by Clover
I'm just back from Batam (Nagoya) and had a wonderful time. After reading all that is to read from this place and Network 54, I've decided to write a brief on those wanna-goers and those who require more information.
Preliminary Requirements
The first thing to note in going to Batam is that you need the minumum of the following for a 2 day/1 night stint:
A valid passport with 6mths on it
About SD$200, more than enough
World Trade Centre/Batu Ampar tickets (about $26 max)
Condoms (6 or 12 depending on your stamina!)
Mouthwash
I would suggest that you book your tickets one day in advance over at World Trade Centre and use the Penguin boat services, which run every hour, they are fast and clean.
Travel Time & Batam Time
Batam Time is 1 hr ahead of Singapore, so when you leave here at, say 10:15am, you arrive there at 10:15am. If you have booked your tickets the day before you can be at the WTC complex 30mins before time otherwise give yourself an hour.
Money Changing
I would suggest changing only $50 over here and the rest over there, the exchange rate there is about 200Rp more than what you can get over here, and there is a money changer right at the Batu
Ampar Ferry Complex. It is still safe to convert there, as there are no touts yet to get you. Incidentally, SD$1 approx. 5,000Rp for quick conversion. Notes are usually in 100K, 50K, 20K, 10K, 2K, 1K, 500, 200 and 100 Rp. Change into 50K, 20K and 5K stuff.
Arrival at Batu Ampar
Ok, depart Singapore arrive at Batu Amper in 45-60mins time. You have to fill a white Indonesian immigration card, usually given out by the ticket sales in Singapore. Arrive Batu Amper, go
through immigration, money changer and then face the hordes of taxi touts there.
I suggest that you walk straight past them and look out for any of those Yellow Cabs around. It will be about 20,000Rp to get you into Nagoya (which is 3Km away). This would be about the most expensive taxi ride you have to pay over there.
Hotels
My preference is one of the 4 star hotels, going rate is only about SD$65 to SD$85 per night. I like Melia Perdana, because of the nice rooms, pool, view and sandwiches, but others like
Mandrin, Novotel are good as well. I would suggest that you grab one of the following (you'll see why later). Hotel 81 and Hotel
Formosa are the cheaper ones ($55 and below), if you are into that, then choose Formosa, that's the best!!
Transportation
Walking
Within Nagoya, I like to walk. Staying at Melia gives me a panoramic view of things and everything is within a 1-2 km max
distance. Walking also shows me things that I don't usually see. Don't carry cameras, don't use back streets, stay away from street
corners where youngsters are squating, be brave and walk in the middle of the street. You won't get mugged or accosted, but you live in the danger of being run down. I usually carry an umbrella (full length) for sun, rain and whatever. Had to use it only for
the sun and the rain.
Capture the following and covert it to Courier font for a better view ----------------------------------------------------- | | LuckyPlaza (Matahari) Ramayana | | Hotel Formosa Shopping | | Dynasty99 Queen| | | | RR RS | | Memory |Dead end | +-----------------| |-------------|Local Market | |===stinky drain==+ +==+ +========| | +-----------------+ +-------+ +---| | | | | | | Melia --------------+ + Lucy's | | | | Perdana --------------+ + OarHouse| | | | Shopping Hotel Mandrin | | | | 81 | | | | KFC | | RR Rio Ritas McDonalds| | RS Rasa Sayang | | <-----------------------max 2Km or 15 min walk------> -------------------------------------------------------Ojeks
Taxis/Cars/Bone-shakers
These are yellow cabs, green cabs, unmarked vehicles, vans, Demolishing-Derby cars, and anything on 4 wheels. They are handy
when you feel tired. Any trip within Nagoya should cost you only 5000Rp max. Always ask and negotiate, I seldom bargain.
The problem is where to ask them to go? Ahhh, now here is what I suggest.
