It's been 1 day, 3 hours and 10 minutes since we last meet, and i'm missing you already.. Life can always go on, but it won't be as colourful as when I had you by my side. Feels like my heart has a hollowness inside, filled with nothing but memories to erase. Wonder if I can. Time with you is like a good night dream, so sweet not to enjoy, but too blur to be remembered. And I feel like waking up with tears running down my face, cause I realize those time will never happen again. My heart and my mind are battling inside. My ego and my conscience are trying to pull my way to their opposite paths. Common sense is always the right thing to do, but it certainly is not the easiest thing to do. If only I can turn back time, I wonder would I go to the first time we met, so that I won't have this kind of dilemma. But on second thought, I'd rather spend myself in constant heartache then having to spend the rest of my life without ever knowing you. Cos you make me feel precious, and I cherish every single moment I spent with you.. Hope I won't go crazy for missing you!
Idiot's Guide to First Time Backpacking to Singapore from Jakarta by Batam
Yup, if you are in a tight budget, going to Singapore by Batam most probably is be the cheapest way. First of all, instead of paying fiskal of 1 mill, you only have to pay 500 thousand rups. Second, if you're lucky, ticket to Batam supposedly is cheaper than ticket to Singapore. Third, less airport tax to pay (25,000 instead of 100,000 for international flights). But you would most likely spend more time to get there, so unless you have much time to spare, don't recommend to go this path.
When you've reached the Batam airport (I forgot the name), after you collect your luggage, go straight to the taxi counter. Tell them you need to go to Singapore by sea and ask to be transfered to the harbour (they have several harbour, any one of them will be fine. I went to the harbour in front of a mall, completely forgot the name. Just tell them "the harbour in front of the mall", i think that will do). The fare was 70 thousand (December 2005), flat fare, pay as you exit from the taxi.
Inside the harbour, go right and find the ferry counters, find a ferry that has the closest departure time, spare 30 minutes just to be safe. The fare would be S$ 17 for one way & S$ 18 for round trip (ridiculous price). Don't worry, you can pay in rupiah also. After you collect your ticket, find the tax counter at the left side of the front door. Pay the 500 thousand sea tax. Just show all your passport & ticket. If you have a luggage, register them to the luggage counter at the right side of the tax counter. Make sure they have the right ferry. If you want, you can just take your luggage with you, no limit of amount of weight of the things you bring inside the ferry cabin.
After taking care of your luggage, go to the 2nd floor, check in at the departure point. You & your belongings will be security scanned. Go straight down to the harbour and wait for your ferry to arrive. Be aware for the announcement from the information counter and ask the people there about your ferry. Just don't be afraid to ask, or else you will miss you ferry and have to buy a new ticket. Once your ferry arrives, get in and enjoy the ride. The journey took about an hour or so.
You will arrive in Harbour Front, get through the custom and enjoy Singapore!
