TRIP TO BATAM

We are happy that we have been able to take a short trip back to Indonesia, to the island of Batam.  This time we decided to take a ferry from Malaysia as we have not yet tried this mode of transport.  Many 'fast' ferries depart the Johor Bahru terminal daily and the trip takes about 90 minutes.  Having pre-booked our tickets and having arrived early we were offered seats on the ferry prior to ours which we gladly accepted - figuring we would take our chances at the other end with our also pre-booked driver.  Our 'fast' ferry was cruising along nicely until a loud bang was heard and the engine slowed and the crew (not me) scampered out the rear door to peer over the stern while the captain reversed slowly trying, we think, to disentangle whatever was wrapped around the propeller.  A few minutes later the crew, obviously satisfied, gave the all clear and we were once again on our way.  Fingers crossed, a prayer or two and a quick scan to locate the life jackets and we settled down for the remainder of the cruise.  

Australian presence in the Johor Strait - HMAS Sirius

Of course, our driver was not at the terminal when we arrived but it wasn't too long to wait in the air conditioned building full of shops! (Skipper desperately texting said driver to herald our arrival - "get my wife away from the shops".)  Batam is an industrial island with many international free-trade areas, a good number of expatriate living communities and two international schools.  But oh how we forget - the driving in Indonesia is abysmal, the crew spent a good deal of time with her eyes closed.  It seems nothing has changed in the Indonesian road rules (What, there are RULES!).  Red lights it would seem are still only a suggestion - you don't really have to stop but it gives vehicles on the adjacent road a chance to go and if careful you can merge with them.  And, if you don't want to go with the flow you can always drive in the opposite direction on the wrong side of the road if you want to avoid being delayed.  Aargh.  Motorbikes will fit in any tiny gap between cars and it seems there are no requirements as to the number of passengers one can carry on a motorbike as this is only restricted by the size of the seat.  However, it seems if your son or daughter is small enough to stand on the fuel tank (in front of the rider controlling the bike) then one can put the next smallest child behind the driver and then wife (carrying the newborn in a sling) behind them.  No problem.  Again, aargh!  

We visit a class at the international school

Our hotel - a safer subject, was lovely if not a little tired.  We are shown to a large, clean room with a balcony from which to enjoy the view.  The Crown Vista Hotel sits atop a hill overlooking Nagoya, the main city on Batam.  On a clear day one can see out into the Strait to view the many ships awaiting clearance.   We have discovered when abroad (especially in Asian countries) that it's best to eat the local fare and not to eat from the 'western' menu as on most occasions you will be disappointed.  Yep, still disappointed.  Let's find the local food court.  Our driver was surprised at our request after he had suggested several upmarket western-style restaurants and it did take a while for 'Mister Neil' (aka skipper) to convince him that we would really like to eat at a local food court.  Much better.

Lovely stone carving in the hotel lobby

View from hotel balcony

Nongsa Point Marina Resort sits on a north eastern peninsula of the island and we had heard very good reports from fellow cruisers who had 'cleared out' of Indonesia at Nongsa during the 2010 rally and when we arrived for a look it lived up to everything we were told.  The staff were extremely happy and helpful, the resort facilities looked to be very good and the golf course of a good standard (not that we play the game).  This may be a good place to be based while cruising the Riau islands.  Of course we also had to visit the 'business' end of Batam and located a slipway that may be able to accommodate Bluestone for the usual antifoul and paint.  It seemed at first our driver was given a 'bum steer' with the directions but finally he was informed that trees had obliterated the signage to the slipway and so just before the skipper's patience completely dissolved the determined driver found his way to the shipyard along a very badly eroded dirt road.  But again, happy, eager and helpful personnel (and about 5 resident cats) discussed the possibility of assisting us.  The personnel discussed the...not the cats.  

Nongsa Point Marina

After 3 days it was time to go back to the ferry terminal to board another 'fast' ferry to Singapore and catch up with the skipper's brother and wife who had just completed a cruise from Hong Kong down the Vietnamese coast to Singapore (on a cruise liner that is).  So the next few days were spent lounging by the pool sipping cocktails, exploring Sentosa Island, taking in the Zoo's night safari and generally acting like resort guests.  

We take in the spectacular Laser Light Show on Sentosa Island

Building to the finale of the Laser Light Show

Here we also manage to (in the words of the skipper) "get another ...'ern' in".  We have had a photo taken at the Northern-most Point of Mainland Australia, the Southern-most Point of Mainland Asia, the Northern and Southern-most points of the United Kingdom and NOW the Southern Most Point of Continental Asia and sailed past many other 'erns', the Southern, Eastern and Northern most points of Australian mainland (sorry Tassie).. 

Aunty Jane braving the bridge to the Southern-most point of Continental Asia

You cannot swan around resorts forever I suppose so after a few days back in the marina at Danga Bay where our neighbours extract their engine (in preparation for the new installation) and joining them for a delightful early Christmas dinner, we exchange suitcase contents for the trip back to Oz to see the family.

The main boom becomes the engine lift

Farewell for a few weeks Kuala Lumpur