Batam Trip, shoulder, Fraud and the 1st week

Lemme start with the most pleasant entry,

The Batam Trip
Last year Tab and I went for a day spa at Angsana in Bintan.  It was really luxurious and of course expensive but worth it. While we were on the ferry, traveling. We chatted how it might be better to have just a night stay over.  Less hassle,  can stone. I told her I haven't been to Batam too. So the plan was to go there for spa and do a one night stay

I looked up the Internet and typed spa package Batam and different ones pop up.  One caught my attention cos it covers everything, all-in, ferry tax,  transport to and from the ferry terminal, one night stay, with breakfast and later lunch and has a spa and a second massage. Seems pretty decent, though I didn't think it would be the same as Angsana cos from the Internet pics, can see it's lower but no harm giving it a try cos it's just one night getaway. Not too picky. I forwarded to Tab and asked for her decision. She was ok with it and so in the last week of my work, I made the bookings, fax and later went down to pay.

So we were set for a 1-night getaway. My plan was to do nothing. In the end I read just one chapter of my jap tb. The rest of the time was spent just really really stoning. Bought minimal stuff, just a change of clothes, 1 towel, toothbrush and some food (instant noodles,  Kettle's chips, packs of coffee and tea) just in case the food was very pricey like in Bintan.  (it was actually pretty affordable)

Met up with Tab n FH who were at Harbour front chatting away. My new big square scarf just arrived so I decided to use it to make good use of its price. It costs about $6.50 USA.  So I reckon 1-2 times of using is fair. When I reached there,  first thing was the comment I was becoming more Japanese cos I wore the scarf. Later it was about the bunch of Korean women who all wore scarves. While eating my last I was worried about spilling on it so FH got to wear it as I tied it for him and he happily posed for Tab's camera. Think the pirate style suits him a lot. Tab later put together a photo montage of all 3 styles.

So we sat and chatted, including my views of being Malaysian esp in wake of the missing plane and the bomoh thing. Later we walked to firm and collected our ferry tixs,  sticker for identification,  and even our arrival and departure cards were filled in already.  How convenient. The ride was ok,  45mins according to Tab cos I wasn't keeping track of time once we headed into immigration. Just wanted to enjoy the moment. We did buy a small bottle of vodka (cos I found the small bottle cute and can reuse), some mineral water, orange juice and coke as mixers. Vodka Coke and Screwdriver. Really didn't regret those.  They really helped make looking at the sea and sky from the balcony very enjoyable.

But the only bad thing was my nose was unsheltered from sun in that 10m walk towards the van. Once I got one, I put on the sunblock on my nose. Later after we checked-in, walked.less than 5mins under the sun with the sunblock on. Threw our stuff and went to explore. I decided to use the umbrella cos it was hot. We walked towards the Guan Yin giant statue there and then thru the playground and the nine dragons feng shui thing and went to the dining cafe for lunch. I felt my nose was a bit painful and asked Tab if she saw any white heads on my nose. She said yes. I went to the toilet to confirm that my UV-ALLERGY on my nose tio again!!! Urgh... no steroid cream with me so I have to endure the pain, damn unsightly nose and the urge to pop all the pusy white pimples forming. The pain continued until Sat. Luckily there was our own alcohol to numb it but it's an irritation constantly.

Despite what people might think upon seeing the posted pics (all those bluff people pics) the room was really sparse and does bring us back to the days of the Redang huts. But the view from the balcony made it all worthwhile. Can see the 'beach'/lagoon,  green/blue sea and blue skies. The most enjoyable part aside from their really surprisingly delicious n affordable food in the dining area, the surprisingly good spa and massage, and stoning  and staring at the hazy view of the Singapore skyline and skies/sea at the dining area, was to sit at the balcony, sipping Vodka Coke and later Screwdriver and just chat or stare at the skies, clouds, sea,  lagoon and the occasional other visitors walking about. Those were what we did. Just be in the moment. Time seemed to slow down.

Tab remarked that it felt like we had spent an entire weekend but in reality it was just a day and a night. It was refreshing for me because could finally slow down and get away even if it was just a day. Cast the rest of the problems and issues and anxieties away as we stared at the SG in the horizon. Like what Tab said, that all the worries and troubles are back in SG which is at the distant horizon. We would sail back to it the following day.

My nose kept me waking up 3-4hrs. Cos of the pain. Burning sunburnt  pain and the sheer number of pimples that are pusy added to the pain. Bi bian,  by the next day even more has sprouted. Covered my unsightly nose with the scarf to prevent staring, also protect my facefrom uv not umbrella. Later on Thursday,  after I reached home, put on the steroids cream overnight but still painful and pimples are still coming out so saw the docs. He gave me an antiseptic cream to put and antibitoics to eat and it slowly got better. By tomorrow, once the the pimples have reduced their inflammation,  I would have to pore-pack my nose. Can see all the heads left behind by the pus. Sian...

We saw fish in the lagoon, a turtle, fishing eagle-type bird, monkeys besides insects like ants. And mostly.just sat around, drink and chat, watched a bit of the news, Sg programs are received clearly. Makes ya feel like u haven't left Sg. Potato chips feast with drinks.And taking more "Deceptive" photos. The trip including the food and drinks cost slightly less than $185 is worth it, to me. But dun think it's for everyone unless u just want to do nothingood,  sit and chill. As I was telling Tab, the younger me, at the time of Redang,  didn't enjoy this type of lax. As in I couldn't slow down my pace and mind. So I would be bored after a short while but the current me could just stone and do nothing but stare at the skies and sea. What a change indeed.

Shoulder - Still hurts a bit and numb pain. Don't dare to use it yet. Don't want to go back to that second physican. I'll try to rest it and then see if I need to seek treatment again. So dunno when can I recover to go for KM.

Fraud - found an unauthorised transaction to that left me $211 poorer. The fraud mgt team contacted me. My card is replaced, pending a fraud dispute for to fill in to hope to recover the money. I hope to get it back. Then spend on my shoulder treatment. Sian... so no more online transactions and once it's settled,  I would change to a credit card.

1st week - has seen me out wandering to Ikea,  bought some organizers and ate the meatballs,  salmon (think standard dropped a lot) and the hot dog. Bought some alcohol from the Ikea food store. Walked about Anchor green and Queensway shopping center. Been really a long time since I went.

On Sat, Ting came and fetched me to go to Westgate Mall. Tab joined us later. They were surprised that the two malls;  Westgate and Jim had quite a bit of stuff, including its own unique shops not found elsewhere. Showed them the Famous Bishan Curry stall and Tab was perplexed. Though by the time we came out, most places were closing. They won't mind coming down to explore it more. Mission accomplished.