🛥️🌤️ Batam

It came gently, like a sigh after too much city. One hour from Singapore by ⛴️ but it felt like crossing into a slower version of the world. I stayed at Montigo Resorts Nongsa, my villa sat on the edge of the water, all clean lines and sun-warmed wood 🪵 with a private plunge pool facing the sea (€220 a night, worth every soft morning in that silence) 🌊☀️🏡. From my balcony, I watched ships drift along the Singapore Strait like they had nowhere urgent to be. The air smelled of salt and frangipani. I didn’t even unpack right away. I just let the quiet in. 🍷🌿 Afternoons were for wandering, not far, but far enough. I took a private car 🚗 to Taman Wisata Habibie 100, where pine trees met sea cliffs and wind danced through the open palms 🌲🌬️. Lunch was at Xoleil Spa Village, tucked inland: fresh snapper with turmeric coconut 🥥 broth, rosella tea, and banana fritters with palm sugar drizzle (€18, elegant without effort) 🍲🍌🌺. Afterward, I spent two hours in their open-air spa, hot stones, lavender oil, soft music that felt like it came from the trees themselves. I left floating. No rush, no plan. 🌅🍸 Evenings belonged to the coast. I took a table by the edge at The Grill at Montigo, where the sky turned the color of ripe mango and the sea went still 🧡🌊. I ordered lobster 🦞 with lemongrass butter, grilled sweet corn, and a glass of chardonnay that caught the candlelight just so (€45 total, unpretentious luxury) 🦞🕯️. Across the bay, Singapore glittered faintly, close enough to see, far enough to forget. I ended the night in the infinity pool, water blending into night, and a soft breeze on my skin that felt like the island exhaling with me. #batamguide #travel #thingstodo