Batam Info / Interest / Help Thread

[iicycold]

Originally Posted by nono1973

Its a HDMi connection via my laptop shown on the LCD TV display in high volume.

There is no need to DIY in Batam,hehehe...that,of course is my plan B when all else fail.

Cum to tink of it,prostitution & hj/fj inside mp/rm also illegal in btm & other cuntries. Carryin a much heavier penalty than porn. Be careful oh...

[Kaboon]

Originally Posted by iicycold

Cum to tink of it,prostitution & hj/fj inside mp/rm also illegal in btm & other cuntries. Carryin a much heavier penalty than porn.

I read recently sm ang moh guy tweeted the word "fuck" & was seen by custom guys also kena deported back to SG abt a year back. Mayb the use of the word "fuck" also not legal . (i knw,we aren't suppose to use our hp while in Q crossing custom)

[nono1973]

Adhi Vinayakar Temple
(a Hindu Temple - Pura Agung Amerta Bhuana)
+
Pondok Santai Kak Dadut Restaurant
(which is just 1 min walk away from the temple)

Ok,i have been to this Hindu temple during a much earlier part of my Batam trips (its written in one of my Batam summaries). I am no indian,but this temple is indeed majestic-looking with a snake made of stone coiling around it. The description i found online says :

Adhi Vinayakar Hindu Temple is in Sei Ladi hills, just a few minutes south of Nagoya, and is worshipped by the Hindu’s from all over the island.

Back in 2005 twenty Indian Hindu priests (Maharesi) lead Sri Lalitha
Maha Thirupurasundari's purification ceremony at a prayer center for a Hindu community in the Agung Amertha Bhuana Temple (AAB Temple) area, which is part of the Adhi Vinayakar Hindu Temple.

I read another article saying that is Hindu temple is also called the Naga temple.Like some other Hindu temples i have been to before,it also has a Fire-Walking pit which signify the ritual of passing through an entrance of fire, thereby purifying the soul. One day,i may pay this place a revisit and do a more complete write out on this Hindu temple in future.

Important note : Visitors are also suggested to wear proper clothings. This sacred place is forbidden for women who are having menstruation, neither for those who are in mourning for 32 days.

What set my interest today isnt the temple,but the restaurant name, Kak Dadut, which serves vegetarian meals, seafood, Balinese & Lombok Island style food, some Western food as well as local favorites.(its almost beside the temple) If my memory still serves me well,an Indonesia Chinese bro in this forum who works in Sillypore and often head back home in Batam once or twice a week told me,this place serves pretty good food.

From the photo above,on the left os the restaurant and from the stairs up,it will lead to the temple as shown on the 1st photo of this post. And below shows the map on how to get there. It isnt exactly near nor far but definitely will need a drive there. If i dont remember wrong,it took me 10 to 15 mins to get there.

...and the food they were known to serve...

The food looks good isnt it? Hehehe...

[iicycold]

Originally Posted by m600

Bro may i know what the cost of the total bills? Thanks !

Bro,u may wish 2 use the edit button @ yr bottom rite side of yr post 2 edit yr own post. U r quoting nono's whole long post w a 1 liner reply which is a little inconsiderate 4 other readers reading tis thread. (also against forum rules which may subject 4 removal)

[hawkeye007]

Originally Posted by m600

Bro may i know what the cost of the total bills? Thanks !

Do you need to quote the entire post..? U've been an SBF member for 7 years, you should know better.

[localbest]

Originally Posted by nono1973

..and the food they were known to serve...

The food looks good isnt it? Hehehe...

The fried fish on the table with cucumber if not wrong should be fried Gurame (Indonesian popular fresh water fish)

Now also selling at EA café at level 3 Nagoya hill at 50% discount which is 64k x 50%=32k

[Black Page]

Originally Posted by iicycold

Bro,u may wish 2 use the edit button @ yr bottom rite side of yr post 2 edit yr own post. U r quoting nono's whole long post w a 1 liner reply which is a little inconsiderate 4 other readers reading tis thread.

Maybe he liked Nono's post so much, that he wanted to repeat it to ensure nobody misses it

[localbest]

Originally Posted by localbest

I would also like to share some info on money saving tips for bros here for ferry service to batam....

For singaporean who travel from singapore to batam.

1) Use NTUC card to get $10 off for 2 ways ferry ticket from harbourfront to batam centre by sindo ferry.
$36 ticket + $6(spore tax) + $6.70(65k indo tax) - $10 = $38.70

2) Senior citizen - must be singaporean aged 50 and above (valid till 30 sept 2016)
S$17 per 2way adult ticket from harbourfront to batam centre by sindo ferry.(Price excludes Terminal Taxes)
Singapore Passenger Departure Fee is $6 per person.
Batam Terminal tax is Rp65,000 per person.
$17 ticket + $6(spore tax) + $6.70(65k indo tax) = $29.70

3) Apply for the Sindo Ferry Club Card at $188 per month which entitle to unlimited travel between batam centre and Singapore harbourfront. But the price is exclude tax on both sides.
Singapore Passenger Departure Fee is $6 per person.
Batam Terminal tax is Rp65,000 per person.
Applicable to Batam Centre, Sekupang and Waterfront.
Each month cost $188
Each return trip cost $6(spore tax) + $6.70(65k indo tax) = $12.70

Besides the money saving tips on ferry tickets, I would also like to share with brothers on other saving tips in batam but may not be applicable to everyone.

