Daddy Lim and I had never travelled leisurely without the kids nor travelled leisurely with friends without the kids. Yes, it is us - I have known of many who travelled left, right, center without their kids and their kids grew up fine. We just had the preference to travel as a family and created memories as a family.
Then, the chance came. One of the girls suggested a short adults-only getaway to Batam. Yes to Batam bcos it can fit into the weekend and it is only a ferry away and do little harm to the pocket.
The positive replies came in steadily. As more and more said yes, others tried to make childcare arrangements and launched into tactical persuasive discussion with their significant others. It was a pleasant surprise that we had full house attendance. Hohoho. Only the littlests who are not weaned off had the privilege to tag along. Suddenly, being breastfed is a great privilege.
It was an easy discussion for me; our kids are old enough. I had travelled for much longer period for work previously and not many people missed me during my absence. Lol. Nearer the travel, I broke the news to the kids. There wasn't much protest bcos all kids were staying put in Singapore, so it is very "fair". Nice. It wasn't this easy for some of the others, who had kids falling sick right before the trip. It must be the "kids-must-fall-sick-before-holiday" symptoms. We had that too when the kids were much younger.
I am a free loader this time and Auntie SL had all the logistics planned out. As the getaway got nearer, there was more buzz and excitement. Auntie SL had reminded us to bring sufficient luggage space for shopping. Hmmm.. while I don't remember much to buy in Batam, I was kiasu enough to pull along a luggage bag for just in case.
The big day came. On Saturday early morning, I didn't want to disrupt my weekend warrior routine and hit the gym at 6am for a short workout. I was right in time to catch Daddy Lim and the WWFs rolling off when I was done. Oh, the familiar blinking lights. I am a stalker.
Then, it was a mad rush to get out of the house to the train by 7am. The journey to meet the girls went without a hitch and I was right on time, even finding some time to buy bread and teh.
All ready to go! Yes, we were 大包小包ish.
The ferry took about an hour and then the nightmare began. It was the same ferry terminal where we were stuck for 3 hours when we visited in 2017 CNY. This time, the Q wasn't significantly better despite it being just a normal weekend. We ended up spending 2 hours queuing and trying to fend off people who either were trying to cut Q or have no spacious awareness. The luggage was like my perfect tool, creating space between me and the one behind who creepily inch closer at every and Auntie opportunity. Auntie R and H had the privilege to skip the Q with their little one but still had to wait for us to clear the immigration. By the time we finally got out of the immigration, the kids were already taking naps.
The bus transfer was already waiting for us. It was a mini bus and like most tour, we were dropped at some shops enroute the journey to the hotel. The 1st was a cake and crackers shop. Seriously, I didn't mind bcos I was hungry. The kueh lapis was ok but the pineapple tarts were good! I had so many of the samples but left empty handed. Then, we went next door to some T-shirt shop. I think our group was the only ones who bought something from both shops and the other poor family had to wait for us in the bus. Sorry lah, we got too excited on a trip without kids. Hoho.
We were staying the night at the iHotel. Hey, we stayed there a couple of times before on our previous trips! I remembered that it was a very decent hotel.
Our rooms were not ready and it was time to search for lunch after leaving the bags. The mummies were busy face-timing their kids. I WhatsApp the family to let them know that I was safe and sent them this picture.
The kids happily posed with the same structure when we last visited the hotel. That was in October 2016 and they were so tiny then.
Then we had to leave for lunch bcos the tummies were calling.
Auntie SL brought us to some crowded kopitiam nearby our hotel. The appearance of the kopitiam was far from ideal and I probably would have never convince the kids to eat there on our own. But the food was very good and Auntie SL naturally took on the role as the "official food orderer". We simply waited to see what literally lay (on the table) ahead.
It was difficult to describe how nice the food was except to wipe out every single drip of soup and every grain of rice to illustrate. When a group of mummy eats, no food go to waste.
Right after lunch, we had to burn the calories off with a walk in the mall. The stuff from international brand like H&M and Uniqlo aren't any cheaper and the local stuff's style is a little too "traditional" for our liking. Hmmm... Think 20 years back. The supermarket was what we were eyeing.
