Batam Info / Interest / Help Thread

[BFOMF5]

Not sure it apply to others ferry co. As this is the increase of SPDF Singapore Passengers Departure Fee.

[storm70]

Planning to Batam tomorrow, Just heard it is unsafe to go Batam cos morning burning of chineses house in batam...and media report of possible demonstration ard Batam centre.
Is it true,safe or not????

[5959]

Major demonstrations expected in Batam – Singaporeans advised to exercise vigilance

http://theindependent.sg/major-demon...ise-vigilance/

[nono1973]

2016 is almost coming to an end...and 2017 is on its way. And its always good to be prepared.

Indonesia Public Holiday
2017

Reference to the previous 2016 Indonesia public holiday :

https://sammy.services/showpost.p...postcount=1127

Some of the major holiday i am constantly watching out on while planning my trip to Batam :

1. CNY 2017 - its one of the key reason why i am in Batam for.

2. Ramadan month and Hari Raya Puasa (below link is my collected info on Ramadan)

https://sammy.services/showpost.p...postcount=2228

3. 1st of May's Labour Day - usually there will be demonstration/rally outside or around Batam Center area.

4. 17th August's Indonesia's Independence Day - usually there will also be demonstration/rally outside or around Batam Center area.

5. Indonesia Election Day ,National and Religious event.

While constantly keeping a look out on Indonesia public holiday,i am also looking out at Sillypore and Malaysia public holiday too. I can never be too prepared and being well prepare do not equates to zero hiccups in my trips.

Just sharing.

(next year around this time,i may have to look back at what i post here today)

[Leoric]

Originally Posted by nono1973

Major demonstrations expected in Batam – Singaporeans advised to exercise vigilance

The Consulate of The Republic of Singapore – Batam, has issued an advisory asking Singaporeans planning to visit Batam from 14 – 16 November to exercise vigilance. The consulate said that there have been media reports on the possibility of major demonstrations during that period and that the demonstrations are expected to be concentrated in Batam Centre.

Thanks for yr info..apparently,no one notice yr post. The news says there's a POSSIBILITY of a major demo between 14 - 16 Nov. Doesn't mean will confirm have & even have also will be expected to be CONCENTRATED in Batam Center.

No wonder u don't like to drop yrself off at Batam Center which in some ways solve all unforeseen prob.

Originally Posted by nono1973

“The Batam authorities have indicated that they are making the necessary preparations to manage these demonstrations, and ensure that they are conducted in as peaceful a manner as possible,” the advisory said.

It added: “Singaporeans are also advised to monitor the local media for updates and developments related to the demonstrations.”

Singaporeans in need of urgent consular assistance can contact the Singapore Consulate in Batam at +62-(778)- 470070 or +62-811-6916-916 (24-hours) or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office (24-hours) at +65-6379-8800 or +65-6379-8855, and via e-mail [email protected].

Singaporeans are advised to take the necessary precautions for their personal safety.

https://sammy.services/showpost.p...postcount=3169

Will have to await for bro BFOMF5 update on the demo.

Hope it's just a hoax.

Originally Posted by BFOMF5

Not sure it apply to others ferry co. As this is the increase of SPDF Singapore Passengers Departure Fee.

Base on Horizon & Batamfast websites,no increase. But not sure if there'll be an increase for Batamfast & Sindo ferry promo disc itself.

[AhPui8]

Really curious why someone like to emphasize so many times that he don,t know bahasa (malay).

1 time 2 times never mind. But so many times don,t seem right at all.
Can understand until
1 - satu
2 - dua
3 - tiga
4 - empat
5 - lima

but 678910 still don,t know. Hahahha. Really funny. Actually no need to emphasize so many times. Only got 1 reason. Pretend to be a Pig, to eat the Tiger.

[Kaboon]

Originally Posted by sadsky18

My friends went massage and I just roam around the shopping mall myself at 5pm .

TBC.......

still awaiting the TBC.

[Kaboon]

Originally Posted by XXLCat

Thank you very much for the enlightenment bro Kaboon. My humble points up.

if u didn't ask,i wldn't hv go find out & if i didn't find out,i wldn't hv knwn to come here reply u.

Got take,got give bk,the world will becm a more balance place.

Return ups & hv a good day!

