The next refueling stop for Elder G and myself was the Hang Nadim International Airport in Batam, Indonesia.
One of Elder G‘s practical joker colleagues got a little confused about the concept of personal space….
Batam
Batam, officially the City of Batam , is the largest city in the Indonesian province of Riau Islands. The city administrative area covers three main islands of Batam, Rempang and Galang (collectively called Barelang), as well as Bulang to the west and several smaller islands.
Batam is an industrial boomtown, an emerging transport hub and part of a free trade zone in the Indonesia–Malaysia–Singapore Growth Triangle, located 20 km (12 mi) off Singapore’s south coast.
One of the amazing things about Batam is its rapid growth. The population went from 6,000 to a million and a quarter people in little over 50 years.
The Hang Nadim International Airport (BTH)
The ever prosaic Elder G has this to say of the airport:
Our stop is Hang Nadim International Airport, blessed with a runway long enough to make even a Cessna Citation feel briefly ambitious. The air here has weight to it, humid and tropical, the kind that wraps around the aircraft as if curious about our paperwork.
The airport has the longest runway in Indonesia, and one of the longest in the region.
The airport has the largest runway in Indonesia and the second-longest in Southeast Asia. This stems from its original development to handle diversions of aircraft from Singapore Changi Airport located approximately 30 kilometres (19 miles) away in the case of emergencies or inclement weather, and as such has sufficient facilities for wide-body aircraft including the Boeing 747s, Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s. The airport stretches over 1,800 hectares (4,400 acres), of which only 40% is normally used.
The airport is named after a 16th century hero, Hang Nadim, who, in addition to fighting the invading Portuguese, saved his village from an attack of swordfish.
Some WLBOTT interpretations of the Hang Nadim legend:
WLBOTT Commemorative Stamps
Was twine involved in the defense against Rogue Swordfish?
Batam Zoo Paradise
Elder G and I had a few hours to visit the city, and we came across the Batam Zoo Paradise. A delightful find! We enjoyed seeing the animals and floating on inner tubes at the water park.
Looking for an unforgettable day trip in Batam that combines animal encounters, outdoor adventure, and water fun? You’re in for a treat. Batam Zoo Paradise, which officially opened its doors in December 2023, is already making waves as one of the most unique attractions in Batam.
Whether you’re a local family seeking weekend fun, a tourist from nearby Singapore, or just someone who loves animals, Batam Zoo Paradise promises a wild yet family-friendly escape that you won’t find anywhere else in the region.
