Interesting Green: Batam

Source Website: https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/my-2019-asiaone-i-became-expert-jb-id-recommend-batam-instead
By Joey Lee, joeylee@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 30 December 2019

PHOTO: At Batam's teddy bear cafe.
PHOTO: AsiaOne/Joey Lee
Picture posted by Joey Lee, joeylee@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 30 December 2019
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https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/my-2019-asiaone-i-became-expert-jb-id-recommend-batam-instead

Jackie Chan might have been able to travel around the world in 80 days, but my year in AsiaOne taught me that it's possible to do the same in eight — without even leaving my desk.

Through the magnificence that is the internet, I uncovered hidden places in Taipei, beach getaways in Bali and shopping spots in Bangkok...

PHOTO: Planning a trip to Bali soon?
Most of us are willing to spend a little more to stay in a villa, but if you’d like to live lavishly, @airbnb_luxe offers the most beautiful getaway homes around the world that are beyond your imagination.
Picture posted by asiaonecom on 27 August 2019 at 12:00:25 SGT - Bali Indonesia
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Planning a trip to Bali soon? Most of us are willing to spend a little more to stay in a villa, but if you’d like to live lavishly, @airbnb_luxe offers the most beautiful getaway homes around the world that are beyond your imagination. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👉🏼 Swipe to see what a $4,000 per night villa in Bali looks like. It can accommodate 12 people, so it works out to be about $333/night per pax. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And there’s no need to fight for a spot in Potato Beach Club with that infinity pool all to yourself✨

A post shared by AsiaOne (@asiaonecom) on Aug 26, 2019 at 9:00pm PDT

Picture posted by asiaonecom on 27 August 2019 at 12:00:25 SGT - Bali Indonesia
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...even though the only legit "work trip" I went on was with the Thirstdays (another original AsiaOne series) hosts to Batam where we managed to eat and do fun things.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=102&v=VY3uQnKLNlU&feature=emb_logo

Somehow I also became our office's expert in all things Johor Bahru, from knowing all the places to shop, day-trip destinations to visit and even how to beat the Causeway jams through (free) technology.

Even though I stand by my words that in some ways, you're better off choosing Batam for your next getaway.

PHOTO: "Throwback to the BEAR-y good time I had in Batam 🐻 || Though we got scammed || Though it was a 14-hr shoot || Though I still needed to report to office the next day"
Picture posted by eatliftgymrepeat on 26 July 2019 at 16:37:59 SGT - Lee's Cafe & Bar
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PHOTO: Lee's Cafe & Bar
Picture posted by eatliftgymrepeat on 26 July 2019 at 16:37:59 SGT

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Throwback to the BEAR-y good time I had in Batam 🐻 || Though we got scammed || Though it was a 14-hr shoot || Though I still needed to report to office the next day 🤷🏻‍♀️

A post shared by Joey (@eatliftgymrepeat) on Jul 26, 2019 at 1:37am PDT

Posted by eatliftgymrepeat on 26 July 2019 at 16:37:59 SGT
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0X5_SyHbAq/?utm_source=ig_embed

I was grateful to the (mostly) positive feedback and nice comments received earlier this year when I was suddenly a̶r̶r̶o̶w̶e̶d̶ given the opportunity to host my own video series, which saw me eating alongside Taufik Batisah and Shane Pow, throwing an axe at my colleague and stuffing my face at Jewel Changi Airport before the masses descended.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=X0LMT48Q4Og&feature=emb_logo

But of course, it was the personal stories that left the deepest impact on me.

From losing 20kg via the tried-and-tested method that is Netflix to reasons why I'd rather not become a young towkay (like a certain #girlboss I know who also doubles as a "royal princess"), I poured my heart out every couple of weeks and treated you readers like dear friends I could confide in.

Just like my other comrades on the Lifestyle desk, I inadvertently revealed a little too much about my personal life and turned up the kaypoh side of me to snoop for stories, prodding my other colleagues for their latest diet attempts, personal battles and relationship woes (stay tuned to Valentine's Day 2020!) in search of the next story.

After all, anything for the clicks right?

PHOTO: Rocio De Alba: Girl Anachronism, Confronting neurosis
Having suffered from an excruciating irrational fear since childhood, and self-medicating in order to cope, this artist finds photography to be a savior.

"She: I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.
He: Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the young." (Song of Songs 2:1-2).
Picture posted by aCurator
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https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/features/2017/02/working-in-rose-fields-be7705fe0c25.jpg?fit=max&q=40&sharp=10&vib=20&w=800&auto=format - (Ait Khouya Aicha and Azrour Zahra working in the rose fields near the village of Hdida © Lottie Davies / Lonely Planet )

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/valley-of-the-roses-discover-moroccos-floral-festival

By Joey Lee, joeylee@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 30 December 2019

Other stories

My 2019 in AsiaOne: I put my face and body through countless weird experiments so you don't have to, posted on Tuesday, 31 December 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/12/my-2019-in-asiaone-i-put-my-face-and.html

I carried a $4,000 Chanel to see what the hype was all about -- but it only convinced me luxury bags are not for everyone, posted on Monday, 30 September 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/09/i-carried-4000-chanel-to-see-what-hype.html

Jewel Changi Airport's massive playground opens June 10, posted on Sunday, 02 June 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/06/jewel-changi-airports-massive.html

Joeyjios - I threw an axe at a colleague - and it's $15 if you want to try, posted on Sunday, 07 April 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/04/joeyjios-i-threw-axe-at-colleague-and.html

Reference

[1] Joey Lee, joeylee@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, My 2019 in AsiaOne: I became an expert on JB but I'd recommend Batam instead, posted on 30 December 2019, https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/my-2019-asiaone-i-became-expert-jb-id-recommend-batam-instead

New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Song of Songs 2:1-2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Song+of+Songs+2%3A1-2&version=NIV