[AhPui8]

I very free now. Don,t say i anyhow say hor. So how many don,t know bahasa do you all like to hear?
1..At Utama area,very rare i will need to pay until 200k for hj and 300k (and/or more) for fj too. And i dont speak Indo. I guess not being able to speak bahasa indo can become an added advantage in this case

2...10k to 20k is the usual pricing for ojek (depend on distance and how you wish to travel) if i move around solo. And i dont know bahasa too,yet i can still bargain.

3..Should be quite easy for me since i truly do not understand bahasa.

4..Not a problem at all. I dont have an Indo girl to talk to from Sillypore to Batam,hence my bahasa relatively remain quite stagnant over the last 2 years.

5..Hehehe..language should not be a barrier (tho i must say it is good to know their language) becos to date,i still dont speak bahasa too. 27-04-2016, 11:36 AM

6.. (affecting my negotiation with other pharmacie when i talk to them,remember i dont speak bahasa)

7..Bargaining conversation time,all in less than 3 mins and with all smile since i dont understand bahasa,hehehe...

8..Cant speak bahasa indo? Thats just like me,use google translate then,hehehe..i have been using it since day 1 of my trip and i am still rather illiterate with Bahasa

9..Nothing to fear for season Batam cheongsters of course,but it can be a stumbling block for most Batam newbie who are like me who dont understand Bahasa Indo

10.At Utama area,very rare i will need to pay until 200k for hj and 300k (and/or more) for fj too. And i dont speak Indo. I guess not being able to speak bahasa indo can become an added advantage in this case

11..10 out of 10 bros who join me in my trips know well I couldnt communicate in bahasa at all,hehehe

12...Hehehe...i am neither of it. Meaning,not old bird,dont speak bahasa nor look like a local

13..I have to resort to using the point to point "trickery" to get the below 20k rupiah as a foreigner who speaks no malay nor Bahasa Indo.

14..Due to our lack of understanding on Bahasa Indo language,we ordered like we used to in Sillypore,we ask for 3 Fried Bananas....and they turn out to be 3 plates of this

15..He speaks in bahasa,i didnt understand.

16..I google translated the words on the pictured banner before I asked my question above,hehehe... (sorry,not an indo bahasa literate person and I relied on google translate a lot)

17..And by far,i have send 2 girls back in my 2.5 years time in Batam,hehehe...I was about 4 to 5 months old in Batam that time when I send my 1st booking girl packing and to-date I don't even speak bahasa nor malay,

18..Maybe you can help me check it out if there are more reason/s behind it becos as you know,i don't speak bahasa,

19..Sadly,its not for me becos i dont understand bahasa

20.Precaution is always better than cure,hence its written on the newbie guide. Remember,i wrote the guide when i 1st visit Batam,with zero experience and do not speak Malay or any Bahasa indo.

[Xhuuya]

The Demonstation only because the Batam Authority goverment giving high rental price , it's not racist or anything , Nagoya Hill area will be safe.
If any of you guys want to go to Batam , go to HarbourBay using Horizon , will be much safer (and faster too , 45 mins)
from what i read its basicly they increase the land tax or something like that a hundred fold of last year price only.

And About the Local burn the chinese House is Batam is TRUE , but not racist problem ,
The Developer of The Houses using cheat way to get the land and build the Houses and SELL them .
The local owner of the lands burn the houses couse of the developer but the houses alrd bought by chinese local !!!
so basicly it still safe

[Xhuuya]

If u see that Red Line im draw, Jl Komplek Dian Center , there's a lot of massage palor over there , all prices will be cheaper (Local girl only/Indonesian)

Room : Rp 60.000 ($6) - Rp 150.000 ($15)
DC for job : Rp 300.000 ($30) - Rp 500.000 ($50) , mostly at $40

I dont know if u can take em out or not , never ask, one of the best there is call GooD One , and Kupu-Kupu (Kupu-kupu u can see the girl directly) and mostly u can see their face from Photo .

[AhPui8]

Is this too much of a don,t know bahasa , hahaha?

1..At Utama area,very rare i will need to pay until 200k for hj and 300k (and/or more) for fj too. And i dont speak Indo. I guess not being able to speak bahasa indo can become an added advantage in this case
Indo or Malay

2..10k to 20k is the usual pricing for ojek (depending on distance and how you wish to travel) if i move around solo. And i dont understand bahasa too,yet i can still bargain.