Hotels - no problems
Pubs etc - no problems
Whorehouses - here is a guide, to prevent paying the commissions:
Goto Lucky Plaza - for Queen Massage, Dynasty99, Hotel Formosa
Karaoke
Goto Hotel 81 - for Karaoke just up the street
Goto Perdana Shopping @ Melia Perdana for Memory KTV
Girlie Places pricing about 200K to 270K
Queen
Lots and lots of girls there in a fish tank style. Sometimes you don't know whether it is a whorehouse or market place. There is a security guard at the front. Ask for Capri, who can guide you.
Dynasty 99 Karoke directly opposite Queen, just as popular, though not as many girls. The girls there are not quite as pretty, but sometimes looks can be decieving.
Hotel Formosa Karaoke
Quite good, the mamasan there can help you. (See I told you that Hotel Formosa was great!!!!)
Orchid99
Same thing, lots of girls there, but I have yet to call anyone from that place.
Memory karaoke
The girls here are on the plumpish side but like I said, girls looks can be decieving. They have so far been the best of the lot, very obliging and no airs. Usually very quite about their
wants.
The girls are of varying ages. Some pretty, some not. Mostly plumpish few skinny. They are fine in accommodating you in bed, however may turn down the request for Blow Jobs (carry Strawberry
flavoured ones or Mint flavoured - it helps). Most of them do have bad breath (reason for mouthwash) and most do not speak English though some can converse in Hokkien.
I have never had any luck on twosomes or threesomes or pool parties with the ones that I pick. Tried twosomes before, most of
the time the girls feel shy about their bodies and while you are bonking one, the other prefers to turn around or pretend that you are not there. If anyone can recommend me a "cooperative" and "show-type" twosome, I would appreciate a lot. I had a semi-
cooperative twosome before from Memory KTV, while I was bonking one, the other just sat beside me and watched - I don't call that being cooperative, but that's as far as I've got, you may have better mileage.
Beware of cons, sometimes when you pick the girls up early, after the first session, they say they have shopping or other things to do (probably to head back and get some more bonking!!). They would also ask you for money etc. It falls on deaf ears.
Don't believe the pimps, they will agree and tell you everything. I'm not going to go into rejecting girls etc, as that has been covered elsewhere, and for the price, I can't be bothered. Usually, I tip the girls 50K if the service has been good, otherwise 30K, if she has been a bitch, send her back and make the mamasan deliver another one, of course you have to pay another 100K, for the exchange, even if you have not bonked her.
What to do there in the afternoons and evenings?
1. Bonk
2. Bonk
3. Bonk
No, you can always go to a pub, disco or bowling etc. I wouldn't go shopping in the afternoon with the girls in tow, some locals just don't like it, and it's not nice to provoke them, especially when you see them selling Samurai swords and parangs etc on the streets.
Beware of discos, if you are in to those type of things, Ecstasy (sp) or Ubat as they call it are rampant and most of the girls are into it, though not in a big way. The worst thing that could happen to you is to go to a disco, enjoy, buy your girl some "ubat" and she pops half into your drink. Wouldn't like the Customs & Immigration at WTC taking a look at your urine!!
Pubs are ok, beer is cheap if you are into that thing. I usually bring a pack of cards, bottle of brandy or whisky and share the night with the girl. Usually in the evenings I pack a swimsuit and bring the girl swiming in the pool when the lights go down. Treat them well, and some of the girls really do enjoy your company.
Coming Home
Give yourself 50mins at least to clear your hotel bill and grab a taxi over. The ride takes only 10 mins, and you have to check in 10-15 mins before time. Remember, Batam time is 1 hr ahead of Singapore time.
As you get out of the taxi, beware of touts who will ask you for your ticket and immigration card, which they will hand over to the counter for you, they will also grab the boarding pass and immigration card from the counter and hand it back for you for a tip. I was accosted once like that, but the trick to do is to take it back from them, pretend to search your pockets and at the same time walk towards the Police officer at the entrance, they will stop following at about 10 feet away!!
Well, enjoy yourself, play safe and if you find a nice pair (pretty, slim ones about 20-25yrs) that enjoy and perform 2-somes or 3-somes let me know. Always had a fantasy of one of those like
you see in the XXX movies.
