Part 1
Sorry to all bro,after thinking for a very long time,i find out that i wasn't able to write a FR for my Batam trip,but i can summarise up my whole trip as below :
Reach Harbour Front very early,as i have booked a return ticket from Prima Ferries and have to confirm my ticket an hour earlier. As i was too early,so i walk around that area and found out something,Sindo Ferry going to Batam Centre and back also same price as Prima ferries (S$48.00),but if you got NTUC card or Safra card,can have S$10 discount. But becos i newbie in Batam (i cant speak malay too) and not familiar with Batam Centre,so better don't risk it.(if i land in Batam centre,i will be diverted from my original trip's plan/objective)
After confirm my ticket at Prima Ferries,the ticket counter says the Boarding time is 30 mins before my confirm time,so i still have about 30 mins plus to walk around. I walk to the 1st floor and saw a few money changer. I go ask for the best rate around and found out that this shop below gives the BEST rate :
I ask them how much,they told me 8800/SGD,i walk off. Then they call me back and as me how much i change elsewhere,i told them 8950,and they agreed.(which i found out later it's the same as changing in Batam opp Formosa) For the WORST rate in Harbour front,can go to the Departure Hall money changer,operate by 2 Malay ladies,rate at 8700/SGD.
I board the ferry,and vividly saw that the ferry name called something like Batam Fart. The boat ride was smooth sailing for the 1st 10 mins,but later saw another ferry name Wavemaster overtaking my Batam Fart ferry. Wavemaster create a lot of waves that makes my ferry become bumpy cos the captain of the ferry must cut the wave created in order not be capsized by the big wave from Wavemaster ferry. It's about another 10 mins before Batam Fart ferry re-overtake Wavemaster taking the lead again.
Soon after,reach Batam Harbour Bay. Took a slow walk around Harbour Bay after passing immigration and was greet by many taxi driver,which i reject them all cos my plan was to take ojek. My 1st stop was to the Harbour mart,to grab some mineral water,CDs and cigarettes.i walked to Prima Ferries counter to confirm my return ticket the next day too. Then walk to look for ojek...all ojeks want 20k per destination along the way,when i tell them i going to Harmini hotel,then to formosa...until a taxi driver approach me. I ask him how much,he says 40k to harmoni,i told him taxi i can only pay 30k per destination,then he says ok. I hop on...i say i going Kaha opp Harmoni,and later to Formosa,and i ask how much,he says he'll wait for me and up to me to pay him for my trip from Harmoni to Formosa.So when i reach Formosa,i pay him 50k.
When i reach Kaha :
The spectacle lady whom some bros call her Machik or something is praying,so i waited for a bit and after she finish her prayer,i ask for my "special" room in formosa. I got the room i wanted at a 38% off the S$72 ++ quoted by the formosa reception a trip ago. Happy with the price and the room i got,i pay her and this "machik" isn't as bad as many here says. I think many bros here complained about her,that's why her attitude improved. Below a sneak preview of her look (a clearer pics will be post later) :
Got the room i want,head to formosa with the taxi driver and check in.
The room was small enough for me,with every facilities i need to operate as i desired,hehehe...