Seedy much?
My travel planning typically begins as a dream lying on the cusp of reality; there’s obviously the assumption here that the world is open for those who only want to visit but not stay permanently – for most countries at least.
Just days after returning from Europe last December, I was blissfully imagining something quite different for 2012 and eventually, my more-or-less determined travel plans morphed into something that surprised even myself: diving in the Maldives on some secluded but luxurious (!) atoll in the Indian Ocean, and/or doing the wine route again in Nelson, New Zealand. In the past decade, I’ve never been able to let go of Europe as a travel destination, tentatively making plans for cities in Asia or in Australia, only to eschew these places and return to the safety and comfort of intercity train travel and city-hopping in the North – to my parents’ frustration and my bewilderment.
For some reason, it’s easier to let go of European travel now, and I feel as though I’ve seen enough, and even grown confidently as a traveller to turn my eyes away for a while. What I haven’t expected was the sudden turn to visit Batam on a coming weekend trip (it was really, a toss-up between Bintan and Batam, depending on cost, popularity of resort and the amount of crowd jostling I’d have to do) after a set of circumstances that I wouldn’t want foist on anyone.
Nirwana Resort in Bintan? Bintan Lagoon Resort? Too Family-friendly and those who know me well are extremely privy to my hate of children. Harris hotel in Batam? Full for the weekend and understandably so, given I’m only planning this less than a week before arrival. A frustrating round of talks with the travel agent came to nothing, and I was all but ready to chuck all plans into the bin of ‘travel-trips that could have been’ until glowing tripadvisor reviews provided another alternative in the form of a spa retreat called Tempat Senang in a quieter part of Batam. Everything there ticked my boxes: peace and quiet, all under the age of 16 prohibited (I can’t say I disagree with this discriminatory practice for once!), and delicious body indulgences – it’s a combination that I couldn’t refuse. Several frantic emails of enquiry and a booking later, it’s all set to go this weekend, and I honestly have to say it’s hard not to get excited over something as small as this.
Funny how it’s my first ever trip ever to this notorious island in Indonesia known for the seedy nightlife and dirty old men.
