Batam Info / Interest / Help Thread

[Naka_Timo]

Lol...shw u nvr read nono's summaries, tat guy
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i onli recommend ppl go m'sia 2 hav lasi lemak or teh tarik onli....lol

https://i.site.pictures/vJSxy.jpg

btw, my type of durian sure hotel wn't reject de, sure 100% can bring inside witout trouble de....lol :p

jus 4 laughin nia... :D

LOL, i would perfer those thinner type.. 0.01 type. feel like wearing nothing

[ezzal]

[QUOTE=nitecrawllerr;19521955]In Btm, everyone want to earn extras. Wat more staffs from KTV..or cewek herself.:D

I also v cynical n tot the same thing which was why I got the girls' numbers myself n try to nego for lower rates directly...

Anyway I do know a bit of Bahasa n my KTV girl did the nego for me when we were at dinner n she showed me her msgs immediately... itz the girls who after seeing my laptop n watch n spending at clubs decided that they can get more money out of me for themselves..

Looks like have to dress more hobo n spend less drinking next time.. T_T

She also intro me a few gems whom still ask for the same rates including a sweet indon Chinese lady. I a bit KC by them as they give good gfe in n out of bed and when we go makan or Jalan Jalan they really sweet like girlfriend v. Shiok. Only thing is they not as horny n slutty as the 2 girls who asked for more money.

Sometimes u just want to fug ur brains out with some super horny sluts for the pornstar experience. My exp n others may differ but nothing wrong with being nice n making friends. Just dun be taken advantage of. Working well for me so far.

Hi bros.. just need a small favour as im going to batam next week..

Can i know whats the standard rates of 1 nyt booking for ktv or massage parlour cewekxx..

Also any place to reccomend for a good booking since ive not been there for almost 10yrs and lost track of great entertainment spots around there.. can pm the locations if it is improper to post out here.. just wanna have a happy healing short getaway.. waiting for bros advise.. tks all in advance..

[PowerBenz]

[QUOTE=maykiap;19522425]

Hi bros.. just need a small favour as im going to batam next week..

Can i know whats the standard rates of 1 nyt booking for ktv or massage parlour cewekxx..

Also any place to reccomend for a good booking since ive not been there for almost 10yrs and lost track of great entertainment spots around there.. can pm the locations if it is improper to post out here.. just wanna have a happy healing short getaway.. waiting for bros advise.. tks all in advance..

For ktv you can take from alishan but price will more expensive from booking joints..mp you can go utama area those mp to have a look and ask them see that they want to come wiyh you after work..price nego yourself..mostly will open lion mouth..My advise for you is to take from booking joint since you are going back after 10yrs...

[decaptico]

Finally got a chance to try the biometric scanning for my passport at Batam during departure. Very fast.

1) First Insert your Passport to Scan
2) Then proceed into gantry and look at the camera
3) Lastly place your index finger on biometric, thats it

Note this is for departure only. Entry to batam still need queue and chop passport

Not many people know we singaporean can use the biometric scan therefore you can see a long queue at departure. Batam also never put staff to assist and guide tourist. Very inefficient.

[ezzal]

[QUOTE=ezzal;19534338]

For ktv you can take from alishan but price will more expensive from booking joints..mp you can go utama area those mp to have a look and ask them see that they want to come wiyh you after work..price nego yourself..mostly will open lion mouth..My advise for you is to take from booking joint since you are going back after 10yrs...

Tks a lot bro.. but dont mind can i know the prices range pls. For both ktv & joints.. cos i do heard rumours of 1.5m but just wanna make sure.. got sufficient budget wholethru the escape..

Cheers

[decaptico]

Hi bros.. just need a small favour as im going to batam next week..

Can i know whats the standard rates of 1 nyt booking for ktv or massage parlour cewekxx..

Also any place to reccomend for a good booking since ive not been there for almost 10yrs and lost track of great entertainment spots around there.. can pm the locations if it is improper to post out here.. just wanna have a happy healing short getaway.. waiting for bros advise.. tks all in advance..

Go to Fame Spa
Try it out
Try their massage and body scrub. Both done by different lady at different location. Both will ask you for specials.
Special price can be nego, you dont give in just because they call for one million. I manage to nego 500k for short time and i just tell them no $$. Normally they business no good, they desperate and will usually give in to your price. You just have to be firmed and show that you are not the desperate one. I teach my friend and it works too. Hahaha :D
Bring the 500k with you into the massage room. Flash the money in front of her face and say you only have this, no more $$ liao. She will give you the sad look then tell you too little. Haha
In the end she will agree

[Hurricane88]

Go to Fame Spa
Try it out
Try their massage and body scrub. Both done by different lady at different location. Both will ask you for specials.
Special price can be nego, you dont give in just because they call for one million. I manage to nego 500k for short time and i just tell them no $$. Normally they business no good, they desperate and will usually give in to your price. You just have to be firmed and show that you are not the desperate one. I teach my friend and it works too. Hahaha :D
Bring the 500k with you into the massage room. Flash the money in front of her face and say you only have this, no more $$ liao. She will give you the sad look then tell you too little. Haha
In the end she will agree

Spot on...bro who tried and report...rather keep asking...:)

I shared the same experience...gal kept asking for 700k and I showed no interest...then left 10 mins down to 500k...still I am not interested...:)

Is a nego game with patience..just see who need more...:)

so when I share my experience or field report I just simply a cheongster...:)

[PowerBenz]

Tks a lot bro.. but dont mind can i know the prices range pls. For both ktv & joints.. cos i do heard rumours of 1.5m but just wanna make sure.. got sufficient budget wholethru the escape..

Cheers

For ktv i heard is about 1.5m and above..Girls for sure open lion mouth...See how you nego only...

[alexgg]

Now alot of place & booking joints open their price at 1.5jt rupiah... u need to explore , i heard there is onli 1 - 2 joints at 1.3jt rupiah...
The Link is standard should be 1.5jt rupiah...

[fde83]

I shared the same experience...gal kept asking for 700k and I showed no interest...then left 10 mins down to 500k...still I am not interested

BO gals allows fark raw if tamus paid them 500k, i ask why 500k? 200k-300k for health cek the next day they answered. I just keep my mouth shut to not prolog this topic :D

[ezzal]

For ktv i heard is about 1.5m and above..Girls for sure open lion mouth...See how you nego only...

Oh i see.. thanks so much bro.. all this while i thought it will be the pimp aka ktv manager who will give the rates.. so its the gals themselves who will come out with the amount they wanted.. i keep this in mind and really thanks a lot guys.. i just wanna be prepared when im there.. dun wanna lose face if money not enuf..😂😂

[PowerBenz]

Oh i see.. thanks so much bro.. all this while i thought it will be the pimp aka ktv manager who will give the rates.. so its the gals themselves who will come out with the amount they wanted.. i keep this in mind and really thanks a lot guys.. i just wanna be prepared when im there.. dun wanna lose face if money not enuf..😂😂

If you want book the girl during ktv hour i think is the manager will open price..if you buy a drink and seat at the ktv area maybe u can ask the girl about booking them after their work

[ezzal]

If you want book the girl during ktv hour i think is the manager will open price..if you buy a drink and seat at the ktv area maybe u can ask the girl about booking them after their work

but then their work ends at 3am if im not mistaken and previously during my heydays there.. after the nite ends all those gals that got no bookings are not allowed to go out unless they can upfront some cash pretending they got a last min calls for booking and upon return they to pass the balance amont of the 1 nyt rate.. not sure if the management is still doing the same practice or they might have loosen the strings like you said..

[ezzal]

I came on a clean tour to Batam recently with relatives & on one night we decide to go to ktv at hotel 89 just to drink & sang karaoke in the open bar.. at that point i noticed some pretty cewex gros there.

Does anyone have any ideas as what ae the rates there or if there used to be any unpleasant encounters with the gals there.. like to get some inquiry before i proceed there next week..

tks:):):)

[ah.ben]

Finally got a chance to try the biometric scanning for my passport at Batam during departure. Very fast.

1) First Insert your Passport to Scan
2) Then proceed into gantry and look at the camera
3) Lastly place your index finger on biometric, thats it

Note this is for departure only. Entry to batam still need queue and chop passport

Not many people know we singaporean can use the biometric scan therefore you can see a long queue at departure. Batam also never put staff to assist and guide tourist. Very inefficient.

Hey Bro,

Dont you need the custom officer to stamp exit on the passport?

[nono1973]

The superior and deluxe room rate look comparable to the hotels around the area.
But I think it may be noisy since it is along the main road unless they have good sound proof window

From the look of the tour bus at the entrance, i probably guess its going to be another not easy to book hotel and soon to be robotic-customer-orientated place. Just like what i see in Da Vienna hotel where when i ask for a extra towel, they took about 2.5 hours to be sent to me,hehehe...of course, i am not saying that is not good or bad. Just that my expectation is higher when it comes to picking my-kind-of-hotel.

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Just look at how close this Parkside hotel is from Grand Batam Mall,hehehe...practically just a stone throw away.

My impression for this hotel, a little overly-priced. I will observe further in the near future when the peak season is over.

Thanks for sharing a newly found noodle store beside A2.

The noodle shops has been around for quite a while, its just that whenever i am there, i target the charsiew siok ba store 1st,hehehe...hence easily bypass the 2 noodle shops.

2 worthy mention would be the Bak Kut Teh store and Goreng Pisang store. Among all the Shuang Hong Bak Kut Teh stores i tried in Batam, the Astro food court one is the BEST,hehehe...

Have you tried the Carrot cake at the coffee shop behind Gideon Hotel?

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They have carrot fried in duck egg,hehehe...interesting huh? Gonna try ordering from Grab food one of these mornings as they opens 630am and closes at 1pm (batam time). Duck egg version not available online tho.

Behind this coffee shop that sells fried carrot is another Mickey Mouse Bat Kut Teh.

Just sharing.

By the way congratulations to Joker and I agree with your comments on the show. I think he acted very well and hope he received an Oscar nomination.


I like the storyline of this movie, Joker (i watch it in Batam twice). And the lead actor actually brings out the key characteristic of the story VERY well. But when watching this movie, small details were often missed out, eg the switch of right hand and left hand when joker starts swapping between going Psycho and becoming Normal.

This movie shows 2 sides of characteristic in one single human being, "self-control" versus "releasing one's inner-self". After watching the movie,i begin to look at self on the internet and self behind the computer. I look at self in Batam and self in Singapore (note here i didnt use the word "myself" but use "self" instead).

Gosh! No wonder i would often say Singapore is Hell (to me) and Batam is heaven,and no wonder China banned this movie,hehehe... :D

[sl135831]

hi guys thank you very much for the durian tips.
it true Singapore is the best and i always bring eat the good one.

plantations is like a novelty instead of buying from store.

much appreciated really.

[maddog_mlvn]

Bro NoNo, abt thr fry carrot cake behind Gideon hotel, best don't try, I hv try after eating 3 pcs, I give up, the only thing I can comment is horrible and a waste of money.

[ezzal]

Nice.. will keep that in mind while im there.. thanks bro..

[ezzal]

Nice.. will keep that in mind while im there.. thanks bro..

Go to Fame Spa
Try it out
Try their massage and body scrub. Both done by different lady at different location. Both will ask you for specials.
Special price can be nego, you dont give in just because they call for one million. I manage to nego 500k for short time and i just tell them no $$. Normally they business no good, they desperate and will usually give in to your price. You just have to be firmed and show that you are not the desperate one. I teach my friend and it works too. Hahaha :D
Bring the 500k with you into the massage room. Flash the money in front of her face and say you only have this, no more $$ liao. She will give you the sad look then tell you too little. Haha
In the end she will agree

Fame spa very nice.. will keep this in mind while im there.. thanks alot bro..

[nono1973]

Paragon Hotel now has FREE shuttle services,hehehe...

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Not recently then they started. Its been a while, and i only got to know about it recently,hehehe... :p

[PowerBenz]

Paragon Hotel now has FREE shuttle services,hehehe...



Not recently then they started. Its been a while, and i only got to know about it recently,hehehe... :p


If you want use their shuttle service you got to inform them in advance...

[nono1973]

If you want use their shuttle service you got to inform them in advance...

Yes, there is a need to inform them. But well, so far i have not come across any hotels that do not need to inform in advance for shuttle service yet.

Its actually interesting that i sometime inform them in advance and then due to some issue, i have to cancel it. And they are ok with it too. No lost/damage to them nor to me. :p

Once you get along with those drivers a little better and if the drive to their location is along the way i need to go, they could drop me to those places i ask them to too. Example, going to Nagoya Hill Mall, they sometime passes by Happy 8 or Utama area,hehehe...becos the trip can be from BCS to Nagoya Hill Mall and then to Hotel. Then reverse the way back is another route. :D

I just take advantage of such free trips to go to where i need to go to. A small tip of 10k to 20k rupiah after several trips later can go a REALLY long way.

Just sharing.

[biostar]

Finally got a chance to try the biometric scanning for my passport at Batam during departure. Very fast.

1) First Insert your Passport to Scan
2) Then proceed into gantry and look at the camera
3) Lastly place your index finger on biometric, thats it

Note this is for departure only. Entry to batam still need queue and chop passport

Not many people know we singaporean can use the biometric scan therefore you can see a long queue at departure. Batam also never put staff to assist and guide tourist. Very inefficient.

is this biometric passport scanning available at both HBB and BCFT?

[yaz86]

Anyone want to cheong with me on 20th - 22th december can pm me.

[cougar666]

.My impression for this hotel, a little overly-priced. I will observe further in the near future when the peak season is over.
Yes I agreed it is overpriced though it is just a street across the mall. That mal is big and with mostly branded stuff. I prefer BCS, Nagoya or DCS mall which has more local stuff hehehehe.

I tried the carrot cake but just the normal type with and without dark sweet sauce like what you said the dark sweet sauce is too sweet.

I like the storyline of this movie, Joker (i watch it in Batam twice)./QUOTE]
The storyline is great, most of the time the movie is about the good guy who is Batman but this show focus on the joker and how the circumstances and situation resulted him or many others to change in their thoughts or mentally. A very good show that makes us ponder and see things at the other side of the mind.

Some people have 2 sides of character just like Dr jekyll and Mr hyde. One's behavior is usually normal most of the time till being triggered to act abnormally. It can be the stress environment or crowded place one is surrounded with.

Singapore is Hell to you and Heaven to someone depends on how or where 1 compared with such as rohingya refugees in myanmar hehehehe. It all depends at that moment.

I think China banned this movie as it can cause social issue as 1 might worship the behavior of the joker if he is not in a sound state of mind which may cause social unrest like the recent student protest in HK.

[yuanswang]

Tomorrow travel. Hope to get a super horny

[sl135831]

hi guys

I am staying at harmoni hotel and coming from harbour bay
where is the good price to changed money?

thanks

[BFOMF5]

hi guys

I am staying at harmoni hotel and coming from harbour bay
where is the good price to changed money?

thanks
If you're changing big amount.
Might consider go Nagoya hill main road area, 500m away from your hotel.
(Harmony HV 3 locations,I assumed your hotel is the one near Kampong blue)

Btw. Today my regular MC quote me 10340/$

[darts69]

Hey Bro,

Dont you need the custom officer to stamp exit on the passport?

No need, for the last 2 visit me used d electronic gantry, last nite even telling d people mending queue that I came in with my passport stamped, they said is fine

[nono1973]

If you're changing big amount.
Might consider go Nagoya hill main road area, 500m away from your hotel.
(Harmony HV 3 locations,I assumed your hotel is the one near Kampong blue)


I go to Holiday Hotel,turn right from their entrance at least 4 to 5 money changers, turn left from their entrance, at least 5 to 6 other money changers. Nowaday more money changers are popping up in that area.

There are 3 Harmoni group of hotels in Batam, one is called Harmoni Hotel, one is called Harmoni Suite and another called Harmoni One.

How to get to Harmoni Hotel (at Kampong Bule) to Holiday Hotel. Thats what google would tells me.

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It says 7 mins but i usually take about 5 mins. Maybe i walked fast and knows the way. I took the route on the main road.

Harbour Bay Ferry terminal exchange rate on Friday the 13th was 10200/SGD.

BCS mall opposite Hai Hai Money Changer 10300/SGD, change S$200. I checked a few shops at that area, most only offer 10250/SGD. Inside BCS mall is worst, 10200/SGD as it was very crowded that day.

Opposite Formosa Hotel was 10330/SGD on Saturday,14th Dec. Changed S$200.

[yuanswang]

I'm in harbourfrount ferry center. Super long Q for only harizon ferry, waited 1hr in line. All people with childrens,couples and familys.Don't know what is the special reson even monday too while the other ferry counters very less Q. Did not expect. Wrong decition to take harizon ferry

[BFOMF5]

I go to Holiday Hotel,turn right from their entrance at least 4 to 5 money changers, turn left from their entrance, at least 5 to 6 other money changers. Nowaday more money changers are popping up in that area.
...
Now don't go Nagoya that often.
am on my way to Selat panjang for My MAKAU HEI(BOXING SHRIMP)
Btw SKP offered 10200 and refused to give more:(.

[MrWorldwide]

Whats the info about open ferry ticket that can get for cheap? I been going to batam alot recently and paying $50 return ticket is getting expensive 🤣

[nono1973]

For sindo ferry if you use ntuc card disocunt $10 for walk in and passion card will be $8 discount for walk in...

I think this one from Sindo is an ongoing promotion year to year. Nothing really new as price is quite often similar every year. No actual saving. Its however good for Senior citizen tho.

Majestic offer is pretty cool tho. And Horizon ones is almost like a 30% to 35% off from my usual ferry bill. :D


Sorry I visited this morning...
they said postpone till 20/12 Friday:(

No probelm, lets see if they will start during CNY,hehehe...my trip is a long one hence i need to move around more.

Delay is pretty common in Batam. Just like the Formosa Residence apartment,hehehe...Wey Wey Hotel is suppose to start Dec 2019 and that Dynasty 99 KTV suppose to open too.


no no no no....durian is a MUST TRY in btm....lol


Just outside J8 food court by the roadside, saw durian seller selling their durians at 28k rupiah/kg recently. Buy that, and add it to the 0.02 or 0.01 to make them "taste" better?

Ideas? :D

[nono1973]

should go some other places where prices not so crazy...you knew what I meant...:)

Actually those were illustrated pricing from Agoda and other online hotel booking sites whereby they capture the click-counts of internet users on a particular hotels. In other word, the more internet user clicked on those hotels, the higher the pricing (I think air-ticket works similar too) ,hehehe...no sane person will go book ANY 3 star hotel room for S$7k to S$8k a night in Batam.

The story in figure tells me, which are the popular hotels in Batam where i can book (in future) and which one are the least popular ones internet user wont be bothered to take a 2nd look (which i can book today). Its like a high season, low season thingy and be looking for alternatives. And with the whole statistic in the larger picture,it will tell me :

1. Most Sillyporean prefer which kind of hotel (their need/s and their choice/s?)

2. How to book a lousy no star hotel and get an almost 5 star room and service (and i can play King there,hehehe...)

3. Which area of hotels in Batam are more popular (eg. Penuin, Nagoya, Batam center area etc).

When i get all those information compiled, it will tell me which area of Batam to avoid. Or which area of Batam will be subject to "terrorist attack",hehehe...

Example, this upcoming weekend, i just learned from Agoda's statistic that more than 90% of all hotels at penuin area (aka BCS) were fully booked. Hardly any decent rooms left. But the area around Nagoya/Kampong Bule still got some pretty good rooms left. So if i am going to Batam this weekend, i have to totally avoid BCS aka penuin area and its businesses there (or else have to pay higher price and get discounted quality of service).

In other word, if i have a bomb and if i drop it at BCS area this weekend, i can kill more Singaporean than i drop it in any other area of Batam. I will avoid those area. ;)

[nono1973]

Whats the info about open ferry ticket that can get for cheap? I been going to batam alot recently and paying $50 return ticket is getting expensive ��

Try reading....

https://sbf.net.nz/showpost.php?p=19221873&postcount=14837

Enjoy! ;)

[Splitter100]

Hello Old Birds

Anyone going over on Thur?
I thought of joining in

Have been twice to Batam but both times not as exciting and satisfying as compared to the FR in this thread

Cheers

[Eddyserpico]

Anyone want to cheong with me on 20th - 22th december can pm me.

Bro im going 20-22
Will be at da vienna

[iicycold]

LOL, i would perfer those thinner type.. 0.01 type. feel like wearing nothing

yea, i tink btm no hv 0.01 kind or even hv aso no mani shp selling cos price wld b quite high lor....lol

fiesta brand condom hv tose ultra thin kind but dn't no hw thin...lol

https://img.popimag.es/2019/12/16/FIESTA_ULTRA_THIN_CONDOMS___KONDOM_FIESTA_ISI_3_PC S_.jpg

[decaptico]

Bro NoNo, abt thr fry carrot cake behind Gideon hotel, best don't try, I hv try after eating 3 pcs, I give up, the only thing I can comment is horrible and a waste of money.


Try this carrot cake
its good. I usually ask that guy to add 2 more eggs.. :D

https://i.ibb.co/J5KQhFy/Capture.png (https://ibb.co/SRPrL7d)

This shop in front of Gideon Hotel is good too
The laksa, the bengkuay, sunkuey

https://i.ibb.co/NZqBQKL/Capture.png (https://ibb.co/4PLr9pj)

[nono1973]

This shop in front of Gideon Hotel is good too
The laksa, the bengkuay, sunkuey


Huh? Isnt that Tua Poh Ki? They sell Cha Kue too? :confused:

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Good! I will go there take a look in my next trip, thank you for sharing.

(i have been there before,hehehe...)