Oh, BTW, don't bring back any VCDs and such, all luggage is X-rayed at the WTC, they will confiscate the lot, but before you
reach home, they will already have 2 officers there searching for your hoard. The going rate is $500 per copy found (my, my what an
expensive hobby we have). Usually the officers are Customs ones, so they have a right to search for illicit material.
Posted on Jun 28 2000, 05:34 PM
Thank you very much for your detailed illustration. Here are some of my experiences and maybe you or someone can give me advice.
I always heard that if I go alone (not with any taxi driver), I can bargain a price maybe 50,000RP lower than the usual price, which is about 270 to 280 thousand RP. I guess I must be a very lousy bargainer. I have tried as a lone ranger , but I was still charged the same price. BTW, I did not really negotiate. I was a bit afraid of being look too stingy. Whatever the mamasan said, as long as it was not too unreasonable, I complied. I also have the feeling that all mamasans will quote you the price with the assumption that I was brought to the place by a taxi driver. When I tried to explain to them that I came without any guidance, they either pretended or they really did not understand. And I ended up paying the price I was originally quoted.
After all I thought the mamasan will treat the customer better if he is not stingy about that 50 thousand RP. Am I correct? Or does anyone have any bad experience after a tough bargaining process?
You also mentioned that it is not wise to do shopping with the girls in the afternoon because some locals may not like this. Thanks for tipping me cause I have done this once. To be honest I did not find any hostile staring although I was a bit uncomfortable. I personally like to do this because I thought the girl will enjoy a little shopping and I also feel too early to go straight back to hotel especailly in broad daylight.
One last question, in some places I found that the mamasans are more beautiful than the girls. (I am talking about those young mamasans, not the older type). Anyone has any experience booking the mamasan out? Please do not get me wrong, I am not those "mature fetish" type.
Thanks in advance for any advice or feedback
Posted on Jun 29 2000, 12:18 AM
I think the going rate for any of the girls is about 270K, there are some which are rated "new" for 350K to 500K but I don't think so. Instead of bargaining, this time insist on the pricing, otherwise walk away. Sometimes, especially on weekends, the mamasans can "tarik harga" a bit and make you pay more. The no taxi guide routine has worn its way out, don't use that line anymore. If a local steps in with you at the same time, step out, that will really put him in the spot.
As for the mamasans, have yet to encounter a pretty one to take out. Posted on Jun 29 2000, 12:31 AM
Most mamasan gave me a price less commission whenever i told them i was without a taxi driver. This includes, New Orchid, Berlian, Dynasty, Queens etc. Only exception was Femina. I told her i knew the going rate, but she insisted on charging the full 270 000 Rp. I walked out. I sometimes tipped the honest mamasans 20 000 Rp for their recommendations of girls.
I usually bring the girls out for shopping. Poor girls spend most of their time cooped up in the clubs. I've never had any hostile looks while shopping. I have had hostile looks on the streets when walking with the girl. Not even touching her. Just ignore them and don't look for trouble.
Well, some people go for the older type girls. An assistant mamasan is Lily, at New Orchid. Used to be a booking girl but over 30 and don't get many bookings. You can try her. Last time I was there in Feb. she was willing to be booked out.
Posted on Jun 29 2000, 08:02 AM
I visited these 4 places a couple of days ago. Cannot recomend any of them (except Memori).
1. DWI CROWN
A karoake joint located at pasar Penuin, near Balio Persero. Nicely finished interior fittings. Go upstairs to view girls. All old and ugly. Left after 10 minutes.
2. d' SONG
Located in nagoya Angkasa (near Hotel Bali, where the 67 year old Ah pek died on the job last week.) We stopped here for one jug of beer (Rp70,000). About 8 girls in the room. This a is "taxi karoake" joint. Pay Rp20,000 per hour per girl. Papasan tried the old bullshit "different girls have different booking charges" routine.
The one I liked, in her mid 20s was "very special" acording to Papa. Rp500,000 for all night. Stuff that. Queen would give you two younger and prettier ones for that much money. We paid our Rp70,000 and left.