In my past trips to Batam, I had never really lugged groceries back. I did hear of how the groceries are cheaper and did a quick scan in the supermarkets but didn't see great savings to make me want to lug these heavy groceries back. While my mentality remains, I did buy a few this time when the girls pointed out how some stuff are really significantly cheaper. This shopping is contagious; you can't help buying when everybody else is doing that.
The walk at the supermarket tired us out such that we needed to replenish at the coffee place. Hoho.
After a long break and plenty of chit chat, we then made our way back to the hotel to leave our loot. We had 2 double room and a triple room.
Like little kids, we monkeyed around in the lift lobby. Aiyo!
Part 2 of the activity started after a quick rest in the room for whoever to do the necessary connections back home. My kids were happily playing with the Chan Family kids. The daddies were doing a fantastic job.
We walked to the other mall that was another stone throw away for more supermarket shopping and then dinner at another delicious Indoensian food place.
Looks really, really good right? No need to doubt, I confirmed and chopped that it was really fantastic.
The last part of the night was massage. I had 1.5 hours of foot massage for S$15. That was when we realised that the Indonesians had this habit of calling us "jiejie", even my massage lady who was probably well in her 50s. Suddenly, I feel so old. While the other ladies didn't think that the massage was great, I was just happy to indulge in a relaxed session. Hehe.
Auntie S and I shared room with Auntie H and the baby. The baby was already in lala land when we returned but had a tough night. In my half asleep state, I thought he was having a night terror and was crying angrily at times. Auntie S and I are well trained and we're not very much affected by the crying. I was very much sympathising with Auntie H, whom I saw was walking up and down the room pacifying the baby. Sympathise only but no energy to help. Hahaha. On top of the crying baby, Auntie H also had to put up with our snoring. Hahaha. Sorry but cannot control leh.
I saw that the hotel has a gym and brought along the gym clothes. As intended, I woke up and headed to the gym at 6.30am.
The gym was sheltered but opened air. In a short while, I was perspiring like mad. There was a few others who joined me and then this lady who was practising yoga. She looks seasoned until she was into this pose and my jaw dropped.
So 厉害! She was in that position for a long time. Her legs went up and down, open and close. I literally clapped for her while I was running on the treadmill.
My treadmill session ended well.
It was followed by a short cooling down by the pool.
I had more than enough time for a shower before heading to bfast at 7.40am.
The bfast spread was great. Daddy Lim and the kids would have loved it. We took our time at the table, going for like 200 rounds. Then it was a walk around the market opposite the hotel.
It was really a market. Auntie SL had to buy her atap seeds, Auntie TL grabbed her spices and Auntie H found her dried koropok. The rest of us were just happy walking around and taking in the sight. I mean, when was the last time we visited a wet market??!!
We had time for a short rest at the room before it was time to check out and board the bus for the ferry terminal. We had a lot of time before our ferry at 5.20pm, which called for lunch and more walking around at the Megamall next to the ferry terminal. Fortunately, there was free luggage deposit service at Megamall.
We again had Indonesian food for lunch and it was again fantastic. I am amazed at how we managed to order the right quantity of food such that we again polished off everything. After lunch and a little more walk-around, we adjourned to the Starbucks. I know right, it is like eating and drinking and repeat.
The immigration for the departure though packed, was moving much faster than when we 1st arrived. I guessed they had to ensure that most of us were in time to board the ferry. The ferry ride was about an hour and it is always dangerous to fall asleep on group trips bcos can kena stomp. Hohoho.
We arrived back in Singapore and cleared the Immigration by 7.50pm. Daddy Lim was at the gates to pick me. I feel so loved. Hehe.
The kids were at my brother's place the entire day. At least I rewarded everybody with the kueh lapis that I lugged back.
The original one was a lot more popular.
Each of the cake was half kg and sounded like a lot. But when it was cut up and then so many hands (and mouth and tummy), it suddenly become so little. I think I will lug home more the next time.
Overall, it was a great trip especially when we had such great company. The trip did leave me very tired that I concussed in the night. Would I do it again with the girls? Of course. Hehe.
Mummy Lim
