Michi Photostory

September 22, 2026

Where to Stay in Batam, Indonesia: Our Stay at Radisson Golf & Convention Center

Okay, let’s get back to our Singapore–Batam trip!

It’s been a month since I last shared a chapter from this adventure. I’ve published a few other posts in between, but I realized we still have a lot of this trip left to tell.

So, let’s rewind a little and continue where we left off: Day 2 of our 9-day journey.

After spending some time in Singapore, we made our way to Batam, Indonesia. Our first stop was our home away from home for the next part of our trip.

Before I take you through what we did and where we went in Batam, let’s start with where we stayed.

Why We Chose Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam

I didn’t have a hard time choosing our accommodation in Batam because my husband had already stayed here during a company trip. He had a good experience, so I decided to book the same hotel for our family trip.

You can also check out my old blog post about Radisson Golf & Convention Center for a previous look at the hotel.

For this trip, I booked a Superior Room - City View for 3 adults. The rate varies depending on your booking dates and rate plan.

I chose the Semi-Flexible Members Rate with Breakfast, which cost IDR 2,773,683 at the time of booking. Payment was due upon arrival at the hotel.

Getting to the Hotel

Complimentary Hotel Shuttle Service

I had already purchased our ferry tickets before asking the hotel if they offered a complimentary shuttle service. Fortunately, they do!

Unfortunately, the shuttle schedule didn’t match our arrival time, so we weren’t able to take advantage of the complimentary service.

The shuttle pick-up schedule from Mega Mall was:

10:20 AM
1:20 PM
4:20 PM

There is no shuttle pick-up directly from the Batam Ferry Terminal. You need to walk through the skybridge first to reach the pick-up point at Mega Mall Lobby C, which is about a 5–7 minute walk and is next to Pizza Hut.

Advance booking is required.

The hotel also offers a private car transfer for IDR 130,000 per way, with a maximum capacity of three passengers with baggage.

Since the shuttle schedule didn’t work for us, we simply took a taxi from the ferry terminal. The standard rate at the time was IDR 70,000.

The hotel also offers daily shuttle services to Grand Batam Mall and Nagoya Hill Mall, as well as a daily buggy service if you want to visit K Square Mall.

We didn’t use these services either because we decided to simply rest at the hotel during our second day.

Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam

Upon arrival at the hotel, the staff warmly welcomed us and helped with our luggage. We then went straight to the reception to check in.

I knew the standard check-in time was 3:00 PM, so after paying for our reservation, we settled in the lobby while we waited.

But after just about eight minutes, the staff informed us that our room was already available!
It was only around 11:30 AM, so I was really thankful that we were able to check in early. We could finally rest for a bit before lunch.

We collected our luggage and headed to our room.

Superior Room – City View

This was our room for the night.

I specifically chose a twin-bed room because I had already seen the king-bed room during my husband’s previous stay. I felt that the room might be a little cramped if we added an extra bed, so I thought two beds would be more comfortable for the three of us.

The room was comfortable for our short stay and had the basic amenities we needed.

Room Amenities

The room included:
Flat-screen TV
Work desk
Coffee and tea-making facilities
Minibar/refrigerator
In-room safe
Iron and ironing board
Bathroom

The Bathroom

The bathroom has an open-style layout. Once you open the room door, you can immediately see the sink. Behind the sink is the shower and toilet area, which is separated from the bed by a wall.
The front portion of the shower and toilet area is covered with frosted glass, and the doors are also made of frosted glass.

I’m honestly not a big fan of this type of bathroom design. I’m not sure why, but I’ve noticed that this kind of layout has become quite common in many of the hotels we’ve stayed at over the past few years.
It’s really a matter of personal preference, especially if you’re traveling with family or friends and prefer more privacy.

Dining Options

The hotel has several dining options, and during our stay, we tried Bite Restaurant and Room Service.
The dining options include:

Bite Restaurant
Liminal Coffee + Bites
Pool Bar
Room Service

I’ll share more about our food experience in a separate post because there are quite a few things to share!

