Batam Info / Interest / Help Thread

[nono1973]

Breakfast,allowing my friends to try out hotel breakfast 1st and rest for about an hour before heading to Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Buddhist Temple :

I am quite surprise by a few things when I visit this temple again. I see Japanese and Korean tourists there taking photos. I see students doing volunteer work even on a Sunday. My friends were feeling a sense of peaceful ambience when they stepped into the temple.

For bros who thinks they have seen it all in this temple, well...below is something that you may have missed.

The students in this school (which is also a temple) came back on Sunday to POLISH something that look like a shiny carpet!! Amazing isnt it? Most students in Sillypore would rather stay at home,go out with friends or be with their family on Sundays but these students were actually...well...from my perspective,they amazed me.

Note : I think the carpet they were polishing were those for long distance walking prayer ceremony where worshippers need to kneel once,bow thrice and then stand up to move forward 3 steps and then repeat same process for a few kilometers. (not 100% sure tho)

continue to page 6 of the summary

[nono1973]

Here's another highlight of my Batam trip :

It took all of us about 2 hours to walk around the Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Monastery. This temple is south east asia biggest Buddhist temple and a landmark of Batam for Buddhist.

My friends were all pretty impress by this temple as this is the 1st time they were there. If you would like pay this place a visit,you can google under Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Monastery. You will surely find something. Then again,do note that this place is quite a distance from Nagoya area and is closer to Batam Center rather than Harbour Bay area. So walking from Harbour Bay to this temple is almost near impossible.

There is no entrance fee,even lighting up the joss stick provided there is free. Of course you can still put a small donation in their donation box if you feel like it. This place is one of the more legit charity organization who provide free and/or subsidized school (meals too) for poorer lesser fortunate students in Batam.

I think my friends will come here again,and as for me...there are still many temples to go visit. And its been a while since I last drop in here. Honestly speaking, being back to this place feels so good this time round.

continue to page 7 of the summary

[nono1973]

Next stop, and since we were all so near to this Kong Zi Temple,so just pay it a visit. Its actually just beside the Windsor Tua Pek Kong temple.

Pass by any temple and don't light up a joss stick,really not very nice for most Chinese. So we enter it and got to learn a few things about this Saint Kong Zi. For those who didn't know,Kong Zi (or Kung Tze) isn't exactly a deity but more of a saint in ancient China. There was a movie on Kong Zi by Chow Yuen Fatt about 5 years ago. Teaching of Kong Zi was called Confucius (儒家伦理).

The Trailer :

When I found the above trailer,i also found the full movie...well,i will just put it up here in case anyone is interested, hehehe...it also has an English subtitle for non-Chinese bro.

One of the famous words by Kong Zi that even a 3 year old Chinese kid will know were 活到老，学到老 and video below were some quotes by the famous Saint Kong Zi that were widely use in our modern world :

One of the reason why this guy is so famous becos his teachings build a major bulk of the Chinese culture's foundation since ages ago. And one of my favourite quotes from this great man is :

If anyone would still remember my past postings, i refrain from "doing what I do not like others do unto me". Hehehe...so the next time someone in the forum visit the Tua Pek Kong temple at Windsor, do keep a look out at this Kong Zi temple as well.

And in case anyone start grumbling since it isn't the 1st time I visit this Kong Zi temple,why am I blabbering about it for such long time now. Reason is simple,i would like to urge bros and sis reading my 30th Batam trip summary...visit this temple soon...becos they will be gone soon. Yes,it will be torn down soon according to the caretaker of this temple whom I talk to.

They will soon be shifting to :

...and there will a grand opening of this temple on (photo below shows the date) :

Hehehe...looks like many great prizes to be won...hehehe...I made some small donation to the building of this temple before I left. And it does look like on around 27th Sept 2016,i will have something to do in Batam. According to the caretaker,they have sort of rented that piece of land from the local government for 30 years, so I believe during those years,they should still be around. The only setback is,their new temple location is at Batam Center area, which is quite a distance from this current one. In short, it will become less inconvenient for worshippers to go there.

I think I am going to visit this temple in my next trip and maybe even the one after...before it is gone.

_________________________________

After the temple trip,we had lunch at Meximo pub Wan Tan mee before heading back to our respective hotel room to clean up ourselves,rest up a little,pack up and get ready to check out. And we head to the Harbour Bay Ferry terminal to have a cup of coffee a little earlier to chat up and summarize our trip before boarding our timed ferry.

Home sweet home thereafter.

For most bros who were with me,i think they should have a fairly alright trip. But for me,i feel I have a lousy trip since Day 1 I stepped in Batam. And its the worst trip since the beginning of Jan 2016.