[yaz86]

Bro im going 20-22
Will be at da vienna

Bro i drop you a PM. Contact me if wan cheong together.

[Barimuth]

Any fellow chiongsters know where to get good cigars in batam? Also would like to know good spots for SYTs if possible. Willing to fork up abit for an end of year trip.

[Barimuth]

Huh? Isnt that Tua Poh Ki? They sell Cha Kue too? :confused:

277467

Good! I will go there take a look in my next trip, thank you for sharing.

(i have been there before,hehehe...)

Bro i drop you a PM. Contact me if wan cheong together.

Wah bro. Could you intro me to some places to buy cigars as well? I will be having a virgin trip to baram on the 26th

[shadowsex]

Plan to go batam soon furst time solo. Any beginner guide? Appreciate alot.

[Hurricane88]

Any fellow chiongsters know where to get good cigars in batam? Also would like to know good spots for SYTs if possible. Willing to fork up abit for an end of year trip.

Wah bro. Could you intro me to some places to buy cigars as well? I will be having a virgin trip to baram on the 26th

hey dude, do you need to post 4 times with same message...just to ask where to buy cigars...mod removed 2 of the same posts...:confused:

since you under moderation...all your posts will be released when admin/moderators released...:)

[Hurricane88]

Example, this upcoming weekend, i just learned from Agoda's statistic that more than 90% of all hotels at penuin area (aka BCS) were fully booked. Hardly any decent rooms left. But the area around Nagoya/Kampong Bule still got some pretty good rooms left. So if i am going to Batam this weekend, i have to totally avoid BCS aka penuin area and its businesses there (or else have to pay higher price and get discounted quality of service).

think you understood my meaning...I dislike crowded places and will not go any place crowded...so I shall avoid Batam on peak periods...:)

I can go anytime so no rush no hurry...:)

[BFOMF5]

New shop at HBB
2nd floor
https://img2.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28029/280296027f1c81ad2d99892aef7b8127833c8f46.jpg

1st floor
https://img5.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28029/2802961575b4023834b25ed7f2ea005d102fbb11.jpg

[BFOMF5]

Lock like they are developing another kumpong bule Outside the mall...
https://img3.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28029/2802963390a972c814dac7fde67585265dc12fed.jpg

https://img2.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28029/280297024eb9290972431769ecd3ed60c5ea0cbe.jpg

[nono1973]

This year CNY 2020, i have decide to buy the original ferry ticket from Horizon ferry....

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....instead of using the orange Horizon open ticket...

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...or the coupon version of open ticket.

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This is the rules from Horizon Ferry company and its restriction on the use of special offer ferry tickets.

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1. If i use the orange ticket, i will be paying S$38 (orange ticket price i bought), plus extra S$10 surcharge as of the letter stated,totalling up at S$48. (the price for orange ticket has increase from 380k rupiah to 420k rupiah recently and would cost about S$52 if use oncny eve).

2. If i use the coupon version and goes on CNY eve, i pay S$28 (coupon tickets for weekdays) and pay extra S$10 surcharge. Total S$38.00 nett

3. If i use the coupon version and goes on CNY days or the following weekends, i pay S$28 (coupon tickets for weekdays) and the extra S$10 surcharge. There will be additional S$10 for weekend charge, so that makes it S$48.00.

4. My decision is to pay for the original ferry ticket that cost a total of S$48.00,hehehe...but use only the one-way "portion of the to-go-Batam" and return to Singapore on the "coupon version of Horizon ticket". ;)

So now i have a one-way Batam-Singapore original ticket,hehehe...which i can sell to another person for about say...S$24? :D

And if i do, that would make the original ticket cheaper than other offer-ed tickets. Of course when i said that, i already got ready buyer for my one-way ferry ticket from Batam to Singapore,hehehe...my solution above just solve all my problem arguing with the Horizon ferry counter at Harbour front over if 24th Jan 2020 IS an official public holiday or NOT. :cool:

CNY2020 planning.

[nono1973]

Yes I agreed it is overpriced though it is just a street across the mall. That mal is big and with mostly branded stuff. I prefer BCS, Nagoya or DCS mall which has more local stuff hehehehe.

Agreed. I think the only reason why i am in Grand Batam Mall were mainly is becos i like Top100 supermarket at the basement AND the cinema at the top floor. Other than that, most of the shops there i can simply just go without while i am in Batam.

I visit DC Mall mainly for the IT stuffs there and BCS mall more towards the food. Not saying BCS has good tasting food in it but the surround area outside the mall sells most of the good and better tasting food in Batam. BCS mall also held lots of exhibition and road show that sometimes catches my attention, example this one (photo taken around Friday,13th) :

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They have teakwood exhibition last week which in Singapore is relative rare to see. And they dont come with a an expensive price tag. A double-decked queen size bed with 2 thick mattress cost plus the bed cost S$2200. I know i cant buy this back to Singapore but i was thinking if i could buy one for my "home" in Batam.

I tried the carrot cake but just the normal type with and without dark sweet sauce like what you said the dark sweet sauce is too sweet.

Yes, usually their sugar contend (sweetness level) is high. I have never seen any good carrot cake shop in Batam so far. But this trip, uncles and aunties wish to try, hence i need to locate something for them. I have a small problem tho, the rain. There's been a prolonged heavy rain from Friday to Sunday, so i thought i would devise something just for them,hehehe...i ordered online and have the carrot cake sent to my room instead.

Of the black and white ones, the whites finished up and by the end of their meal, there is still a little more than half of the black ones left. It tells me, i am right about the taste.

The storyline is great, most of the time the movie is about the good guy who is Batman but this show focus on the joker and how the circumstances and situation resulted him or many others to change in their thoughts or mentally. A very good show that makes us ponder and see things at the other side of the mind.

Some people have 2 sides of character just like Dr jekyll and Mr hyde. One's behavior is usually normal most of the time till being triggered to act abnormally. It can be the stress environment or crowded place one is surrounded with.

Thats the part i seen in Batam, the mindset of people who are from the 1st world country and those from the 3rd world. I can say that the likes of those split personality from Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde came from the society and as well as the brought up. (such splits can also be widely seen on the internet too)

Life can be very simple, something i have seen in Batam. In Singapore, my brought up during my younger days were taught to me to multi-task in almost everything,issues met needs to resolve in split seconds and brains need to activate all possible solutions in the shortest frame of time. The moving speed in the 1st world society were in an ultra fast pace, moving towards better efficiency and using the least manpower to achieve more (results). But in the 3rd world society like Batam, i notice lesser efficiency,lesser people multi-tasking in their work force, and trying to move up in speed.

i often shares with my Malaysian colleagues and clients, "In your country, you can use 6 human to carry ONE pail of water, but in Singapore, we need to use ONE human beings to carry 6 pails of water."

Example :

In Singapore, you might probably read in the news that security guard needs to go clear up the dog shit at a condo's elevator when being ask to. Security guard in Singapore when paid as a security guard has to double himself as a cleaner too. This is just one of the job vocation that was being highlighted. What about other job vocation?

I am not saying multi-tasking to make things work more efficiently isnt good but more towards too much of it may gives a not-good result to an individual mind. And when these "too-much-of-it" becomes a society's culture, well...thats where i notice the "split". Eg, people often bring work home to do, people are also bringing their frustration from work home etc etc.

What is "too much" of it, only the respective individual can tell.

If Joker would come to Batam before he turns psycho, Batman might probably have one less villain to deal with,hehehe.... :D

Singapore is Hell to you and Heaven to someone depends on how or where 1 compared with such as rohingya refugees in myanmar hehehehe. It all depends at that moment.

Definitely. I have seen enough Batamese and/or Indonesian envying the life of Singaporean too. Some are born better privileged, some arent. And everyone would looks forward to a better life.

I dont know if i hear this from Bill Gate, but if i didnt remember wrong, he was quoted saying this :

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Again, there would be another question of whats called poor and whats rich,hehehe...not going to elaborate on this further.

I think China banned this movie as it can cause social issue as 1 might worship the behavior of the joker if he is not in a sound state of mind which may cause social unrest like the recent student protest in HK.

Yes, thats probably the reason. Talk about bad influence,hehehe....and why its set as an R-rated movie.

By the way, Rambo, the last blood was a bit of a disappointment.


I shared the same experience...gal kept asking for 700k and I showed no interest...then left 10 mins down to 500k...still I am not interested...:)

Is a nego game with patience..just see who need more...:)


For ktv i heard is about 1.5m and above..Girls for sure open lion mouth...See how you nego only...

Well said.

To me, 700k rupiah (and higher) a shot and 1.5 juta for overnight (in booking joint only) used to be Bangladeshi/Indian (aka Singapore foreign worker) pricing,hehehe...set to drive them away from booking. Some girls probably tried their luck on the Chinese,Malay and Korean tourists from Singapore and surprisingly there are takers, so it now stayed on as a general tourist pricing. Just my guess,hehehe....

I now imagine what the Bangladeshi/Indian (aka Singapore foreign worker) pricing be like during the upcoming CNY,hehehe...my guess, 3 juta? Or perhaps 3.5 to 4 juta? 1 shot 1 juta? Thats for overnight.

Let's see how long it would take for them to turn Bangladeshi/Indian pricing to general tourist price.

I am observing the price since beginning of 2014 when i 1st started Batam. Lowest overnight booking generally cost 500k to 600k rupiah back then, today it doubles to 900k to 1 juta. Note here that i am talking about lowest pricing here as highest pricing can be infinity.

Returning from my recent December trip with uncles and aunties, and the group of friends sharing their FRs with me during coffee time tells me 150k rupiah HJ (200k rupiah full nude with full roaming) and 300k (350k rupiah for bbbj/b2b/milk-feeding) FJ in Batam is completely possible and easy. Just that peak season might cost another 50k rupiah or more.

If you want book the girl during ktv hour i think is the manager will open price..if you buy a drink and seat at the ktv area maybe u can ask the girl about booking them after their work

Smart move! :D

If KTV quote 1.5 juta, girl probably gets about 500k to 600k rupiah, the rest would be shared by KTV and Mami. You talk to the girls, you pay about 1 juta plus minus, the girl earns that full amount of 1 juta. Save the deal-end tipping too.

Happens to me in A KTV before, the girls were happy, i am happy. Win-win situation. ;)

At times can even chance upon PRCs and Vietnamese too (average looking type only) at 40% to 50% off too. :D

[maddog_mlvn]

Huh? Isnt that Tua Poh Ki? They sell Cha Kue too? :confused:

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Good! I will go there take a look in my next trip, thank you for sharing.

(i have been there before,hehehe...)

Bro nono, u need to hv luck to visit this shop, happy happy open for biz, happy happy closed for a day or 2. 55555.

[iicycold]

Just outside J8 food court by the roadside, saw durian seller selling their durians at 28k rupiah/kg recently. Buy that, and add it to the 0.02 or 0.01 to make them "taste" better?

Lol...nw i knw wat 2 do wit those rambutan,mangoes & grapes in btm....lol...u jus give me idea. :D

New shop at HBB
...
1st floor
https://img5.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28029/2802961575b4023834b25ed7f2ea005d102fbb11.jpg

sindo kopitiam is where? hw cm last week past by hbb i no see? is inside bayfront mall or outside? :confused:


since you under moderation...all your posts will be released when admin/moderators released...:)

ya lor,ya lor...wait til mod & admin "release" liao than he can "release"....lol

i read btw the lines out of fun onli....no hard feelin ok :D



CNY2020 planning.

u shld join the walkathorn in cny 2020....lol

after cny qing meng wil be cummin soon...lol...tat's my day in btm.

[BFOMF5]

sindo kopitiam is where? hw cm last week past by hbb i no see? is inside bayfront mall or outside? :confused:

Hbb hv 2 escalators....
Its just beside the other escalator at the far end.
It officially opened today.

[BFOMF5]

Batam Bus update
https://img3.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28033/2803304374ab219ac2b11ead09955a129882794e.jpg

https://img2.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28033/28033042dd7f1246f5ee3e4ea22aa64e3e74391b.jpg

[lolxd]

At batam right now. Any kind souls can recommend which flower joint / pub to hang out?

[Eddyserpico]

Hi guys Short and Sweet FR for my trip
20dec 850am took ferry to batam ctr majestic ferry reach too early megamall still close took my usual driver to davienna. Reach davienna cant check in fri short manpower room not ready walk to nagoya hill mall eat go over to mart get supplies than meet up on of our bro here. Walk back hotel still not ready wait at lobby get room at 2pm. Cewek(prebooked) through pics arrive at 230pm. Ok looks close to pic.
CewekFR

Gfe- superb 10/10 laugh alot very accommodating even ok to walk to mall with me

Fj- sadly 5/10 one cant good gfe and fj at the same time but she did put in effort sop but got effort

Evening time she recommended a massuess superb ibu cheap and good my body refresh came hotel to massage
(Davienna no need keycard to go to ur room)

9pm bro from here arrive with go dinner at A2 (bout 400k for 4pax) superb than karoeke at M2 (750k package deluxe room) the night was happening

Morning wake up cewek try to service but i guess i still sleepy she left after give her some tips

Now breakfast will resume hunt later at 11am

Thats all for now folk
Apologies for any sensitive update

[Eddyserpico]

One more thing hehe i try open wechat here and wow at least 4-5 babes msg me ask ST haha since i with cewek i try luck ask they want threesome all scared nvr reply hahaha

[yaz86]

Any bro want to cheong on the 23rd December this monday can pm me. I'm in Batam now but no plans this monday.

[Barimuth]

hey dude, do you need to post 4 times with same message...just to ask where to buy cigars...mod removed 2 of the same posts...:confused:

since you under moderation...all your posts will be released when admin/moderators released...:)

Sorry man. I didnt read that until the last part. Am still interested in the question though. Thought that my internet was dying on me.

[nono1973]

...or the coupon version of open ticket.

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I have previously shared in the forum that even when the shown "coupon" above has expired, it can still be use to buy the ferry tickets at S$28 (my uncle test it before).

Today i just went to Horizon Ferry counter at Harbour Front Singapore, i overheard an Indonesian maid trying to use an expired coupon to buy the coupon version of Horizon Ferry ticket, citing it was given to her by her "boss". The counter staff tells her that expired coupon can no longer be used to buy ticket to go Batam anymore (i asked the staff about it, they say last time can,but now cannot).

Just updating.

This upcoming CNY 2020 Batam trip, i have bought a "recycled-lookalike" original blue ticket online at S$38 (expiring June 2020) and just went over to Horizon Ferry counter at Harbour Front to collect my boarding pass (for CNY). It works well.

And i plan to come back to Singapore NOT with the blue original Horizon open ticket but with the coupon version of open ticket. Then upon return, i will sell my Horizon original one-way open ticket away (retailing at S$32 from Horizon ferry). Resulting the cost to be reduced to become about S$32 (2-way) or less for my upcoming CNY 2020 trip. :D

Do note another thing is that if one has the "coupon version of Horizon Ferry ticket" that expires on December 2019, he/she can no longer use it after December 31st to get a boarding pass to return to Singapore from Harbour Bay Horizon Ferry counter.

Meaning to say, if you go to Batam on the "coupon version of Horizon ferry ticket" on 31st December 2019 and plan to use the other side of the same ticket to return to Singapore, it wont work. Harbour Bay side will ask you to buy another one way return-to-Singapore ferry ticket.

A note i received from one of the bro in this forum, E-ticket CANNOT be use during the CNY 2020 holiday.

Just sharing and updating information here. ;)

* i will be saving up on ONLY coupons that expires on 31st March 2020.

** i learned something from Horizon Ferry regarding the "recycled-lookalike" ticket and might share this info on future post.

[decaptico]

Huh? Isnt that Tua Poh Ki? They sell Cha Kue too? :confused:
Good! I will go there take a look in my next trip, thank you for sharing.

(i have been there before,hehehe...)

No bro Nono
just saying that this Tua Poh Ki serve quite alot of familiar singapore food.
They dont have char kuey, but got pan fried Beng Kuay which is nice. I order 10 box Beng kuey and 10 box Soon Kuey one day in advance and pick it up on Sun and brought it back to SG by hand. These kind of food unfortunately cannnot keep long. I have to eat by the next day otherwise it turns sticky and you know its going to spoilt

When I eat there I always order a bowl of yellow mee laksa with a plate of pan fried beng kuey

[Kaboon]

Actually those were illustrated pricing from Agoda and other online hotel booking sites whereby they capture the click-counts of internet users on a particular hotels. In other word, the more internet user clicked on those hotels, the higher the pricing (I think air-ticket works similar too) ,hehehe...no sane person will go book ANY 3 star hotel room for S$7k to S$8k a night in Batam.

Read this in another forum by sm one who visit btm on Dec 2019

Just returned from a night's stay at Batam.
Hotel BCC gave me the worst experience with a hotel ever. Got to check-in at 2:30pm after hearing excuses about the room not being ready. During the time I waited, the staff were unable to give waiting guests any updates when their rooms would be ready.

Sometime at 11pm, 3 uniformed men claiming to be from Housekeeping knocked on our room while I was out buying supper. They claimed to bring us extra towels, which we did not request. After my wife and kids refused them entry, one took out the key pass and attempted entry. Luckily, my wife had the chain on, and they left. I called the front desk to check when I returned. The receptionist claimed not to know anything.

Can give this hotel a miss already.

[nono1973]

November 2019 trip.

Hehehe...Citra Plaza at Nagoya City Walk Mall, they finally start building the 1st 2 to 3 storey apartment AFTER 2 blocks of their apartment were 90%,hehehe...got me a bit worried a little.

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Just curious, why would they have those white horses there before their building starts? Cant help thinking its like some ornament that keeps bad omen away. Superstition? Like the Chinese who would pray to Earth deity before the start all the ground work in their construction.

Doesnt make much sense to me, as the horses are white, and by the time they finish building just one building, the white horses probably turned yellowish and on finishing the 2nd building, might just turned grey. 3rd one finish might turn the white horses black. :D

Early 2019, they say they will complete one of the building in 3 years time. Let's see...

*Formosa Residence buyer should be collecting their keys by end of 2019 or beginning of 2020. I am just keeping tab here.

____________________________

Went over to Utama 98 food court for dinner with a few old friends...photo shows some beautiful looking stage hostess. Could just be a good place to visit during CNY2020.

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Nice place with lots of promoters. Notice that there are no more tiger beer for sale in the food court but yet there are about half a dozen lady tiger beer promoters there,hehehe...what are they doing there? :D

Tried this sea food shop.

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Food wise isnt fantastic, i mean since i dont take sea food, almost every sea food place were mostly just average to me. But what caught my attention on this shop is one of their waitress taking our order, who is a ladyboy, hehehe...i think this must have been the 1st ladyboy i interact with in Batam. Hence its quite an unique experience (to me).

Just sharing.

[nono1973]

November 2019 trip.

Tried the curry rice in both Harapan Baru hotel and Meximo pub in this Nov 2019 trip,hehehe...

From Harapan Baru hotel coffee shop :
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From Meximo pub wan tan noodle shop :
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The Meximo pub one taste better, not so oily and starchy. Both were pretty good tho,just that the meximo pub ones suits me better. The curry in Meximo pub taste better too, tho the color of the curry doesnt look like curry to me (in light milky-white-yellow color). More towards Japanese version of curry.

Next trip to Batam, i might try the Harapan Baru Hotel's Bak Kut Teh,hehehe...why so? Hehehe...after i relook on the photos i took, i learned that they serve shi quan (十全) Bak Kut Teh,meaning to say their Bak Kut Teh is a mix of 10 types of herbs mixed into it.

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Check out number 9 on their menu.

How to keep a man "standing" all night long when he wants it to,hehehe...beside just Tongkat Ali and viagra, there is something called Ginseng. And shi quan consist of ginseng and 9 other potency chinese herbs mixed into the soup.

Now that they have "that" in Bak Kut Teh version, how not to give a try? :D

This type of herbal soup is not just good for the male vitality but also good for helping to unblock vessels in the human body when taken in moderate level. Just like in the past, viagra isnt original made for male vitality but more towards for people with heart issues or blocked vessels. Tongkat Ali is
also categorize under one of the Ginseng type by the chinese lab in China.

Most human body will become heaty after consuming shi quan(十全), hence be reminded to drink lots of clear water. This place is worthy of my return,hehehe...on, and the place sells pig intestine soup (number 12) too.

Just sharing.

[BFOMF5]

FYI
TOMORROW 24/12 Tus Xmas eve
Is an official indo Holiday too.
2days bank close
Exchanges rates might be bad for next 2 days

[fde83]

Update from horizon counter, whoever using the $28 tiket (orange color) it will expied on the 31st December. It means u must come back from batam by 31st Dec. $28 tiket for month of January not ready

[Leoric]

I have previously shared in the forum that even when the shown "coupon" above has expired, it can still be use to buy the ferry tickets at S$28 (my uncle test it before).

Today i just went to Horizon Ferry counter at Harbour Front Singapore, i overheard an Indonesian maid trying to use an expired coupon to buy the coupon version of Horizon Ferry ticket, citing it was given to her by her "boss". The counter staff tells her that expired coupon can no longer be used to buy ticket to go Batam anymore (i asked the staff about it, they say last time can,but now cannot).


Noted on this. Must check with ice, he re-winded some expiry date of the older coupon, don't knw will have issues or not. :D


Do note another thing is that if one has the "coupon version of Horizon Ferry ticket" that expires on December 2019, he/she can no longer use it after December 31st to get a boarding pass to return to Singapore from Harbour Bay Horizon Ferry counter.

Meaning to say, if you go to Batam on the "coupon version of Horizon ferry ticket" on 31st December 2019 and plan to use the other side of the same ticket to return to Singapore, it wont work. Harbour Bay side will ask you to buy another one way return-to-Singapore ferry ticket.

