Showing posts with label seaport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label seaport. Show all posts

August 20, 2026

Day 2: Singapore to Batam Indonesia | Ferry Ride & Hotel Stay

Our second day started with our trip from Singapore to Batam, Indonesia. Since we had an early schedule and my son had morning online classes, we had to skip breakfast at Siloso Beach Resort and head to HarbourFront Centre early for our ferry.

Breakfast at Siloso Beach Resort

Our room package at Siloso Beach Resort did not include breakfast, but the resort has a restaurant where guests can order breakfast.

Breakfast starts at 7:30 AM, which was a little late for us because my son had morning online classes and we couldn't wait for the restaurant to open. Thankfully, there is a 7-Eleven beside the resort, so we bought some bread and cup noodles instead.


For reference, here is the breakfast menu at Siloso Beach Resort so you can have an idea of the prices:

· Breakfast on the Go: SGD 8
· English Breakfast: SGD 12
· Deluxe Breakfast Buffet: SGD 24 per adult / SGD 12 per child


Please note that service charge and GST are additional.

From Siloso Beach Resort to HarbourFront Centre

We checked out before 9:00 AM and booked a Grab from Siloso Beach Resort to HarbourFront Centre. Our Grab fare was SGD 11.54.


Once we arrived at HarbourFront Centre, we looked for the Majestic Fast Ferry counter to claim our ferry tickets. I booked our Singapore-to-Batam ferry through Klook. When I received the confirmation email, I was surprised to learn that we still had to pay a fuel surcharge at the ferry counter.

The notice stated that starting March 12, 2026, the fuel surcharge would be SGD 6 per passenger for departures from Singapore and IDR 65,000 per passenger for departures from Batam. The surcharge applies to all tickets and is collected at the ticket counter.

Since there were three of us, we paid an additional SGD 18 when we collected our tickets.

Tip: If you're booking your ferry ticket online, make sure to check the terms and additional charges carefully. The ticket price you see online may not be the final amount you pay.

Breakfast at HarbourFront Centre

After getting our ferry tickets, we still had some time before boarding. 
We had already eaten bread and cup noodles earlier, but since we had time to spare, we decided to have another breakfast at Toast Box.

I can't remember the exact names of the meals we ordered, but we had a rice meal, sandwich, and eggs. It was a simple breakfast before our ferry trip to Batam.




Singapore to Batam Ferry Experience



When it was time to check in, we brought our luggage to the ferry counter. The luggage allowance was 20 kilograms or below, and since we only had one suitcase, we didn't have any problems with the luggage limit.

If you're taking the ferry for the first time, make sure you allow enough time before your departure. You still need to go through security screening and immigration, so don't arrive at the last minute.

Our boarding was on time, and surprisingly, the ferry left about 10 minutes earlier than the scheduled departure time.

The ferry wasn't crowded during our trip, which made the journey quite comfortable. However, about halfway through the trip, the ride became a little bumpy. If you're prone to seasickness, it may be a good idea to prepare accordingly.

The journey from Singapore to Batam takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the ferry schedule and sea conditions.

Overall, the ferry ride was fairly straightforward. The process at HarbourFront was easy enough as long as you give yourself enough time for check-in, security, and immigration.

Arriving at Batam Centre Ferry Terminal

After arriving in Batam, we went through immigration at Batam Centre Ferry Terminal. Once we were outside the terminal, we looked for a taxi to take us to our hotel. There is a taxi stand outside the ferry terminal, and the fare depends on your destination.

For our hotel, the taxi fare was IDR 70,000. 
Our destination was Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam. Cash only.


Time Difference Between Singapore and Batam

One thing to remember when traveling from Singapore to Batam is the time difference.

Singapore is one hour ahead of Batam, Indonesia. Singapore follows UTC+8, while Batam follows Western Indonesia Time (WIB), which is UTC+7.

For example, if it is 12:00 PM in Singapore, it is 11:00 AM in Batam. This is something to keep in mind when checking your ferry schedule, hotel check-in time, or planning activities in Batam.

Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam

We chose Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam for our overnight stay. One of the reasons I chose this hotel was because my husband had already stayed here about two years ago. He was familiar with the hotel, so we decided to stay here for our short trip to Batam. It also seemed like a convenient choice since it is located only around 10 minutes from Batam Centre Ferry Terminal.

I paid for our reservation upon arrival. The standard check-in time was 3:00 PM, but we were lucky because the hotel allowed us to check in as early as 11:30 AM.


After checking in, we took some time to rest before having a late lunch at The Bites, the hotel's restaurant.


