Saturday, December 18, 2010

Thoughts after my Batam trip

** "BIAS" is a special feature in my blog where I get to say whatever I want with scant regards for your feelings. I'm not politically correct in this feature, so go ahead, judge me."



I just went to Batam and returned today. Making the trip made me realise how fortunate we are in Singapore. You know, as a typical Singaporean, I have my own share of complaining and whining. Eventually, it's only when you're out of home that you'll find how comfortable your home is. Do realise that I'm not making a comparison between the two countries, it's not fair. It's just that I realised that being too long in a nice place makes you forget that it's nice and you'll take it for granted. It's like eating your favourite wanton noodles everyday. You like it in the first week, but after eating it for 1 month, will you still feel that it's good? That's why it's important to leave home to find home again.



Some of the things I took for granted in Singapore:


1. There are pavements for pedestrians to walk safely. This is like a given. It makes walking along the road very safe.


2. Clean and green urban environment. I think one of the first thing that I miss when I'm overseas are the nice planted trees and flowers along the roadside. The drains are also flowing freely and are covered up so that it doesn't smell at all. The amount of dustbins in Singapore are just staggering...perhaps you'll see a rubbish bin every 200m or so? Amazingly clean and green in Singapore.


3. Efficiency. Somehow, I feel that in Batam, things are of a slower and more relaxing pace. I may whine and complain about how slow Singapore's bureaucracy can be, but I believe things are of a different magnitude altogether in other countries. I must learn to appreciate how fast people are already serving us in Singapore, rather than how slow they are doing so. I'm not saying in Batam, people there are slower. They are just more leisurely, which is a refreshing change of pace. I actually go there to have a change of pace.


That's the hotel I'm staying this time round - ihotel. Very value for money.


Having a different tempo is exactly my kind of a holiday. I'm way past cheonging with the guides and waking up early to visit point A and point B and follow the list to point Z. Take a picture of a famous attraction to say that I've been there. It feels too much like work. I want to feel totally irresponsible and not having to have anything on my to-do list. I want to be disorganized and messy and let someone else take care of me.  I want to wake up each morning without setting an alarm and to sleep during the day whenever I am tired and have a drink towards the evening to wash down a good meal with good company. That's my kind of holiday.



Not too much to ask for after I've slogged hard and saved hard for the months that lead up to this month.

10 comments :

Createwealth8888 said...

In Singapore, we are constantly in the Rat Race while in Batam, they run their own race and have better Work-Life balance.

Derek said...

Hi LP,

Great to see you enjoying your holidays. I too have not gone for a guided tour for years. The luxury to control my own time!

Bro createwealth,
"Work life balance", well said but unfortunately, it is not easy. Many companies talk about it, but few practices it.

Cheers!

Gilbert Goh said...

Ya me to I like a care free short trip during weekend away from rush rush Singapore any time...

la papillion said...

Hi bro8888,

Hmm, not too sure if they have better work life balance. I do know their pace is slower. I guess for a better standard of living, you got to sacrifice some things.

Hi Derek,

Haha, yes exactly - the luxury to control my own time :)

Hi Gilbert,

For me I prefer longer trips, at least 3-4 days outside of Singapore. I hate the feeling that when I'm settled into the mood to relax, I'm already going to get back to Singapore and all the work already, so I try not to go for those 2 nights trip, haha :)

Anonymous said...

Hi LP,
Try F.& E. Genting Highland 3days/2night coach trip. You can bring your children or family.You don't have to gamble if you don't want to. There are many attractions/distractions for everyone.
RWS's Universal Studio is too expensive.

la papillion said...

Hi temperament,

My wife don't like the coach trip, haha :) I guess she'll never go genting at all.

Thanks for the suggestion though :)

Createwealth8888 said...

Hi Brolp,

You should try those five stars coach to Genting Highlands very comfortable and travel to/fro in the day.

Her bad experience with coach trip could be due to those 30+ seaters.:-)

Anonymous said...

HI LP,
The alternative is to fly Jet Star than Taxi from airport to Genting. It's not much different in price by coach all the way. It is really a F&E holiday and the mountain air is really fresh. If you have children they will really enjoy.

la papillion said...

Hi bro8888,

Wah, haha, I'll let her know :) I want to go Genting but she die die don't want, haha :)

Hi temperament,

I'll try to convince her :) I've been to Genting only once and would love to go back there again. I've fond memories of waking up in the morning to see a cloud floating just outside the windows :)

Unknown said...

I’m with you there…I just want to do my own thing and rejuvenate at my own pace in a lovely Batam hotel.