A note i received from one of the bro in this forum, E-ticket CANNOT be use during the CNY 2020 holiday.


Ha!Thx for sharing, i will need to clear off my Jan coupons, and start collecting Mar 2020 coupons now. :p

I finished off using my Dec coupon already.

I'm not onto e-tickets as they are less flexible. Fix time to go, & must have fix time to come back. I prefer flexible returns.

[maxnin]

Made a Batam trip last weekend and here's FR
stayed at The Hills hotel Nagoya ..nothing to shout about ..I would say it's below avg in terms of service bug the location is good in terms of happening joints around. Reached around 4 pm because of ferry delay.
1. it was raining so didn't feel like going out. Called for hotel massage ..okay kind of massage ended with hj for 300k
2. Went to the links at 8 pm .. literally no gals left for booking ..did not opt for KTV VIP room as it is 800k on weekends and I was solo ..
3. Next stop was happy 38 and Sri Kandy .. few gals left for booking but did not like .
4. Next was memory KTV ..had a drink there ..but 3-4 gals left for booking who did not meet my expectations so moved on.
5. No choice left so headed to Morena 29 .. they had a few gals left at 10 pm ..so picked one and came back to hotel ..she was early milfish ..the surprise was when she came to room ..no gfe ..she just said get on with the f**k and get done ..just chatting on mobile .. then came biggest surprise ..no 4g roaming ..no french ..capped bj etc ..may be for hygiene..respected that ..but the way of talking was rude ..no chemistry ..asked the papi to change ..he sent another gal ..better chemistry this time ..she left at 5 ..I finally had good service
..lesson learnt : early bird catches the worm ..book early while stock lasts

[yaz86]

I'm in batam right now. Anyone want to cheong go dinner then karaoke can pm me.

[fde83]

Gojek prices goes up till 3rd January since its the festive season. This, i didnt anyhow loosly translate from a local articale :D

[yaz86]

Gojek prices goes up till 3rd January since its the festive season. This, i didnt anyhow loosly translate from a local articale :D

Ya this is true. Usually gojek price is 13k to nearby places, now up till 27k. Try grabcar, is cheaper just 20k to nearby places.

[cougar666]

Agreed. I think the only reason why i am in Grand Batam Mall were mainly is becos i like Top100 supermarket .
Agreed that BCS has several exhibitions. There was property exhibition previously. I was served by a MILF sales :)
The teak wood in Batam is good and solid. I would be more than happy to buy from there if they're able to deliver to Singapore at reasonable price.

You are right that as a nation develops the expectation and lifestyle changes, gone are the days where workers are able to specialize and do 1 or 2 things, they are expected to do more with less resources to be more efficient unless the country is not well developed and the cost of workers are low which technology is yet to catch up.

That's also why the stress level is much higher in some countries like sillypore, Japan, etc.

I dont know if i hear this from Bill Gate, but if i didnt remember wrong, he was quoted saying this :

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Yeah, Bill Gates and some of the successful people have put in many efforts and sleepless nights during their startup. That's why hardworking still plays a major factor in the success of the entrepreneurship. That's why some said that life is fair as one can't be rich by idling or doing nothing.

By the way, Rambo, the last blood was a bit of a disappointment. - Yeah, the show is so so only. That's the problem that sequel is usually not as good as the first though there were some exceptions such as Rambo 2, Godfather 2, Taken 2 but not the subsequence. Infernal Affairs 无间道 was one of the rare one where the trilogy are all good and they took such a short period to produce the movies which Hollywood will never able to make it. This is also called efficiency hahahaha.

[BFOMF5]

I thought I saw a Xmas Tree??? https://img7.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28047/280473370220d96e14866b09a9090969fb25a98f.jpg

Watch carefully.
https://img0.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28047/2804734036c33808e944d6de3bf4308c5edb639b.jpg

HoHoHo
Marry Xmas

[Leoric]

HoHoHo
Marry Xmas

Nice unique X'mas tree...& Merry Christmas to all. :D

https://i.site.pictures/vyqID.jpg

[Kaboon]

Noted on this. Must check with ice, he re-winded some expiry date of the older coupon, don't knw will have issues or not.

No need to hoard mar coupons so much, now or abt 20 mins ago, got ppl selling end Feb 20 coupon for $2 each & there's a chance can bargain dwn lower if buy more.

The nearer it is to the coupon expiring date, the lower the price.

Buy only what u need.

[biostar]

where do you all collect these horizon free ferry ticket coupons?

are they given free after eating at a restaurant or something?

i see many posts on carousell selling at $5 or less.

[marco69]

where do you all collect these horizon free ferry ticket coupons?

are they given free after eating at a restaurant or something?

i see many posts on carousell selling at $5 or less.

bro, Gain city.

[Leoric]

The nearer it is to the coupon expiring date, the lower the price.

Buy only what u need.

Thx, u are right abt buying only what's really needed. Few hours ago got another ad with $1 per coupon but expire on 15 jan. :p

where do you all collect these horizon free ferry ticket coupons?

are they given free after eating at a restaurant or something?


Eat at Ban Heng grp of restaurants, & with every $50 spent there gives u 1 coupon. It's advertise on straits time some time ago. :D

Buy from those online market places usually won't cost more then $2.5

[nono1973]

My December 2019 Batam trip (its a 3D2N of rain)...and i bought a new toy at 480k rupiah, and it also comes with a Telkomsel sim card. And by the way, this should be the 1st time i visit Batam on a December,hehehe...i dont usually enjoy myself when there are enormous crowd, unless its CNY.

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The sim card's gonna last me for about 2 months or so (together with the data). I deliberately bought another spare to try out so that in the event my other fails, i have another spare. I am testing out hotels in Batam too and if the hotel wifi happens to sucks, i would be helpless.

Uncles and aunties were with me, so wherever i go, they get the free wifi signal,hehehe...i am not the one who uses much wifi data, they did. So they subsidized me a little on this new toy.

Thought this Richeese Black series food was interesting.

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Ordered using Grab Food via PC to my room to try them out,hehehe....as mentioned before, i dont put the Grab apps on my mobile phone.

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For those who are curious about whats all the "black" made off, its just cheese in Black (made from black squid ink). The drinks cant be cheese,right? Its actually plum juice. Taste wasnt all bad, neither is it fantastically good.

Total cost of this meal, 89k rupiah. Yes, they are junk food, but thats also something i barely see in Singapore too,hehehe...so there's no harm trying.

Just remember to brush you teeth and rinse your mouth thoroughly after the meal. :D

________________________________

The hotel is struggling to bring up the price of their massage service,hehehe...

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Offer above only applies from Mon to Thu. Not Friday, Saturday and Sundays. Their old price was 30% off during Mon to Fri, before 4pm.

Just observing the "before and after" of a business entity in Batam. As my 5 odd years ago in Batam says it, when business is good, price is always going upway.

I dont like to pay the "normal" price there. :D

[nono1973]

One good day has passed. The next day, i move myself and my people to Utama hotel for another night stay.

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On the right side of the photo above, you will notice there are some switch below the telephone,hehehe...they are meant to be like a switch for the whole room, including the television. Yes, you switch in the lights and everything using those.

This hotel is like Formosa Hotel 6 to 7 years ago, but it is a direct opposite of Formosa Hotel in many ways,hehehe...i will come to that part as i go on.

Look at the room, in Formosa and many hotels in Batam, when i step into a room,i would pass by the toilet 1st before reaching the bed. This one is different, i pass by the bed before i reach the toilet. On the left side where this photo is taken is actually a cupboard for clothes and the pantry where there is coffee maker, kettle and a mini fridge. Almost exactly like those i seen in Formosa Hotel.

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But unlike the other hotel which provides black coffee,tea, sugar and creamer in the pantry, this hotel provides 3-in-1 coffee,tea, sugar and creamer.

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Nice change,hehehe...and upon looking around the room, on the 1st photo above, there is a calendar-looking greeny thing that caught my attention. Thats for this hotel's in-house massage,hehehe...i do a little flipping.

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Yes, i did try their massage shop at the ground floor. Believe me, whatever i choose to have in the menu shown above, they will tell me "dont have", only Javanese Mix Thai Massage available but going at 180k rupiah per hour.

Uncles,aunties and myself drop the idea of trying. Maybe let my richer friends go try them out next time.

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In general, this hotel is a smoking hotel. Everywhere,anywhere..i see people smoking. Yes, i am a smoker, but this one really went a little overboard to the extend the staffs did not bother cleaning their air-con filter. The air-con in my room starts "puffing cigarette scent" in the middle of my sleep. I need to sleep with windows opened.

With opened windows, noise came in and as this hotel was near the main road, i am guessing noise pollution would be inevitable (i have my lowered expectation). But to my surprise, i was awaken in the morning NOT by the noise from the main road but by the guests staying opposite my room who were checking out,hehehe...and few of them were closing their room door with the incredible hulk's might.

With the room window closed, the room was better sound proof-ed against vehicle outside the main road (i tried it and there was very minimal sound), but with the door closed, i can still hear clearly the conversation of 2 Sillyporean chinese man talking loudly in Hokkien when they checked out. And they arent even shouting.

In general, Utama hotel is relative clean enough for a decent stay. I lowered my expectation when i was there, buying stuffs like Baygon insecticide, prepared room slippers, shaving kit,toilet roll etc, taken them from the other hotel i stayed in on the day before, to this one. To my surprise, this hotel was practically insect-free,hehehe...probably due to the number of smokers this hotel housed, but they do NOT provide shaving kit (so i am lucky to bring it along from another hotel).

They do provide slippers tho.

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Next thing would be their customer service level. This is also the 1st hotel whereby i was given ONLY one room key when i specifically state there is 2 person staying in it. Hotel receptionist just tell me if i cant open my room door, i go to reception and they will call housekeeping to open my room door.

In my one night stay, i called their receptionist thrice to get my room door opened. The uncles and aunties staying there did the same twice,hehehe...proofs that they have better memories than me, as i forget to bring my room key out of my room more times than them,hehehe...their housekeeping were very busy that day. But i need to compliment the point that they were quite fast in coming to open the room door for us tho.

Below is their price list for walk-in customer, i guess.

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I check with the receptionists how to be a member. Below is the illustrated conversation with her (to my surprise, our conversation is in Chinese) :

My query below was done in the evening when they have cleared the check-in crowd of the day.

Me : Hi, may i know how do i become a member of this hotel?

Receptionist : Oh, actually i also dont know. I really dont know.

Me : Then who should i talk to?

Receptionist : Ok, actually members is for those regular who stay at least once or twice a week and a couple of times a month.

Me : Oh...no exact figures? Like how many night stay a month?

Receptionist : That, i really dont know.

She walked away.

Overall, the receptionist wasnt on the whole rude but more of trying to push me off the question i am trying to ask. Its a weekend, there are only 2 lady receptionists coping with the gigantic crowd. I see the same team of receptionist from the early noon i checked in and in the evening after our dinner when i made those queries, and even on the next day at 12pm when i checked out.

In between, we have ask them to open our room doors several times due to the one room key issue and even request for late check out at 1230pm (even tho we check out at 12pm). The receptionist tells us that its ok that we check out at 1230pm and we will be charge extra fee if we were to check out after 1pm.

After i checked out, and when the same receptionist i talked to yesterday evening returned back my passport, she finally smiled. Its the ONLY smile i seen in her from the moment i checked in, to that evening queries i made regarding their membership, and until i checked out (yes, i was served all along by the same Indo-Chinese receptionist).

Life must be stressful working in Utama Hotel, as a receptionist.
(its NOT a 2-man show in the battle front there,but a 2-lady show there)

[nono1973]

So much for my stay in Utama Hotel after so many years and i was close to trying to introducing some friends to go stay there but after looking at this, i had a change of mind,hehehe... :D

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This hotel in general is very Formosa-look-alike. Its like the Formosa 6 years or more ago.

Breakfast :

I cant really give a fair review on this due to the peak season. But during peak time,i easily fail it all. Restaurant for breakfast is big enough to accommodate most of the staying guests (bear in mind,its peak season on weekend), hence no waiting in queue, as compare to Goodway hotel when i was there during peak season.

Food varieties were white porridge, white rice, curry chicken, fried kueh tiao, vegetable,bread, jams, corn flakes, some fruits and desserts. I would say its Zest hotel's standard but just more messier. There is a EGG station whereby i dont see that in Zest tho. I usually go for porridge in hotel breakfast but guess what, i can only have white porridge as there were no "you tiao", no chicken slice, no ikan bilis, no duck egg...only soya sauce, peanuts and a bit of onion leaves. I end up taking bread with Kaya and had one mouthful each of their kueh tiao, white rice, curry chicken and the vegetable. Taste wise is actually not bad. There is something that many hotels do not provide which i found there. Utama Hotel provides condense milk in their coffee/tea station.

Ambiance wise, hmm...its a smoking hotel. So i am having breakfast in a little hazy wonderland. The waiter/waitress clear the used-table fast enough too.

1st impression and 1st interaction:

Stepping into the hotel, it looks as i have expected, very Formosa-look-alike. As if its like formosa hotel many years ago. But after handling over my passport to their receptionist, my impression changed. 1 hotel room key issue, ask about how to be member, and NOT allowing me to place a deposit even after i hand them my passport.

See now, i cant tell anyone how much deposit i am suppose to place if i dont hand them my passport,right?

Anyway, the whole reception counter is like a war zone,hehehe...and their tone tends to be on the ruder part. A NO is a NO, clean and sharp rejection w/o compromise or alternative. Thats what i see.

But like i said earlier, its peak season, but it is becos its peak season, i get this unqiue chance to see them working under pressure. Let's not forget, there are way more non-peak season in the 365 days than peak season/days.

Room :

The room is generally clean. They just need to clean their air-con. The next time if i am going to stay in Utama hotel again, i need to bring an electric air purifier and a air freshener. Simple, the air-con itself spit out heavy cigarette scent (just like those auto electric air freshener) ,which is enough to wake me up in the middle of my sleep. This is a VERY BIG minus point for the room.

Noise pollution wise, well...i can give that part a miss even tho i am a light sleeper. Like in my army days, i am pretty much an adaptive person who could sleep anywhere and everywhere, easily. Even in muddy red soil under the rain,hehehe... to each its own ,i guess. :D

The next time if i am going there again, i am more likely to stay in their bigger room (or any better room),hehehe...

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I will still take their smoking room tho, just this time i will bring at least an air freshener. I am going to shop for an electric air freshener next round.

Food menu for room service :

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Notice the part that says "all prices are subject to government tax and service of 21%".

Didnt have extra stomach space for their food this time. Perhaps if fate allows it one day, i might want to try their All time favourite "Indomie" in the menu at 20k rupiah. Plus 21% tax and service would be, 24200 rupiah.

______________________________________

Looking out from my Utama hotel room, i notice there is a semi-smoking 2 starred hotel called Namii Hotel. A no-elevator hotel.

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The view on the photo taken was actually right from the Utama hotel front door. Opposite Namii Hotel is Alfa Mart and beside has a money changer, so this is actually a not bad hotel in terms of convenience. Lots of eatery at the side walk of Namii too. In other word, the Alfa Mart is actually just on the left hand side from Utama Hotel front door.

Took me no more than 10 mins walk to DC Mall. And in front of DC Mall (from their back entrance), i saw Romance Hotel.

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Yep, another cheap 1.5 star hotel costing less than S$20 per night stay with fairly good room. Price stated here is un-measurable due to season becos during peak time, their room can cost as high as S$30 a night but during non-peak season, it can go as low as S$9.70.

Took a walk from behind Utama hotel and saw there's also quite a few other smaller scale hotel, like Hotel 18...

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Probably a 1 starred hotel as they have as high as 3rd floor but w/o elevator. Hope should be pretty much cheap too. But do keep expectation low.

Walking further down, i saw Pagoda Hotel. Looks 2 starred to me...

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...hence i walk in to snap a shot of their price list.

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If i were to stay there, might probably take their family room. Most time, those one starred or two starred hotel pride themselves with those bigger better room as guest often need to pay double the usual. Double the usual, still cheaper than many 3 starred hotel,hehehe...

Walking further down the 2nd block after Pagoda Hotel, there's S hotel...hehehe...this is another 2 starred hotel that price themselves pretty low.

277712

Peak season would cost about S$25 or so for their bigger rooms, but during non-peak, it can cost as low as S$13 or so. Like i mentioned above, low starred hotel doesnt mean it would be small room, lousy service, providing nothing in-room etc.

I, for one would like to try out low starred hotel in the coming 2020 year but with calculated risk. Meaning i need to go prepared with things like Baygon insect spray, air freshener, shaving kit, slippers, own transport etc. And i will be targeting their bigger better rooms.

Many a times, smaller scale hotels provide better quality service than 3 to 4 starred hotels. In my own words, i would say...most 3 to 4 starred hotels provide at times, "robotic" good service (pre-programmed service), but many 1 to 2 starred hotels provide either up-to-own-mood lousy service or if not "good human-like" service.

So much for hotel talk. I have given Newton hotel and Biz Hotel, and any other nearby hotels a miss as they were further away from where i stayed in.

I will be looking deeper into :

1. Pagoda Hotel

2. S Hotel

3. Namii Hotel

4. Romance Hotel

5. Maybe Hotel 18 too, which i am keeping in view.

Hehehe...to be continued.

I am saving the best for last on this December 2020 trip.

* Please DO NOT quote my whole post. Thank you.

[iicycold]

Noted on this. Must check with ice, he re-winded some expiry date of the older coupon, don't knw will have issues or not. :D


aiyo, by nw if i stil no finish tose nov ferry vouchers, then mus keep until nxt year qing meng 2 burn dwn 4 all the 'good brother' liao....lol

expired vouchers all clear liao, nw prepare 2 buy teh botel in btm & ask nono gim me sm of his vouchers on cny....lol... :D

My December 2019 Batam trip (its a 3D2N of rain)...and i bought a new toy at 480k rupiah, and it also comes with a Telkomsel sim card. And by the way, this should be the 1st time i visit Batam on a December,hehehe...i dont usually enjoy myself when there are enormous crowd, unless its CNY.

wa! u go on dec ah? mus buy 4d liao....lol

u got join the crowd 2 collect yr boring pass bo? :D

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may all hv a happi cummin 2020 new year & belated Xxmas. :p

[Barimuth]

Bros... I think i getting my carrot head chopped here in batam. Any laojiao here currently in batam can intro for better prices?

[PervMonk]

Bros... I think i getting my carrot head chopped here in batam. Any laojiao here currently in batam can intro for better prices?bro, you might want to highlight what area you get chopped cos doesn't make sense on how you want us to give you advice.

Also I remembered reading once by the regulars here that mentioned something similar that the indonesians will try to ask for higher price and we are allowed to bargain.

[Chiongster23]

Hi bros. I am staying near BCS mall. Any good MPs with special to recommend around that area? Thnz in advance

[Barimuth]

bro, you might want to highlight what area you get chopped cos doesn't make sense on how you want us to give you advice.

Also I remembered reading once by the regulars here that mentioned something similar that the indonesians will try to ask for higher price and we are allowed to bargain.

I know the indonesians are offering a higher price. I think my friend and I are getting chopped because they keep offering 1.5jt or more. But when i quote lower they dont want to bring it down. It doesnt reflect the prices as quoted by the rest of the thread.

[marco69]

Hi bros. I am staying near BCS mall. Any good MPs with special to recommend around that area? Thnz in advance
fame spa bro, just for fun i walk from bsc within 20 min. just grab ojek 5k, good massage, huge pool , good sauna room , steam room not hot.

[yaz86]

I know the indonesians are offering a higher price. I think my friend and I are getting chopped because they keep offering 1.5jt or more. But when i quote lower they dont want to bring it down. It doesnt reflect the prices as quoted by the rest of the thread.

If you are refering to booking joints, if you come in with a driver it is standard rate 1.5jt - 1.8jt. 300k goes to the driver. If without driver can lower down by 200k - 300k. If you say 1st time in Batam confirm kena chop. Just be confident and walk away if price not good. Many other joints to choose from then kena chop :D

[PervMonk]

Oh, I thought he was referring to massages with specials or freelancers. Anyway, could also be peak period due festive season?

[atee]

Cheong on festive season like xmas, New Year, and Lunar New Year then be prepared to pay more. Demand and supply. Common sense

[darts69]

Hi bros. I am staying near BCS mall. Any good MPs with special to recommend around that area? Thnz in advance

U can try new spa inside the building facing batam city hotel

[StarCity]

Its like a form of respect to the info receiving party.

Example :

Someone can ask...

Q : How to go to Sekar Massage?

A : Raise your hand, hail a nearby taxi and tell driver you want to go Sekar Massage.

This answer will result in the one who ask the question paying a higher price,isnt it so? And then someone will start blaming the sky and the earth that Singaporean very stupid, keep overpaying etc etc...

My reply :

a) Take a taxi to Paragon hotel, step in to the hotel, walk out of it again, turn right. Walk straight towards Hana hotel and opposite Hana hotel entrance is Sekar Massage.

b) i post a map from his hotel to Sekar massage.

Pay less, plus learn more (be more independent and not-so taxi-reliant). Why not?

Not willing to learn? Then it would save me lots of time,hehehe...since to me,they have other intention/s in Batam. ;)

Of course, i am NOT going to reply like what i did above to everyone. I only do that for information that arent as updated and mainly to those who has good proven track records in forum contribution. If its repeated stuffs, unless there are new updates, otherwise i would just post a link that leads to my answer (or at times, other contributor's past reply to the same question).

And i not superman, cannot reply to question i didnt know and/or keep answering question/s that can be commonly found in the thread.

The "link" of my reply at the least shows them a "direction", so they are NOT totally clueless. This thread is afterall called Batam Info / Interest / Help Thread,arent it? :D


1st, i did not quote yr post whole but only it's summed up key points.