Activities

If you check the hotel’s website, there are several activities available for guests, including:

Archery
Cooking classes
Snooker and billiard tables
Indoor and outdoor team-building activities
Golf driving range

During our visit, some of the activities being offered included archery, batik painting, tie-dye making, and cupcake decorating.

I was actually interested in trying the batik painting, but unfortunately, it was already too late for me to join when I checked the schedule. The activity was offered from 9:00–11:00 AM or 1:00–5:00 PM.

At the time of our visit, the activities ranged from approximately IDR 150,000 to IDR 220,000.

Facilities and Amenities

One of the things that makes Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam different from a typical city hotel is the number of facilities available within the property.

The hotel features:

An 18-hole championship golf course
Indoor and outdoor infinity pools
Zoysia Spa
24/7 fitness center
Kids’ Club
Children’s play area
Shuttle and transfer services
Luggage storage
Convention and event facilities

With all these facilities, you can easily spend most of your time at the hotel without having to go somewhere else.

Our Overall Experience

Overall, we enjoyed our overnight stay at Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam.

Even though our stay was short, we were able to enjoy a little staycation and get some much-needed rest after traveling from Singapore to Batam.

I was especially happy that we were able to check in early, which gave us more time to relax and enjoy the hotel.

The service was also good, and all the staff were accommodating throughout our stay.

If you’re planning a trip to Batam and looking for a hotel where you can relax, enjoy resort-style facilities, and spend some quiet time away from the city, Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam is worth considering.

For us, it was a comfortable place to stay and had the biggest room we had during our 9-day trip through Singapore and Batam, Indonesia.

September 18, 2026

How to Prepare Your Car for a Photography Road Trip

A photography road trip combines two great opportunities: discovering new places and capturing them through your own creative perspective. Whether you are chasing dramatic landscapes, photographing small towns, or searching for wildlife, your car is likely to play an important role in getting you and your equipment where you need to go.

Before setting off, it is worth preparing your vehicle properly. A little planning can reduce the risk of breakdowns, protect expensive photography gear, and make long days on the road much more comfortable.

Give Your Car a Thorough Check

Start with the basics. Check your oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and tire pressure before leaving. Inspect your tires for excessive wear or damage, particularly if your route includes long highway stretches or rural roads.

It is also sensible to check your headlights, brake lights, and turn signals. If your car is approaching a scheduled service, consider having it completed before the trip rather than waiting until you return.

Plan for the Roads You Will Encounter

Photography can take you beyond the usual tourist routes. A promising sunrise location might involve a gravel road, while a remote landscape could be miles from the nearest gas station.

Research your planned routes and consider whether your vehicle is suitable for them. Keep the gas tank comfortably topped up when traveling through isolated areas, and download maps for offline use in case cellular coverage disappears.

If your photography trip starts a long distance from home and you would rather avoid adding hundreds of unnecessary miles to your vehicle, services such as Chicago car shippers can provide another option for getting a vehicle to the starting area.

Organize Your Photography Equipment

Your car can quickly become cluttered when carrying cameras, lenses, tripods, filters, batteries, chargers, and personal luggage. Organize everything before departure so frequently used equipment is easy to reach.

Use padded camera bags or cases to protect delicate equipment. Avoid leaving valuable gear visible when the vehicle is unattended, and never allow cameras or lenses to sit unsecured where sudden braking could send them flying.

A small cleaning kit is useful too. Dusty trails, beaches, and changing weather conditions can quickly leave lenses and equipment needing attention.

Pack an Emergency Kit

Even a well-maintained vehicle can encounter problems. Carry a basic roadside emergency kit containing a flashlight, jumper cables or a portable jump starter, tire inflator, first-aid supplies, drinking water, and a phone charging bank.

Weather should also influence what you carry. Blankets and warm clothing are useful for cold destinations, while extra water and sun protection become essential in hotter environments.

Think About Power Requirements

Photography trips can involve a surprising number of batteries. Cameras, phones, laptops, drones, and other equipment may all require regular charging.