Below are some of them:

1) Transport expenses
Once arrived at harbourbay ferry terminal, the teksi supir will start asking the customer and will most likely quote a 55k-60k carrot cake price for a short journey of 2.5km to Formosa hotel.

If one is to walk further down and reach the entrance of harbourbay shopping, the price quoted by the taxi supir will be lower down to 50k, but if you bargain hard the price can be further reduce to 45k max.

However, if I walk out to the main road, I am able to negotiate to 40k to Formosa hotel which I have tried before. This proved that customer who hired a cab nearer to the ferry terminal will be quoted a higher price.

However if you were to take an ojek from the main road just outside harbourbay mall to Formosa, you are most likely to spend 15-20k.

For me, I have tried taxi, ojek and in my last trip last month, I finally tried taking a metro van at the main road of Jalan Raja Ali Haji near the morning bakery shop infront where a lot of metro van is stopping awaiting for passenger. I then alight at Nagoya hill shopping centre, the fare is only 3k rupiah. This is the first time in my life that I took such cheap transport in batam. I was delighted and feel a sense of satisfaction that my 3k rupiah was so well spend. After that I then walk to Formosa from Nagoya hill mall.

So it is your choice to select the transport cost from harbourbay to Formosa area (2.5km) base on the boarding location and mode of transport:

Taxi at ferry terminal : 55-60k
Taxi just outside harbourbay mall entrance : 45-50k
Taxi at main road near harbourbay mall : 35-40k
Ojek at main road near harbourbay mall : 15-20k
Metro van that can sit 8-10 people : 3k
By foot : free but need to buy mineral water at alfa mart to replenish the lost water at 2.2k.

2) Cheap food
Sometime I do look out for promotion items in Batam. When there is a food promotion like half price for gurame fried freshwater fish at EA café (level 3 Nagoya hill) and other food items, I will not hesitate to go ahead to enjoy.

I also noticed that street food in Batam are also cheap and delicious which provide another alternative in saving money . They are normally sold in mobile warung or mobile push cart kiosk with 2 wheel. Some street food include mee soto, bakso (Indonesian meat ball), rujak (Indonesian rojak), satay, etc.

But one of the most common favourite for Indonesian is the gorengan or so called "Indonesian fried snack". Some of the very delicious gorengan include:

a) Pisang goreng - fried banana selling at 1k=10 cents, but in Singapore selling for $1.30-$1.70 per piece. Batam pisang goreng taste better in my opinion.

b) Ubi goreng - fried sweet potato selling at 1k=10cents, but in spore is selling for $1-$1.20 per piece.

c) tempeh goreng - tempeh is a traditional soy product originate from Indonesia selling at 1k=10cents, but only can be found in spore Indonesian restaurant or malay food. Normally ayam penyet dish will come with it.

d) tahu goreng - fried beancurd selling at 1k=10cents, but the tahu goreng in spore is selling for $2.50-$3.00 per piece with peanut sauce which is 25-30 times more expensive.

e) bakwan goreng - fried mix of dough made of wheat flour, cabbage, and carrot selling at 1k=10cents, but in spore is selling for $1 for vegetarian bakwan and $1.50 bakwan with prawn.

f) Aci goreng - fried tapioca dough selling at 1k=10cents, but in spore is selling at between $0.80-$1.00.

g) Singkong goreng - fried cassava selling at 1k=10cents but have not seen in spore.

These gorengan are usually deep fried, used one kind of batter like flour, salt and pepper and also used no meat therefore can keep the cost low.

3) Savings on buying daily needs
Another saving tips is tried to buy grocery or personal needs from cheap mini market like alfamart which has more than 7000 stores which is the largest retailer in indonesia. (the so call 7-11 of Indonesia)

However the price is much cheaper than 7-11 and other supermarket and has all the variety of daily necessity that one needs. It has also many branches in batam. near Formosa already have two - one beside bridge massage and one near siang malam which is convenient if you are staying around the vicinity.

4) Bargain special service fee for sort time massage and overnight booking fee
Negotiate handjob fee and fuckjob fee as much as possible. Try to use the pretend not interested method if the cewek refuse to lower down her price.

Pretend to walk away if the mami refuse to lower down the booking fee of the cewek.