Since this was only an overnight trip, we didn't really have an itinerary for our second day. Our main plan was simply to relax and enjoy the hotel amenities.


Sometimes, that's exactly what you need when traveling: no rushing from one tourist attraction to another, just a quiet afternoon at the hotel.

For dinner, we decided to stay in and ordered room service.


Preparing for Our Return to Singapore

Because this was only an overnight trip, we also needed to prepare our Singapore Arrival Card again for our return to Singapore.

Our second day was therefore a mix of traveling, resting, and getting ready for the next part of our trip. For us, Batam was a nice change of pace after Singapore. Instead of filling the day with activities, we simply enjoyed a relaxing hotel stay, which was exactly what we needed for this short overnight trip.

July 01, 2026

Day 2: From Daet to Calaguas Island – A Journey Worth Every Mile

The Philippines is home to more than 7,600 islands, and each one offers a different kind of adventure. Sometimes, traveling from one island to another feels like going on an international trip because of the long journey, but the destination always makes it worthwhile.

After spending our first day traveling from Cubao to Daet via DLTB Bus and resting overnight at One Platinum Hotel, we finally woke up excited for the highlight of our trip, Calaguas Island.

Early Morning Trip to Vinzons Port

We booked the Calaguas White Sand Resort package, and according to our confirmation voucher, our call time at Vinzons Port was 7:00 AM. We woke up early, enjoyed our pre-ordered packed breakfast at around 6:00 AM, checked out of the hotel, and headed to the port.

Since we rented a van, the drive took less than 20 minutes, and we arrived about 15 minutes before our scheduled call time. I honestly didn't expect the port to be that busy. Finding our assigned boat operator turned out to be more challenging than we expected, and it took us almost 20 minutes before we finally found him.




Before boarding, everyone had to fill out the boat manifest. Afterward, we were asked to place all our bags inside large plastic bags before the porters loaded them onto the boat. This helps protect your luggage from getting wet during the boat ride, especially if the sea is rough or there are splashes along the way.

The plastic bags are available for purchase at the port for PHP35 each or 3 bags for PHP100. We found them worth buying, especially for protecting our clothes, gadgets, and other valuables.

On our boat, we were the only guests from Calaguas White Sand Resort, but the trip wasn't exclusive to one resort. The boat waited for passengers from different resorts, but once it departed, it wouldn't wait for anyone running late. 

When Travel Doesn't Go as Planned

Unfortunately, my husband's overnight bus from Cubao was delayed by almost three hours. To help him catch up with us, the bus conductor dropped him off at a nearby area instead of the usual terminal so he could get to Vinzons Port faster.

From there, he hired a tricycle to the port and paid PHP100 for the ride. He did everything he could to make it, but he missed our original 7:00 AM call time.

Our boat finally departed at around 7:55 AM, and just a few minutes after we left the port, he arrived. Thankfully, he was still able to catch the next available boat bound for Calaguas Island.

Finally Arriving in Calaguas Island

After nearly two hours at sea, we finally arrived at Calaguas Island.



Seeing its crystal-clear turquoise waters and powdery white sand instantly made the long journey worth it. It had been on my travel bucket list for years, and finally experiencing it in person was even better than I had imagined.



We were welcomed with refreshing drinks and snacks upon arrival. About 35 minutes later, my husband's boat finally reached the island. Sadly, he missed the welcome snack because it was only served once per group, but what mattered most was that we were finally together in paradise.

Disconnecting to Reconnect

One thing you'll immediately notice in Calaguas is how different life feels.

Electricity is only available at night, no phone signal, and no Wi-Fi. For the next three days and two nights, we traded notifications and screens for the sound of the waves and peaceful island mornings.

It was the perfect reminder that sometimes, disconnecting from technology helps us reconnect with nature and simply enjoy the present moment.

Despite the long travel time, Calaguas Island easily became one of the most beautiful beaches I've visited in the Philippines.

Meals Included in Our Resort Package

One of the conveniences of booking the Calaguas White Sand Resort package was that all our meals were already included.

Lunch
· Laing
· Ginataang Crab
· Fried Chicken
· Fresh Melon





Merienda
· Ginataang Bilo-Bilo


Dinner
· Ginisang Ampalaya
· Nilagang Buto-Buto
· Grilled Pusit
· Fresh Mango




The food was simple, comforting, and satisfying after a day of traveling.

A Few Things to Know Before You Go

Our welcome drink was served with ice, so we assumed cold drinks would always be available throughout our stay. We quickly learned otherwise.

