"Batam Island... so NEAR yet so FAR" Pulau Batam by RinaNeo

Batam island is situated in the north-east of the Riau province and its only a short ferry ride from Singapore, WTC . There are ferry going to Batam island almost every hour and these ferries are operated by different companies.

There is a huge industrial park built in Batam with a housing estate for workers. Although development effort has been on going , when u place your feet on Batam island, the feeling is really different . Imagine small, torn down wooden houses by the road side are common scenes through out the bus ride... Yes its only an hour ferry ride from SG but the living condition and standards in Batam is like of SG maybe in 1940s or 50s.. under developed. Locals are still poor and due to that reason, kids do not have the opportunity to get education and girls are force to work as prostitute even at tender age of 12. Batam is also an island famous for its prostitution industry . The data obtain about this oldest profession in Batam island is alarming and sources claimed that huge no of singaporean men flock to Batam every weekend...

Since Batam is so close to Singapore, the potential for tourism from its affluent neighbour has not been ignored by the Indonesia government. With some truly spectacular beaches on the north coast, several beach resort have sprung up offering guests a balmy tropical island gateway, Batam is quite a nice place for a short relaxing getaway holidays..

Ferries from Singapore run directly to this part of the island making the perfect weekend gateway from the bustle of the Merlion City.

Golfers will also find a lot to keep them happy with no less than half a dozen international-standard courses like Palm Springs which calls itself a 'golf and beach resort' offer not only golf but all the luxuries and diversion of a resort holiday,

The lively nightlife in Batam's main town of Nagoya.With a string of high-tech discos, pumping out high-decibel music and state-of-the-art laser light shows this is defineitely the place to party and with minimal cost... Well you get to be a MILLIONAIRE in Batam too... the last conversion rate was SGD1.00 to Rupiah 5830 . A can of beer cost about 5500 rupiah... so the night I was in Batam, huh!! Can't recall if I had more than 5 cans...

This island is famous for its fresh seafood, which you can find in any number of restaurants at a very affordable price...

For those of you who loves water spots...batam is a good place too... the beaches are quite clean although there is no comparison of those at Maldives : )