Make sure your vehicle has suitable USB ports or adapters, and consider bringing a reliable portable power bank. Charge everything overnight whenever possible so you are not relying entirely on your car's electrical system.

Prepare for Early Starts and Long Days

Great photography rarely follows a convenient schedule. Sunrise shoots can mean leaving before dawn, while sunset or astrophotography sessions may keep you out late.

Keep the driver's seat comfortable and the cabin organized. Pack water and easy-to-eat snacks, and schedule proper breaks during longer drives. Most importantly, avoid driving when you are exhausted.

With your car inspected, your equipment secured, and your route carefully planned, you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time looking for the next photograph worth stopping for.

September 16, 2026

Lunch at Din Tai Fung Alabang: Xiaolongbao and More

Now that I’ve finally shared our first Din Tai Fung experience in Taipei, it’s time to share our recent lunch at Din Tai Fung Alabang Town Center.

I knew that Din Tai Fung had several branches in the Philippines, but I had no idea that they already had a branch here in the South. I only found out when I stumbled upon the FEATR YouTube video featuring “The World’s Most Famous Dumplings” with Erwan Heussaff.

That's when I searched for their branches and found out they opened their Alabang Town Center branch on October 15, 2024. Matagal na rin pala! It just so happened that we don’t usually go to Alabang Town Center. I can’t even remember our last visit there, so I was really surprised to see Din Tai Fung. California Pizza Kitchen pa kasi yun during my last visit!

Anyway, if you’ve been reading my blog, you probably know that we usually eat at Ippon Yari after grocery shopping. But this time, since I was craving xiaolongbao, I told my husband na sa Din Tai Fung naman kami.

I also wanted to try some of their other dishes since our last Din Tai Fung experience in Taipei was more focused on dumplings.

Ordering at Din Tai Fung

Upon arrival, the staff asked, “First time niyo po dito?” We said yes. She then asked if we had already tried Din Tai Fung at another branch, and we said yes. She ushered us to our table and gave us the order form.

Since it was my first time ordering from their menu, it took me a while to browse through the pages and decide what to get. In the end, I ordered:

10 pcs. Xiaolongbao — PHP 385
Pork Chop Fried Rice — PHP 395
Sweet and Sour Pork — PHP 335
3 pcs. Chocolate Lava Xiaolongbao — PHP 185

My husband has also tried Din Tai Fung branches in Singapore and the Philippines, so I let him order for himself. He added:

Salted Fish Rice — PHP 255
Golden Prawn Cake — PHP 285 + Service Charge

By the way, one thing I noticed when we sat down was the glasses of water already on the table. I got confused at first and thought, bakit may tubig na dito? May uminom na ba?

I then checked the other tables and noticed that the empty tables also already had glasses of water. I’m not particularly fond of this setup because I don’t know how long the glasses of water have been sitting on the table.

In Taipei, they serve complimentary hot tea, while here in the Philippines, they provide complimentary service water instead.

Our Food

Our first order arrived after around 10 minutes.

And finally, the xiaolongbao! Namiss ko talaga yung xiaolongbao ng Taipei. Feeling ko nga kaya kong ubusin agad yung 10 pieces. Hehehe!

But of course, I need space for my rice meal. After trying the other dishes, I realized that the food was good, but they weren’t dishes that I would specifically go out of my way to have again, especially since this branch is quite far from us.

But if we’re talking about xiaolongbao, that’s a different story. I would definitely come back for their xiaolongbao because I really like it. Both the regular Pork Xiaolongbao and the Chocolate Lava Xiaolongbao were enjoyable.

So far, our experience with the service was also good. The staff was attentive, and our orders arrived pretty quickly.

Final Thoughts

Overall, our Din Tai Fung Alabang experience was good, especially because I finally got to satisfy my xiaolongbao craving without having to fly back to Taipei.

For me, the xiaolongbao remains the highlight of the meal, particularly the pork and chocolate lava versions. And now that I know there’s a Din Tai Fung branch in Alabang, at least I have another option whenever that xiaolongbao craving hits.