Sunshin3

..to life on the tiny island.

Batam was surprising quiet for a weekend and a school holiday.

Immigration was smooth as the staff at Batam View Beach Resort handled everything including the booking of our ferry tickets. So in reality, all we had to do was just pack our bags and head there.

It was one of those rare holidays that had events flowing progressively well for us despite not having anything concrete on our schedule. Suite was great and well-maintained, service was good and the massage was erm, cheap. We did some shopping at the MegaMall and located that JCO Donut Factory that Nadnut blogged about previously as well.

With our routine life back on track (momentarily), it’s now apartment hunting for us. Rents are manageable at this moment because Old boy’s a person with simple wants and needs but with the market so buoyant these days, i wonder if there will be a place that we can finally call our home.

Somewhere this month would have been our official one year anniversary. Not that the dates really matter since the both of us have different concepts for time but from my perspective, this is the next longest relationship i have been in after my 3 year relationship with my first boyfriend.

For all that he’s been, it stirred a longing within me to recreate the best moments in love for him. I guess to me, that’s the best i can give apart from my love so it explains the things i do, the little surprises that i drop now and then etc.

Besides, passion fizzles out after a while so it’s up to each of us to maintain the bridge that provides the constant stream of love, support and encouragement.

The anniversary was no exception to my usual surprise element for him as much as he dislikes surprises.

I booked a spa session for us both at the Aspara at Goodwood Park Hotel to commemorate this occasion. Actually more so because i felt he needed a break from work commitments. It was a 2 hour session that comprised of a massage of our choice, the usage of the steam bath, and jaccuzzi facilities.

View of our couple’s suite - photo courtesy of Robert Steiner

The pace was relaxed and it would have set the stage for a better evening if the spa had catered for wine or champagne which they unfortunately did not provide for. Nonetheless, we still had a great time bubbling around and reprising our roles as McSteamy and McDreamy (yes i know it sounds a little gayish).

I believe Old boy and i echo the same sentiments that the pressure strokes could be improved further but at $321 (nett) for our couple package, it is affordable as compared to The Retreat at Changi Village Hotel and i wouldn’t mind heading back there if my motivating decision is centered on the surroundings and ambience.

As i was telling Shelly who jioed me out at the last minute for some jiggly jiggly, she really didn’t miss much.

I remember watching Optimus Prime as a kid and being fascinated by the transformation of these autobots into machines. Michael Bay did an excellent job in remembering the little bits which made Transformers one of the best cartoons to watch.

The graphics were cool, the pace was alright, the dialogue was corny, the actors were new to the scene but although i think it fared well for a movie, Die Hard 4 was way much better.

It’s amazing that after two weeks of run, getting good seats to watch Transformers was still so difficult that Vince and i had to settle for a 9.20pm show instead.

And the time that i was meeting him?

2.30pm.

(-.-”)

I have to say that i was wowed by the flat screen 40-inch tv and DVD player as compared to the view of Singapore from the 24th floor of my hotel room. Check in was a breeze and having a kid proved useful as i realised that whatever the kid demanded, the kid got it.

Fast forward, Conrad lived up to its acclaimed fame of efficiency and luxury. The Hilton’s hospitality was part of their hotel staff’s motto it seemed, as wherever we went, we were greeted with smiles. And i must say that it rubbed onto guests alike as we struck up conversations with many guests during the times we waited for the elevator.

Having lived in Singapore all my life where silence was generally preferred, such delightful social interactions were like a breath of fresh air.

The bathroom was huge and decked in warm lighting and marble flooring. Possibly the only local hotel i have been to that provided a large bath tub that could sit two people comfortably and a bowl of sea salt and sponge at the side. The bathroom amenities (Molton Brown) were comparable with Ritz Carlton’s Bvlgari range and they were not stingy with their towels or robes either.

The bed was soft and comfy and perfectly ideal for my outcall massage therapist, Mike, who came in the evening. A shy, rather reserved guy, Derrick warmed up to Mike quickly to ease the anxiety that Mike was facing as after all, Mike was only six years older than me but his strokes spoke of experience and knowledge. We engaged in a light hearted conversation on employment law when i found out that he used to work as a civil litigation paralegal.

Perhaps i am too used to my chiropractor’s massages that swedish massages left me wanting for more.

Other than massages, we didn’t do much except lazing around and alternating between the poolside and the room. What i really loved about Conrad was their initiative to provide the latest business magazines like Fortune, Forbes Asia, and Readers’ Digest etc. Reading was pretty much what i did apart from keeping an eye on Derrick.

The downside of it was that there was no wireless connection available and you would have to pay for the internet usage in your room.

Located next to Millenia Walk, i am in two minds over Conrad’s accessibility to public transportation as well. Routine trips to Conrad for functions have affirmed that taxis do not really make a stop to pick up hotel guests and it is generally advisable to get the staff to call a cab for you because cabs don’t charge the hotel for the calls that the staff make.

So there you have it.

My first review of Singapore hotels and there’s more to come. This stay with Conrad was only made possible with Starhub’s rewards redemption.