Batam

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I was quote 348k at the travel desk at the ferry terminal a few month ago but fully book so I pick the Mecure hotel just down the road about 10 min walk grom Nagoya mall room is much better and newer only 420k a night.

Fast Eddie 48

That's interesting: 348k Rp = 49S$ to 50S$, that is not much difference (-10%) with the 55S$ I paid in October. Please note that there are two kinds of rooms at Formosa: old and renovated rooms, which are priced a bit higher. Also, two prices are quoted for normal days and weekends.

If I well understand the people at Formosa, they don't apply a bule surcharge, but I think the price is different if you book in advance or if you just walk in. At the ferry terminal (what terminal? I guess you refer to the desk at Batam Centre. I have not seen anything like that at Harbour Bay, where I arrive from Singapore) they offer discounted rates, but you must be prepared to know what will be your hotel only at the last minute.

As I said, I like Formosa, because it's cheaper (50% than Harmoni or some other 4* hotels) but rooms are large, it's in the middle of downtown, and ultimately I feel like at home there. People know me there, at the desk and at the door, and are always extremely warm with me.

Now, I have a different question for you and other good regulars there. I just discovered that I will go to Batam right on the CNY! How will it be? Very crowded? I booked the room already, but I am afraid to find all ferries already full, joints emptied at 9am, etc.

OK, my scope is different than the average Chinese, because I like to dig NoName, Newton and Pacific rather than massage joints and karaoke, but I am worried anywy. Do you expect to see Batam flooded on CNY?

[Fast Eddie 48]

FE,

This guy has got a wrong idea about Batam. He does not RTFF and he will be disappointed, should he come to visit, and maybe also have hard time and troubles.

About Formosa, I always go there because I am always the only bule there. It costs half than Harmoni, but I don't understand the price " (about Rp330k / night for weekday, Rp380k / night for weekend)."

I was always quoted 55S$/60S$. Is it a bule overcharge? They don't look to apply differentiated prices based on the ethnic group of customers. Maybe " (about Rp330k / night for weekday, Rp380k / night for weekend)" is the price for walk-in? I always book well in advance, because I don't want stress on my arrival whether I have a room or not.

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I was quote 348k at the travel desk at the ferry terminal a few month ago but fully book so I pick the Mecure hotel just down the road about 10 min walk grom Nagoya mall room is much better and newer only 420k a night.

Fast Eddie 48

[James02]

Try to read the forum pages of the last 2-3 years and you'll have all the answers to your many and repeated questions. Asking questions that have been answered many times just adds useless pages to the forum and is therefore not appreciated.

But 2-3 years is well out of date.

As places get raided by the police and things move onto differnet areas.

I have tried the 'search' button on this forum but it dose not work right.

It just brings up the entire millons of pages Thread and dose not highlight the seached words.

In my research I came across a few Nagoya, Batam maps. They are not great, but at least they are something.

I see those street map have no street names on!

[Member #4698]

I rely am getting quite fed up now of this thread. Lots of questions but little answers. With all due respects its as much use as a chocolate fire gard

That is bull. I have been reading this thread recently and have received a huge amount of relevant information. Thanks guys! So now, I am ready to hit the ground running when I arrive. My game plan is simple; diversify and sample. Early afternoons I will check out a few of the recommended massage parlors, early evening it will be the Kampung Bule bars behind the Harmoni, and later on the clubs like No name and Pacific disco. If I find some place I really like I will spend more time there. I plan to stay at the Harmoni due to its location, swimming pool and club. I don't expect it to be the Four Seasons, but it should be good enough. If there is a nicer hotel in the vicinity, let me know. In my research I came across a few Nagoya, Batam maps. They are not great, but at least they are something.

I am really looking forward to my cherry boy trip. It should be hot. By the way, I love Indo food.

[CyclopUnicorn]

I rely am getting quite fed up now of this thread.

Lots of questions but little answers.

With all due respects its as much use as a chocolate fire gard

Its only 47 pages with 697 posts. Reasonable enough for you to go do some readup. Manageable ya.

Just the other day I login to another site. The forum is about property investment in Msia. Todate that thread has 744 pages with 14868 posts. Like you, I posted a general question. And one forumer told me to go read up the whole thread! That I think its ridiculous!

[Black Page]

I rely am getting quite fed up now of this thread.Lots of questions but little answers.With all due respects its as much use as a chocolate fire gard

Try to read the forum pages of the last 2-3 years and you'll have all the answers to your many and repeated questions. Asking questions that have been answered many times just adds useless pages to the forum and is therefore not appreciated.

[CyclopUnicorn]

Hey I want to join! That's my kind of trip. Unfortunately, being bule helps a lot in Batam, but probably much less there. At least the language is a barrier. I don't expect anyone can speak a word of English there.

You are rite, dude. You must be able to speak colloquial bahasa indon, the least. Being kampong cewek they totally don't speak english at all.