Only room-temperature mineral water was provided during meals. If you want ice or cold drinks, you'll need to buy ice from one of the small sari-sari stores on the island. We tried keeping ice in our tumbler, but without a cooler, it melted quickly. Eventually, we accepted that warm drinks were simply part of the island experience.

It's a small detail, but something worth knowing before your trip.

Final Thoughts

Travel rarely goes exactly as planned, and that's often what makes every journey unforgettable.
 
From delayed buses and missed call times to searching for our boat operator at the busy port, our trip had its fair share of unexpected moments. Yet those little challenges became part of the story we'll always remember.

 
Calaguas Island reminded us that the best adventures aren't always the easiest. Sometimes, delayed buses, unexpected detours, and long travel hours make finally reaching your destination even more rewarding.
 
For us, every mile and every wave crossed was absolutely worth it.

September 07, 2023

How to Go to Puerto Galera from Manila and Vice Versa

The Philippines is the world’s fifth largest island country with 7,641 islands and sa dami ng islands, ilan pa lang ang napupuntahan ko. I live in the Luzon area and we usually travel by land or air. As far as I can remember, there are only a few times that I experienced sea travel in the Philippines, not including island hopping. Hehehe! 

Manila to Cebu 
Bataan to Manila 
Manila to Corregidor and vice versa 
Batangas to Mindoro/Puerto Galera and vice versa 

How to Go to Puerto Galera from Manila and Vice Versa 

Speaking of Mindoro, if you are planning to go to Puerto Galera, expect that you will have a lot of transfers, and based on our experience, we travel by land-sea-land-sea before we reach our resort.

Manila to Batangas 

If you are coming from Manila, you can ride a bus going to Batangas Port. JAM Liner Bus has a trip from Cubao and Buendia to Batangas Pier. As per my research, there is also a ticket that you can buy at KLOOK, this includes bus, ferry, and terminal fees. 

Manila to Puerto Galera 9:30AM
Puerto Galera to Manila 11:00AM  

If you have a car, you can do RORO or you can leave your vehicle at Park and Sail and other commercial parking spaces. 


Batangas Port to Balatero Port 


From Batangas Pier, purchase your RORO ticket or passenger ticket. There are different ferry companies that travel from Batangas to Balatero Port like MV City Iloilo, MV Island Calayan, Montenegro, and MV Isla Simara. Each ferry has a different schedule and rate. 

Batangas Terminal Fee: PHP30 

Balatero Port to Puerto Galera Resort

Once you reach Balatero Port, you need to pay PHP120 for the Environmental Fee. From here, you can ride a tricycle going to your resort or tricycle plus boat; it all depends on your resort location.

Traveling to Puerto Galera 

After reading the above post, it looked like an easy travel but it wasn’t. Then I realized, maybe that is the reason why I prefer traveling by land or air because there are so many things to consider in sea travel. Sharing our Puerto Galera travel experience.

I think it is more than a decade already since our last sea travel and a trip to Puerto Galera so when we went to Casalay Boutique Villas & Dive Resort, I needed to do research on How to Go to Puerto Galera. 

My first trip to Oriental Mindoro was when I was still working, it was our team building in Puerto Galera. Since we are a group, instead of riding a bus to Batangas port, we rented a van from Gil Puyat Station. Our second trip was when we attended our friend’s wedding in Mindoro, we took a JAM Liner bus to Batangas port. 

Park and Sail 

Fast forward to our trip last month, we drove to Batangas Port and I was really worried because we were not sure if we could park our car. We experienced Park and Fly but this would be our first Park and Sail experience. 


We left the house before 5AM and arrived at Batangas Port past 6AM and unfortunately Park and Sail parking area was already full. The staff informed us about different options; one of the options is park at commercial parking space which is PHP300 per day. Since we are not in a hurry, we chose to wait but deep inside, nagwoworry na ko because we have no idea kung what time kaya may lalabas sa parking. Actually, ang dami na rin nag-alisan sa pila because they could no longer wait and because of that, from 3rd naging first na kami sa pila. 

Batangas Port 

We waited for almost an hour para lang makapagpark, and from there we went to Passengers Terminal Building so we could buy our ticket. We missed the 7AM trip, yung ibang ferry fully booked na rin so our only chance is Montenegro Shipping Lines pero almost an hour na kami nakapila, parang hindi naman nagmomove so we decided to let go the 8AM trip and we transferred to different ferry na lang which is 10AM trip. 


We booked at MV Isla Simara or Island Water, don’t forget to bring IDs for discount. I’m thankful that my son brought his student ID so nakadiscount pa kami sa fare and terminal fee. 

