So, I just got back from Batam, and honestly? I'm still trying to piece it all together. You see, I went in with a vague idea of the best things to do in Batam—because, you know, every travel site and blog—hell, even my friends—had a thousand recommendations. But when I got there, it felt like I was thrown into this beautiful whirlpool of unexpected surprises.
This spot? Total surprise.
I'll start with my first surprise. I was wandering around, lost in the little alleyways of Nagoya, trying to find this café I'd seen on Instagram. Your typical “Instagrammable” joint, you know? Somehow, I stumbled upon this little street market instead. I mean, it wasn't even on any of those trendy lists I had scoured.
Right there, amid the chaos of street vendors and locals haggling, I noticed this guy grilling seafood on skewers. The smell hit me—like a warm hug and a slap in the face, all at once. I wandered over, partially because I was hungry and partially because, well, doing as the locals do felt right. I didn't even mean to stop there, but I ended up chatting with the vendor, who was this older guy with a wide grin and lines on his face that told stories I'd never hear.
And the skewers? Oh man. I mean, don't get me started. I don't know why I hesitated at first. Maybe it was my food anxiety talking, or just the sheer uncertainty of choosing random street food. I told him to surprise me, and he handed me a prawn skewer, perfectly charred, drizzled with some kind of spicy sauce I can't even describe. For a few moments, everything else just faded away. It was like the whole day had led up to that perfect bite.
The afternoon that changed my whole mood
Then there was this one afternoon where, let me just say, my plans went a little sideways. I thought I'd be all smart and head to one of those fancy spas everyone raves about. You know, the type where you get a massage and pretend you're royalty for an hour? But as I walked towards it, I saw this little tattoo parlor. Out of nowhere, I thought, “Why not?”
Now, I don't have any tattoos. So, I was not expecting to walk out with one. But the artist was this chilled-out guy who literally radiated passion. After a lot of back-and-forth, where he sketched out some ideas based on my rambling, I ended up getting a small design that represented the sea. It was practically unplanned and spur-of-the-moment. But, you know, I walked out feeling lighter, with a tiny piece of Batam inked on my skin.
And funny enough, it actually made me start noticing things differently—the colors, the sounds, even the smells. It changed the way I experienced the rest of the trip, as if I'd had some sort of “a-ha” moment. I almost couldn't believe it—how one tiny tattoo could shift my entire mood. I guess that's what travel does, right? Pushes you out of your comfort zone.
I almost missed this, no thanks to my bad sense of direction
Ah, my infamous sense of direction. I'd like to say I've improved since college, but how do you explain ending up in a different part of Batam completely? I was supposed to check out this temple I'd read about, but instead found myself at this random, secluded beach. Honestly, I didn't even realize I was lost until I noticed the waves crashing against the shore—like they were beckoning me.
At first, I thought, “This isn't what I wanted to see!” But then something shifted. Sometimes the universe conspires to give you exactly what you didn't know you needed. This beach was practically empty, just me and the sound of the ocean. I felt like I had landed in my own little paradise.
I took off my shoes and walked along the shoreline, the water nipping at my toes, and for the first time in a long while, I felt this immense sense of calm wash over me. Boy, was I glad I got lost. The sunset didn't hurt either. It was one of those moments where you just breathe and realize all the things that should be stressing you out can wait a little while longer.
A meal to remember
Then there was this ridiculous meal. After all those spontaneous moments, I figured I should try something a little more “official.” I found this restaurant called Sei Enam Seafood, and wow, did they know how to do seafood right. I mean, you think you like crab? You haven't had crab until you've tasted their chili crab. They make the sauce so rich and velvety that you could almost drink it.
Honestly, it was one of those meals where you almost forget to take pictures because you're too busy diving into each bite. I remember just diving in—with my fingers, no less! I felt like a child again, literally cracking shells, getting messy, and just enjoying the moment.
And there was this chatter around the tables; everyone was enjoying their meals. It felt unpretentious, like people were there for one reason: to savor good food together. This place encapsulated the beauty of the everyday, which I didn't expect to find in a touristy spot.
Reflecting on the little detours
As I reflect back on those moments, I realize how my small mistakes and unexpected finds shaped my experience in Batam. Like, why did I go to that random beach instead of the temple? Maybe because the detour taught me to cherish spontaneous bliss. And those skewers at the market? They reminded me that sometimes not planning everything is okay—if not better.
As I wrap up this little exploration in my head over coffee here, I find myself laughing at the chaos of it all, how life seems to take twists and turns just when you least expect it. I think back to Batam; it was a patchwork of these little memories, each one warm in its own imperfect way. It wasn't the fancy itinerary or the carefully curated places that made it special, but rather the unplanned magic that whispered, “Hey, just enjoy the ride.”
Anyway, that's my trip in a nutshell. I'm still trying to process it all, but hey, that's what makes traveling so electrifying, right?