What u said were indeed right. Instead of reading through yr signature info regarding Btm or page 1 of this thread, many prefer to be spoon fed & end up getting half baked info. Lazy bum usually don't end well or the least won't end up getting with the good & better, unless lady luck starts shining. :)

As u said abv, some truly has other intention because cigars can be found in both the dfs shp at ferry terminal in btm & Sg. Well, if u knw where i'm coming from. ;)

Flip through user's past postings for more info.

[nono1973]

Now don't go Nagoya that often.
am on my way to Selat panjang for My MAKAU HEI(BOXING SHRIMP)

Nowaday i was kind of addicted to ordering Grab Food or Go Food that i am often making purchase from them and have all my favourite food delivered right to my door step (hotel lobby or hotel room). So food becomes way easier for me in Batam.

Looking at whats in store in Batam from Grab Food and Go Food when i am in Singapore almost always make me hungry,hehehe...

Btw SKP offered 10200 and refused to give more.

Of one thing i learn in Batam about money changer would be, always look out for places with at least 3 or more money changer shops in one area within a min walk away before i start changing my money.

Didnt fail me so far, to get better rate as compared with Singapore.

[nono1973]

December 2020 Batam trip.

I have been encouraging anyone and everyone who 1st visit Batam who planned to cheong (aka monger) to take the journey of walking Utama Hotel's block ONE ROUND. And i categorize that part as Area A. Its been a long while since i walk the talk,hehehe...walking Utama Hotel block ONE ROUND.

http://www.imgflex.com/images/2019/12/25/0.jpg

So i started from the back door of Utama Hotel in the early wee hour of the morning after the rain subside. Still raining but well...just not as heavy as the days before.

Out from Utama 1st massage shop i see is Kupukupu Massage which is also a booking joint.

277759

In the same roll of pavement (block) of Kupukupu, there's this Sakura Massage...

277881

Further down when i walk to Hotel 18, i see Princess Massage.

277882

Do note that at this point, i have ONLY been walking out of Utama Hotel back door for 15 secs when i see the above 3 massage shops.

As the block of Utama Hotel is so huge, i kept walking and see...

277886

277887

277888

277889

277890

The 8 other massage shops shown above were all around Utama Hotel after another 5 mins walk. This is only after i walked 5 mins to the left side of Utama Hotel back door.

Upon walking towards DC Mall, i saw another 3 massage shops. Which was all directly opposite DC Mall's back door.

277906

277907277908

There is still Bunga which is also opposite back door of DC Mall in the same almost same lane as the above 3 shops, and yes, i deliberately give this Batam's MOST EXPENSIVE booking a miss.

Following this walk through i wrote 2 years ago, i found Sri Kandy Massage (a booking joint).

(this photo walkthrough below was written in 2017 January)
https://iili.io/HcTljI.jpg

End of photo walkthrough.

This is what Sri Kandy looks like today... (no change)

277917

Walking from the same pavement forward (30 secs walk)...i can see Princess Massage. And do note that there are 2 Princess massage in Utama area, one is almost directly behind Utama Hotel back door which is shown on photo way up. This one below is a booking joint.

277918

Keep walking downward (another about 30 secs), i see Tween Golan Massage...i think its new and is the one that replaced Indah2.

277919

Keep walking forward for another about 45 secs, i saw MM Massage.

277920

At this point, i learned that MM massage is actually just behind behind Happy 8 Massage,hehehe...remember, its behind behind, NOT behind. Meaning i need to reach Baba Street food court at Nagoya City Walk, walk across to Happy 8 massage, then walk behind the block and then walk behind the opposite block to get to MM Massage.

I was too lazy to walk to Happy 8 as its about 5 to 7 mins walk, hence i decide to turn to the next block away from Happy 8 distance and i found Havana.

277921

So this is a total of 20 massage shops shown above (yes, i counted), all within the distance of "walking Utama Hotel block" ONE ROUND. And note that i didnt count in Happy 8 nor Bunga as they were quite a distance away (about 10 mins or so walk). There is also another massage shop in this area which i missed becos i saw it on my way out from my taxi. Cant remember the name but will update again once my memories catches up. In other word, there should technically be 21 massage shops just by walking Utama Hotel Block ONE ROUND (fact is,there should be more than 21 massage shops in this area alone).

(note : i didnt add the in-house massage shop inside Utama Hotel)

The ONE ROUND Utama Hotel walk took me about 30 mins and if i include the photo shoot of the above photos, i took me no less than an hour to return back to my room (in Utama hotel). It was still drizzling hence i am at lower than normal speed walking along the 5 foot-way aka block pavement to keep myself as sheltered away from the rain as possible.

I also manage to walk to Newton (where there is a discotheque) and there happens to be another massage shop.

277922

The Peace Massage shop,hehehe...what a name. And again, i didnt count in this shop in the 21 massage shops circling Utama Hotel Block's radius, due to it distance.

So many massage shops (and a few booking joints) around Utama Hotel block area, how many have you tried? Or i should even ask myself, how many of them have i tried,hehehe...and i tell myself, i only have 1 dick, how to try them all? And i dont have the habit to try them only once or twice but more towards dwelling in them.

So i am sending this EXTRA message out here NOT to samster nor SBF readers but to the AQ. Send me an FR on one of the 21 massage shops (20 or 22, whatever you wish to call it), and i will give you one Legion Token, hehehe...this event will close on 31st March 2020. :p

Name of event : Utama Area A Walkathon.

* This post is NOT quote-locked (due to its amount of key information). And its a compilation of my collected information on Dec 2019 trip. Please DO NOT quote the whole post if you are replying to this post, dont even quote 1/4 of it. Better still, do not quote at all. Thank you.

Just sharing my findings and compiling up the key information.

Wish everyone reading here, a Happy New Year 2020 ahead.

Enjoy Batam.

____________________________________

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJt8cAImxXE

This post is in conjunction with my other 3 parts series of my December Batam trip :

Part 1 :

https://sbf.net.nz/showpost.php?p=19572531&postcount=15556

Part 2 :

https://sbf.net.nz/showpost.php?p=19572536&postcount=15557

Part 3 :

https://sbf.net.nz/showpost.php?p=19572566&postcount=15558

Cheers!

[marco69]

always waiting for you post nono,
tried sakura 2 months ago, around 100k paid at the counter to short hockien speaking guy, walked up to 3rd flr , run down partition room with bathtub , not so clean materess bed and pillow. 25 years old (she claimed )average girl with piano massage, after 15min top up 300k with below par fucking experience.

[PrcLust]

tried sakura 2 months ago, around 100k paid at the counter to short hockien speaking guy, walked up to 3rd flr , run down partition room with bathtub , not so clean materess bed and pillow. 25 years old (she claimed )average girl with piano massage, after 15min top up 300k with below par fucking experience.

Nice share with pricing and info indicated.

[Black Page]

I have been encouraging anyone and everyone who 1st visit Batam who planned to cheong (aka monger) to take the journey of walking Utama Hotel's block ONE ROUND. And i categorize that part as Area A. Its been a long while since i walk the talk,hehehe...walking Utama Hotel block ONE ROUND.
You have ruined one of the best kept secrets of Batam :p
Now all the areas will be flooded by Singaporean tourists in flip-flops, walking around like Alice in Wonderland.
My feeling seeing all those photos was a BIG BUMP in my heart. I wish I could be tele-transported just for Sunday afternoons...


So many massage shops (and a few booking joints) around Utama Hotel block area, how many have you tried? Or i should even ask myself, how many of them have i tried,hehehe...and i tell myself, i only have 1 dick, how to try them all?
That's the big problem. The number of girls outweights the capacity of our single penis.

By the way, my problem with those massage places behind Utama is that one cannot have a look at the stock before taking the massage. You enter, and a random girl shows up to the room. The photo-book is useless, as all photos look the same. I cannot try all those places, so my feeling is really like "who knows how many gems are hidden behind those poor doors?"
I wish I could drive a drone to peek into the rooms of those massage places, to check the girls before venturing in a place instead of another.

[PervMonk]

Am not sure of the massage shops but Havana from what I know is like those getting shop but with a flower joint. Supposed to have 3 Mamasans. 1 for the PR hostess who come and drink with you, one for the dancers who will perform and come to sit with you and the last one is for in-house ST which I heard last time the business is very good.

[Sitoh]

December 2020 Batam trip.

I have been encouraging anyone and everyone who 1st visit Batam who
https://sbf.net.nz/showpost.php?p=19572566&postcount=15558

Cheers!

Thanks for you info. Very good for us newbie to learn here.

[Sitoh]

My December 2019 Batam trip (its a 3D2N of rain)...and i bought a new toy at 480k rupiah, and it also comes with a Telkomsel sim card. And by the way, this should be the 1st time i visit Batam on a December,hehehe...i dont usually enjoy myself when there are enormous crowd, unless its CNY.

277351

The sim card's gonna last me for about 2 months or so (together with the data). I deliberately bought another spare to try out so that in the event my other fails, i have another spare. I am testing out hotels in Batam too and if the hotel wifi happens to sucks, i would be helpless.

I dont like to pay the "normal" price there. :D

Bro Nono, where you get it from? is it at nagayo mall. I saw a booth there outside JCO.

[Sitoh]

My December 2019 Batam trip (its a 3D2N of rain)...and i bought a new toy at 480k rupiah, and it also comes with a Telkomsel sim card. And by the way, this should be the 1st time i visit Batam on a December,hehehe...i dont usually enjoy myself when there are enormous crowd, unless its CNY.

277351

I dont like to pay the "normal" price there. :D

Forget to ask, this is a portable wifi correct?

[Sitoh]

I was there alone last week for a lonely trip.

I went to a spa in level 8 of pacific hotel.

I think the name was Octapas if i am not wrong.

Took a lady G01. Quite good service and leave there a happy man and happy memories. i will be back soon.

Hopefully can join with some senior for guidance.

[Sitoh]

My December 2019 Batam trip (its a 3D2N of rain)...and i bought a new toy at 480k rupiah, and it also comes with a Telkomsel sim card. And by the way, this should be the 1st time i visit Batam on a December,hehehe...i dont usually enjoy myself when there are enormous crowd, unless its CNY.

277351

The sim card's gonna last me for about 2 months or so (together with the data). I deliberately bought another spare to try out so that in the event my other fails, i have another spare. I am testing out hotels in Batam too and if the hotel wifi happens to sucks, i would be helpless.



Normally, can connect up to how many equipment at one time?

[atee]

Must bookmark #15571. Cant reward points to you again.

Thanks NoNo.

[BFOMF5]

...
My feeling seeing all those photos was a BIG BUMP in my heart. I wish I could be tele-transported just for Sunday afternoons...

Just come lah. ..
Btw its mangi season now
https://img0.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28057/28057610dce12d0ec0a57bd152bf627a1c8493f8.jpg

[BFOMF5]

Short trip to Selat Panjang after 3 year break.
https://img8.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28032/2803233879f63935fef77225b1d617a081056ad0.jpg

Main objective is to satisfy my craving for this. Mud lobster call MaKauHei which now is the
Mating season.
https://img4.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28057/280577244e87ab1f92e87261679e72e98333c280.jpg

***More details of Mud lobster
http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/lobster/thalassina.htm

Any way.....
Grad to see there are some improvement on entatainment scene...

Hotel Grand Meranti
https://img4.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28057/28057674d8874d64efa5fbcaab6fe29054d7182c.jpg

In-house NEW Spa
https://img8.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28057/28057688f1047d0d7211dd902987fe75554a709c.jpg

In house Paragon KTV
https://img5.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28057/2805768536743cc55945d10d036756fda30a32b0.jpg

Packages
https://img5.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28057/280576951c1a36e81ff81248b7e314fdc1be409e.jpg

FYI
In case you are too bore in btm.:D

[Black Page]

Just come lah. ..
Sure. Just 20 to 24 hours to go, the same to return, and big money for the travel. Ideal for a weekend escapade to break the boring work weekly routine.

[fde83]

Tamus has already start boking/prebook the gals till the new year. For those going now, ur chances are left with dinosaurs, better go morena/massge gals @ utama area or michat.

Time to light up the fireworks. Yahooo!!

[nono1973]

think you understood my meaning...I dislike crowded places and will not go any place crowded...so I shall avoid Batam on peak periods...


In Batam, other than the ferry terminal that is going to be crowded on weekends and public holidays, there are places in batam itself that will not be crowded. FREE shuttle service in Batam hotels often bring tourist to crowded place.

In my last trip on Dec, i took shuttle services with uncles and aunties to BCS on a rainy day. I visit Aiko, they are full. I visit Tuina, they are also full. I go to Favorite Massage, full, and i visit Aiko at petrol station, ALSO full,hehehe...

So i try my luck on this Batam Spa...

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This is their price list, whereby the pricing were quite comparable with Aiko and Tuina.

278043

To my surprise, the massage quality were just as good as Aiko and Tuina. The only bad i could think of would be their facilities, which is not as new as that 2 mentioned shops. i am guessing not many people would walk further down a bit to get a good massage, everyone looks for convenient hence their business were surprising not as good as the other MPs in that area.

There is one thing i need to compliment this shop here. Its a rainy weather, after our massage and foot reflexology, we all got stuck outside the shop and the staff there actually bring us one by one opposite BCS mall. Due to limited umbrellas, we can only go one at a time.

I tipped that lady 20k rupiah for her effort and for her good service.

This place is worthy of my time if Batam is overly crowded,hehehe...:D

[nono1973]

Bro nono, u need to hv luck to visit this shop, happy happy open for biz, happy happy closed for a day or 2.

Hi ya bro, i have been there quite a few times, and by knowing the sequence of how these shops do business, one could easily calculate when they will start doing business and when they would closed. Like the Eatern food court fish soup shop,they are usually open during weekends (but close by early noon time). 1 weekend's earning equates to many days of the weekday. If you are in their shoes, you might problably choose to close during one or two of the weekdays and in the late noon too,hehehe....

The last time i was there was on November when i bring a small group of 3 aunties there. They bought quite a lot of things (shun kueh,peng kueh etc) before bringing them to Eatern food court (which was also very crowded) and i bought nothing becos the things the shop didnt sell my kind of food. I didnt know they sell cha kueh tho. Thats something new to me.

For myself, i prefer to go for the Bak Chow mushroom noodle at Bai Long. ;)

I am a pork person, and i learned one thing about Batam's pork. The pork sold in Batam seems to be quite expensive...i dont like crowd, hence nowaday i order food from penuin/BCS area via Grab Food and have them delivered right to my hotel/room door step,hehehe... eating my kind of food in the kind of ambiance i like...Batam is indeed heaven! :p

By the way, Tua Po Ki food can be ordered via Grab food too,hehehe...yes, maybe overall about S$0.50 to S$1 more expensive, but i also have to factor in that i didnt have to take any transport to go there to buy nor to queue up with the weekend tourist crowd.

Hehehe...i am talking here as a Grab Food addict whereby i dont use mobile apps to do my order. So, i am physically looking at their food during my food order (with google translate/google search on the other tabs of my PC screen) in Batam.

*drooling* *slurp*

No bro Nono
....
When I eat there I always order a bowl of yellow mee laksa with a plate of pan fried beng kuey

Huh? You mean no char Kuey in Tua Poh Ki? :eek:

Hmm...thats not good. Its one of my favourite food in Singapore, hence i was hoping to find at least ONE char kway store around those more easily access shop where i can conveniently get.

Anyway, its ok, there is always other favourites in that area of Batam. And i will continue to go look see.

Thanks for sharing.

[nitecrawllerr]

Short trip to Selat Panjang after 3 year break.
https://img8.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/28032/2803233879f63935fef77225b1d617a081056ad0.jpg

In case you are too bore in btm.:D

Been tere moons ago. Took a freelance recommended by the hotel staff. I suppose not much changes. No cewek joint like TBK ya.:D

==============

Q-LIST IS CLOSED. DO NOT UPZ ME

[yuanswang]

Planning visit tomorrow. will be very crowed in harbourfront and batam tomorrow? If yes i will skip plan. Pls reply guys.

[fde83]

Planning visit tomorrow. will be very crowed in harbourfront and batam tomorrow? If yes i will skip plan. Pls reply guys.

Go bro, theres plenty of foods to try out. I know some of my firends catching the night time feris.

Anyway how was your trip on 16th Dec?

[yuanswang]

Go bro, theres plenty of foods to try out. I know some of my firends catching the night time feris.

Anyway how was your trip on 16th Dec?

Nice. Tried a milf as prclust bro recommended. Bbbj lovers must try her.i want book her tomorrow but Unfortunately she go back bandung already. Need find some other servic oriented SYT. Any bros can recommend? Pm me. Food vice i always happy happy in batam alot a choose and eat. But now i only worryworry about too much crowded due to school holidays and long weekend if they off on tomorrow.

[XXLCat]

So i try my luck on this Batam Spa...

278042


I tried this massage place during my last visit in late Oct...

Maybe not my lucky day... service just soso... :(

[PervMonk]

I am now in Batam and not trying those massages cos with GF and she don't like but the freelance sure very quiet. Normally should have a lot of people pm using people nearby to ask if want booking but whole day til now from 11am only 2.

[Leoric]

wa! u go on dec ah? mus buy 4d liao....lol

u got join the crowd 2 collect yr boring pass bo? :D

279053

may all hv a happi cummin 2020 new year & belated Xxmas. :p

There're smarter ways to by-pass all those...u mean u don't know? :D

Then must come btm this cny 2020 to start learning. :p


This place is worthy of my time if Batam is overly crowded,hehehe...:D

While on my way to btm, i see this in Sg...

https://www.surfily.com/images/2019/12/30/0aedy.gif

When my ferry reach harbour bay,i see this...

279659

...then when i look into the the immigration hall, i see this...

279660

Thanks to u, i am not one of them in those queue. :D

[iicycold]

Hbb hv 2 escalators....
Its just beside the other escalator at the far end.
It officially opened today.

ya! ya! i found it!! i found it!! i found the place!!! :D

but haven't try out it yet....lol :D

279697

279698


So i am sending this EXTRA message out here NOT to samster nor SBF readers but to the AQ. Send me an FR on one of the 21 massage shops (20 or 22, whatever you wish to call it), and i will give you one Legion Token, hehehe...this event will close on 31st March 2020. :p

Name of event : Utama Area A Walkathon.


poor ger...the preggy massage ger do massage 4 a male customer until halfway her baby inside aso come out frm her stomach. I no witness tis but it's the ger workin tere tell me 1...if i am customer, i sure scare until faint....lol

hope she wil b ok... :(

There're smarter ways to by-pass all those...u mean u don't know? :D

Then must come btm this cny 2020 to start learning. :p


aiya, i knw tat la...i jus enjoy see ppl queue long long there while i smile @ their envying sight....lol....:p

hw yr cny prepare until? i tink nono gng 2 be super busy tis cny....lol :D

[MaskedRider_555]

1st day in Batam FR :) :

This is my 1st trip and solo trip to Batam. Follow bro nono's beginner guide, book Formosa Hotel for 4D3N stay at 197 last week. Setting low expectations and expect to encounter setback or issues due to 1st trip.

Purchase a round ticket from Horizon Ferry online last night. Today went to confirm and collect my ticket, ferry is 9.40am. HarbourFront center was crowded.
After passing the Batam custom, took a walk around Harborbay. Also exchange some money at Harbor bay. Took a taxi to hotel for 30000 IDR. Was lucky able to check in early due to availability of room.

After checking everything inside the room was acceptable, I begin my walk to explore the booking joints and exchange more money at Hai Hai. 1st stop was Happy8. I came too early and the mama was not around. Left for the booking joint opp Hana hotel. There were only 5 girls. Papi advised to come back at 1 or 2 pm. Walked to Utama hotel area and grab a bite at Hai Kee kopitiam. Order seafood soup for 35000 IDR. Makan finish explore the massage/booking joint, settle for a girl from Kupu Kupu at 1.2m IDR and sent to hotel at 3pm. Papi did mentioned during 31 and 1, prices will increase. I think it will be same for all the joints/massage centers. Walked back to Hotel, encounter a guy camping outside Formosa hotel, recommending to bring me for massage/find girls, reject his offer and told him another day. He replied he will always be at the same spot. I purchase necessity at the mini mart beside the hotel.

Girl arrived at 3pm. Both of us hungry and order food using grab. She ordered some food which distance was too far and delivery riders requested to cancel. Eventually settled for sth near. Spent 72000 IDR. After 1st shot and makan, we rested and fall asleep. She did mentioned she will leave at 7am tomorrow morning. I woke up and wrote down this FR while she still sleeping. As for dinner, i think I will order Grab too, lazy to go out and also plan for 2nd day, considering to explore the malls, the wanton noodles and maybe the massage areas. Sorry for the lengthy post. :)

[Black Page]

1st day in Batam FR :) :
1st stop was Happy8. I came too early and the mama was not around. Left for the booking joint opp Hana hotel. There were only 5 girls. Papi advised to come back at 1 or 2 pm.

This is so interesting. Time ago people here was blaming me because I said to go to joints at 1pm-2pm, and on the contrary they claimed that the best time is 9am or 10am :)
My perception is still that at 9am girls are still sleeping or looking for breakfast (Mama too, apparently :p)

[69n69]

I always go around 12pm. Because that time the girls mostly will come out for lunch before getting booked. If go later around 1 or 2 weekdays should be OK but if weekend and public holiday must be more early. Depends on booking joints also.

[69n69]

I'm planning to go again on the 2nd & 3rd Jan. Hope I won't be crowded.

[biostar]

bro, Gain city.

