Pamela bought a tour package to Batam via Groupon and treated me to a short holiday. It is just two-day-one-night and we both enjoyed the no frills trip.
The cost of it is $68, ++ taxes = $100. per person.
It includes ferry ride, return.
City Tour (which in my opinion was uninteresting and mainly for the tour guide to earn his commission. but it was non-optional so we just stuck to it) - stops at Keropok shops, fake-goods shops, real-goods shops, and then Seafood lunch which was not too bad. Had Gong-gongs. And a 60-min oil massage (top up $5 for a 90-min session)
Hotel accommodation including International buffet breakfast at Harmoni One Hotel, which was a very grand hotel!
The only drawback is the time spent on City Tour which I would have skipped. Other than that, it was a very good deal.
A sunny day.
The hotel's driveway.
Endless space at the hotel's lobby.
Does this look familiar?
The waiting space at our room level is so huge you can play badminton. (I didn't take a picture as it is just,,,,, space.)
Note: on day one, there was a street protest where many workers (like 200 workers) rode on their motorbikes and tooted their horns "peeeeeeeeeeeeepeeeeeeepeeeee" like that, and rode through the streets. they want their government to pressure the investors / employers to practise a "minimum wage". on day two- the shopping centres were closed. (luckily i've made my shoppings the day before). our tour guide was very worried and made us all go to the ferry terminal two hours ahead of schedule. she was afraid the roads to the ferry terminal might be blocked, already, the main access there was blocked and she used another smaller but longer route to get us there. Hence, the place may not be for the faint-hearted and children. In Singapore, we have no such problems because it is illegal to riot and we're too faint-hearted for that.
YC lent us the "sarong", which is an old-fashioned way of containing the baby while he sleeps.
This is the last dinning voucher I have from the "Eat @ Mandarin" membership. This time, I brought Pam to Ristorante Bologna at Marina Mandarin (Tel 65 6845 1113) My membership was under-utilised, there were soooooooooo many 1-for-1 drinks voucher that were unused =( I am in no true fashion a foodie, had I been one, the membership would have been worth. ($498 - one night hotel accommodation plus numerous dinning vouchers and discounts). Nevertheless, I do enjoy Italian although I can't name the variety of cheeses or pastas, I appreciate all the tastes. This buffet costs about $40+++, although the spread was minimum, the quality was good, and it's not just me saying. 
A sunny day.
The hotel's driveway.
Endless space at the hotel's lobby.
Does this look familiar?
The waiting space at our room level is so huge you can play badminton. (I didn't take a picture as it is just,,,,, space.) 
Both the signature dishes were very good. Gado-gado and the Ayam Penyat. 
The blue T-shirt says - Be The Change You Want To See In The World. (in short, Be the Change.)
A striped T for Ryan =)
Shorts, Glorious Shorts! These baby apparels drove me crazy. Utterly cute.
Especially this!
A Batik Dress
Last Tuesday, she refused to go to school. It's just one of those days. Ever since she has learnt the word "Later", she has used it to defer any activity she doesn't want. She holds up her hand and shows you a "stop" sign and say "Later! Later!" I said, "later? no later. any later your teacher will be home!" but it doesn't quite work with her.
Okay, I bought this for myself. Ionised hair brush for smooth and shiny hair. (I will let you know if it really works)
An impromptu dinner
For any woman who has been medium built, plump, chubby, fat or obese, the issue on weight and the social pressure of being lean and fit may all be too familiar. It is hard enough to fend off the stigma and doubly so after delivering a baby (or babies). Some women risk malnutrition to quickly downsize while some battle with mental anguish over self-esteem issues. Some even get the blues. Whatever the case, many of us could find little time to exercise but the young doctor who attended to me during the time I was in the hospital after delivery Colin insisted that it was a matter of prioritizing. He said even when he works a 30-hour shift, he would still hit the gym. (I might argue that 1. He is young. 2. He doesn't have young children he has to attend to. 3. He has more time at his disposal. But I didn't say that, after all, he meant good. In his opinion, exercising would prolong life.) 
I've reserved the book at the library but I'm on queue. Meantime, perhaps I would watch the big screen first.
Hi-5 is coming to town. Kiki doesn't watch their videos as I am afraid they might be too hyped for her but she does have one book on them and she likes that book. She could remember the text - "Good night moon, good night stars." (it's about outdoor camping) I thought since they are in town, it would be nice to let Kiki meet them in persons.
Sherz-another chillout venue perhaps. (ice blend shakes & pizza) Selegie.
Are these Christmassie enough? They take getting used to though. 
