Batam Info / Interest / Help Thread

[69n69]

Originally Posted by miumiu6464

Or just go behind where the ang pais hang around as they are not required to sit in the fish tank. Just walk towards the back. On the left is the hairdressing room. Can spot ceweks inside there too.

Thanks for the info?

[69n69]

Originally Posted by OnlyLiveOnce

Go too early, the ceweks are sleeping. Go too late, you are left with beefcakes and porkchops. It is really difficult to synchronise the exact timing when most of the better quality ceweks are available but it is better to go early rather than late. Early bird catches the worm. Maybe, just after an early lunch and go to Happy8 in the early afternoon before 1pm. You can hang around there if the better quality ceweks are still not ready. Enjoy and cheers.

Thanks for the info will drop by there around 1pm to try my luck again

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by hawkeye007

...will definitely be sent back, or in lieu of that, a donation of at least $100 will have to be made to the Batam immigration lunch fund.

Just a small question out of curiosity.

If going into Batam with a less than 6 months expiry passport might have a chance to be charge S$100,then what about going back to Singapore time? I come Batam,i definitely have to go back...will that S$100 guarantee me that i wont be charged another time when i leave?

*i understand this type of question,no one would be able give me an exact definite answer (unless they work for the immigration,hehehe...),so no obligation to reply.

I asked the question beside just being curious,partly becos i was also puzzled by a case whereby a friend who was pull-over by the immigration when he was about to leave Batam on the last ferry and has to fork out some money or else he will have to continue to stay in Batam for that night. Go to the Singapore Consulate the next day at Batam Center and do up all the proper document before he is allow to leave Batam....again (the ferry ticket will also be forfeited).

* my friend end up paying becos he doesnt want to drag the whole incident on. He speaks Bahasa/Malay.

Lesson learned on his trip, make sure my passport at least more than 6 months via expiring,otherwise dont go Batam.

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by BFOMF5

If you know that the area is the delta ( river mouth) of Jodoh river...
If you know that the whole jodoh untreated liquid waste flow from all big or small "longkang" into this area.
then you would understand why.....

Oh,so you saying the river water all flows back to the sea with the waste in it? Interesting...hehehe...no wonder when i was on the 8th floor,i could still smell the exact same scent like the Singapore Chinatown small drain during the early 80s. It mainly happens during low tide time and when i open my hotel room window in the morning (was hoping for some fresh air),hehehe....i wonder how those eating close to the sea bay area during low tide time at Wey Wey/Harbour sea food restaurant feel when they were there,hehehe....maybe the tasty sea food scent covers them all up.

Just a thought.

Originally Posted by HarryPopGer

can try bcc hotel premier suite next time,they hv good bath tub...rm is 60sqm & super spacious.

( Click to show/hide )

cost abt 80 sgd

I notice its a Jacuzzi both tub...hehehe...thank you for sharing,hehehe...i might just try it out around April onward. You must be having a good time,hehehe...

Cheers!

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by ndnd

Its a very crowded mall, due to many housing complexs nearby. Not ulu. High populated area. Even on weekdays and hypermart no open yet. Once open, the crowd will even increase.

Interesting,thank you for the additional info. Think i will drop by this mall after the 1st quarter of 2019,hehehe...

Originally Posted by ndnd

Suprisely i need to Q for dinning at Kaiten Sushi, long waiting list. Lucky one the staff recognise me and allowed me to jump Q

You go during lunch hour peak period? Weekends?

I ask cos i usually skipped lunch/dinner hour prime time.

Lunch time in Batam usually were at around 1145am to 130pm.

Dinner time usually around 6pm to 730pm. Those were Indonesia timezone.

Most time when i have a group of friends with me,our dinner meet up time were usually after 7pm and if its lunch time,usually around 130pm or after.

Why so? Becos of the 1 hour time lapse between Singapore and Indonesia timezone,hehehe...i ask my friends to fall in at lobby area for dinner at around 7pm Batam time,but its already Singapore time 8pm,hehehe...and after some in-punctuality (between friends) and/or some discussion on where and whats for dinner,we probably end up heading off to dinner around 715pm plus Batam local time,and thats how we end up having dinner OFF the batam peak hours (usually land ourselves on a dinner table at about 730pm),hehehe... same theory applies for lunch too. Psychologically, most Singapore tourist forgot that at 730pm, Singapore is already 830pm,hehehe...

