Weekend in Batam: Documenting Our 3-Days Family Adventure
My Inspiration Behind This Trip
I’ve always held onto a personal goal: to bring my parents on at least one proper trip out of Singapore every year. Something that would give them that genuine holiday excitement; that specific thrill of packing a proper suitcase and getting their passports stamped at the border.
My dad actually has a long bucket list of places he’d love to see. But realistically, time and age are catching up, and we have to be very mindful of my mum’s physical pace, mental and stamina as well. Long-haul flights just aren't as feasible anymore, so I have to be intentional about finding destinations that are comfortable yet exciting for them.
The spark for this specific trip happened when I passed my dad a pile of Batam travel brochures. As we were flipping through, one specific image caught all of our attention: the Pink Beach.
When I headed down to the travel agency to get more details, my mind was set. Not only did the itinerary offer a perfect, manageable pace for my parents, but from a content creator's perspective, I knew that the vibrant, unique backdrop of the Pink Beach would be incredible to document for my blog and YouTube Channel. So I decided to just take the plunge and book it straight. At the end of the day, my main priority is creating memories together before it is too late.
A Quick Note on Our Itinerary: Since this was a family trip, we decided to keep things relaxed and prioritize quality over quantity. While our tour package included several typical city stops upon arrival, I’m jumping straight to the absolute highlights! (If you're curious to see every single stop we made, good and bad, keep an eye for my full YouTube vlog dropping next week!)
Day 1 Highlight: Unwinding at BF (Blue Fire) Beach Club
Address: BF Beach Club, Gold Coast Luxury, Jl. Golden City, Bengkong Laut , Kota Batam, 29453 Batam, Indonesia 29453 Riau Islands Province |
| We are here at the Blue Fire Beach Club |
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| Having a pool bar here is awesome |
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| This is wild! There is a stage for live performance |
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| Quite a huge pool here |
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| Entrance to the Pink Beach after passing by the pool |
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| Welcome to the Pink Beach |
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| The contrast between white and pink is awe! |
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| Wow... anyone proposing to their boy/girl friend? |
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| Pink lovers will love this small beach for sure |
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| Something different though is man-made |
Useful Visitor Tips:
Timing is Everything: Blue Fire Beach Club opens at 3:00 PM (Batam Time), so plan your visit for the late afternoon to catch the cooler sea breeze and sunset!
Entrance Fee & Drinks: There is an entrance fee, but it includes a complimentary drink. We all opted for the sweet avocado juice that is super creamy and refreshing after being out in the sun all day!
Get Your Money’s Worth: Since the entry ticket covers your spot by the pink sands, take your time, sit back, and enjoy the ocean view. And don't forget to get plenty of photos and videos for your TikTok or IG while you're there so that you make every dollar count!
Address: Jl. Raja H. Fisabilillah No.1, Tlk. Tering, Kec. Batam Kota, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
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| Inside the restaurant with simple settings |
The Full Platter & Sweet Treat
The main meal was beautifully served on a banana leaf that featured the crispy chicken topped with savory serundeng, nasi timbel, fried tofu, tempeh, fresh cucumbers, and that golden corn fritter (bakwan jagung).
To top it all off, the set came with an iced Indonesian dessert drink (Es Semangka)—a sweet, chilled syrup drink loaded with fresh, bite-sized watermelon cubes and ice. It was ice-cold, crunchy, and super refreshing after a hot day of sightseeing!
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| Our Ayam Penyet Dinner with Dessert |
The Verdict
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| At Saung Sunda Sawargi for dinner |
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| Charming, rustic outdoor huts |
Day 2: Free & Easy Day at Grand Batam Mall
Address: Jl. Pembangunan, Batu Selicin, Kec. Lubuk Baja, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
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| Never leave without a supermarket trip in every country |
After a full Day 1 tour, we kept Day 2 completely relaxed. We spent the day exploring Grand Batam Mall. Having a leisure lunch and taking a slow walk so my parents could take things at their own pace without any rush. Rather than going to the usual Batam malls (like Nagoya Hill, Matahari etc), we are coming to Grand Batam Mall for the first time and it is just probably less than 15 minutes Grab ride from our hotel.
The highlight of the day was definitely our grocery run at the Top 100 Supermarket. If you love discovering unique local snacks and kitchen finds, this place is dangerous! Honestly, there were so many things I wanted to haul back to Singapore, but bag space was my only limitation. We actually didn't thought of a shopping spree in Batam, not even my Dad.
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| Not regretting my purchases |
My Top 100 Supermarket Finds & Steals:
Indomie Jumbo Pack (SGD $0.40 each!): You can't leave Indonesia without buying Indomie. Getting the Jumbo packs at just around 40 cents a pop felt like an absolute steal!
Indomie Potato Chips: I spotted Indomie-flavored potato chips and just had to grab a bag to try. (Stay tuned—I’ll be sharing a taste test soon!)