My thoughts for the trip :

1. My hp that were suppose to be for my Indo number broke down upon my arrival in Batam. (and I am talking about 2 HPs and I had one still under repair in Batam)

2. Wired internet connection was a total failure. (this is what I pissed off most)

3. Wifi was intermittent, and that makes my connection with my girl via google translate intermittent in all 3 nights.

4. Computer connection to the LCD TV also decide to go crazy on me,so I thought it was the HDMi cable fault and waste 50k on another 3 meter cable from DC Mall and guess what,my original cable has no fault but the 3 meter cable was at fault.

5. The girl I got for my last night in Batam was not good. Or at least not what I expected so decide to send her back after 2 shots and called for another girl to come to my room around million which cost me another million rupiah (from another joint).

6. If I can only use one word to describe this trip, it would be "Frustration"! Enough said....

Basically from the start of this trip,everything has not been smooth-sailing. My girls for the 1st 2 nights were only so-so. The one for my 3rd night being the worst,keep playing with her hp and occupying my computer usage and all that to the extend that I feel the need to send her back. (communication is also a key problem w/o google translate too)

I didn't get her name but the only clue I have was she was from Hawaii and she's a native of Manado, Indonesia. Only been to Batam for less than a week when I booked her and she will be going back to her hometown next month as she didn't like this place, Batam. I was her 1st customer (1st blood,i guess), so didnt want to kick up a fuss as its just "so not me" to do that, had my 2 shots with her and ask her to leave with a 50k tip. Called for another girl from another joint and she arrived promptly just before the clock strike midnight. And I was lucky she saved the rest of my night and I was so grateful to her that I tipped her 200k the next morning. (200k tip was a rare for me as out of 20 girls, maybe only 1 gets it)

All in all, minus-ing out the parts that my friends who makes my trip better, i would rate this trip a 5/10. This 30th trip has remind me once again, regardless how good or how bad I am in the scene of Batam, luck still plays a very important role on getting the right girl for the like of me who are not into the idea of RTF (I still RTF some girls tho).

I took my own advise,go bathe flower water,hehehe...hence I was in 3 temples in one single day. May my next upcoming Batam trip in Aug be better than this one... *sob*

Now, i can finally start planning for my August 2016 Trip. I am more likely to go solo,to wash away my last trip's bad luck....hehehe....

~~~~~~~~~~The End~~~~~~~~~~

*special note : Above like all my other trip summaries,were simply just summaries,its not written as a Field Report (aka FR) and its the number 30th.

Back to page 1 of the summary

[newyorker88]

Originally Posted by nono1973

6. If I can only use one word to describe this trip, it would be "Frustration"! Enough said....

Basically from the start of this trip,everything has not been smooth-sailing. My girls for the 1st 2 nights were only so-so. The one for my 3rd night being the worst,keep playing with her hp and occupying my computer usage and all that to the extend that I feel the need to send her back. ]

It is luck factor whom u going to get in cheonging. There is always a next time, a next try

[Wdydx]

Was inspired by so many bros sharing in this thread about this magical land, I made a trip to Batam to test water. Btw, I have been traveled to many SEA countries for mongering such as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and Indonesia (Jakarta), but this is the first time to Batam. A little bit late, huh?

As I am not quite good at writing in story details, here comes the summary of the 2 days activities,

Day 1,
Took Ferry arrive Batam Center @10:30am, unfortunately encounter downpour spend nearly 1 hour eat and drink in the shopping mall connected by a flyover with terminal to find no sign of stop. So come down to the mall gate and there is a guy there to offer taxi service. was charged 75K for taxi to my hotel - Hotel HANA - I know it is carrot chopping but I didn't find anywhere to reach a taxi or ojek since still raining hard.
After reaching hotel, check in. To find the hotel is OK in terms of location, but not hot enough hot water. staff explain saying due to raining, guess they are using solar system for heat water? anyway will try another hotel next time. also future bros can take reference from this.
After settle down, step outside the hotel, find a small convenient store to get some supply (I bet you all know what is it, lol) then was approached by some taxi driver to offer tour service for booking girl. Since I am still new to Batam scene, I took one looks like nice guy and accept his offer of 50K to booking joints. It maybe another cost I can cut off in the future, anyway for the first time I will take it as kind of tuition fee.
Then shopping starts, if memory serves me right, I have been taken to Memory KTV, happy 8 massage, Indah 2, Gold Bird KTV, and finally New Berry (which is actually just across the street from my hotel, oh my god, please don't laugh at me although I know I deserved it) where a girl catch my eyes - 23 years old SYT from Medan, fair skin, small size, B cup, a 7.5/10 to my view. Was charged by 1.2M bargaining down from 1.3M.
Face 7/10
body 8/10
kiss/light bj can but cannot bath together
service wise in general not bad due to fit and slim body, it makes me hard automatically 7/10
total 4 shots and left in the morning with 150K tip after breakfast (btw, hotel breakfast is lousy 5/10)

Day 2
Mainly for massage exploring, went to Utama area which has been mentioned by many bros here. tried beautiful, Pegy, and one more parlor which I forget the name. Running systems are very similar from each other, at the counter you will be presented a album to choose girl, massage charge varies from 60K to 80K for standrad room (a worn out small cabin with a worn out mattress on the floor), 110k for so-call VIP room (indeed a room with attached bath facility but still worn out comparing to massage parlor I have been to in Jakarta). Most girl will piano massage you for 20 - 30 minutes then start asking Special. I found it is really hard to bargain down since they are really firm about the price even those just so so looking girl. Maybe it is just because my bargain skills sucks, lol. Finally I have taken 1 for 300K and 1 for 350K and turned down another one which at least want 400K.
Beautiful Massage girl
face 6/10
body 7/10
FJ 6/10
Pegy Massage girl
face 7/10
body 7/10
FJ 5/10

Hope my FR sharing could somehow be helpful to other newbies. Actually I do learned a lot from all those good bros sharing this this thread. Senior bros also please advise any mistakes I have made. any comments or recommendations are welcome. Cheers for chionging bros!

[iicycold]

Originally Posted by mrbondy2k

Thanks brother. I change at Nagoya Hill entrance money changer. I think the rate there is no good.I changed on 21st July

In ani money chger,always check at least few nearby shps for quotes IF U WANT to get the better rate. i'm not implyin tat u shld go hunt 4 the best rate all ovr btm,but more of if u stayed in formosa,just go opp there ask a few shps,cos it won't cause any1 to drop 1 stray of hair. Money chger shp usually only jus a few steps away frm each other. Max time taken is jus few secs thg.

i check on 21 july rate @ opp formosa is 9650,so if u chg 100 sing,the variance btw yr rate & the 1 at opp formosa,its 10k diff. If u chg 200 is 20k diff. If u stay 3D2N u probably chg abt 500,tat'd be abt 50k extra. No need 4 me to spell wat u can do w 50k rp xtra in btm.

Fery terminal & shoppin mall's variance btw small downtown money changer shp is usually 100rp to 200rp for 1 sing $ diff. Every exchg gives u 10k-20k extra for 100 sing $.

Only thg u better not do is, dn't blur blur specially go take taxi/ojek 2 opp formosa jus to chg money frm there. Tat'd reli be a stupid move. Go 4 those shps where u stay close by to & at yr convenient free time w easier access. Whole trick is,approach places tat has a whole stretch of money chger within sight bcs w competition,rate shld usually be better & ask at least 3 shps 4 their rates.

[MiG27]

Originally Posted by nono1973

