Wednesday, Batam Cultural Day
Today we got to take a break from working and experience a cultural day in Batam. Today was incredible!
After our usual breakfast, we started off the day with a tour of Batam. First we visited a Buddhist temple called Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya. Outside the temple there were several stone Buddha statues posing with different animals. (A Buddha is one who has reached enlightenment.) We walked around the outside and got to peek inside as well.
We then went to take a photo with the "Welcome to Batam" sign which looks like the Indonesian version of our Hollywood sign. The parking lot below (where you stand to get the sign in the background of your photos) was right next to what looked like the bones of an old warehouse building.
It was neat to drive around the more city-like streets of Batam and see the sights. We noticed that everyone keeps their cars in really good condition and you rarely see dents in them. There are mopeds everywhere and they ride them in sandals! We made a few more stops before lunch (a souvenir shop, chocolate shop, and coffee shop where we got to taste-test a few coffees) and then we went to the SSS-- Saung Sunda Sawargi (a floating restaurant.)
The restaurant reminded me of the Swiss Family Robinson's treehouse. It was made of mostly bamboo and there were bamboo pipes with water flowing out of them that you could use to wash your hands. Also, it seems at most of the places we've eaten, the restaurants are big with lots of tables in them, but not a lot of people eating there. I believe we were the only ones in the entire restaurant at lunch. (Odd note: when we finished our lunch, the waiters took our plates and scraped the leftovers into the water to "feed the fish.")
While we were eating (fish, rice, veggies, tofu, chicken, spicy coleslaw-- yummy!) we noticed the Batam Wake Park was across the street from our restaurant. We asked our guides Eric & Jackie if we could check it out when we were done eating... I'm so glad they said yes!
Basically it was a pond that you could wakeboard on without needing a boat. They have a pulley system set up where you start on a ramp on the shore, hold on to the tow rope, bend your knees, and get ready to be pulled into the water when your rope comes around the corner. It was SO fun! Scott, Jeff, Jared, Gunnar, Griffin, Rachel & I all gave it a try. Wakeboarding in Indonesia-- what an awesome experience!
Then we went to the Barelang Bridge. It is a famous bridge in Batam that connects the islands of Batam, Rempang, and Galang. We walked along the bridge and watched the sunset-- it was gorgeous! As we were walking along the bridge, all of the locals wanted to take photos with us. Eric explained to us that they don't often see white people (pronounced "boo-ley") and they will use the photos to brag to their friends. Very interesting end to a GREAT day of "culture" in Batam!
Today we got to take a break from working and experience a cultural day in Batam. Today was incredible!
After our usual breakfast, we started off the day with a tour of Batam. First we visited a Buddhist temple called Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya. Outside the temple there were several stone Buddha statues posing with different animals. (A Buddha is one who has reached enlightenment.) We walked around the outside and got to peek inside as well.
We then went to take a photo with the "Welcome to Batam" sign which looks like the Indonesian version of our Hollywood sign. The parking lot below (where you stand to get the sign in the background of your photos) was right next to what looked like the bones of an old warehouse building.
It was neat to drive around the more city-like streets of Batam and see the sights. We noticed that everyone keeps their cars in really good condition and you rarely see dents in them. There are mopeds everywhere and they ride them in sandals! We made a few more stops before lunch (a souvenir shop, chocolate shop, and coffee shop where we got to taste-test a few coffees) and then we went to the SSS-- Saung Sunda Sawargi (a floating restaurant.)
The restaurant reminded me of the Swiss Family Robinson's treehouse. It was made of mostly bamboo and there were bamboo pipes with water flowing out of them that you could use to wash your hands. Also, it seems at most of the places we've eaten, the restaurants are big with lots of tables in them, but not a lot of people eating there. I believe we were the only ones in the entire restaurant at lunch. (Odd note: when we finished our lunch, the waiters took our plates and scraped the leftovers into the water to "feed the fish.")
While we were eating (fish, rice, veggies, tofu, chicken, spicy coleslaw-- yummy!) we noticed the Batam Wake Park was across the street from our restaurant. We asked our guides Eric & Jackie if we could check it out when we were done eating... I'm so glad they said yes!
Basically it was a pond that you could wakeboard on without needing a boat. They have a pulley system set up where you start on a ramp on the shore, hold on to the tow rope, bend your knees, and get ready to be pulled into the water when your rope comes around the corner. It was SO fun! Scott, Jeff, Jared, Gunnar, Griffin, Rachel & I all gave it a try. Wakeboarding in Indonesia-- what an awesome experience!
Then we went to the Barelang Bridge. It is a famous bridge in Batam that connects the islands of Batam, Rempang, and Galang. We walked along the bridge and watched the sunset-- it was gorgeous! As we were walking along the bridge, all of the locals wanted to take photos with us. Eric explained to us that they don't often see white people (pronounced "boo-ley") and they will use the photos to brag to their friends. Very interesting end to a GREAT day of "culture" in Batam!
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