Thx, u are right abt buying only what's really needed. Few hours ago got another ad with $1 per coupon but expire on 15 jan. :p



Eat at Ban Heng grp of restaurants, & with every $50 spent there gives u 1 coupon. It's advertise on straits time some time ago. :D

Buy from those online market places usually won't cost more then $2.5

Thank you kind sirs for the info.

[nitecrawllerr]

I always go around 12pm. Because that time the girls mostly will come out for lunch before getting booked. If go later around 1 or 2 weekdays should be OK but if weekend and public holiday must be more early. Depends on booking joints also.

Btm okt very generous and understanding.:D Unlike Tbk okt.:rolleyes:

[MaskedRider_555]

2nd day in batam FR:

The girl overslept and left at 9am this morning. Seem like the joint's rule is all girls must go back by 7am. I still stay in bed for 1 more hour, shower and went to Nagoya Hill mall. Choose Zenbu Jap restaurant for my brunch since it is last day of 2019. After lunch shop around Nagoya Hill mall hyper mart.

Make my way back to hotel, place down my stuff and went to explore the Utama hotel massage joints. On the way, a few guys on motorbike approach and try to bring me to massage or find girls. Have to politely reject them.

Choose to enter princess massage joint. Ask for 1 hr vip room massage, cost is 105k IDR, she brought me to the 3rd storey room. The whole place was empty, maybe i was the only client. The lady massage skill is consider acceptable, i do feel relax. After half an hour massage she finally ask do i want ST. Initial quote was 400k IDR. I bargained down to 250k IDR. She kept quiet for a min then told me she went to take condom. ST finished and paid her 270k IDR. 20k was to tip her for the massage. I did manage to see the 2nd floor room, which seem to be smaller, which i assume is the non vip room. Total damage was 375k, this could be lower if I did not take the vip room. Just the room size different.

On the way back to hotel, bought the curry puff beside Biz hotel recommended by bro nono. It was good but bought too much and gave to the hotel staff, since it is last day of 2019. Tonight i may try out the King massage or try the Thai Odyssey massage near to Nagoya Hill mall. Sorry for the lengthy post. :)

Also plan for tomorrow activities, may choose to book a girl or no. Another option will be to try out Alishan KTV but I am alone and may not want to spend the 1.4m IDR or more. Hope every bro have a good New year eve and happy 2020, wish everyone heng ong huat in 2020. :)

[Kaboon]

Also plan for tomorrow activities, may choose to book a girl or no. Another option will be to try out Alishan KTV but I am alone and may not want to spend the 1.4m IDR or more.

Up u for yr sharing.

U can still sit at the ktv hall for a drink & talk to mummy (or get a girl from mummy to seat with u). Won't cost u much if u ask the price b4 committing. Around $500k rp.

If really bore by 1230am, can go lobby & sit there to watch 'cinderella' coming down from alishan after finish work. U will see what u are missing there.

King massage last order is midnite. ;)

Have a happy new year!

[Leoric]

Have a happy new year!

If u are coming back on New Year Day, don't forget to book yr return ferry earlier or risk not able to come back to Sg at yr desire timing.

https://img0.imguh.com/2019/12/31/20190928_134317dde16887b7a2807d.jpg

If haven't already done so, can ask hotel receptionist to help call horizon ferry btm to get a reservation booking no. for a seat.

Happy New year! ;)

[PrcLust]

@ Maskedrider 555. I will be there tomorrow night so if want meet up for chitchat can pm me .

[ezzal]

Hi bro.. i will be arriving batam today.. and alone btw.. i do plan of going to ktv tonight and book a girl from there.. but the only ktv i been recently is ktv 89.. and some gals there looks quite tempting.. but of course i prefer a better alternative.. so its not finalised yet.. and if you wanna join with a better choice of location.. just let me know..

BTW has any bros here been to ktv 89 before.. or can someone adivse me the rate of booking a girl from there for 1 nite..


advance thanks for the kind soul..

[nono1973]

Can give this hotel a miss already.

This incident sounds like a police raid to me. Hmm...and BCC is a 4 starred hotel. Thats not going to bring out well for this hotel.

Anyway, this hotel other than being one of the tallest building in Batam, nothing in it really caught my attention. Not even its breakfast nor its customer service level. The room however is above average, other than that...well, everything and anything in it is expensive.


..lesson learnt : early bird catches the worm ..book early while stock lasts

Not exactly, i find that in Batam, experience and patience plays an important role. I find it more important than being early birds. Pardon me, if i arrived very late (after 5pm) , i wont even bother to visit booking joint. I hop over to those massage places (or if i arrive after sunset, i go KTVs) and then start choosing the girls for massage, and from there, i can gauge their service level before i commit for overnight.

There is a difference between birds trying to catch a good worm and birds who is trying to just catch a worm,hehehe... :p

Massage per hour around Utama, isnt expensive anyway. In fact, i dare say massage per hour in Batam isnt expensive, compare with Singapore and Malaysia. Especially so for those MPs around the Utama Hotel area.

https://sbf.net.nz/showthread.php?p=19577356#post19577356

Just sharing.

[Naka_Timo]

1st day in Batam FR :) :

)

2nd day in batam FR:

The girl overslept and left at 9am this morning. Seem like the joint's rule is all girls must go back by 7am. I still stay in bed for 1 more hour, shower and went to Nagoya Hill mall. Choose Zenbu Jap restaurant for my brunch since it is last day of 2019. After lunch shop around Nagoya Hill mall hyper mart.

Make my way back to hotel, place down my stuff and went to explore the Utama hotel massage joints. On the way, a few guys on motorbike approach and try to bring me to massage or find girls. Have to politely reject them.

Choose to enter princess massage joint. Ask for 1 hr vip room massage, cost is 105k IDR, she brought me to the 3rd storey room. The whole place was empty, maybe i was the only client. The lady massage skill is consider acceptable, i do feel relax. After half an hour massage she finally ask do i want ST. Initial quote was 400k IDR. I bargained down to 250k IDR. She kept quiet for a min then told me she went to take condom. ST finished and paid her 270k IDR. 20k was to tip her for the massage. I did manage to see the 2nd floor room, which seem to be smaller, which i assume is the non vip room. Total damage was 375k, this could be lower if I did not take the vip room. Just the room size different.

On the way back to hotel, bought the curry puff beside Biz hotel recommended by bro nono. It was good but bought too much and gave to the hotel staff, since it is last day of 2019. Tonight i may try out the King massage or try the Thai Odyssey massage near to Nagoya Hill mall. Sorry for the lengthy post. :)

Also plan for tomorrow activities, may choose to book a girl or no. Another option will be to try out Alishan KTV but I am alone and may not want to spend the 1.4m IDR or more. Hope every bro have a good New year eve and happy 2020, wish everyone heng ong huat in 2020. :)

Nice share for your solo batam trip. Shall wait for power to recover then upped you.

[Hurricane88]

2nd day in batam FR:

The girl overslept and left at 9am this morning. Seem like the joint's rule is all girls must go back by 7am. I still stay in bed for 1 more hour, shower and went to Nagoya Hill mall. Choose Zenbu Jap restaurant for my brunch since it is last day of 2019. After lunch shop around Nagoya Hill mall hyper mart.

)

Good forum and deserve some points...:)

[fde83]

One massage place at utama area provide b2b. provide more details via PM

[baojiak]

Will anyone be there from the 7th to 9th? I'll be there for a short trip, looking for cheong kaki :)

[Naka_Timo]

Good forum and deserve some points...:)


Agreed....

2nd day in batam FR:

The girl overslept and left at 9am this morning. Seem like the joint's rule is all girls must go back by 7am. I still stay in bed for 1 more hour, shower and went to Nagoya Hill mall. Choose Zenbu Jap restaurant for my brunch since it is last day of 2019. After lunch shop around Nagoya Hill mall hyper mart.

Make my way back to hotel, place down my stuff and went to explore the Utama hotel massage joints. On the way, a few guys on motorbike approach and try to bring me to massage or find girls. Have to politely reject them.

Choose to enter princess massage joint. Ask for 1 hr vip room massage, cost is 105k IDR, she brought me to the 3rd storey room. The whole place was empty, maybe i was the only client. The lady massage skill is consider acceptable, i do feel relax. After half an hour massage she finally ask do i want ST. Initial quote was 400k IDR. I bargained down to 250k IDR. She kept quiet for a min then told me she went to take condom. ST finished and paid her 270k IDR. 20k was to tip her for the massage. I did manage to see the 2nd floor room, which seem to be smaller, which i assume is the non vip room. Total damage was 375k, this could be lower if I did not take the vip room. Just the room size different.

On the way back to hotel, bought the curry puff beside Biz hotel recommended by bro nono. It was good but bought too much and gave to the hotel staff, since it is last day of 2019. Tonight i may try out the King massage or try the Thai Odyssey massage near to Nagoya Hill mall. Sorry for the lengthy post. :)

Also plan for tomorrow activities, may choose to book a girl or no. Another option will be to try out Alishan KTV but I am alone and may not want to spend the 1.4m IDR or more. Hope every bro have a good New year eve and happy 2020, wish everyone heng ong huat in 2020. :)

Have already up some points

[PrcLust]

Horizon orange ticket expiring June 2020 is available now @380k. Take note extra charge of $10 will be levied for travel from 24,25,26 January 2020.

[Ojekbtm]

Horizon orange ticket expiring June 2020 is available now @380k. Take note extra charge of $10 will be levied for travel from 24,25,26 January 2020.

Nett ? Open date return ?
Keen !!!

[nono1973]

expired vouchers all clear liao, nw prepare 2 buy teh botel in btm & ask nono gim me sm of his vouchers on cny....lol...

Other bros just need to buy me a bottle of teh botel, but as for you i will take 2 bottles from you,hehehe...i am thinking if i should actually be collecting 1 bottle of tiger beer from you instead now. Yep, only tiger beer...no Carlsberg or any other brand of beer. I am sure you can understand why.

Simple reason, i am giving you 31st March 2020 coupons instead of Jan/Feb coupons,hehehe... :D

wa! u go on dec ah? mus buy 4d liao....lol

u got join the crowd 2 collect yr boring pass bo? :D

279053


I work near Harbour front, so i collected my boarding pass way in advance during the December peak. Practically no queue for myself. But aunties and uncles couldnt collect their boarding pass in advance like me, hence they have to queue. And when they queue, i have to wait.

In other word, i am actually indirectly queuing on their behalf.

Horizon ferry crowd is crazy, i hope it will simmer down much after this December school holiday as i am bringing my parents over once more this January 2020 before CNY.

[nono1973]

Thx, u are right abt buying only what's really needed. Few hours ago got another ad with $1 per coupon but expire on 15 jan.

I think by beginning of March 2020, the march expiring coupon may most likely be selling at S$1 too,hehehe... :p

Dont over stock. I am now collecting June 2020 ferry tickets,hehehe... :D

Eat at Ban Heng grp of restaurants, & with every $50 spent there gives u 1 coupon. It's advertise on straits time some time ago.

Maybe i should change my plan, buy me a meal at Ban Heng Group of restaurant and i shall give out one coupons,hehehe...and disclaimer here, i dont own any part of Ban Heng nor am i their share holder. :D

Becos 1 coupon = S$50 meal there, so if i give out 2 coupons, will you buy me a meal there? :p

Just joking here.

Just be confident and walk away if price not good. Many other joints to choose from then kena chop :D

Agreed with you.

If everyone starts walking away, or even 9 or 8 out of 10 walk-in customers starts walking away w/o booking a girl from them, it will tell them a "story".

There were never lack of girls in Batam. What Batam lack of is the number of dicks which almost all the time were out number-ed by the better pussies,hehehe...

Anyway, could also be peak period due festive season?

Cheong on festive season like xmas, New Year, and Lunar New Year then be prepared to pay more. Demand and supply. Common sense

Those were the time when the number of dicks outnumber-ed the number of nice tight pussies. :D

U can try new spa inside the building facing batam city hotel

Few other places to try in that area, like the MP at BCC hotel, Justme at Gideon Hotel etc etc...hehehe...all were nearby within 5 to 10 mins walking distance. But of course, becos its in BCS area, hence price is more expensive than Utama area and Area B.

Just sharing.


What u said were indeed right. Instead of reading through yr signature info regarding Btm or page 1 of this thread, many prefer to be spoon fed & end up getting half baked info. Lazy bum usually don't end well or the least won't end up getting with the good & better, unless lady luck starts shining. :)


I just updated my signature,hehehe...20 over shops (the linked post) in Utama area post has been moved to my signature for easier reference. i prefer to try my luck at those "clean" massage places. Which will tell, if i am REALLY in luck. ;)

Actually also dont really need to reference. Only one step basically, go to Utama Hotel, walk one round. Is that even considered difficult to do for any living human travelling to Batam to monger? All it takes is no more than 30 mins walk.

Tried and tested on a rainy weather,hehehe...

https://sbf.net.nz/showpost.php?p=19577356&postcount=15571

[nono1973]

Agreed that BCS has several exhibitions. There was property exhibition previously. I was served by a MILF sales :)
The teak wood in Batam is good and solid. I would be more than happy to buy from there if they're able to deliver to Singapore at reasonable price.

I think its gonna cost quite a bit to have those teak wood furniture delivered to Singapore. Rather,i am more onto looking at furniture for my coming new home in Batam,hehehe...call that counting chicken before the egg hatches. :D

280181

Due to the furniture's heavy weight,i highly doubt i want to move house after buying tho. The furniture,especially the chairs remind of those that are in Singapore Parliament house,hehehe...

280182

Nice bed, big price ticket too? Hehehe... :D

You are right that as a nation develops the expectation and lifestyle changes, gone are the days where workers are able to specialize and do 1 or 2 things, they are expected to do more with less resources to be more efficient unless the country is not well developed and the cost of workers are low which technology is yet to catch up.

Multi-tasking has its pros and cons, and as we age down the road, multi-tasking become stressful over a period of time. Our body cannot keep up with our mind (as age catches up).

Wages of worker is relatively low in Batam, hence they could use such "cost saving" to provide service to the masses. Developed countries couldnt afford the high cost of workers, hence this is where technology and innovation comes to play. Which is better is up to individual.

By the way, Rambo, the last blood was a bit of a disappointment. - Yeah, the show is so so only. That's the problem that sequel is usually not as good as the first though there were some exceptions such as Rambo 2, Godfather 2, Taken 2 but not the subsequence. Infernal Affairs 无间道 was one of the rare one where the trilogy are all good and they took such a short period to produce the movies which Hollywood will never able to make it. This is also called efficiency hahahaha.

I watch most movies in my hotel room nowaday,hehehe...watching a movie alone is definitely boring, watching with girls would be good. But watching it with the girls will require translation if its an English/Chinese movie, otherwise the girls would be bored,hehehe...i dont want the girls to feel bored, hence i did some research on movie translation previously.

Now, the girls and myself are not bored. I ordered Grab Food to munch while watching some of the latest screened movie right in my Batam Hotel room while i am "fed" with peeled grapes. Oh, my hands and fingers didnt feel bore either,hehehe....

Heaven on earth in Batam.

* i dont stay inside my room all the time but when i "work", i need to stay in room. ;)

[fde83]

New Year eve farm houses not even close around 9pm onwards, can't be said 2 years ago. Even on the streets are not as crowded as before. Ojeks even mention but Ojol do get many requests. What I can see on new year's eve this year are many families visiting batam.

MP are busy for certain places, most closes at 11pm and gals went straight to NOMAD :D

[nono1973]

Horizon orange ticket expiring June 2020 is available now @380k.

When i see this message in this forum board, i learned that i have over stock (a little bit) my blue original Horizon ferry tickets at S$38 each. Luckily for me, those tickets can be use during CNY 24th, 25th and 26th Jan 2020. The problem left is, i am over stocked,hehehe...i mean the expiry date is the same as those orange ticket. But i pay an extra about S$0.50 more compare to orange tickets (exchange rate variances). I can still find time to use it tho,hehehe...since they expire June 2020.

Hotel rooms in Batam from 2nd Jan 2020 has shot back down to normal pricing too. Zest Hotel went as low as S$26 a night,hehehe... but my bet here is, it will be up when the dates draw close to CNY.

My analysis for this CNY 2020 is, lesser people are heading to Batam. Base on the lesser-heated up hotel pricing compared to previous years.

Take note extra charge of $10 will be levied for travel from 24,25,26 January 2020.

Orange ticket if going on the above stated date will cost S$28+S$10(weekend/p.holiday)+S$10(surcharge)=S$48. Same as the original blue ferry ticket that are purchased directly from Horizon Ferry counter at Harbour Front.

Just a little add-on information, 30th April 2020 coupon is out in the market now,hehehe... :D

280215

This one, i didnt over-stock. But i will start collecting April 2020 coupons tho.

Just sharing.

PS : Can find free 31st March coupon in online market now.

[ndnd]

For those who took ferry and alight at Batam Centre Ferry Terminal, can cross the bridge to Mega Mall and book Grab at the fountain area, next to Starbucks outlet.
Mega Mall has permited 23 Grab cars to do pick up service starting 02/01/2020.
Only Grab and not Gocar, and only that permited 23 cars will received the online booking.

[DDAMn]

For those who took ferry and alight at Batam Centre Ferry Terminal, can cross the bridge to Mega Mall and book Grab at the fountain area, next to Starbucks outlet.
Mega Mall has permited 23 Grab cars to do pick up service starting 02/01/2020.
Only Grab and not Gocar, and only that permited 23 cars will received the online booking.

Thanks for the shared info bro.

[PowerBenz]

I work near Harbour front, so i collected my boarding pass way in advance during the December peak. Practically no queue for myself. But aunties and uncles couldnt collect their boarding pass in advance like me, hence they have to queue. And when they queue, i have to wait.

In other word, i am actually indirectly queuing on their behalf.

Horizon ferry crowd is crazy, i hope it will simmer down much after this December school holiday as i am bringing my parents over once more this January 2020 before CNY.


Btw those uncles and auntiess screenshot theor passport font page which is the photo and name that page you can collect the tickets on behalf...I did it on wednesday collect my ticket n my friend tickets from horizon counter...

[cougar666]

280278
Enjoy the holidays

[iicycold]

Horizon ferry crowd is crazy, i hope it will simmer down much after this December school holiday as i am bringing my parents over once more this January 2020 before CNY.

ya, better be veri careful durin busy peak time wen u crossing btm custom immigration, no let tis kind of thg happen 2 u or ani1 hor....lol :p

280414

who knws mayb beside take ferry can aso take time machine 2 btm in future....lol

280415

jus 4 laughin onli...lol :D

[ezzal]

Good morning bros..

Im at harbourfront ctr now waiting to board my ferry.. and its really crowded right now.. will feedback if theres any good things happenings around me later.. hopefully..

[nono1973]

Btw those uncles and auntiess screenshot theor passport font page which is the photo and name that page you can collect the tickets on behalf...I did it on wednesday collect my ticket n my friend tickets from horizon counter...

Oh, thats a good idea...hehehe...shall go and try it later on. Hopefully the queue wont be too long. :D

This is something i didnt know that can be done. And is going to save me lots of time if it works. :p

Thank you for sharing.

* just notice tomorrow's ferry seat back to Singapore from Batam for Horizon ferry is full for the 2pm (Batam time) slot.

[HarryPopGer]

My analysis for this CNY 2020 is, lesser people are heading to Batam. Base on the lesser-heated up hotel pricing compared to previous years.


This year cny, i'll be going batam but from the third day onward. :)

[tigershark123]

Mega Mall has permited 23 Grab cars to do pick up service starting 02/01/2020[/QUOTE]

On 3 Jan, many taxis turn up to demo on this. They parked outside the ferry terminal, near the food court. Police came and didn't chase them away. Heard megamall stood down and rescind the grab car permit.

And I still hoping this is the opening of floodgate for grab for hotels.

[xtremesex]

Planning a virgin solo to batam in weekday. Wondering if cewek can enter hotels like Holiday inn ?

[nono1973]

always waiting for you post nono,
tried sakura 2 months ago, around 100k paid at the counter to short hockien speaking guy, walked up to 3rd flr , run down partition room with bathtub , not so clean materess bed and pillow. 25 years old (she claimed )average girl with piano massage, after 15min top up 300k with below par fucking experience.

Sincerely thank you for sharing.

Go try another few shops around there as not every shop were as rundown. Its not expensive for the per hour massage in that area either. Not every girl provides below par experience. A handful of shops like Sakura has many easy customer coming to them due to Utama hotel's closer proximity. Try walking a bit further...hehehe...say another 5 mins walk away.

[nono1973]

You have ruined one of the best kept secrets of Batam :p
Now all the areas will be flooded by Singaporean tourists in flip-flops, walking around like Alice in Wonderland.
My feeling seeing all those photos was a BIG BUMP in my heart. I wish I could be tele-transported just for Sunday afternoons...

Recently in my few trips to batam, i notice quite a big handful of Malaysians in Batam and some China Chinese, Vietnamese and as well a small handful of Koreans and Burmese. So its not just Singaporeans you would see in Batam nowaday. Mainly during CNYs (and other public holidays), i would see more indian and bangaleshi foreigh workers from Singapore.

Utama Hotel is the easiest for newbies. And more importantly, its simple. All that they need to do is look out for Utama Hotel and then walk that hotel one round,hehehe...Utama Hotel block is adjoined with many other blocks of building, hence walking ONE round may sound simple, but it can be a pretty long walk. Then again, all i took was no more than 30 mins and to walk the next few blocks cost another about 15 to 20 mins, and returning back to Utama Hotel within an hour. So simple to walk around...right?