~~~~~~~~~~The End~~~~~~~~~~

*special note : Above like all my other trip summaries,were simply just summaries,its not written as a Field Report (aka FR) and its the number 30th.

Back to page 1 of the summary

See that you got a new way of posting your images....moving GIFs.....hehehe.

Well, IMHO, the way you presented the pics and all....not a really bad trip.
Hehehe.

My standard quite low, maybe.

I assume you stayed at Formosa? Why the mass resignation?

[Black Page]

Originally Posted by iicycold

In ani money chger,always check at least few nearby shps for quotes IF U WANT to get the better rate. i'm not implyin tat u shld go hunt 4 the best rate all ovr btm,but more of if u stayed in formosa,just go opp there ask a few shps,cos it won't cause any1 to drop 1 stray of hair. Money chger shp usually only jus a few steps away frm each other. Max time taken is jus few secs thg.

I wrote many times, but my posts did not receive any comment either of approval or disagreement, that after an extensive search among shops in the surroundings of Formosa and Nagoya, looking for best rates for exchanging USD to IDR, I found that:
- rates can vary on the order of even more than 5% ( it's a lot!!);
- invariably, the worst rates are in Nagoya Hill and Harbour Bay on arrival (not surprising... right?)
- the best rates are usually offered by the shops along Jalan Bonjol (the big street in front of Nagoya Hill), walking 100-200m to right facing Nagoya Hill.

As iicycold suggests, if one has to change more than few hundreds dollars, he should always take 30 mins to walk around and ask for the best rate.
5% of 500 USD is something like 300k IDR!

The competition among shops on Jalan Bonjol is fierce, as they are side by side. I remember some time I could get offers like 12.700, 12.750, 12.770. I changed 600 USD and the last +20 difference meant just +12,000 IDR, but since there are 5 shops over a line of 100 meters, it did not cost me more than 10 minutes to ask all of them.

All this applies to the rates to sell USD. I don't know it that would apply also to MYR or SGD, but I don't see why a shop offering better rates for USD would not also offer best rates for SGD.

[AsuraWrath]

Originally Posted by nono1973

Upon reaching hotel,grabbed our room key and learned the 1st thing that there was some management shake up with many frontline staffs resigning from their current position. See,1st sad news in the morning before i even enter my designated room. Yes,almost all the hotel staffs whom I have mentioned previously will be tendering their resignation.

