The impromptu getaway finally took place on the weekend of 24-25 Aug 13. The breakaway group (aka "The BATAM Runaways") from the TSB Gang R/V at the "Toast Box", HarbourFront for the final brief and ticket distribution. Armed with only ONE bag each (mostly ... partially empty) had their quick dose of coffee before boarding the 50 min, PRIMA Ferry at 0940 hrs for HarbourBay, Batam.
Fairly orderly, the group left the scene all ready for the "cross straits" adventure. Emergency Hudson sweets were distributed onboard, in case of foul weather and GPS settings turned off to avoid further detection.
The "eager one" made a few quick dashes, only to be captured on camera (No names mentioned !! See Pic !!!). Arrival at HarbourBay was fairly smooth, with the boat-load of weekend adventurers clearing immigration. Our driver (Pak Yovi) with a MPV was already there to receive us. As per SOP, first to the cake shop to order all the kueh-kueh so that it could be freshly baked for the next day pick-up, prior to our departure before heading tot he hotel.
After checking-in at the Harmoni Hotel (Nagoya), it was off to Bengkong Laut for the day 1 adventure - GO KARTING. Only 4 took the challenge but only ONE emerged as the HELL DRIVER (No names mentioned again. See Pic !!). The rest visited the duty-free shop to support the Indonesian economy.
Food, massage and more food and more massage was generally the order of the day. Lunch was at an Indonesian Restaurant (Warung Tekok) and dinner at the Sa Rang Bang Restaurant (Harmoni Hotel), indulging in Korean delights ranging from Ginseng Chicken, Korean Pancake, rice wine, spicy chicken and BBQ Beef. An evening bahasa mass at the the St Petrus Church at 6:00pm, prior to dinner, also saw the group "guessing" and interpreting to the best of their ability for the weekend service.
Sunday morning market walk was by itself another adventure. Left the hotel empty handed but ended up with bags of dried foodstuff (buah keluak, koropok, dried fish & sotong, etc) and Dragon fruit. Endless bargains for a few cents (Rp) discount added to the fun of marketing and look-see/look-see morning.
Our chief elf had a field day snapping away pictures from all angles and had a little cat nap at a nearby stall. Batteries at full charge, the "drama mama" in her was at its best. (Note : The cat ignored her !!!)
Not displayed in this blog was the many $$$$ and Rp transactions that took place in the rooms. Constantly being reminded that it was a "secret", no pics were permitted but we all know who cannot be implicated. Final trip back to HarbourFront saw the group with multiple bags and totally worn out bodies from the weekend getaway. Guess we had fun all round.