3. BOVO
Similar deal here to d'Song. I spotted one that I had booked from the Queen a couple of years ago. "This one very new, very special" says Mamasan. Rp450,000 booking fee. I asked Mamasan, if she is so new and special, how come I booked her 2 years ago for only Rp250,000; now she costs more. Mamsan's explanation strongly resembled a lie. So back to Queen where the beers cost Rp10,000/can.
4. MEMORI
Noticed some very nice new West Java girls, among the old dogs. Worth a mid afternoon look.
Posted on Jun 16 2000, 02:34 PM
Batam Karoake/Massage Report
18 March 2000
Just back from a visit to Batam. Many thanks to Jansen from Lucy's Oarhouse for showing
us around.
Jansen offered us the Hotel Melia Panorama for Sing$70/night or the Hotel Harmoni for S$60. Both are 4 star and quite okay. Although the Harmoni looked better value,we took the Melai becuase Jannsen said that we could use the Melia's pool for a midnight party. Jansen's price at both hotels was better that we could have got ourselves.
He explained that we could find girls three ways:
1] pub freelancers, mostly from the Sugar Pub or Ice Pub (behind the Hotel Mandarin).
2] booking girls from karoake or massage places (Jansen's recommendation)
3] freelance girls in the discos (Planet, Spinx or Ozon)
Due to the large number of guests who get robbed by freelancers, Jansen said that he would rather we took booking girls, as they are known by the establishment back in their home villages and are less likely to steal from guests.
We first visited New Orchid 99, which has been well reported on this forum. We met the famous Lily, an older karoake girl, who Jansen said has a nice character. The girls were not so pretty (though friendly) and the place lacked atmosphere.
By now it was 5pm and all the karoake and massage places close until 8 or 9pm. so we retired to Lucy's for a few beers. Anker draft was only rp6,000 glass. run cokes and Gin tonics were a bit more pricy - Rp18,000 per glass. But the drinks measures were BIG - after only a a couple of mixed drinks, I had to switch back to beer. Lucy's has a really friendly pub atmosphere. We met some of the regular drinkers - some real "old Asia hands" amongst the drinkers at the bar - even an American preacher!
Next, we stopped by Queen Massage, where there were over 100 girls on display in the fishtank. Cost was Rp100k short time or Rp270k for a booking. Cold beers were only Rp10,000 per can. Queen had some very pretty girls. But we could not socialise with them, the night was still young, so we moved on to the next place.
A couple of hundred metres along the same road, we stopped at the Crown karoake. Here you can socialise with the girls, many of whom were very friendly. We had a great time in here, but one of our group was looking for a girl with big tits, so after a bit of tit squeezing and joking around, we moved on to the Horison (behind Sindo Happy pujasera). Horison's mamasan was very friendly and professional; she didn't have as many girls, but all were very nice and friendly. Horison is a great place to hang out and have a few drinks. One of our group, Tom, found the girl of his dreams, Nani, and booked her out for Rp280k. Mamasan said she guaranteed the girl was a super enthusiatic screwer (which was what Tom was looking for).
With Nani in tow, we moved onto a new place, the Persona Entertainment (near the Kolekta hotel). Like the Horison, Persona is new and very clean. The short time rooms upstairs are the best in town (Rp120k). The girls were pretty but a big young for our tastes, so moved back to Lucy's for a quick roast beef sandwich (really good) before getting on with making our choice. Fred decided he liked a very pretty 18 year from the Crown and George thought he should take number 149 from Queen. But a quick phone call by jansen revealed that 149 was already booked, so George ended up going back to Queen and choosing another one.
I wanted to try the discos. Batam's discos are really dark and noisy; it is very hard to see or hear a damned thing. I told Jansen that I was looking for an amateur girl. He quickly came up with five girls, who he said worked in an electronics factory. I chose a very sweet and innocent girl, who was initially a bit scared of foreigners. To put her at her ease, I eventually said I would take her and one of her friends. Back at the hotel, they were both very shy. I'm sure neither had ever been in a sex threesome before. But after some joking around they started to loosened up, we showered together and jumped into bed. Just as well I took two, as both got sore pussies after having sex only once each. I dont think they were faking.