3..Should be quite easy for me since i truly do not understand bahasa.

4..Not a problem at all. I dont have an Indo girl to talk to from Sillypore to Batam,hence my bahasa relatively remain quite stagnant over the last 2 years.

5..Hehehe..language should not be a barrier (tho i must say it is good to know their language) becos to date,i still dont speak bahasa too. 27-04-2016, 11:36 AM

6.. (affecting my negotiation with other pharmacies when i talk to them,remember i dont speak bahasa)

7..Bargaining conversation time,all in less than 3 mins and with all smile since i dont understand bahasa,hehehe...

8..Cant speak bahasa indo? Thats just like me,use google translate then,hehehe...i have been using it since day 1 of my trip and i am still rather illiterate with Bahasa

9.Most Batam newbies who are like me who dont understand Bahasa Indo

10.At Utama area,very rare i will need to pay until 200k for hj and 300k (and/or more) for fj too. And i dont speak Indo. I guess not being able to speak bahasa indo can become an added advantage in this case

11..10 out of 10 bros who joined me in my trips know well I couldnt communicate in bahasa at all

12.i am neither of it. Meaning,not old bird,dont speak bahasa nor look like a local

13..Due to our lack of understanding on Bahasa Indo language,we ordered like we used to in Sillypore,we ask for 3 Fried Bananas....and they turn out to be 3 plates of this

14..He speaks in bahasa,i didnt understand.

15..I google translated the words on the pictured banner before I asked my question above,hehehe... (sorry,not an indo bahasa literate person and I relied on google translate a lot)

16..And by far,i have send 2 girls back in my 2.5 years time in Batam,hehehe...I was about 4 to 5 months old in Batam that time when I send my 1st booking girl packing and to-date I don't even speak bahasa nor malay,

17..Maybe you can help me check it out if there are more reason/s behind it becos as you know,i don't speak bahasa,so my communication with them could be a bit messed up when i talk to the hotel receptionist in English.

18..Sadly,its not for me becos i dont understand bahasa

19.Precaution is always better than cure,hence its written on the newbie guide. Remember,i wrote the guide when i 1st visit Batam,with zero experience and do not speak Malay or any Bahasa indo. Its like the 1st day of

[iicycold]

Originally Posted by donut12345

1) Exchange rates are better in batam than singapore. Which shops in batam would you recommend to change sgd for idr?

Any other money chger shps except those at the btm ferry terminal/airport. The difference wn't be much unless u chg a lot.

Originally Posted by donut12345

2) I am thinking of exploring batam on a motorbike. Would you recommend it? Are there a lot of shops that rent out motorbikes.

Pls check out the price 4 a full day taxi before u decide on renting motorbike. i go 2 btm 4 holiday is 2 relax,y the need 2 add stress 4 myself by being on the road of a country less familiar 2 myself? Most of those common places,use 2 leg can reach liao. Worse case scenario is just get an ojek or taxi 2 do the work. Unless u plan 4 long stay like a mth or more,then u may wan 2 get yr own vehicle 2 move ard.

[Nulgath]

Originally Posted by nono1973

There are only one if not two main suppliers for foreign girls (non-indos) in Batam,so Mami will just need to call them for it and they will be able to bring it to the particular KTV for you. Its also one reason why PRCs or other foreign girls are more expensive in Batam. Supplier earns a bit,KTV also earn a bit and then both PRC and non-PRC mami also earn a bit,plus adding up the Girl's day-end profit...and finally their customers looking for PRCs become the biggest suckers who will pay for it all.

You are likely to end up paying a 9/10 PRC girl price (as compare to Sillypore/Malaysia) for a 5.5/10 to 7/10 PRC girl in Batam at the end of the day. This is solely base on my observation.

Interesting.

Hv u tried working around it? Like u always did...

[devilman]

Originally Posted by AhPui8

That is the outcome for not getting united to control the booking fees. The booking fees will rise and sing dollar will drop to 1 sgd to below 9000 rupiah.
Really like to see 1 sgd to 8000 rupiah. Will pray hard for it to happen.

Which is why I go for freelance or short time . I can only handle max of 2 shots per day . I don't need girl to stick to me .No hassle. One shot ranging from 350 k to 400k .