Batam Info / Interest / Help Thread

[nono1973]

Hmm...signboards like the below were scattered everywhere around Harbour Bay's Hotels and malls. Also notice a handful of taxis with the Ezy Taxi logo on it too.

I find it pretty interesting.

http://kabarpesisir.com/sticker-yang...dipertanyakan/

[pandknight]

Originally Posted by nono1973

Hmm...signboards like the below were scattered everywhere around Harbour Bay's Hotels and malls. Also notice a handful of taxis with the Ezy Taxi logo on it too.

Was talking to one of the drivers the other day about the flat fare. Seems like the flat Rp30,000 fare was enforced by Harbour Bay Terminal itself. I believe it's in an effort to promote the newly renovated terminal and shops in there, increase the people boarding and alighting from there. Taxi operators are told to either comply or not operate there.

However, do still be careful. There are still some drivers who will claim that the fare is Rp50,000 and say it's the same everywhere when you try to go to the taxi stand, so always insist that you want to go to the stand and only take the taxi from the stand. Also, for those who have not been there for quite some time, the taxi stand is now changed location. Once you arrived, you'll see Starbucks (yes, it's new), so turn left to the exit and follow the path to the end where the taxi stand is located.

[fde83]

Last 3 posts are about ferry and taxi, u wana chime in about seeing more chicken. Cheerleaders sure know how to stay quiet when big numbers talk, btw even u took taxi below the walkway bridge its still 30k flat.

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by pandknight

Was talking to one of the drivers the other day about the flat fare. Seems like the flat Rp30,000 fare was enforced by Harbour Bay Terminal itself. I believe it's in an effort to promote the newly renovated terminal and shops in there, increase the people boarding and alighting from there. Taxi operators are told to either comply or not operate there.

I guess as much,hehehe...the photo above was taken outside Jco,beside Swissbel hotel,and i tried taking a taxi from there when there was 2 taxis parked there yesterday evening,and guess what. You are right,they tried to quote me 50k rupiah to Nagoya. I showed them that sign board on the picture above on the 30k rupiah charges,they complied,hehehe....they actually parked their cars there BLOCKING the sign board but i went there to take a photo of it.

Next thing now,i will try to call the number stated on the board to see if they would come to the hotel to pick me up at 30k rupiah,hehehe...

Originally Posted by pandknight

However, do still be careful. There are still some drivers who will claim that the fare is Rp50,000 and say it's the same everywhere when you try to go to the taxi stand, so always insist that you want to go to the stand and only take the taxi from the stand. Also, for those who have not been there for quite some time, the taxi stand is now changed location. Once you arrived, you'll see Starbucks (yes, it's new), so turn left to the exit and follow the path to the end where the taxi stand is located.

A lot has obviously changed in Harbour Bay. Harbour Bay Ferry terminal Arrival hall area has a Starbuck,hehehe...

I think bro Blackpage might probably like it. Only sad thing for me is the area is now air-conned...and has become a no smoking zone.

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by Black Page

Anyone might kindly provide a recent and precise update about the current situation about registering SIM cards in Batam?

Last May (duly reported here), my experience was "complex", so to speak. I had to go two times to Grapari to get my two SIM cards registered with my passport and working.

I undestand from some recent posts that the situation is better now? did the simplify the procedure? No more need to register the SIM for us foreigners?
Any difference depending on the operator?

I bought a Telkomsel sim card from the shop below at Harbour Bay. The boy on the right hand side of the photo (he speaks broken English) tells me now Telkomsel sim card sold in his shop no need to register and will last as long as i top it up (like in the past). Other sim card/s like the IM3 sim card etc i bought few months ago will last for one month and will expire if i do not register.

...and by the way,there is another thing you might wish to take note...

...the old Horizon Ferry counter in Harbour Bay has shut down.

However,you can still find their new counter on....

...and they have downsized their counter size. So i see longer waiting queue.

Take the escalator up 2nd floor after you comes out of the arrival area,and you will see the ever popular Malaya Cafe Restaurant,Horizon ferry counter is just round the corner,hehehe...if you look hard enough.

Photo of the above were taken on the 2nd floor from the escalator,hehehe...

[penguin59]

Xchange rate have reach Rp 10880 = SGD 1.00
AFTER LUNCH ITS ALREADY Rp10900 = SGD1.00

[SYTBigBoobLover]

Saw this...