[James02]

Judging from the questions you keep on asking, and especially from the fact that you seem obstinately avoid a

Careful RTFF, I guess you'll have a hard time in Batam. You'll not find what you like and you are looking for. IMHO.

I rely am getting quite fed up now of this thread.

Lots of questions but little answers.

With all due respects its as much use as a chocolate fire gard

[Black Page]

To James,

I don't think you travel much high fuel cost the last few yr and cost of airfare have gone up alot, you are not going find cheaper fare than that and Formosa is a basic 3 star hotel and the room is very basic not sure why they are always full maybe the cheap room, the Harmoni and Mecure are better hotel in the area.

Fast Eddie 48

FE,

This guy has got a wrong idea about Batam. He does not RTFF and he will be disappointed, should he come to visit, and maybe also have hard time and troubles.

About Formosa, I always go there because I am always the only bule there. It costs half than Harmoni, but I don't understand the price " (about Rp330k / night for weekday, Rp380k / night for weekend)."

I was always quoted 55S$/60S$. Is it a bule overcharge? They don't look to apply differentiated prices based on the ethnic group of customers. Maybe " (about Rp330k / night for weekday, Rp380k / night for weekend)" is the price for walk-in? I always book well in advance, because I don't want stress on my arrival whether I have a room or not.

[Black Page]

If you are brave, dare accept challenges like "Indiana Jones" and can blend with the locals there, then CU recommend you to visit those "virgin" islands between Tg Batu and TBK. Theres a new domestic jetty at TBK. Meant for the locals plying to and fro those "virgin" islands. Eg Moro, and many other surrounding islands. But kampong ayam ya. So don't expect them to be like Jakarta standard.

Hey I want to join! That's my kind of trip. Unfortunately, being bule helps a lot in Batam, but probably much less there. At least the language is a barrier. I don't expect anyone can speak a word of English there.

[Black Page]

I suppose he meant anal.

Such service is best not to discuss upfront especially in her or OKT presence. Mutual understand in private.

Man, a woman got pride ya.

I agree with you so much! I understood here anal is considered very shameful. I would be very careful about proposing it to a girl.

I never thought to propose it to girls from massage joints. In my 6 visits to Batam, I got it, instead, from 2 girls met in disco, one for money (not much) and the other for free, because we just liked each other.

[CyclopUnicorn]

To James,

I don't think you travel much high fuel cost the last few yr and cost of airfare have gone up alot, you are not going find cheaper fare than that and Formosa is a basic 3 star hotel and the room is very basic not sure why they are always full maybe the cheap room, the Harmoni and Mecure are better hotel in the area.

Fast Eddie 48

Because Formosa hotel frequently promoted in other forums. Is due to its close proximity to most cewek joints and eating places.

But having said that, todate, two joints (Permai Indah. 2Indah) and A1 hawker centre been relocated elsewhere. So not worth staying in Formosa with that kind of room rates! Their breakfast sucks!

[Fast Eddie 48]

I have been looking at the cost of flights from London to Batam on the internet.

The cost seamed to be no less then a grand.

But lokking at the cost from london to Singapore the cheapest seamed to be just over £500.

Can you get these flights for less?

I have just found the web site for Formosa Hotel.

http://www.formosahotel.com/

It looks quite a tidy hotel but are there cheaper hotels in that area.

And speaking of that area; the address from there web site has given me.

No. A8 City Plaza, Nagoya.

Batam Kota.

Kepri.

29453.

Indonesia

I have just tried putting this into google map and it won't bring anything up!

Dose google map not work with Batam?

To James,

I don't think you travel much high fuel cost the last few yr and cost of airfare have gone up alot, you are not going find cheaper fare than that and Formosa is a basic 3 star hotel and the room is very basic not sure why they are always full maybe the cheap room, the Harmoni and Mecure are better hotel in the area.

Fast Eddie 48

[CyclopUnicorn]

Hahahaha. Bapak CU we can always hope to find some hidden gems there.

BTW, I am now planning my next year mongering breaks with these destinations in mind. TBK, Hatyai, AC and Pattaya.

Being reading up on the various trends here and in the other forum to gather as much information as possible. Maybe we can meet up in TBK soon?

Cheers.

If you are brave, dare accept challenges like "Indiana Jones" and can blend with the locals there, then CU recommend you to visit those "virgin" islands between Tg Batu and TBK. Theres a new domestic jetty at TBK. Meant for the locals plying to and fro those "virgin" islands. Eg Moro, and many other surrounding islands. But kampong ayam ya. So don't expect them to be like Jakarta standard.

[CyclopUnicorn]

What is a "back-door" service?

I'd suggest to read my long reports of the last 1-2 years, also in the RoD section, for some more details.

All, I will be back there soon. I cannot wait.

I suppose he meant anal.

Such service is best not to discuss upfront especially in her or OKT presence. Mutual understand in private.

Man, a woman got pride ya.