Utama hotel is also about 10 mins walk from Newton too. ;)

If you remember few years ago, i kept bragging about Utama Hotel being as stayable as Formosa hotel since their building buildup and its room structure is almost similar. But after i saw that damn pillow, i drop that idea...hehehe...

https://sbf.net.nz/showpost.php?p=19572566&postcount=15558

I was this close to recommend it to you,in order to PUSH you out of Formosa Hotel,hehehe....but i have to be honest, its really not as good, from the breakfast to the customer service level and then to in-hotel facilities. :D

That's the big problem. The number of girls outweights the capacity of our single penis.

By the way, my problem with those massage places behind Utama is that one cannot have a look at the stock before taking the massage. You enter, and a random girl shows up to the room. The photo-book is useless, as all photos look the same. I cannot try all those places, so my feeling is really like "who knows how many gems are hidden behind those poor doors?"
I wish I could drive a drone to peek into the rooms of those massage places, to check the girls before venturing in a place instead of another.

Yes, i agreed with you. Photo for the girls in massage shops are mostly useless. Just look at King Massage photo album,hehehe...all looks very pretty on photo, but when they come to me, i often feel like its a different girl (which is not).

On my experience, i would dwell in those massage shops. Not necessary to try all the girls in one shop, but if i arrived at the right timing, most if not all the girls will be waiting for me to choose at their sofa area,hehehe...that way, it allows me to see all the girls working in that shift.

(yes,MPs sometime also must go at the right timing to be able to see most of their girls as they are usually divided into 2 shifts)

There was a few times which i have wrote in my past Batam trips summaries, after my massage session with one of the girl, i even buy a drink for each girl working there while i remain seated smoking away. If i didnt remember wrong, it was about 10k rupiah a drink for each girl there. Usually one shift wont have more than 6 girls. So i burnt about 60k rupiah but i get to see all the girls and get into their good books. To me, its worth it.

I cant bonk all the girls with my one single penis, but the least i could do is to be able to use "it" to bonk the better and best pussies in the MP/s.

Hehehe...i would rather spend this kind of money than to be over-paying taxi touts, MP's special services and overly-inflated overnight booking prices. Well, i save from "here" to spend it "there" anyway. End of the day, i still spend..just that it makes me happier. :p

[nono1973]

I was actually looking at Romance Hotel to stay in on my next or other later Batam trips, but after reading this review written on August 2019 from a Taiwan guest, i changed my mind,hehehe... :D

278044

"從來沒遇過這麼可怕的旅店”

這個旅店是我遇過最糟糕經驗最可怕的 住了3個晚上都不得安寧 房間都沒窗戶、不通風、電燈昏暗、濕氣重

那就算了 入住的第一晚 有隔壁2間房的印尼人 晚上1-2點時 狂敲我們這間的門 然後在走廊大吼大叫印尼話 開了一小小縫的門用英文詢問有什麼事嗎？

那些印尼男子說了幾句印尼話 意思應該是要我們開門！ 我察覺不對 趕緊關上門 他們又再次敲打房門 是瘋狂似的敲打 都要把門給扳開都那種 非常可怕，趕緊打電話尋求住在巴淡島華人朋友來 好在當下櫃檯幫我們換了房間 櫃檯說那些印尼人是其他外島來的 他們會這樣敲我們房門 純粹是想知道隔壁住什麼人。

完全不認識情況下這樣子敲人家門 很誇張。 但是換了一間房後一進房就有一股很奇怪的味道衝上來 同行友人她體質敏感接著說這房間不是很乾淨 我們那晚半夜都夢了奇怪且詭異的夢 早上時還發現行李的位置都被人家移動過 及冷氣晚上是開著 早上就莫名奇妙被關起來。

於是第三晚我們又加錢換了更大一間的房是Suite Double 房間是較大一些，在房間時反覆聽到奇怪敲打聲 半夜最可怕的是 房門自己被打開了3次 每一次出去看都沒人⋯ 我們要求看CCTV錄影帶也沒人經過我們房間 那麼那三次房門被打開是誰？

經過這三晚的各種奇怪 詭異 糟糕經驗我們馬上退房迅速搬離 被印尼人鬧又被無形的東西捉弄 這間飯店的住客素質也都是印尼人，整個龍蛇混雜 不是歧視，那些印尼人素質真的都很差 講話大聲 時不時在交誼廳喝酒又吵 沒有電梯，走廊昏暗 整個旅館裡面都沒有窗戶 ，附的早餐也爛 自己搬行李至三樓時腰還受傷了 這間糟糕的旅店是不會再入住了

Translated to English using google :

"Never encountered such a terrible hotel”

This hotel is the worst experience I have ever encountered. The worst night I stayed in for 3 nights. The room was empty, the windows were not ventilated, the lights were dim, and the humidity was heavy.

So the first night I stayed there were Indonesians with 2 rooms next door. At 1-2 pm, we knocked on the door of our room and yelled in the hallway. We opened a small cracked door in English and asked if there was anything in English?

Those Indonesian men said a few words in Indonesian should mean that we should open the door! I found it wrong to close the door quickly and they knocked on the door again. It was crazy like knocking the door. It was very scary. I hurriedly called for a Chinese friend in Batam to change the room counter for us at the counter.

Those Indonesians who come from other islands will knock on our door like this just to know who lives next door. It's an exaggeration to knock on someone's door without knowing it at all. But after I changed a room, a strange smell rushed to my friend when I entered the room.

She was sensitive, and then said that the room was not very clean. We had a strange and weird dream in the middle of the night and found the location of the luggage in the morning. They were all moved and the air-conditioning was turned on in the morning and was locked inexplicably in the morning. So on the third night, we added money to change to a bigger room.

The Suite Double room is larger. I heard strange knocks repeatedly in the middle of the room. The most terrible thing was that the door was opened 3 times. No one ⋯ We asked to watch a CCTV video and no one passed our room. So who was the door opened three times?

After these three nights of various weird and weird experiences, we immediately checked out and quickly moved away from being troubled by the Indonesians and being tricked by intangible things. The quality of the guests of this hotel are also Indonesians.

The whole dragon and snake mix is not discrimination. Those Indonesians The quality is really poor. Speaking aloud from time to time drinking and noisy in the saloon. There is no elevator. The hallway is dim. There are no windows in the hotel. Will not stay again

______________________________

I paragraphed it here for easier/clearer reading. I notice some of the translation may sound weird tho, but well...i choose not to meddle with the vocabulary thingy. Needless to say,i have strike this hotel off on my to-stay list in Batam. :p

Side note for bro iicycold : The taiwan guest who stayed in this hotel on August 2019 also happens to be on the Chinese seventh lunar month. Enough said,hehehe...your favourite day. :p

So i am now left with Namii Hotel, Pagoda Hotel and S Hotel in my list, around Utama Hotel area.

[ndnd]

On 3 Jan, many taxis turn up to demo on this. They parked outside the ferry terminal, near the food court. Police came and didn't chase them away. Heard megamall stood down and rescind the grab car permit.

And I still hoping this is the opening of floodgate for grab for hotels.

True, Mega Mall stood down on the online taxi pick up service due to not getting support from Transportation Agency (Dishub).
If Mega Mall can do it, that will encourage others Mall & Hotels to open up.

[Black Page]

I was this close to recommend it to you,in order to PUSH you out of Formosa Hotel,hehehe....but i have to be honest, its really not as good, from the breakfast to the customer service level and then to in-hotel facilities. :D


To be frank, the only problem I see in Formosa is the stingy manager. If you can push him to Utama, it's bingo!

[BFOMF5]

FYI
Travelodge (ex-Novotel) grand opening on this Friday (10/1).

[PowerBenz]

Just now saw one polis car stop at beside bunga that massage shop and a polis officer went in and 5mins later the police officers came out and went in the car and also saw that polis car stopping at other mp...Not sure what happened...those pple who is going to tua poh ki shop 2molo will be disapointed because they will be close for 3 days from 2molo onwards..

[westbay81]

Mainly during CNYs (and other public holidays), i would see more indian and bangaleshi foreign workers from Singapore.

I was at Batam last CNY. The whole Batam Fast ferry back to SG was full of Banglas and Indian foreign workers. Maids in SG not enough for them? :p

[maddog_mlvn]

Nagoya Foodcourt open yesterday, carpark pack , table 95% full, hv more variety choice of food then A2. A good place to visit for food lover.

[fde83]

Nagoya Foodcourt open yesterday, carpark pack , table 95% full, hv more variety choice of food then A2. A good place to visit for food lover.

Thanks for the update bro, will check it out onThursday. Official opening got barong say playing? :D

[BFOMF5]

Nagoya Foodcourt open yesterday, carpark pack , table 95% full, hv more variety choice of food then A2. A good place to visit for food lover.
555 Long overdue... finally open.

[Black Page]

Nagoya Foodcourt open yesterday, carpark pack , table 95% full, hv more variety choice of food then A2. A good place to visit for food lover.

Where is it.

[angkim]

Heading to batam later in the afternoon. Any bro wanna meet up for a drinks?

[Hurhurrahrah]

Just now saw one polis car stop at beside bunga that massage shop and a polis officer went in and 5mins later the police officers came out and went in the car and also saw that polis car stopping at other mp...Not sure what happened...those pple who is going to tua poh ki shop 2molo will be disapointed because they will be close for 3 days from 2molo onwards..

Collect "offerings" maybe :D

[maddog_mlvn]

Where is it.

Opposite Biz Hotel, 2 stall on 2nd lvl, 1 selling Thai food another Japanese and fusion food. There is 1 stall selling traditional Indian food and another Ramen in the night at the no shelter side , the rest r those that u can find in Btm, the good abt this place, the variety is big and concentrated at 1 location. The problem is parking, not many parking lots, the entry and exit r together the road in front too narrow, some hv problem turning into the car park if u travel fm main road toward Biz hotel. Better come fm Newton , DC Mall and Utama hotel direction if u r driving, best don't park inside that carpark, park outside and walk in.

[nono1973]

Normally, can connect up to how many equipment at one time?

Should not be a problem connecting to more than 10 devices. It can be use in Singapore and Malaysia too (as well as most other countries). Just that you need to either buy the respective sim card/s from the countries to get it working. User friendly too.

The only issue is, the portable wifi device can get a bit heat up (meaning it gets hot easily) while it is being connected to multiple devices.

Next round, i might try to see how hot it could get and hopefully doesnt burn away or catches fire,hehehe...that would have to wait for my next Batam trip to draw a conclusion. This issue dont happen on the AndroMax and my other Airtel devices tho. :D

I can only test it when i am in Batam, and currently as of this post, i am not. Will be testing out further again once i get there again.

Cheers!

[nono1973]

Am not sure of the massage shops but Havana from what I know is like those getting shop but with a flower joint. Supposed to have 3 Mamasans. 1 for the PR hostess who come and drink with you, one for the dancers who will perform and come to sit with you and the last one is for in-house ST which I heard last time the business is very good.

Sounds like the Newton Spa 6 odd years back, whereby there is a discotheque, a 24 hour massage spa, a KTV and a hotel,hehehe...what is your definition of "a flower joint" in your post above? A hang flower joint? If so next time i can ask my par time boss go there to try out,hehehe...with him around, my trip is free. :D

The good about Newton massage spa in the past was its 24 hours, its room for massage is a queen sized leather bed with toilet and bath room attached,together with BIG speakers and television,hehehe...there is a hot pool outside too, whereby the girls will get into the pool to serve me (like those in Jakarta).

Too bad, business not good enough to sustain that kind of services hence they were closed after few years later. Havana might be facing similar issues too. :(

Must bookmark #15571. Cant reward points to you again.

You can still rate this thread 5 star,right? Hehehe.... :D

Anyway, the post number #15571 and/or page 1039 is already embeded on my signature,under My December 2019 Batam Trip Info (https://sbf.net.nz/showthread.php?p=19577356#post19577356)...this is mainly for beginner. Almost just like walking Geylang Lor 17 and 18 one round in terms of total walking distance/time.


Basic Batam Info in One Link (https://sbf.net.nz/showthread.php?p=18753429#post18753429)

279839

Avoid quoting the whole post if you are replying to me in the thread

My December 2019 Batam Trip Info (https://sbf.net.nz/showthread.php?p=19577356#post19577356)

Batam Ferry Ticket Info (https://sbf.net.nz/showpost.php?p=19221873&postcount=14837)


Intermediate level players usually visit Area B and/or advance player going towards BCS area (which is below Area A). I called that area meant for "beginners" becos its simpler, just drop off at Utama Hotel, and then walk ONE round. Area B and BCS area a bit more complicated.

As i compile more and more key postings, i would still need to continue update them over a period of time. Just that it will be base on my own time frame.

In my few years in Batam, i have had enough of 3 to 4 starred hotels. I am looking to try out never-try-before lower-end hotels in Batam in the coming 2020,hehehe...i found a few good base in Batam to park myself whenever i visit Batam for the sake of safety, low-cost convenience and easy-travelling but i am still "greedy" for more. ;)

I still need to dwell-in more. And it will take me years if i choose to dwell in every shop.

[PowerBenz]

Just back from 3d2n trip in batam...Reach hf at 7.30am.. Alreadyso many people queueing in at the entry area to check in..Took horizon ferry and the ferry is about 80% full..Found a money changer next blk beside indo rasa that give a show hand rate written on the chat board...I had been monitoring tjis shop since few trips back...their rate is the best when i compare to other money changer..Rate on 6 jan is 10330 given by the shop...Maybe some other shop can match their rate...can just see their show hand rate before comparing...Lunch went to tua poh ki for lunch and use told they will be closed for the next few days...And for cny they will be till the 9th day of cny...Night time arranged for a fl to come but due to raining she said stay bengkong too far so forget it...Lucky got back up and called for a fl that i took before to come..
2nd day monring went for bai long noodles and did some shopping at the wet market for cny stuffs...lunch time went to relax massage recommend by a brother here...At night meet up with a indo chinese which wrk as a cashier in nagoya hill mall...Have dinner with her and bring her to bcs mall to play crawl machine and catch her some soft toys..After that she went back with to me my hotel...aftrr the first deed done she said hungry and order kfc for her and she sleep till morning and left..she told me she need to go back at 9am cos she need to prepare for work...overall a very fruitful trip...

[leekwantew]

Does anyone know if my passport left 3 mths validity on date of trip whether I can pass batam customs?

[Kaboon]

Does anyone know if my passport left 3 mths validity on date of trip whether I can pass batam customs?

Indonesian immigration rules is that you are required to have 6 months validity on your passport from the day you are due to leave the country.

This is written in every ferry companies going to btm from Sg.

[darts69]

Does anyone know if my passport left 3 mths validity on date of trip whether I can pass batam customs?

Better not to try! Min 6 months

[PowerBenz]

Does anyone know if my passport left 3 mths validity on date of trip whether I can pass batam customs?

When you purchase your ferry ticket in sg or online that time they will reject cos passport is not more then 6 mths...This happen to my friend...

[nono1973]

ya, better be veri careful durin busy peak time wen u crossing btm custom immigration, no let tis kind of thg happen 2 u or ani1 hor....lol

So far so good, i have not seen nor hear about Indonesia immigration officer/s chopping tourist's passport the way Malaysia immigration did in Batam before.

Not even in the more popular Batam Center ferry terminal's immigration did that,hehehe...who has previously been sending tourist/s from Singapore back to where they come from due to "talking" to each other, "discrimination" of non-Singaporean and using mobile phone while in queue.

Oh, thats a good idea...hehehe...shall go and try it later on. Hopefully the queue wont be too long. :D

This is something i didnt know that can be done. And is going to save me lots of time if it works. :p


It works! :D

Now i can just photograph-ed uncle and auntie's passport to collect boarding pass for them instead of just queuing together with them for an hour and risk missing the ferry timing we wish to take.

Hotel - booked

Ferry pass - collected

Non-commissioned Taxi driver - will need to call one up, needed for the next day (traveling far out)

This coming trip, upon arrival to Harbour Bay, will put them in a restaurant at Bayfront Mall 1st for some food 1st while i go collect everyone's return-to-Singapore boarding pass.

Hail a taxi at 30k rupiah to head to my pre-booked hotel.

Check in to respective room to rest up a bit, at the same time make arrangement for the hotel's shuttle service timing.

Rest a bit and meet up later at hotel lobby, followed by heading to Malls and markets to buy what they wish to buy.

Shopping>>>Massage>>>Eat>>>back to hotel via shuttle service

There are 2 definition of shopping here :

a) shopping for CNY goodies, fruits etc

b) shopping for girls

There are 2 definition of Massage too :

a) Massage along Utama area - https://sbf.net.nz/showthread.php?p=19577356#post19577356

b) Massage along BCS mall area - Directly opposite BCS mall's massage shops

There are also 2 definition of Eat as well :

a) Eat inside hotel via Grab Food (i am the waiter,hehehe..chef is someone else)

b) Eating at either Utama area or BCS mall area (since both area all has good and better food available)

Dinner would likely be at J8 food court.

Hoping for my definition of an almost perfect Batam trip,hehehe...:D

[fde83]

Hi mates

Next trip 17 (am) to 19(pm) January 2020.
If you wanna join for real fun, PM me


Let's meet up if you are heading there

Cheers
Ben

Hi im keen, what's your plan for real fun on the days. Thanks

[Sitoh]

Should not be a problem connecting to more than 10 devices. It can be use in Singapore and Malaysia too (as well as most other countries). Just that you need to either buy the respective sim card/s from the countries to get it working. User friendly too.

The only issue is, the portable wifi device can get a bit heat up (meaning it gets hot easily) while it is being connected to multiple devices.

Next round, i might try to see how hot it could get and hopefully doesnt burn away or catches fire,hehehe...that would have to wait for my next Batam trip to draw a conclusion. This issue dont happen on the AndroMax and my other Airtel devices tho. :D

I can only test it when i am in Batam, and currently as of this post, i am not. Will be testing out further again once i get there again.

Cheers!

Thanks for sharing. I think is good gadget to buy.

[bensg]

Hi im keen, what's your plan for real fun on the days. Thanks
Check your pm

[Hurricane88]

Hi im keen, what's your plan for real fun on the days. Thanks

Check your pm


Can let me know what's the purpose of this post..."Check your pm"...only 2 of you are pm...yet post to inform here...:)

[bensg]

Can let me know what's the purpose of this post..."Check your pm"...only 2 of you are pm...yet post to inform here...:)

We don't brag on what we plan to do in this forum.
This forum is about field report not a planner forum.

Since I join this forum I also ask who wanna join if I got a trip planned,
I'm no guide no planner. Sorry if you misunderstood me

Cheers. Feel free to find someone else to tell you what's his trip plan

[Kaboon]

39 posts, not a single field report.

Words & actions cannot go hand in hand.

"We" don't brag what we do in this forum (but yet uses the forum facilities to plan) Tell me abt bragging again.

The word use here is "We", not i,he nor she.

This forum is about field report not a planner forum.

I hope the forum is not ONLY abt field report & thank god, it isn't & hasn't been so since it first started during the aldephi era.

I use PM everyday, i tink i'm gng to make a post in future every time i make a pm?

Reminds me of spammer Poiseidon Spa's automated PM sent to me almost daily. Hope that guy's not gng to do what i'm tinking if i shld be doing.

Just another evening of adding another vBulletin user account into the ignore list.

Sweet dreams.

[kardinal05]

Just sharing my eerie experience staying at Planet Holiday. Last night, went to collect my grab food at ard 2am. And i saw someone stood rooted at the very end of the corridor of the 11 storey. He looked to me like a security guard. But he was staring emotionless at me even after i waved "hi" to him. While i was waiting for the elevator, i decided to take a look again at the corridor and he is no longer there. Strange things.

[nono1973]

BCS's marketing team is indeed innovative. 2018 it was Er Lang, the 3 eyed deity on the ground. I still remember there was a discussion here on this guy didnt blend in to the CNY ambiance.

282378

I didnt go BCS during CNY 2019,hence no photo shoot memory.

But this year, just before CNY 2020...they came out with Transformer,hehehe... :D

http://www.imgflex.com/images/2020/01/12/ezgif-7-0cfcc7c7fc8cresized.gif

Tho STILL coundnt blend in to the CNY ambiance but i must say they really put in much effort. There was actually a real human being in the Rumble Bee suit. And true enough, "Rumble Bee" did draw some crowd (but mostly kids) at the BCS pintu 3 entrance. I can take this video w/o obstruction becos the parents were physically pulling the kids away,hehehe...as this "machine -looking" thing is big in size. ;)

Note : I call it Rumble Bee becos that thing is an imitation of the Transformer, Bumble Bee.

Just sharing.

[milfmilf]

BCS's marketing team is indeed innovative. 2018 it was Er Lang, the 3 eyed deity on the ground. I still remember there was a discussion here on this guy didnt blend in to the CNY ambiance.


could it be they are more interested in his 哮天犬？ :D
cos its dog year?

[iicycold]

Side note for bro iicycold : The taiwan guest who stayed in this hotel on August 2019 also happens to be on the Chinese seventh lunar month. Enough said,hehehe...your favourite day.


u scare ah?! then go btm tat time play tis game lo....lol :D

https://sbf.net.nz/showthread.php?p=19593893#post19593893

https://moveyourshit.com/images/99d5b81ed30a48f967828c956ebe7c32.gif

then can go ard pa gui pa gui!! :p

i'm enjoying btm evry day. No play game tat time, ger ger do her job, i busy play game time, ger ger still do her job. Watevr i do, the ger still keep on do her job well.

where else but btm. ;)

FYI
Travelodge (ex-Novotel) grand opening on this Friday (10/1).

knn, i got tere on 10/01 but realice i wasn't invited....lol

https://moveyourshit.com/images/57203a3b9018a7517f877b4ebd1f7dd1.jpg

juz jking onli....lol :D

39 posts, not a single field report.


y'day is 39, nw is left 9 liao la...lol

keep talk abt fr but no fr at the end...onli u sibei kay poh go & notice tis kind of thg.

first time i hear sharing smthg topic related is bcum braggin but spammin using the forum resources wit 3 words is no spammin...lol...ani way, 2 each is own la. So long u yr ownself enjoy btm can liao.

the only ppl tat can tell/advise ppl wat can post & wat cannot post is the forum mod & admin lor...the rest like my ownself is try 2 use tis tread's good info & other wilin sharer experience 2 enjoy my ownself wen i in btm....lol

chill chill ya, peace out... :cool:


cos its dog year?

ya hor.. but i tink tat 3 eye er lang god bcum ctr of attraction insted of his pet dog lei....lol....person who do this is out of line wit chinese culture. :D

[nitecrawllerr]

BCS's marketing team is indeed innovative. 2018 it was Er Lang, the 3 eyed deity on the ground. I still remember there was a discussion here on this guy didnt blend in to the CNY ambiance.

