not recommend the HI because there really is nothing else in close proximity. i chose it because IHG is my prime hotel loyalty program and it comes up when you search for Singapore. one such search it came up as $50 a night. Sounded like a great price for a mattress run.
I did enjoy the stay but no need to ever go back. Usually the price is ~$100 a night.

However if you have young children that love the water this could suit you. The pools are very nice with things for the kids including a not very long waterslide. The staff are very friendly and go out of their way to help. Just don't stay over a weekend. The expats and families come from it seems all over the island and it is bedlam.
Also if you want a place to just chill out it would be fine.

As to restaurants the Japanese is really good. Their 24 hour restaurant - Terrace Cafe is quite OK. We found the Thai restaurant underwhelming.
And with @Scarlett recommending how to get cheaper alcohol would make this an inexpensive holiday

For younger active folks I would consider close to the CBD. Nagoya seems OK with western chain hotels plus more upmarket local places plus malls and lots of restaurants.
So easy to get there from Singapore with the fast ferries. We found Majestic was very good.

 

[drron]

Although there is an MRT station at Harbourfront for me it was a distance that required several stops. We got to the ticket office and as the 2 people in front of us got to the windows both operators pulled down a screen with Meal Break. Not sure what else to do but discovered the 7/11 shop sells them. found out later our CCs could have been used.
Now once you get through the machines at Harbourfront it is anoher reasonable walk. Singapore doesn't make it easy for people like me who now need to sit now and then to be able to continue walking. Very few seats and when you find them they are full and no body notices your limp.

Next there was a really crowded station at Harbourfront and we could only make it on to the third train that arrived. Then change at the next stop for the green line to head towards the airport. Once again a long walk. Nearly got separated from Mrsdrron as she was about to board the train but I was penned in by the crowd. The doors were about to close when she hopped off. However that turned out to be good as the next train was nearly empty so able to sit down.
One more change before reaching the airport but that was simply walking across the platform to a waiting train. Then a few long escalators and we walked into the CP lounge to check in just as the evening drinks were starting. I only took one picture. They have bowls with noodles and seafood which you then ladle the Laksa broth over. That night the broth was the best I have tasted here.


No further pictures of the night's spread but don't worry as this time spending 2 nights here. The reason will become obvious later.
But I did take pictures of the breakfast offerings.












I also had eggs Benedict but again forgot to take a photo.

 

[drron]

Around midday I went for a walk around Terminal3,slowly. Went down to the basement and walked around. They have really done it up but IMHO have lost that hawker stall atmosphere.


I went to a little place which only had 4 people at tables but oly 2 were eating. the oter 2 were doing a foodie blog. I think I recognised the fellow as the blogger. e was arranging th plates f food into 2s or 3s - they had 11 dishes. He would also reaarange the food on each plate and then tthe woman would take photos from every conceivable angle. It provided something to wtch as I waited for my beef rendang rice bowl. It was on special for $S 5.49.


I snuck a couple of pics of he bloggers dishes.




This was the place.

 

[drron]

Back to the lounge for evening drinks and snacks. Starting with my Laksa and other nibbles


More choices.














But the reason for staying the extra night was to see one of our other families grand child. I got a partner in the practice at Buderim in ~ 1995 He is Malaysian Chinese his wife English. The had 2 daughters then and subsequently another daughter and son. The year after they arrived the eldest daughter started school. Now for Grandparents day none of hers lived in Australia so she asked us to be her grandparents. So for the next 20+ years we went to Grandparents day. They still call us that,
The third grandaughter is an entertainer and now woks in Universal Studios in Singapore. So she cam and visited us for Evening drinks. We were not charged extra for her lounge visit. We both felt happy to see her.

 

[drron]

The next morning we checked out at 0630. No line at J counter so very soon in the T# SKL. Fortunately the Singapore E gates have learnt to recognise me.Just had a coffee and some dim sum as we were going to be fed soon after take off on SQ 708 to BKK,


I had the carrot cake although it isn't a cake and I can't ecognise any carrot. But it tastes nice.


Mrdrron had Pad Thai.


We arrived pretty much on time. Went straight to the normal gat as not many there but staff took us to a boarded off area with no ther passengers so straight through. Hand carry only so wen we got to the baggage entry sent a What's app messenger to our transfe driver and he drove up just as we got to the pick up area. We now use Exclusive transfers, dearer than a taxi at 1200 baht but excellent service and easy to arrange.

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Arrived at the IC at about 12so up to the IC club to check in.A glass of wine each was produced. I like this office,


Down to the room and not my favourite fruit but some nice sweets.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I think Ron has caloric amnesia.

 

[NM]

I think Ron has caloric amnesia.

I was once informed that food consumed in a lounge (or hotel room by inference) is calorie-free