Mushroom Stock Powder: A major win for my home cooking! I've already tried using this to make a quick fusilli soup back home, and it’s such a delicious, hassle-free shortcut for working professionals. Stay tune for my YouTube Shorts!
Budget Apparel: My parents and husband even picked up a few super affordable tops right inside the supermarket section (less than SGD10 each) a pleasant surprise for a quick clothing refresh under this hot weather!
The Not So Hidden Gem: Morning Bakery (Harbour Bay)
Address: Jl. Harbour Bay Jl. Duyung, Sungai Jodoh, Kec. Batu Ampar, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29433, Indonesia
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| I saw Satay stall on Sunday morning till noon outside the bakery |
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| Best place for tea time in Batam |
Unbelievable Value (Under SGD $7 for Four People!)
For every visit, we ordered four drinks plus a selection of breads and cakes, and the total bill came out to less than SGD $7! In Singapore, $7 barely gets you two coffees at a local cafe (unless you are talking about Toast Box or Ya Kun), so getting a full tea spread for four people at that price felt like a total steal.
What We Ordered & Loved:
The Dad-Approved Coffee: My parents are big coffee drinkers, and my dad found their coffee super fragrant and delicious! They ordered the classic Kopi Kosong and Kopi Susu.
The Black Forest Cake: This was the star of the table for me! The taste was absolutely on point: not overly sweet, rich, and super satisfying.
The Tea & Breads: The freshly baked breads had a great, decent taste for a quick bite. I ordered a Teh O with a request for less sweet, though in true regional style, it still came out pretty sweet, so keep that in mind if you prefer your tea strong and bitter!
The Ordering Setup:
They have a convenient QR code ordering system right at the table, and the staff brings everything directly to you. Convenient for those who don't do cash.
Where We Stayed: Yello Hotel Harbour Bay Batam
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| Yello Hotel day and night |
The Rooms & Comfort
We stayed in the Yello Room, which was clean, modern, and very comfortable for a good night’s sleep. The only minor flaw was the shower design: even with the glass door fully closed, water tended to seep out onto the bathroom floor. But other than that small hiccup, our stay was great!
Late-Night Indomie & Breakfast Perks
One of the coolest features of this hotel is the little food stall they set up right outside!
Late-Night Cravings: They sell local favorites like Mie Ayam and Bakso for just SGD $3. With a whole variety of Indomie flavors to pick from, you definitely won't go hungry at night, or even anytime of the day after breakfast.
The Breakfast Buffet: If you get the included breakfast, they also have an Indomie station right at the morning spread. I honestly had it for two consecutive mornings because it was that good! Don't miss out their local food spread like Soto Ayam, Nasi Lemak, Lontong, Nasi Goreng and more.
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| (Left to Right) Yello Room and Food Cart outside the Hotel |
Night Views & Friendly Staff
The hotel staff were incredibly warm, friendly, and helpful throughout our stay. On our second night after dinner, we headed up to The Convo Lounge on Level 12 to redeem our welcome drinks (we got 2 teas and 2 juices). Also it offers a stunning, breezy night view of Batam’s skyline that you definitely shouldn't miss.
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| Stunning view from Level 12 with Pacific Palace Hotel in sight |
The Location: Why Harbour Bay is a Major Win
The location of Yello Hotel is, in my opinion, top-notch.
Super Easy Access: If you take the Horizon Fast Ferry from Singapore, you’ll arrive directly at Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal, which is just a short, easy walking distance to the hotel. No hassle with long transport rides for elderly parents!
Food & Conveniences Right at the Doorstep:
Directly opposite the hotel sits Paradise Garden (a fantastic Chinese restaurant for family dinners). Quite packed during dinner time so make your reservation in advance like us;
Along the same stretch, you’ll find Morning Bakery for cheap afternoon tea, various seafood places Wey Wey Seafood, and local bars like PoBa Bar;
For quick bites and essentials, there are plenty of local street food stalls and a Circle K convenience store nearby.
A Final, Honest Thought on Traveling with Aging Parents
To be completely real with you all, behind the nice food, the cheap supermarket hauls, and the pretty views, traveling with elderly parents isn't all sunshine and rainbows.
When you’re caring for a parent with dementia, a short getaway isn't really a "vacation" for you. Between the unexpected dramas, the constant high alert, and sleeping with one eye open just to make sure you can rush out if something happens, it can be deeply exhausting. It makes you pause and wonder: Is it still worth bringing them overseas, or should we just stick to simple day trips in Singapore or JB next time?
Truthfully, I didn't get much rest on this trip. My mum might not remember these three days, but I know it meant the world to my dad. It gave him a change of scenery and a moment of relief from his daily caregiving routine, although it doesn't seems any relief for him from what I see. At the end of the day, memories were created, especially for him. Moving forward, my biggest takeaway is to focus on supporting my dad so he doesn't hit a breaking point.