The savings can be substantial as it is quoted in step of hundreds of thousand rupiah...this one need a bit of bargaining skill, best to consult the expert bro nono for guidance hehe

[localbest]

5) Save on mobile data charges

As we know that Nagoya hill mall has many eateries coffee shop like Oldtown, EA café, Baresto café, Kangen café, Coffee story, Bistro Godiva coffee, etc, all these places provide free wifi. So if you go for your tea break/lunch/dinner you can save on internet charges. Also make full use of any free wifi services in the hotel too by downloading any info from the internet that you need.

Sometimes if you do not want to buy mobile data, you can always go near to those places where you have ever used wifi before as it will auto login without the need to key in password.

6) Save on hotel accommodation

There is a few options where you can save on lodging :

a) Buy hotel vouchers at KAHA, thanks to bro nono for recommendation. Mostly applicable to 3 star hotel and above.

b) Join membership to get a classic card to enjoy 10% off the room rate, e.g. 510k-51k=459k approximate = 460k in Formosa hotel. So far I only know Formosa have this membership scheme, do any bros know if other hotel also have membership ?

c) Check the website like booking.com or hotel.com to compare offer price. After that call the hotel to ask the hotel walk in rate.

The following methods above will definitely be cheaper to book a hotel room than the walk in price.

7) Save on Cewek booking fee (no supir)
Tried not to engage a supir/driver for cewek hunting as he will get a 100k-150k commission from the papi or mami of the booking joint.

Use the walking map provided by nono to look for the joint.

Always take a taxi from point A to B so that you only pay the taxi fare only.

Alight at a location near the joint but not at the joint, wait till the taxi left the site then go in to the booking joint to book your cewek to avoid paying driver commission.

All the joints in fact can be accessed by walking from Goldbird - Memory - New berry - Happy massage 8 - Indah2 - Bunga - Permata Indah following the sequence.

But for newbie in order to familiarise the location of the booking joint can follow experience bros once and try to remember the way to the joints.

8) Save on massage fees

a) Many small savings that one save could amount up to a big saving. Take for example if I have a gold card in Formosa hotel, I get 20% discount off the normal price at King's Massage. If one day massage a few sessions for 500k, there will be a saving of 100k.

b) Also try to take longer duration of massage as it will be cheaper compare to two short duration of massage.

example 2 hours costs 180k but 1 hour cost 100k.

[tomcat007]

Originally Posted by m600

Bro may i know what the cost of the total bills? Thanks !

Do you have to quote the entire message?

[tomcat007]

Originally Posted by localbest

Besides the money saving tips on ferry tickets, I would also like to share with brothers on other saving tips in batam but may not be applicable to everyone.

Below are some of them:

1) Transport expenses
Once arrived at harbourbay ferry terminal, the teksi supir will start asking the customer and will most likely quote a 55k-60k carrot cake price for a short journey of 2.5km to Formosa hotel.

If one is to walk further down and reach the entrance of harbourbay shopping, the price quoted by the taxi supir will be lower down to 50k, but if you bargain hard the price can be further reduce to 45k max.

40k max. At the entrance of Harbour Bay Mall where there's is steps going down to carpark. If you can't speak bahasa, just signal 40 with your hand and if they don't accept, just smile and move on. Taxis are fine a dozen in Batam. Throw a stone and you might hit a taxi driver or sex worker...

[Wdydx]

Originally Posted by localbest

b) Also try to take longer duration of massage as it will be cheaper compare to two short duration of massage.

example 2 hours costs 180k but 1 hour cost 100k.

Impressive! great sharing, thanks a lot.

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by tomcat007

We went to a seafood restaurant near DC Mall. It's hotly discussed before so I won't name the shop. But, for 4 dishes (streamed fish, fried chicken, broccoli and hotplate tofu), 500k is a bit in the expensive side.

i had a clearer photo of this place but choose to pick a blurry one for now,hehehe..

I just had my lowest priced lunch in Batam on the last day of my trip,at 32500 rupiah (about S$3.30) for 3 person,hehehe...one of my most satisfactory meal in Batam.

(i have to keep checking with the cashier if they have priced our meals correctly)

Its all vegetarian food w/o drinks tho (well-filtered,plain water was free there).

I need to freshen up before i post more....as always,am quite tired after my return,hehehe...

[mygirly]

Something intresting u may like to know. I ordered food from other store while having dinner at New Siang Malam Seafood store and it incurred a 10k service charge for food from outside stores.
Not sure if this is common in other stores.

[hawkeye007]

Originally Posted by mygirly

Something intresting u may like to know. I ordered food from other store while having dinner at New Siang Malam Seafood store and it incurred a 10k service charge for food from outside stores.
Not sure if this is common in other stores.

First time I've ever heard this happening in batam. I've brought/bought outside food into eateries before (of course bulk of the food ordered from said eatery/restaurant) and was never questioned before, let alone kena imposed a service charge.

The only establishment(s) that I have encountered in Batam are the cinemas (XXI & Blitz), which is understandable cos the main bulk of their revenue comes from their concessionary stand sales; can't exactly make money out of 25k - 40k per ticket.

Didn't know New Siang Malam Seafood is so mercenary.