I enjoyed a weekend escape (2 nights & 3 days) relaxing at picturesque Nongsa Point Marina & Resort in Batam. This little piece of heaven is less than an hour by boat from Singapore and costs less than S$100 a night.
I have a soft spot for older sea view resorts for their lush mature greenery, expansive, breezy, open designs under blue skies. Just being here slows my heart rate, lowers my blood pressure and put me into a dreamy, relaxed mode that shows on my face.
Perched on sea facing slopes are over 40 villas (called chalets here) with either 2 or 3 bedrooms.
I stayed in one of Nongsa Point Marina & Resorts' over 20 rooms in the hotel block. Typical of older seaside resorts, the room was huge. The hotel rooms were recently refurbished and renovated, so I got the best of both worlds - lots of space and updated, refreshed amenities. The room rates were very competitive too.
The toilet is huge - I love spacious toilets π Crammed toilets make me feel claustrophobic π There's a rain shower which washes away the day's grime and heat in a jiffy. There's no bathtub in my room though there are outdoor jacuzzis.
The main building connected to the hotel block by a small foot bridge arching over the swimming pool, houses the reception and restaurant.
I like the grand yet understated design featuring high ceilings, luxurious marble floors, white columns, white painted wood, spiral staircases, and dark hardwood accents.
There are 2 group meeting rooms.
Waking up for morning tea at the restaurant. Time slowed then stood still.
Splashing aimlessly in the pool.
Or, if that is too much effort, just laze in the jacuzzi and let it splash water on you.
Time for lunch. Nongsa Point Marina and Resort's restaurant is open on the two longest sides, letting the sea breeze flow through and bright sun rays flood the large room.
Selera Restaurant serve a la carte Western dishes and local delights for lunch. We had local dishes like ayam taliwang, sup buntut, Padang satay and nasi goreng kampung. They were all delicious.
Executive Chef Koh and his assistant Chef Taufik. Chef Koh who hails from Singapore was sous chef at Pete's Place in Hyatt Regency Singapore and executive chef Batam View before joining Nongsa Point Marina & Resort in the 1990s. Chef Koh is an expert in Italian and Western cuisine as well as pastries. Chef Taufik assists chef Koh with Indonesian dishes.
Talk to the resort concierge, they are able to arrange day trips and transport for you. Nongsa Point is located across the bay, away from the more urbanised, touristy Batam Centre / Nagoya area of Batam island. There are a few interesting places nearby Nongsa Point which are frequented by locals.
There are two large and modern shopping malls near Nongsa Point Marina & Resort - Plaza Botania and MB2 Hypermart.
They have good range of shops and eateries including cafes and restaurants catering to locals (as there are few tourists here).
There are the usual international brands like KFC, MacDonald's etc at the malls and also local brands serving local dishes.
We didn't have time to explore these malls much this time but did grabbed our obligatory keropok loot. Prices here are significantly lower than at Batam City or Nagoya.
If a trip to the local fresh seafood, meat, poultry, vegetables, fruits and spice market is up your alley, then you would enjoy a trip to Pasar Botania in the morning.
I come here to get petai or stinky beans (which are in those long green pods).
For movie buffs, there's Infinite Studios Batam, the movie set of many familiar movies and TV series like Wonder Woman, Grisse, Buffalo Boys, etc. During the visit arranged by Nongsa Point Marina & Resort we walked around the movie set of Grisse.
At the shoot for "Johor Kaki the Movie". Coming coming, just a bit more powder and a selfie first ok? π
For your role, powder, what powder? π
If you are here with children, check out the nearby Dino Adventure Park. There are 5 live size realistic replicas that move and roar. They are sure to frighten, thrill and trigger the imagination of children at the same time. Make sure to bring mosquito repellent here as the mosquitoes here are like fearless commandos.
If you are into sea sports and games, check out Seaforest Adventure Batam.
Come to Batam (or actually anywhere in Indonesia), a Nasi Padang session is a Must. The best Nasi Padang is reputedly in Batam Centre but Rumah Makan Pusako Lintau near Nongsa Point Marina & Resort is no sloth either. It has a good range of tasty Nasi Padang dishes with robust flavours. Actually, I like this joint more as it is more gritty and away from tourists.
Kampung Terih is a seaside village with about 30 families near Nongsa Point. There are a couple of sleepy warungs (stalls) at the mangrove swamps.
We had chili and pepper crabs at Ketam Mak Biah which is popular with locals. Not really my cup of tea as the mangrove crabs were slightly overdone and the sauce flavour a bit overpowering.
But, do come and taste the unique experience for yourself. Book your crabs with Mak Biah ☏ 081261368184 before coming. Mak Biah's prices are very reasonable.
During this trip, I didn't find any seafood restaurant near Nongsa Point to recommend. But, whichever seafood restaurant you go to in Batam, do put in an order for gong gong. It is a conch - known colloquially in English as dog conch or Chinese as tung fung lo (east wind conch) δΈι£θΊ.
Gong gong is simply cooked by boiling. The fleshy insides are pulled out and eaten with sambal chili (a salty spicy dip). The soft meat with bits of crunch doesn't have strong flavours - just a subtle briny ocean sweetness. The salty spicy dip make the conch meat more tasty.
If golfing is your cup of tea, the Jack Nicklaus designed Tamarin Golf Club is reputedly relatively challenging. Being a nine hole course, it is great also for novice golfers and families.
While admiring the beautiful greens of Tamarin golf course, a Batam Fast ferry boat trundled up the river mouth towards NongsaPura Ferry Terminal.
Came back from shopping, water sports, golf, sightseeing etc in time for an evening dip or a nap.
Saturday night Kampoeng Nayalan or Fisherman Village.
Take your pick of fresh seafood. The cooks will grill it over charcoal for you and bring it to your table. You can enjoy your BBQ seafood at the poolside or the promenade by the marina.
Serene night at Nongsa Point Marina & Resort. That string of glittering jewels on the horizon is the southern shoreline of Singapore.
Sunday poolside brunch of prime Australian roast beef and rack of lamb before checking out to catch the ferry from NongsaPura Ferry Terminal to Tanah Merah in Singapore. (NongsaPura is just 10 minutes from Nongsa Point.)
The view of Nongsa Point Marina & Resort from the ferry boat as it picked up speed leaving the river mouth heading towards the open sea. Felt a bit sad to leave Nongsa but fortunately, I can be back anytime on a whim as it is less than 1 hour away from Singapore. Just a few clicks to book a room and I'll be there in the room in a couple of hours.
Recommended for you π Nongsa Point Marina & Resort can be any Singapore / Johor Bahru residents' paradise as it is at our doorstep and highly affordable.
Thank you Pak Erhard and your dedicated team for the warm hospitality.
Date: 11 - 13 Oct 2019
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