[Black Page]

Originally Posted by nono1973

I bought a Telkomsel sim card from the shop below at Harbour Bay. The boy on the right hand side of the photo (he speaks broken English) tells me now Telkomsel sim card sold in his shop no need to register and will last as long as i top it up (like in the past). Other sim card/s like the IM3 sim card etc i bought few months ago will last for one month and will expire if i do not register.

This information is gold. I received the same hint from another senior member by PM. Thank you both.

Now next question is (see, I am never satisfied. I always ask more. You give me a finger I pull the arm):
1) is the procedure to register a regular SIM Simpati card bought at Lucky Plaza still the same? Long and time consuming as it requires to go to Grapari? Or was it simplified in these months?
2) Is this booth the only one found so far? I hope he will last till my next visit to Batam (2 weeks only )

Originally Posted by nono1973

...and they have downsized their counter size. So i see longer waiting queue.

I checkin upon my arrival and therefore I never experienced any queue (arrival is not synced with departure)

Originally Posted by nono1973

A lot has obviously changed in Harbour Bay. Harbour Bay Ferry terminal Arrival hall area has a Starbuck,hehehe...

I think bro Blackpage might probably like it.

You're wrong.
I am not the typical Western man going to Batam. I hate Starbuck as the quality of their espresso is bad (bitter and roasted too much). I go to Starbucks only when I don't have better options.
Unfortunately, in Singapore there are seldom better options. The coffee in other cafeterias is nearly the same.
In KL, there are a couple of good places in the mall near KL Sentral. There was Illy Espressamente at Pavilion, but it's closed already 2-3 years.
In Batam, my place is Jco. No so good as Illy, but I like it.

[fde83]

Mod, is it necessary to quote whole post?

[Kaboon]

Originally Posted by xXFreedomXx

Is Atalanta closed for good or renovation?

It's been closed for good.

[PowerBenz]

1-3 oct batam anyone wanna tag along??

[yourslovingly]

I saw dragon massage when I walk around nagoya. Any review about it? Is they offer FJ or BJ? Can choose girls? How about massage?

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by Black Page

This information is gold. I received the same hint from another senior member by PM. Thank you both.

I will usually head to recce stuffs that catches my interest,this one happens to stir my interest a bit. I tried the M1 Mcard internet connection,rather interminent. Meaning sometimes i connect,some time there's a frequent lost of connection. So end up heading to buy a sim card in Batam upon arrival.

Originally Posted by Black Page

Now next question is (see, I am never satisfied. I always ask more. You give me a finger I pull the arm):
1) is the procedure to register a regular SIM Simpati card bought at Lucky Plaza still the same? Long and time consuming as it requires to go to Grapari? Or was it simplified in these months?
2) Is this booth the only one found so far? I hope he will last till my next visit to Batam (2 weeks only )

Lucky Plaza wise,i arent too sure but its always good to double check with the shop reseller beforehand. Tell them what you need and see what they recommend. I was told these sim cards were pre-registered under someone else's name,probably some locals (my guess). In other word,i am probably using other's people sim card now.

There is a telkomel booth that sells solely its brand sim card at Harbour Bay ferry terminal,so you may wish to check them out before heading out. I need to see if it expires NEXT month (which the seller claim wont as long as i top up).

Place i bought the sim card is outside (non air-con area), behind Harbour Mart.

Originally Posted by Black Page

I checkin upon my arrival and therefore I never experienced any queue (arrival is not synced with departure)

Do take note on one more thing,the taxi stand is no longer at the usual place in Harbour Bay too.

Out after having your luggage scanned (entrance), to get to the usual taxi stand,you usually will turn right side and walk straight forward. This time round,dont turn right,but turn left instead,enter thru a glass door,turn right and walk straight. No need to ask,no need to bargain,the price is 30k rupiah. (still best to double check before boarding tho)

I will try to post photo/s later.

[Oscar1325]

Originally Posted by yourslovingly

I saw dragon massage when I walk around nagoya. Any review about it? Is they offer FJ or BJ? Can choose girls? How about massage?

All the MPs in Batam is nego with the girls one. Most of them do FJ. Girls can see photo but don't count on it. Can change if don't like. Massage is cmi. Price for FJ around 200-300k. Don't overpay. Thanks

[yourslovingly]

thanks for the info and reply br