Island Water RORO Fare Rate Batangas Pier/Balatero Pier (Puerto Galera) 

Economy Fare 

Regular PHP500 
Student PHP400 
Senior/PWD PHP357.14 
Child (3-7 years old) PHP250 
Infant (0-2 years old) FREE 

Business Class Fare 

Regular PHP850 
Student PHP680 
Senior/PWD PHP607.14 
Child (3-7 years old) PHP425 
Infant (0-2 years old) FREE 

VIP Class Fare 

Regular PHP1000 
Student PHP800 
Senior/PWD PHP714.29 
Child (3-7 years old) PHP500 
Infant (0-2 years old) FREE 

Terminal Fee: PHP30 
* Senior, PWD and Students are FREE 

Five minutes before 8AM, we were already at the boarding gate and I noticed na boarding pa rin sa Montenegro Shipping Lines and I was shocked when I saw the people na kasama ko sa pila, yung nasa unahan at nasa likod ko ng pila, nakasakay pa sa 8AM trip. Now I knew na hindi naman pala on-time ang mga Ferry sa Pilipinas kasi 8:30AM na boarding pa rin ang Ferry. 



I won’t deny na nanghinayang ako na lumipat ng pila, kasi sayang din yung paghihintay namin sa Port kung alam ko lang na late pala umaalis ang Ferry, sana nagtiyaga pa kami sa pagpila. 

Island Water Economy 

Anyway, unlike in airplane na may boarding time, sa Ferry pala kung ano yung Schedule Trip, yun din ang boarding. Our schedule is 10AM and the ferry left before 10:30AM. Travel time is 2 hours for RORO. We only booked an Economy Ticket so it is an open area, there is a TV where you can watch a movie. During our trip natapos yung Doctor Strange movie bago kami nakababa sa port. 


Balatero Port 

We paid the Environmental Fee and the staff asked for our Booked Accommodation. Then we rode a tricycle going to Muelle Port for PHP120. 

Environmental fee: PHP120 
*Senior, PWD, and 11 yrs old below are FREE 


Muelle Port 


Upon arrival at Muelle Port, my husband called the resort and we waited for 30 minutes for our boat. While waiting I checked this boat where you can learn about the History of Puerto Galera and different places that you can visit in Puerto Galera. 


Traveling to Batangas Port 

After a few days, it is time to say goodbye to Puerto Galera, and because of our experience in buying Balatero Ticket, my husband asked the staff of Casalay Boutique Villas & Dive Resort kung nagbobook din ba sila ng Ferry Ticket. And the staff said yes, itatawag lang daw nila and payment is via Gcash. 


We wanted fastcraft but because of the gale warning, RORO lang available. During our breakfast, the staff called Island Water and was advised na VIP Class na lang daw available. Of course, we purchased the ticket, kailangan namin umuwi. 


We left past 11AM from Casalay Boutique Villas & Dive Resort and from Muelle Port, we rode a tricycle to Balatero Port for PHP150. The tricycle driver asked us if we already had a ticket kasi alam niya fully booked na daw ang ferry. Good thing that we asked for help from the resort or else, baka hindi kami makauwi. The driver dropped us at the Island Water Office to get our boarding ticket. Buti pala nagtanung siya kasi akala namin sa loob ng Balatero Port yung Ticketing Counter just like Batangas Port. Then we walked to Balatero Port and paid Terminal Fee. 

Balatero Port Terminal Fee: PHP10 
*Senior, PWD and Students are FREE 

Island Water VIP Class 

Our scheduled trip is 1PM but the Ferry left several minutes before 2PM, and again travel time is 2 hours. Once you enter the VIP Class, you will immediately notice the difference, you are staying in an aircon room and you have a private comfort room, comfortable chair, and free coffee and bottled water.




Batangas Port 

We arrived around 4PM and we walked to the parking lot. For our 3-day trips, we paid PHP370 for the parking fee.


September 19, 2017

Sjøgata in Norway

After visiting Grandefjaera Nature Reserve and Kjeungskajaer Lighthouse, off we went to Sjøgata. Sjøgata or sea lane is the last place that we visited in Norway because after this trip, we became busy preparing and packing for our Iceland and of course, going back to the Philippines. 


I’ve already seen this place because my mom has a painting of this historical place. But I’m glad that we were able to see it, up close and personal. Sjøgata is located in the old port area of Uthaug which is near the sea. 





Instagram Lola 
It is considered a historical place because you can see fishermen’s houses which were built in the 1800s. It is good to know that they are trying to preserve this place. The place is indeed relaxing so a lot of artists are going here to draw or paint their own masterpieces. We did not stay long at nilalamig na kami and we’re going to attend the fellowship.
Klook.com