BATAM (ID)

Batam is the largest city in the province of Riau Islands, Indonesia. The city administrative area covers three main islands of Batam, Rempang, and Galang (collectively called Barelang), as well as Bulang to the west and several small islands. Batam Island is the core urban and industrial zone, an emerging transport hub, and part of a free trade zone in the Indonesia–Malaysia–Singapore Growth Triangle.

BATAM’s HISTORY

The first recorded inhabitants at Batam Island are Malays known as Orang Laut, from the year 231 AD.[8] The island that once served as the field of struggle of Admiral Hang Nadim against the invaders was used by the government in the 1960s as a petroleum logistics base on Sambu Island. In the 1970s, according to Presidential Decree number 41 year 1973, Batam Island was designated as a working environment of an industrial area.

MY OPINION

With its long coastlines and beautiful beaches, Batam is famous for being a watersports destination where you can indulge in all kinds of water activities such as banana boat rides, paragliding, cable-skiing and more. Here in Batam, you can find fresh seafood at affordable prices. Many seafood restaurants dotted the island, but a few famous ones are the Golden Prawn Seafood Restaurant and Harbour Bay Seafood Restaurant by the waterfront promenade. You can find a selection of seafood such as prawns, crabs, mussels, and more; you’ll be spoilt by the end of a meal. For all this, I think it is worth visiting this oval island and spending an unforgettable three days there.

MUST SEE – Barelang bridge

This attraction takes about 45 minutes to drive from the city, but the journey is well worth it. The bridge is a spectacular architecture with seven bridges; though incomplete, they hold a certain local charm. Local street hawkers on the bridge would still be surprised to see foreigners hanging around.

PLACES TO VISIT
1. Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Buddhist Temple – This temple is famous for its many laughing Buddha statues in various sizes and costumes that line around it. The temple complex is big and spacious, with an orphanage, food stalls, and a vegetarian restaurant. It is an example of the modern-day monument, which was opened in 1999 after being built by the Chinese community of Batam. It is regarded as one of South Asia’s most prominent temples ever built.