The girls told me that Batam has tens of thousands of factory girls. All are far from home; their salaries are small and it is hard for them to meet men, except if they go to a disco. I dont think they considered themselves to be prostitutes. (The next morning, I slipped Rp200k into each of their handbags while they were asleep and "officially" gave them only Rp50k each as taxi money - they didnt ask for more .. very sweet.)
The next morning, after putting the girls in a hotel taxi, we met in the hotel dining room, where there is a really good breakfast buffet. Tom and the other two said that they went to the hotel pool, where they had a great after midnight poolside party, which went on until dawn (the hotel turns off the pool lights at 11pm, so no-one in the rooms can see what's going on .)
CONCLUSION:
COST (Sing dollars: US$1 = S$1.70)
Hotel $70, Lucy's food and drinks $20, karoake and disco drinks $25, two girls $120, return ferry from Singapore $20, taxi from/to ferry terminal $6. Total: about $260 for a great night out - less than the cost of a night's drinking in Singapore.
WHAT WOULD WE DO DIFFERENT?
I think that next time, we should listen more carelly to Jansen and choose our booking girls in the afternoon, for delivery to hotel later that night. There is a much better choice of girls in the afternoon and it is better to choose when you are still sober!
Jansen got us 30% discount on drinks in the discos. But the drinks were still expensive. Next time, if I want an amateur factory girl, I will sit in the coffee shop outside the disco and send Jansen inside to find the girls and bring them out into the light where I can check them out more carefully. but I don't think I will bother with amateurs next time - not enough experience! Tom and George said that their girls were super enthusiatic screwers!
In future, we will arrive in the late morning and spend more time drinking in Lucy's.
Jansen's email address is oarhouse@mailandnews.com. His mobile phone is 628127004754 from outside Indonesia and 08127004754, if you calling from within the country. Now that Thailand is getting so commercial and expensive, Batam has become now my favourite spot in Asia.
Hi John,
You wrote> Now that Thailand is getting so commercial and expensive, Batam has become now my favourite spot in Asia.
But what do you make of the girls? Thai vs Indo?
tia,
Tom
There are good and bad in all people. I notice that Thai girls tend to be older and more tired of thhe game, in Indo it is still easy to find bar girls whho really love their job. I would say that 10 years ago, the choice and quality in Thai was better than Indo. Nowadays, Indo girls are much better than Thai. But it is dangerous to generalise. Your mileage may vary ...
he must be making money out of this somewhere. What is the catch? Hidden commissions?
I wondered this myself. Seeing as he is an upfront guy, I asked him. He just said you pay me what you think my services are worth.
I asked some of the regular customers in Lucy's; they said that some guest tip him $50 or $100; others dont give him anything. Those who dont tip dont get looked after next time.
I think you need to use Jansen only the first time you come to Batam. His boss told me that Jansen's job is to get new guests familiar with what's available (hotels, bars, discos, restaurants, etc.). That should only take 2 or 3 hours. Jansen's local knowledge saves a newcomer a BUNCH of time and money, so you should tip him what you think it is worth.
The attiditue of Lucy's owner seems to be that he wants to see newcomers have a good experience, so they will come back again and bring their friends.
Makes sense to me!
I know of other freelance tour guides who wouldn't even show you the ropes, they just want to take you where you go. You will have to come back to them in future.
With an honest tour guide, you need to use him only once. Next time you know enuff to be on your own. But at least, those people should give a tip to Jansen. It may not be $100 but show your appreciation by tipping what you can afford.
For 150 000 - 200 000 Rp ($50) you can charter a taxi the whole day. For 1 hour, maybe 25 000 - 30 000 Rp. 1 hr + is all you need to get familiar with Batam. For the newbie on a budget, this is the best option.
If you're worried about freelance taxis, before you exit the arrival hall. there's a counter for booking taxi. they will show you around.
cheers
Zul
Yes,
the taxi drivers with the white uniforms are trustworthy and decent folks.
If you dont want Jansen, better to get around town on foot.