After a very forgettable breakfast at Novotel Batam, we started our itinerary with our driver for the day pick us up to bring us to our new hotel for the next 2 nights, BCC. We wanted to try various hotels in Batam to have a different experience and also review the various establishments to help our readers make a informed choice in choosing their stay when visiting Batam
We wanted to head to a few places that is far away from town and decided to engage the transportation services from Barelang Fishing Pond who arranged for a vehicle to pick us up. His contact no. is +62 81261861201. His rates is a competitive at 600,000idr/$62sgd for a 12h duration and he will bring you to Barelang area without any extra surcharge. A Toyota Avanza that can accommodate 6pax pick us up at 11am from Novotel and we arrive at BCC in about 20 minutes.
Ride for the day
After checking in at the BCC, we head to Barelang seafood restaurant that comes with the magnificent view of the Barelang bridge and we are able to pick the large variety of live seafood from the keep nets and dine above the tranquil waters. The restaurant is around 30 - 40min drive away from the city area and I believe the only method of coming will be by private car.
Missus was very excited as it was the first time she experienced dining in such a setting. I strongly recommend vistors to Batam to make this restaurant one of the must visit as the view and food is definitely too good to be missed.
After our wonderful and extravagant seafood lunch, we head to our next location and spend the next 3h hauling up fishes at the Barelang Fishing pond. Cost of the catch and release pond is only 30,000idr/$31sgd for a 3h duration and there will be a staff assigned to you. Rods can be rented at 50,000idr/$5.20sgd. Baits can be purchased at 15,000idr/$1.55sgd for 1Kg of temban(bait fish) which should be more than enough for your 3h period.
Staff assisting me to unhook the fish
Of course, patrons are allowed to bring them own setup but only single barbless hooks are allowed. We wanted a fuss free holiday and rented the rods from the pond. Do not expect too much of the Rods but they fulfilled their roles, no sinker and floaters are being used on the house rods.
The fishing staff is very helpful and will recommend where will be the places to cast your line. He will also help you rehook your baits and assist your to take pictures of your catch. It is very easy to fish there as your job is only down to the 2 aspects of casting your line and reeling back your catch. Fishes you can expect will be garoupa, seabass, mangrove jacks which I caught but I understand there are giant garoupas and also giant trevallys in the pond which i was not lucky enough to snag. Of the 11 fish that i caught, sizes range from 2-8 Kg.
For ladies that are accompanying your husband/boyfriend and are afraid of the heat and sun, fret not. The pond is very breezy and have beautiful views, the place is clean and there are also small huts to rest and take shelter from the sun. Its a beautiful place to rest, relax and reflect.
After the day of fishing, we were famished and head to the Nagoya Hill shopping mall again to have dinner. This time we stop by Zenbu for a sumptuous Japanese dinner that have a tiny bit of Indonesian influence.
We saw an interesting bread roll that was freshly made after our dinner and decided to bring some back to have for supper.
We headed back to BCC hotel and stopped by the supermarket to get a few drinks and snacks. The must haves will definitely be the magnum ice creams which are 1/3 the prices in Singapore.
We ordered some drinks from the room service menu, enjoyed the jets of bubbles from the jacuzzi and had a restful evening.
Check out the video review:
Day 2 Itinerary
Novotel Batam - Bcc hotel
Bcc hotel - Barelang Seafood restaurant
Barelang Seafood restaurant - Barelang fishing pond
Barelang fishing pond - Nagoya Hill Zenbu Restaurant
Nagoya Hill - Bcc hotel
Bcc hotel - BCS Mall