Bro nono,what's this management shakeup all abt,u know why Elvin is no more working in formosa now & y even sinta also resigning soon?

All of sudden so many unfamiliar faces.

[Black Page]

Originally Posted by nono1973

Upon reaching hotel,grabbed our room key and learned the 1st thing that there was some management shake up with many frontline staffs resigning from their current position. See,1st sad news in the morning before i even enter my designated room. Yes,almost all the hotel staffs whom I have mentioned previously will be tendering their resignation.

Originally Posted by AsuraWrath

Bro nono,what's this management shakeup all abt,u know why Elvin is no more working in formosa now & y even sinta also resigning soon?
All of sudden so many unfamiliar faces.

What's that?? Why all this mass resignation?? Nono do you know anything more?
One of the main reasons why I always go to Formosa is not the room, but the staff: I know all them, they all know me, it's like being at home.
If they all leave, I should really move to another hotel?

[funtastick]

will join you guys for the next trip.

[tomcat007]

Anyone can advise, nearby Tulip, around landmark? Thanks.

[tomcat007]

Originally Posted by Black Page

What's that?? Why all this mass resignation?? Nono do you know anything more?
One of the main reasons why I always go to Formosa is not the room, but the staff: I know all them, they all know me, it's like being at home.
If they all leave, I should really move to another hotel?

You not going to get acquainted to the new staff? People come and go...

[Wdydx]

Originally Posted by tomcat007

Anyone can advise, nearby Tulip, around landmark? Thanks.

Hotel UTAMA, Newton, or Hotel Biz, actually it is located in the middle among these 3 landmarks.

I saw it when I walked towards UTAMA massage area. Hope this will help you bro

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by MiG27

See that you got a new way of posting your images....moving GIFs.....hehehe.

I have all along been using gif file to create posts,just that this time,the files were much larger as the timing of the moving picture last longer. Its a challenge doing that up as it took me quite a while to perfect it. (longer process if I am making those gif myself,from creating it to setting the right timing,resizing to fit things in later and then to be looking for a suitable stabled picture uploading site to upload it)

Its now still on testing stage and currently not sustainable to have too many gif file in one single post. Its not stable ,in case you haven't yet notice,hehehe...

I always believe,a picture speaks of a thousand words. Imagine how many more words it could speak when those pictures move? Especially pictures of Batam girls if I can get past my conscience to post it here.

illustration only :

From a personal perspective, it would be best for one to go to Batam to see and seek for themselves rather than I post the 1 out of 10+ best girls from every booking joint to try to capture anyone's attention.

(no offence to anyone, I am not their OKT nor anyone who would earn anything out of it,why would I use my time to advertise for them? Hehehe...)

Originally Posted by MiG27

Well, IMHO, the way you presented the pics and all....not a really bad trip.
Hehehe.

Its only an illusion, hehehe... base on my experience in Batam, out of 10 girls I tried, surely will have 1 or 2 ,maybe even 3 not-so-good ones. I think this applies to all cheonging scene. If there's a 10 out of 10 all good ones (or even 9 out of 10),i would definitely be lying.

Hehehe...I remember saying about all good and no bad or all bad and no good? No such thing where there's a 'everyday Sunday'. How I can turn a bad situation to my favor depends on how experience I am. Turning a good situation against myself of course only reflects my stupidity.

*apologies for the longwindedness

Originally Posted by MiG27

I assume you stayed at Formosa? Why the mass resignation?

Originally Posted by AsuraWrath

Bro nono,what's this management shakeup all abt,u know why Elvin is no more working in formosa now & y even sinta also resigning soon?

Originally Posted by Black Page

What's that?? Why all this mass resignation?? Nono do you know anything more?

To bro Mig27,yes...I stayed in Formosa in my last trip. I am replying regarding the mass resignation below.

To bro AsuraWrath, yes...Elvin no longer works there anymore. And yes,sinta tendered her resignation. According to her,she should be leaving on Sept and will soon be clearing leave on Aug.

To bro Blackpage, according to staffs not from the reception, there is a change of management head/s,change on the way these people do things (probably trying show the big bosses how well they could excel) and they set a few new regulations which didn't favor most senior staffs,hence I get to hear a lot of grievance on my last trip. (honestly, one of the reason why I was a little demoralized in the beginning of my trip)

Above info were gather from various departments of the hotel becos if I ask receptionist dept directly why certain people from their dept were resigning,no one is going to tell me the truth. So I went to another dept to ask why certain people of a particular dept were resigning (vice-versa). Do note the info were what I hear from various sources on a certain date and not calculating in any last min of the respective staffs if they had a change of mind on a later time.

Hope that answers most of you guy's query.