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Oh yes. Hes my favourite. Sun Wukong lose to him. Er Lang have 73 power. Monkey God 72. Er Lang has the 3rd eye. :D

[PowerBenz]

But this year, just before CNY 2020...they came out with Transformer,hehehe... :D

http://www.imgflex.com/images/2020/01/12/ezgif-7-0cfcc7c7fc8cresized.gif

Tho STILL coundnt blend in to the CNY ambiance but i must say they really put in much effort. There was actually a real human being in the Rumble Bee suit. And true enough, "Rumble Bee" did draw some crowd (but mostly kids) at the BCS pintu 3 entrance. I can take this video w/o obstruction becos the parents were physically pulling the kids away,hehehe...as this "machine -looking" thing is big in size. ;)

Note : I call it Rumble Bee becos that thing is an imitation of the Transformer, Bumble Bee.

Just sharing.

Btw taking photo with this bumber bee they will want you you give some money...did ypu notice the two side of the leg gt paste money?? Its the place for you to put in money when you took a photo or take photo with...

[nono1973]

FYI
In case you are too bore in btm.:D

Hehehe...nowaday, even Hans Inn and City Central hotel also has in-house massage. I pass by and spot-ed Hans Massage recently. And City Central hotel is called...

https://img.popimag.es/2020/01/08/151873070.jpg

I tried this massage place during my last visit in late Oct...

Maybe not my lucky day... service just soso...

The problem with these old time massage shop around BCS area is their massage quality is NOT consistent. Old bird already, horn start growing,hehehe...i have my fair share of lousy massage service in the area too (one of which is at Rejuv-a).

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They are in my wont-return to massage list. Or at least not for the time being.

So far Aiko and Tui-Na hasnt fail me....yet. :p

And i am still constantly looking for consistently good places in Batam.

[nono1973]

Counting down 13 more days to CNY 2020.

Upcoming CNY 2020 trip plan :

Vihara Cipta Dharma Temple (玄天上帝庙 ) near to the Southeast Asia biggest Chinese temple, Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya. I will need to go to Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya 1st before i head to Vihara Cipta Dharma tho, as i will be able to that temple from there and then show to driver how to get there,hehehe... :p

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I have been there before, but that was like over 4 years ago. This trip i will specially go there to recce a little.

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I might also be going there before my actual CNY trip.

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Just to familiarizing the route.

Batam Center area is still not a regular place i would go to tho. Imagine, this is how this temple looks like about 7 years ago.

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Exterior not much difference but the interior part, its a big change. A step a time, this temple has start to beef up in appearance.

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About time for a revisit,hehehe... ;)

[nono1973]

Most CNY time, i wont be just going to the same temple every year. I mean i will still randomly visit those regular temples like the Tiban Tua Pek Kong, the God of Fortune temple etc but i guess i wont be repeating the same speech all over again this year,hehehe...dont mean i wont be going, its just that i found some where i never been to and would be going there.

Hock An Kiong Temple (福安宫) :

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This temple worship the deity Qing Shui Zhu Shi (清水祖师) who is well known for building bridges, healing and bringing clean water to the poor and needy at times of drought during the Song dynasty.

Hmm...this temple is located near to the Batam University. Not an easy place to get to for my case,hehehe....so i standby a map, just in case.

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Just part of my planning for my upcoming CNY 2020 trip.

At least this is something not many living has talk about on the internet before,hehehe...and its just something for me to do during CNY.

[timok]

Hi all Senior Bros,

I would like to check if there is much action in Batam during CNY period. I am planning to go in one night only, just to recce and look see to find potential spots for subsequent visit as I start to embark on my regular trip to Batam for this year. (ferry is very near me workplace).

Tentatively planning for 26 Jan.

[BFOMF5]

"Rumble Bee" did draw some crowd (but mostly kids) at the BCS pintu 3 entrance. I can take this video w/o obstruction becos the parents were physically pulling the kids away,hehehe...as this "machine -looking" thing is big in size. ;)
..
Don't think so BCS mgmt paying it to perform...
Saw this in Jakarta years ago...
They are individual who hve put on this costume to let ppl take photo and get some tips...
If you happen to see it again...
Look carefully and you will see a container(on the body) for you contribute.

[BFOMF5]

knn, i got tere on 10/01 but realice i wasn't invited....lol
juz jking onli....lol :D

They hv some kind of promo package...
The include
Breakfast for 2
dinner for 2
Foot massage for 1
Karaoke 1 hr
:D

[yuanswang]

When you purchase your ferry ticket in sg or online that time they will reject cos passport is not more then 6 mths...This happen to my friend...
But mine passport still valid but pages almost finish. Still can use for batam as return just only scanning by auto padd

[BFOMF5]

Hock An Kiong Temple (福安宫) :
At least this is something not many living has talk about on the internet before,hehehe...and its just something for me to do during CNY.
Place you might interested around the area..
After you visiting there,
Come down to the main road...
1. Turn right, travel around 500m, watch out for the lion status on your left.

2. Turn left. Travel about 500m. That the Batam U on your left. If you are early enough, you might witness the kue(pasty) whole sales on the right.


3. Turn left. Travel arout 1km, you got MB2(Mall-Botania-2) on your left.

[darts69]

New info for all, Dynasty are opened been there on Saturday quite like d place with live band performance & also saw burger King gng to open opp Mcdonald near jodoh

[hawkeye007]

But this year, just before CNY 2020...they came out with Transformer,hehehe... :D

http://www.imgflex.com/images/2020/01/12/ezgif-7-0cfcc7c7fc8cresized.gif

Tho STILL coundnt blend in to the CNY ambiance but i must say they really put in much effort. There was actually a real human being in the Rumble Bee suit. And true enough, "Rumble Bee" did draw some crowd (but mostly kids) at the BCS pintu 3 entrance. I can take this video w/o obstruction becos the parents were physically pulling the kids away,hehehe...as this "machine -looking" thing is big in size. ;)

Note : I call it Rumble Bee becos that thing is an imitation of the Transformer, Bumble Bee.

Just sharing.

This has been around for maybe 1 year or not and not exclusive to BCS; can also be found in Mall Botania 2 and I thought I saw them at Megamall before. Apart from Bumblebee, there’s Optimus Prime too..

They basically ask for “donations” from people who wants to take photos with them

[fde83]

burger King gng to open opp Mcdonald near jodoh

Gd news, looks like more n more international brands opening in batam. More jobs for the locals more finance coming in to this city, won't be surprised it be like JB in the future. :D

[Black Page]

Gd news, looks like more n more international brands opening in batam. More jobs for the locals more finance coming in to this city, won't be surprised it be like JB in the future. :D

I miss why this should be good news.
The reason why I (we?) go (went?) to Batam is that it is cheaper and unpolluted by Western civilization. I do not really travel here to stay at Marriott (at Marriott rates), to drink coffee at Starbucks (1 expresso at 33k!) or even worse to go to McD.

[Black Page]

It really hits me how Jco has been always able to consistently gather, over the many years of activity, the most undertrained and apparently dumb guys in Batam to serve in its shops.
I am used to take an "expresso double", named "Espresso Due" in their menu posted on the wall. I take one of those a few times every day.

That item is clearly posted on their big menu posted on the wall and priced 23k. In spite of that, every time the price changes:
- 25k (because Colombia special blend, ok)
- 22k or 23k (random choice)
- 22k or 23k +5k (extra shot): I don't know why they don't get that "double" or "due" does not mean "extra shot".

Today I asked "expresso double" and the chashier selected "due" + "extra shot" on the cash machine for 25k+5k=30k. I accepted anyway, to receive a small cup with less coffee than my usual "double".
I asked an explanation, and the guy and manager confirmed that it was not a "Due" but an "extra shot". No way to convince them that if I pay the extra shot I should get more and not less than the simple coffee.
I give up! Let's enjoy Batam.

[Splitter100]

It really hits me how Jco has been always able to consistently gather, over the many years of activity, the most undertrained and apparently dumb guys in Batam to serve in its shops.
I am used to take an "expresso double", named "Espresso Due" in their menu posted on the wall. I take one of those a few times every day.
I give up! Let's enjoy Batam.

Haha Bro
I fully agree with you
I ask for a drink with NO sugar and confirm with the guy MANY times
Guess what, it’s a SWEETENed drink when arrived
And when I say sweet, it’s damn SWEET, something like 200% sugar syrup
The SUGAR RUSH will allows you to have MANY ROUNDS in the room
It’s WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF DRINKING EXPERIENCE in JCO BATAM

[iicycold]

So far so good, i have not seen nor hear about Indonesia immigration officer/s chopping tourist's passport the way Malaysia immigration did in Batam before.

Not even in the more popular Batam Center ferry terminal's immigration did that,hehehe...who has previously been sending tourist/s from Singapore back to where they come from due to "talking" to each other, "discrimination" of non-Singaporean and using mobile phone while in queue.


nwday btm ctr aso follow hb ferry term liao, got pierity queue by payin extra 100k rp...lol, the thg is tourist wil be bring 2 their staff gate for 4 instead....lol...due 2 their poor coordination, tourist aso complain abt it. Claiming tat it's corruption practice...lol :D

nw i lookin fwd 2 btm ctr follow hb like tat ,mai ani how charge tourist taxi fee. Then they'll automatic indirectly solve the grab/uber/gocar problem....lol...jus like hw hb solve the problem.

seriously, if taxi fee is higher but difference no veri much with grab/uber/gocar, which tourist wan 2 walk so far extra 10 mins 2 take a taxi, tio boh? if the btm gov no realize tis point, the problem wil going 2 take ages 2 solve....lol :D

They hv some kind of promo package...
The include
Breakfast for 2
dinner for 2
Foot massage for 1
Karaoke 1 hr
:D

wa, so gd deal ah, stil got include dinner & reflexi...lol...but i see online their price go up higher liao...hope they can survive wen they charge high cos it's a quite good hotel, jus loc no as good as mani others in kp bule, nagoaya & bcs tere. :p

[nono1973]

poor ger...the preggy massage ger do massage 4 a male customer until halfway her baby inside aso come out frm her stomach. I no witness tis but it's the ger workin tere tell me 1...if i am customer, i sure scare until faint....lol

hope she wil b ok... :(

I hear from the manageress that both baby and mother is well. She's damn lucky. But also the 1st time i hear about pregnant girl giving birth halfway while doing massage.

My curiosity is, i wonder how the customer were being compensated in this case,hehehe... :D

aiya, i knw tat la...i jus enjoy see ppl queue long long there while i smile @ their envying sight....lol....:p

hw yr cny prepare until? i tink nono gng 2 be super busy tis cny....lol :D

Coming CNY 2020, i am most likely be heading down to Hock An Kiong Temple near the Batam University. Its pretty new as in they used to a home-base temple but has move out and start an actual temple now.

Thats what i read and hear.

Yes, its gonna be super busy for my this coming CNY 2020. I think it might just be the busiest CNY trip for me compared with the last 5 CNYs. This should be my 6th CNY Batam trip in 2020 (i checked back a bit,hehehe...).

I am also planning to meet up a handful of mongering bros from SBF and other internet communities (if timing allows it) who has contributed positively to this thread. Time to make some new friends,hehehe...hopefully friends who shares similar.....

[nono1973]

If u are coming back on New Year Day, don't forget to book yr return ferry earlier or risk not able to come back to Sg at yr desire timing.

.....

If haven't already done so, can ask hotel receptionist to help call horizon ferry btm to get a reservation booking no. for a seat.


Yes, major holiday season or peak period like weekends or long weekends, please be reminded to collect your return-boarding pass upon arriving to Batam on day 1 of trip. So as to secure your ferry timing/date to go back to Singapore.

In any event if anyone has totally forgotten about it, you can always ask hotel receptionist to help you dial Horizon ferry counter in Batam upon check-in time to get a reservation "booking number". And be sure to arrive at least 60 mins in advance to collect your boarding pass (as there might be very long queue).

Just another reminder. ;)

Note : And by the way, Feb 29th 2020 coupon version of Horizon ticket is out now.

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Guess common sense did reminds me Horizon ferry isnt printing much of the January 2020 coupon version of tickets,hehehe...and as well as the February ones.

This year cny, i'll be going batam but from the third day onward.

CNY eves and 1st 2 days, is considered as Red Dates. Whereby many shops will hike their pricing and it will be crowded. This year 2020, the 3rd day of CNY is also a public holiday. But my guess would be the price hike would have come downward a little.

Not going to rewrite everything on CNY in batam all over again. I already had one of the link on my signature which i wrote last year 2019,hehehe... :p

Click on the link and read ONLY if you wish to know about my 5 years accumulated experience on CNY in Batam.

https://sbf.net.nz/showpost.php?p=18198669&postcount=12693

https://img9.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/26940/269402394de24943a2cab362f292afae93b80c2c.gif

This is the time of the year where i can also build some good foundation and some good Karma too. 11 more days to CNY 2020,hehehe...

Enjoy reading, enjoy Batam!

To be frank, the only problem I see in Formosa is the stingy manager. If you can push him to Utama, it's bingo!

Not likely to happen since he has that ability to bring more guest to the hotel, resulting in full booking in almost every Friday, Saturday and Sundays in 2019.

Which is one reason why during 2019, i have been looking for alternatives instead.

The "pay lesser, get more" principle never change on my part, this year 2020 Formosa Residence may likely be open for public booking. Its almost done up,hehehe... :p

281192

Who knows, the pricing might just come down or it may just go further up?

New room versus old room, most Singaporean and perhaps other tourist would prefer to stay in newer rooms. Then again, note that MOST of Formosa hotel guest/s i observed arent even Singaporean (ratio 3.5 to 10) during a normal day. (mainly Malaysians/Indonesians/southeast asians etc)

In other word, Formosa Residence might free up space for Formosa Hotel. Batam if often like that, good business price up (and service level drops), bad business price down (and service level goes up).

If my memory didnt fail me, i have only stayed in Formosa Hotel no more than twice in 2019,hehehe...but every stay last almost a week each time tho.

2020, i shall continue to look for Formosa quality of hotels to stay in for my Batam trips. :D

* by the way, Marriot hotel hearsay opening around April 2020. Heard the building got quite a handful of issue occurred which is the reason/s for the delay.

[hawkeye007]

Funny enough that I just finished reading about Farmosa over here, I spotted this in my Facebook feed:

282646

https://give.asia/campaign/give-baby-zhafran-a-fighting-chance#/

For those of you who are Farmosa regulars, this is an opportunity for you to do a good deal and help someone.. :)

[nono1973]

For those of you who are Farmosa regulars, this is an opportunity for you to do a good deal and help someone.. :)

Thank you for sharing this.

That guy on the Give.asia website's video was indeed a Formosa Hotel staff. He's actually the hotel's bellboy but occasionally double as a hotel driver to pick up guest from ferry terminal and airport.

https://youtu.be/tyS-eZJuSlI

There are only 2 bellboys in the hotel, one of them, a fatter guy is wearing spectacle, the other that is the one shown on the video above which i extracted from the bro Hawkeye's posted link.

What i am saying here is, the person aka the "formosa driver" on that site do exist in person at Formosa Hotel.

To help (the baby), or not to. There is no obligation.

[SmoK9]

Hi all the senior bros,

I am gg to batam this weekend. Just to check with u guys. Iszit better for me to change my SG dollar here or at batam for higher rate?

Thanks in advance 😊

[Black Page]

I went to Pacific with some friends yesterday night. Too bad to see the infamous Pacific disco hall changed into a jackpot and bar.
Yesterday it was Monday and at midnight there was nobody. Only me and my two local friends.

What really amazed me were the PR girls! Sexy and dressed with the highest possible heels. Maybe the lack of light, but trust me I have never seen so beautiful girls at FourPlay or Square, which are higher-tier places and much more expensive.

I have seen this group of 20 girls swarming around with their short dresses and high heels, playing pool and waiting for some people to come later.
The negative news is that when I asked if they were available for booking or only sitting the GRO told me only sitting. However, I am not sure she understood what I meant, because she spoke no English and there was noise. She said that if I want action I can go to the spa, but me I was mouthwatering for these 20 girls in the bar and I was not not interested to the spa.
I do not know the cost for sitting with girls and for the lady drinks, but overall the place is cheap. 3 beers costed me less than 150k.

At 1am, 5 girls go on stage to dance with some sexy costumes (hey, this is Indonesia, not Latin America, so sexy clothes means no topless or pussy, just the long legs on display). AMAZING GIRLS. I have never seen so beautiful girls dancing at FourPlay, Square, even if these places cost 3 times more. Dolls!

I guess that one could invest some money in having those girls sitting and drinking, take the phone number, and invite them for another night somewhere else. I am not sure how much they could charge for going to hotel after the club closes, but if there is a logic it could be at least 2M or 3M (I am comparing the look of girls who charge 1M at Square with these girls).
If anyone knows the system at Pacific, I will be happy to read and learn.
Again: I was really surprise how well they looked: sexy, young, pretty.

[Black Page]

I thought that currently in Batam there are only 2 disco (Newton and HH Planet 3), but yesterday I was told that there is also Sphynx and Planet 1, reopened recently.
I thought Sphynx was closed many years ago. What did I miss? And P1? when did they open?

EDITED FEW HOURS AFTER FIRST POSTING:
Ojek drivers of Formosa confirmed that Sphynx is closed, and it has been closed since years ago. An ojek driver of Pacific told me yesterday night it is open. I wonder how expert he is about night life here. If anyone has a story to share about Sphynx here, he is welcome.
P1 really re-opened instead. One more place to check.

[darts69]

Hi all the senior bros,

I am gg to batam this weekend. Just to check with u guys. Iszit better for me to change my SG dollar here or at batam for higher rate?

Thanks in advance 😊

Change there for better rate

[HarryPopGer]

What i am saying here is, the person aka the "formosa driver" on that site do exist in person at Formosa Hotel.

To help (the baby), or not to. There is no obligation.

I tink better when we reach there that time then directly pass him the money better.

Since many of us meeting up few days after cny.

[SmoK9]

Change there for better rate

Okay noted. Thanks bro 😁

[PowerBenz]

Xchange rate starting to get lower near cny...today to change money but wwas offer the exchnage rate at $100sgd is to 1juta...In the end manage to get at the other shop at $100sgd to 107000rp..Maybe i was changing at bcs area the rate is lower...

[Black Page]

Xchange rate starting to get lower near cny...today to change money but wwas offer the exchnage rate at $100sgd is to 1juta...In the end manage to get at the other shop at $100sgd to 107000rp..Maybe i was changing at bcs area the rate is lower...
:confused:
Looking at XE.COM I note that now the official rate is around 10.100, in the last 3 months always below 10.350, and to find a peak above 10.700 I have to look back to 2018.
How can they buy SGD paying 6% more than the official rate?

PS: I changed 600 USD few days ago on my arrival at 13.730, when XE.COM was giving 13.800, and now the XE rate is at 13.640 ;-)

[PowerBenz]

:confused:
Looking at XE.COM I note that now the official rate is around 10.100, in the last 3 months always below 10.350, and to find a peak above 10.700 I have to look back to 2018.
How can they buy SGD paying 6% more than the official rate?

PS: I changed 600 USD few days ago on my arrival at 13.730, when XE.COM was giving 13.800, and now the XE rate is at 13.640 ;-)


Sorry bro i typo should be 10070...

[Leoric]

So much for hotel talk. I have given Newton hotel and Biz Hotel, and any other nearby hotels a miss as they were further away from where i stayed in.

I will be looking deeper into :

1. Pagoda Hotel

2. S Hotel

3. Namii Hotel

4. Romance Hotel

5. Maybe Hotel 18 too, which i am keeping in view.



Namii hotel quite good, other than the part it has no elevator & that their better were all at the higher floor. :D

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Pls take note this is a really small size 2 star hotel with no breakfast. It has a cafe at the ground floor but need to pay for the food. I got myself a smoking rm. I think u are going to like it.

I stayed in their biggest rm.

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Apparently more expensive compare to walk in & dial in reservation.

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If u haven't already notice, the biggest rm cost is quite low. I think the reason for the low price is bcs of its high floor without lift. Ground floor is the reception & first floor is the rm & this hotel is 4 storey high in Sg term & my rm is on the 3rd floor in Indo term. :D

So i climb 3 floor (4 floor in Sg term) of stairs to get to my rm. :p

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The reception & front door is very clamp with less than normal walking space.

Room's good but the toilet is 30% smaller than Zest toilet, so u can imagine how small it is & yet they have the rain fall shower head in it. No toiler paper roller inside toilet & i believe the reason would be u'll probably wet everything due to its space limitation.

No toilet roller inside toilet nvm, what could be worse is they don't provide toilet paper at all. I call the recept to ask for one, the housekeeping guy brings me a pack of tissue. :rolleyes:

Overall quite good as rm got hot shower water is working, provide, electric kettle, coffee etc, wifi strong and has a rather unique window curtain. Room size is abt the same as the family rm in lumba lumba inn. Just that toilet is way smaller.

Enough for me & the new girl from HY2.

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It's a King size bed. ;)

[Leoric]

Have you tried the Carrot cake at the coffee shop behind Gideon Hotel?

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They have carrot fried in duck egg,hehehe...interesting huh? Gonna try ordering from Grab food one of these mornings as they opens 630am and closes at 1pm (batam time). Duck egg version not available online tho.

Behind this coffee shop that sells fried carrot is another Mickey Mouse Bat Kut Teh.

Ok, i just tried. :cool:

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White one i rate 1/10, totally inedible. The worst cha kue aka carrot cake i've tried in my life. Completely tasteless.

Black one i rate 5/10, still edible but nothing worth shouting abt. Any cha kue stalls in Sg that sells cha kue beats this one hand down, left right. Having said that & to be fair, this stall's black cha kue is a little better than the one at Mitra Plaza. Have not try the duck egg version. But i'm giving it a miss. :)

Bro maddog_mlvn is sure right abt it.

[nono1973]

White one i rate 1/10, totally inedible. The worst cha kue aka carrot cake i've tried in my life. Completely tasteless.

Black one i rate 5/10, still edible but nothing worth shouting abt. Any cha kue stalls in Sg that sells cha kue beats this one hand down, left right. Having said that & to be fair, this stall's black cha kue is a little better than the one at Mitra Plaza. Have not try the duck egg version. But i'm giving it a miss. :)


You shld have try the cha kue/carrot cake stall beside Bai Long noodle stall. That is the the better cha kue stall. I think the best one around in Batam. Still, i feel that Singapore fried carrot cake better than Batam.

Then again, everyone's taste bud is different. So what suit me might not suit u. At least it should be edible,hehehe... :rolleyes:

I will be compiling up all my favourite Grab-food in Batam soon,hehehe... :p

I will touch on Namii Hotel (and the other Utama area of hotels) at a later time.

[nono1973]

Just now saw one polis car stop at beside bunga that massage shop and a polis officer went in and 5mins later the police officers came out and went in the car and also saw that polis car stopping at other mp...Not sure what happened...

Most Indonesian Polisi makes me feel deep down that they were the Daylight Robbers of Indonesia. These group of people, were whom i FEARED most during my travel in Batam.

Which is why i will ALWAYS carry with me the address and contacts of the Singapore Consulate in Batam with me at all time when i am there. I feel they are one of the most important thing any Singapore tourist should have on hand.

282463

Come to think of it, i just realize that i didnt even know what number to dial in the event of an emergency in Batam, eg like fire, ambulance, polisi etc etc,hehehe...despite being more than 6 years there. And i strongly believe at least 90% of the tourist travelling to Batam DO NOT know about it too,hehehe...how did i find out? I ever ask uncles and aunites if they got into an accident or if a building caught fire in Batam, what number should they dial. Almost all their answers were...999 or 995. :D

Just a general look up on google :

(Emergency and important numbers in Batam)
282464

Most would probably like myself before, would not expect anything bad to happen during our holiday travel. Its a habit to take things for granted. But no harm for me to keep such info on hand tho. ;)

Just a thought.

could it be they are more interested in his 哮天犬？

True enough,hehehe...the dog is suppose to the the star of the whole display for that year 2018 but end up no one really notice "him". :D

And Er Lang in the later part of the story kind of "abandoned" the dog 哮天犬 tho,hehehe...anyway, that only story. But kind of ironical to have the dog and Er Lang on display for the year of the dog.

Oh yes. Hes my favourite. Sun Wukong lose to him. Er Lang have 73 power. Monkey God 72. Er Lang has the 3rd eye. :D

I dont think thats right. :D

Both Er Lang and monkey king has the 72 transformation. And it was a draw to be exact. It was becos of the dog 哮天犬 who intervene that transcend Er Lang's 72 transformation into 73 which helps him wins the fight (if you read the full story).

Its actually 2 against one in this case,hehehe...subsequent later fights was consistently a draw (w/o the dog 哮天犬) when done on 1 to 1. :D

282471

Monkey king earns the 火眼金睛 (fiery eyes) later on by accident after being captured by Er Lang tho. ;)

There was no temple for Er Lang in Batam, but there is at least one i knew for the Monkey King,hehehe... :p

[nono1973]

Bte taking photo with this bumber bee they will want you you give some money...did ypu notice the two side of the leg gt paste money?? Its the place for you to put in loney when you took a photo or take photo with...

Don't think so BCS mgmt paying it to perform...
Saw this in Jakarta years ago...
They are individual who hve put on this costume to let ppl take photo and get some tips...
If you happen to see it again...
Look carefully and you will see a container(on the body) for you contribute.

Yes, i notice there is 2 pieces of 10k or 50k rupiah on both the thigh area of the "Rumble Bee" transformer,hehehe...

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...but i didnt know i need to pay to have a photo shoot with this guy. :confused:

No wonder it kept a distance from me and the kids were pull a distance by
their parents when they show wishes to want to approach Rumble Bee,hehehe...now i know why. :D

Poor Rumble Bee, he should have some "human" around him with a sign board or something to show what its all about. Then they might probably make some rupiah out from this so call "show". :(


After you visiting there,
Come down to the main road...
1. Turn right, travel around 500m, watch out for the lion status on your left.

What is this "lion status" ?

2. Turn left. Travel about 500m. That the Batam U on your left. If you are early enough, you might witness the kue(pasty) whole sales on the right.

I pass by the Batam Uni tho, but i was there in the late noon. Hence i might probably missed the shop.

Anyway, i might probably go to this temple twice during my CNY 2020 trip. I have a sudden turn-up of 9 aunties and uncles trip on the 3rd day of CNY.

During one of my pre-CNY, ONE lonely "mango" was hanging downward from one of the mango tree there at Vihara Cipta Dharma Temple (玄天上帝庙 ) were the center of attraction.

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Erm..ermm...there's every aunties there holding the mango and taking selfie with it,hehehe... :D

As for Hock An Kiong Temple (福安宫), its the filial piety marble stone...

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...and the 2D door craving that were the key attraction of the temple.

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They were hand made by craft man employed in China, base on conversation between aunties and the temple caretaker. May share a little more details once i sort out the photos and details when time allows.

* all photos above were taken during my pre-cny Batam trip.

3. Turn left. Travel arout 1km, you got MB2(Mall-Botania-2) on your left.

And yes, i pass by MB2 and saw the CGV theater big signage outside. :p

Its so near, yet so far.

Will have to drop by that mall one of these days when chance arise.

[Hurricane88]

Which is why i will ALWAYS carry with me the address and contacts of the Singapore Consulate in Batam with me at all time when i am there. I feel they are one of the most important thing any Singapore tourist should have on hand.


bro, dun expect much help from these civil servants...from my friends experience they rendered no help for any polisi cases...these buggers tot you committed crime...they are only good to issue temp passport with a fees...:)

[ezzal]

Does anyone know if my passport left 3 mths validity on date of trip whether I can pass batam customs?

Depend on ths officer whose taking your paasport.. but this is the norm.. they will ask you to turn back and came backonce your passport is renew.. just make a confuse and sad face saying that you had an engagement in batam such as a friend wedding and ask if theres any he can help you.. they would then whisper to you to move one side .. place a $50 in theassport then come agn to him.. thats what hppn to me abt 8yrs ago.. but note im not sure how much they ginna ask fior now and also once you pass through the custom.. the cop given doesnt serve as a warranty.. if you are being spot check by another officer then it will be another cycle of the earlier event.. even when im coming back to spore.. the return officer ask me how much i gave to the arrival officer.. i just lied $20.. because he also wanted to ask of the same amount for himself but then he changed his mind and just tell me to go..

[PrcLust]

If I am not wrong, if your passport left with 3 months, I don’t think you can pass through the counter to get the boarding pass. Even get boarding pass, at the gate entrance before custom check and immigration clearance, the Cisco officer will check through. Better be safe than to take the risk of going.

[fde83]

100% it's safe, as my friend with 3 months left before expiring is allowed to go in. As the kind immigration officer was very kind and advice him to renew his passport when he comes to batam the next time. :D

[nitecrawllerr]

100% it's safe, as my friend with 3 months left before expiring is allowed to go in. As the kind immigration officer was very kind and advice him to renew his passport when he comes to batam the next time. :D

I wouldnt want to take the risk. Sure kana pay under table money.:D

[ezzal]

If I am not wrong, if your passport left with 3 months, I don’t think you can pass through the counter to get the boarding pass. Even get boarding pass, at the gate entrance before custom check and immigration clearance, the Cisco officer will check through. Better be safe than to take the risk of going.

But i guess you can check at the ticket booth during purchasing ticket.. and the staff there wilk let tou know if its ok or not.. incs the boarding pass has been issue..suppose to be good to go.. but as i said like what happen to me.. i was already at harbour bay custom when i aware that my passport is below 6mth of validity.. it all depends on the officer who took your passport.. once they saw this as an opportunity they will pursue..

[ezzal]

If I am not wrong, if your passport left with 3 months, I don’t think you can pass through the counter to get the boarding pass. Even get boarding pass, at the gate entrance before custom check and immigration clearance, the Cisco officer will check through. Better be safe than to take the risk of going.

And bro most of the times especially when there are many ppl going over.. the counter staff wont ne checking the expiry dates.. they would just proceed with the printing and issue.. by then you are on your own..o

[Black Page]

And bro most of the times especially when there are many ppl going over.. the counter staff wont ne checking the expiry dates.. they would just proceed with the printing and issue.. by then you are on your own..o

The best that can happen is that the Singapore officer skip to check this, so he boards the ferry and arrives to Batam, where the Indonesian officer will send him back.
It happens with flights, and of course the return ticket is charged to the passenger if he did not prepare all the immigration required documents duly.

[nitecrawllerr]

:cool:The best that can happen is that the Singapore officer skip to check this, so he boards the ferry and arrives to Batam, where the Indonesian officer will send him back.
It happens with flights, and of course the return ticket is charged to the passenger if he did not prepare all the immigration required documents duly.

Very true. But i must give our ica offrs thumbs up. Most of the time they do a good job. There were once they highlighted to my friend passport which expiring 5 mths later. Told my friend ica cant stop him fm leaving sillypore and shld my friend kana ntl fm Tbk is not fault of ica. My friend took the risk. End up bribing Tbk corrupted offr s$50. But bargain to s$30. KNN..can negotiate like how hw u did at villa.:rolleyes:

[BFOMF5]

You shld have try the cha kue/carrot cake stall beside Bai Long noodle stall. That is the the better cha kue stall. I think the best one around in Batam. Still, i feel that Singapore fried carrot cake better than Batam.

Then again, everyone's taste bud is different. So what suit me might not suit u. At least it should be edible,hehehe... :rolleyes:

I will be compiling up all my favourite Grab-food in Batam soon,hehehe...

Agree...
The aunty morning in Penuin.
And evening in A2. But now she no more helping in A2 any more.

Not sure she go Nagoya FC or not.
Btw Satay Buaya got a store at NFC.

[BFOMF5]

:cool:

Very true. But i must give our ica offrs thumbs up. Most of the time they do a good job. There were once they highlighted to my friend passport which expiring 5 mths later. Told my friend ica cant stop him fm leaving sillypore and shld my friend kana ntl fm Tbk is not fault of ica. My friend took the risk. End up bribing Tbk corrupted offr s$50. But bargain to s$30. KNN..can negotiate like how hw u did at villa.:rolleyes:

Don't think they are so on the ball...
Most time they just tally passport Name with the boarding pass Name.

Also don't think Ticket counters girls will check passport expiry..

[CartonK]

Go Batam @ Cowboy-Town, don't LCLY unless you're super-loaded and wish to contribute your precious time (behind jail, the dirtiest in Asia) for few days & money (few grands SGD$) to both the criminal & unofficial criminal (officers, polisi, immigrasi, custom, etc)!

Remember, 'Cowboy town' have their own rules, just like Geylang in the 60's & 70's! Every them, is 'eyeing us' for a hit! As, we're presume loaded!

Best, go in quietly & go back safely! Show head there, and you will be the first to be pick and knock-by! That's the culture there, even the local chinese, practise such!

Sux policy there, but that's also the reason why we go there, because of their low-standard of living! Sux thumb, remember the armies 1st rule and stay safe! 'Do whatever you one, just don't get CAUGHT'!

[Ninja_Assassin]

bro, dun expect much help from these civil servants...from my friends experience they rendered no help for any polisi cases...these buggers tot you committed crime...they are only good to issue temp passport with a fees...:)

Not everyone from the Singapore Consulate or High Commission are civil servants. They do outsource certain jobs to agents and subcontractors.
I used to travel a lot and have on occasions been contacted by MFA to render assistance to their consular officers due to my familiarity with the locality or populace there.

[nono1973]

nwday btm ctr aso follow hb ferry term liao, got pierity queue by payin extra 100k rp...lol, the thg is tourist wil be bring 2 their staff gate for 4 instead....lol...due 2 their poor coordination, tourist aso complain abt it. Claiming tat it's corruption practice...lol

Hehehe...goes to shows that the one in control of the Batam center ferry terminal cannot control the place well enough as like the one who controls Harbour Bay ferry terminal.

One side took the extra cash collect for convenience as business profit so as to make things for the future better, the other side took it as part of the corrupted earning ,going into their own pocket and continue to deteriorate the future infrastructure,hehehe...who is wiser? :D

nw i lookin fwd 2 btm ctr follow hb like tat ,mai ani how charge tourist taxi fee. Then they'll automatic indirectly solve the grab/uber/gocar problem....lol...jus like hw hb solve the problem.

Thats if the brain is working for the one who implement and the one who takes the implementation.

End of the day, both tourists and locals gonna pay higher price or pay lower of inconvenience.

seriously, if taxi fee is higher but difference no veri much with grab/uber/gocar, which tourist wan 2 walk so far extra 10 mins 2 take a taxi, tio boh? if the btm gov no realize tis point, the problem wil going 2 take ages 2 solve....lol

No need to solve the problem, one side will get worse over time, while the other keeps getting sustainable better. With hell around, people will then appreciate heaven.

Remember i said in the past, how long does one takes to get to their hotel upon stepping of arrival gate?

Hmm...i am looking for pork in Batam. And i can only find one stall that sells Pai Kuat Wang aka Braised Pork Ribs (in Chinese, its call Pai Gu Wang 排骨王),hehehe... :D

283243

The only problem with this stall is the boss's attitude (and how he runs his business). But well, kind of no choice as there are no others like it. And not cheap too.

Been a few years since my last visit, might drop by that stall again on February 2020. Got a bunch of chef looking to try it,hehehe...

Believe me, i have done a run on anything pork in Batam. There are no Braised Pork Ribs except that stall. Let me know if you can find one,hehehe...i sure wouldnt mind trying.

I am already drooling while writing this post. :p

283244

Anyway, what i find best may not be suitable for all.

[nono1973]

Went over to try out Grand Duck at Penuin, and well...

283245

....other than the shark fin soup receiving a higher score...

283246

...the rest of its food has really nothing to shout about.

283247

Their Peking duck is in no way better than the one made in Duck Kitchen at Grand Batam Mall. Thats according to the aunties i brought over to Batam previously, who has tried both places.

Bird's Next was an absolute crap, thats according to the words from those who tried it. I didnt... :p

Next round,might probably bring them to Duck King at Citywalk Mall.

Not my kind of food, hence i didnt have to pay for it. But thats one of the most expensive food bill i have seen in Batam for 3 person.

[Naka_Timo]

bro, dun expect much help from these civil servants...from my friends experience they rendered no help for any polisi cases...these buggers tot you committed crime...they are only good to issue temp passport with a fees...:)

Yes, i agreed. I don't even trust them in those country. If any trouble all u need is S eleven for them to slove thing.

[hawkeye007]

Hmm...i am looking for pork in Batam. And i can only find one stall that sells Pai Kuat Wang aka Braised Pork Ribs (in Chinese, its call Pai Gu Wang 排骨王),hehehe... :D

283243

The only problem with this stall is the boss's attitude (and how he runs his business). But well, kind of no choice as there are no others like it. And not cheap too.

Been a few years since my last visit, might drop by that stall again on February 2020. Got a bunch of chef looking to try it,hehehe...

Believe me, i have done a run on anything pork in Batam. There are no Braised Pork Ribs except that stall. Let me know if you can find one,hehehe...i sure wouldnt mind trying.

I am already drooling while writing this post. :p

Anyway, what i find best may not be suitable for all.

There is a Zi char restaurant near Windsor foodcourt that serves Pai Gu Wang and it’s quite nice, comparable to SG standards.

I can’t remember the name of the place but here’s the map location:

283757283758

I’m sure the standard won’t fail u and the lady boss is quite pleasant.

On a side note, the Thiam Huat place in the above map also serves one of the better ikan asam pedas in Batam, worth a try for anyone who’s into ikan asam pedas.

[nitecrawllerr]

Don't think they are so on the ball...
Most time they just tally passport Name with the boarding pass Name.

Also don't think Ticket counters girls will check passport expiry..

For my friend case the ica officer (or the sysrem) was quite alert and brought to my friend attention. Tat means indofalcon staff not doing her job:D

[fde83]

I wouldnt want to take the risk. Sure kana pay under table money.:D

YES better don't risk it, NO pay under table as my friend got a kind immigration office in HBB and she advice him to renew his passport when come to batam again

For those asking me, beside avava also have vape store and it's the same store from batam centre. :D

[nitecrawllerr]

YES better don't risk it, NO pay under table as my friend got a kind immigration office in HBB and she advice him to renew his passport when come to batam again

Did yr friend go buy 4D?:D

[dadairen1hao]

Hi,

Anybody knows how to find quality girls in Batam island like PRC or Vietnam? If anybody know can share the infomation?
Thank you very much

[BFOMF5]

[QUOTE
"lion status".[/QUOTE]
Sorry typo...
Lion Statue

[Massagelover82]

Hi,

Anybody knows how to find quality girls in Batam island like PRC or Vietnam? If anybody know can share the infomation?
Thank you very much

This is the ultimate question...if you had even bothered to read 20 out of 1000+ pages here, you would have gotten the answer

[iicycold]

Not going to rewrite everything on CNY in batam all over again. I already had one of the link on my signature which i wrote last year 2019,hehehe...

Click on the link and read ONLY if you wish to know about my 5 years accumulated experience on CNY in Batam.

https://sbf.net.nz/showpost.php?p=18198669&postcount=12693


Lol....got 4 more days then is cny liao lo....tis yr like no good movie for cny in btm ya? :confused:

i got feel tat it's gng 2 be no so crowded like previous years cny lei....lol :D



https://give.asia/campaign/give-baby-zhafran-a-fighting-chance#/

For those of you who are Farmosa regulars, this is an opportunity for you to do a good deal and help someone..

may god bless ya good heart tis cny ya. :)


Since many of us meeting up few days after cny.

mai tu liao hor...beter go bking yr ferry pass fast, morning tix already all finish liao hor....lol...no say i nvr share share...lol

283953

& if u cummin back on nxt week mon, 27...aso jialat liao....lol :D

Sorry bro i typo should be 10070...

last fri,sat & sun, formosa opp confirm is 10150 rate...hb ferry term is 10050 & bcs is 10070. Mani money chnger gng 2 close on cny eve until next wed...jus 4 every1 information....lol

i tink bcs it's mani money chger stock up on rupiah due 2 holiday season peak & bank closing but bcs i regular, they give me a bit beter rate...otherwise i see fx is all below 10100 jus b4 i chge my money...i aso tio surprise 2. :cool:



Enough for me & the new girl from HY2.

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It's a King size bed.

recently HY got 2 gers resign,1 go married, left 2 ger then cum in another 3 new gers...the 1 u try is new ger....lol

hw is service? good? :p

End up bribing Tbk corrupted offr s$50. But bargain to s$30. KNN..can negotiate like how hw u did at villa.

lol....nearly everythg in indo land aso mus & can bargain de....lol :D

This is the ultimate question...

i tinking, hw cum go so far until reach indo land btm 2 look for inferior quality & higher price wetnam & prc gers?

sbf aso already hv ah....& cheeper prettier sm more....lol

i my ownself try prc & wetnam ger in sg & btm b4, 2 be honest...sg in general quality better & cheeper lor... :p

[dadairen1hao]

Im planning go batam on Jan 26 and 27
Anybody is interested join? And i cant speak malay:(

[dadairen1hao]

bro how do you find this kind of beautiful girl?

[Hurricane88]

bro how do you find this kind of beautiful girl?

stop spamming this thread...mod may take action if you continue to spam...why can't you wait for reply...of no reply then read TS links...:)

[nono1973]

I tink better when we reach there that time then directly pass him the money better.


Guess that would be the choice. Dont go and pass the money to someone else and ask someone to pass it to him.

Thank you for your understanding. ;)

..Maybe i was changing at bcs area the rate is lower...

BCS is a touristy area infested by many tourist where by majority were Singaporean and Malaysian. While the exchange rate were better than ferry terminals and shopping malls, they still were no match for those shops opposite Nagoya Plaza Hotel rows of dozen money changers,hehehe...that one whole stretch of money changers along the way, i see numerous shops there with interval of an average of 10 seconds walk distance.

For the best exchange rate, always go to places where there are at least 3 or 4 money changer shops almost side by side each other.

Since you are at BCS area, there is only one row of money changer shops with more than 3 money changers. That is opposite the BCS mall itself (but skip those at Penuin wet market). The one that i regularly walk to is Hai Hai Money changer, which often offers a little better rate than the rest.

Otherwise, i just change a bit at BCS area 1st and change more later when i get to opposite Formosa Hotel or opposite Nagoya Plasa Hotel.

Just sharing.