By 730pm,i doubt i still need to queue.

Just relating my experience.

[hawkeye007]

Originally Posted by nono1973

Just a small question out of curiosity.

If going into Batam with a less than 6 months expiry passport might have a chance to be charge S$100,then what about going back to Singapore time? I come Batam,i definitely have to go back...will that S$100 guarantee me that i wont be charged another time when i leave?

*i understand this type of question,no one would be able give me an exact definite answer (unless they work for the immigration,hehehe...),so no obligation to reply.

I asked the question beside just being curious,partly becos i was also puzzled by a case whereby a friend who was pull-over by the immigration when he was about to leave Batam on the last ferry and has to fork out some money or else he will have to continue to stay in Batam for that night. Go to the Singapore Consulate the next day at Batam Center and do up all the proper document before he is allow to leave Batam....again (the ferry ticket will also be forfeited).

* my friend end up paying becos he doesnt want to drag the whole incident on. He speaks Bahasa/Malay.

That’s a good question which unfortunately I don’t have an answer to.. My first presumption would be since already kena “tax” during arrival, shouldn’t have any issues during departure. But now to think of it, they never issue a receipt for the “taxation” (LOL of course not), so the departure officer wouldn’t know and will see it as his chance to eat a nice juicy ikan bakar for dinner instead of just nasi goreng... That’s why I see the immigration officers getting fatter & fatter.. Lol

How much did your friend contribute to their dinner fund? I’m curious...

[NO1PUNJABI]

Am enroute to batam. Not a newbie but this time thinking of going to booking joints without taxis. Am staying near bcs mall.


Which joints are walkable. Will be there till Saturday.

[ndnd]

Originally Posted by hawkeye007

That’s a good question which unfortunately I don’t have an answer to.. My first presumption would be since already kena “tax” during arrival, shouldn’t have any issues during departure.

This issue easiest way is when arrived the immigration. Direct go the visa counter. Tell that officer handling VISA counter say the passport vaild less then 6 months, but want buy a paid Visa. That officer will ask you to pay SGD $50 instead of USD. After paid up, the officer will stamp the passport and give a slip for the paid VISA. Just keep that slip in the passport. No issue when departure from batam. This apply same to those with defected pages in passport.

If go to Q at normal counter, likely will ask to go in office and have to pay more then that amount.

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by hawkeye007

How much did your friend contribute to their dinner fund? I’m curious...

This incident happen about 2 odd years back via Batam Center ferry terminal,his passport was a day or 2 towards hitting the 6 month of expiring (meaning not expired yet) but 100% sure by the time he leave Batam to Singapore,his passport would definitely hit beyond that 6 month mark. According to him,he was 1st denied entry (later called in some siting area and blah blah for some money etc),so in ordered not to spoil his trip,he forked out S$50 (if i dont remember wrong,they initially ask for S$100 but i guess able to speak bahasa helps him a bit).

The least he expect when he was leaving via the same ferry terminal,he was stopped again (by different officers). Same thing happens and they escort him to office and blah blah for money and unless he pays up,he will need to stay in Batam for another night (that was the last ferry) unless he pays up his "fine",which is another S$50 (its initially S$100 and looks like Batam immigration officer nowaday open mouth is S$100,hehehe...). Or else he will have to go to Singapore Consulate and get the necessary document etc on the next day to get a pass thru.

The puzzling on my part was i also have other friends whose passport were a few days hitting expiration before,but they were all fine when entering Batam. I am guessing this has a lot to do with luck.

* i even check with my friend who got fine if they have ask him questions like "why are you here in Batam for?" or "how many days will you be in Batam?"...and he said he was only being asked after he got himself sat down.

My conclusion would be going to Batam with an about-to-hit 6 months expire passport or a less than 6 month passport is like playing the Russian roulette,hehehe... avoid it!

Next time if anyone who got hit by the same thing,hopefully they can remember my question and ask the immigration officer about,hehehe...."will i be charge (or fine) again when i leave?"

Originally Posted by ndnd

This issue easiest way is when arrived the immigration. Direct go the visa counter. Tell that officer handling VISA counter say the passport vaild less then 6 months, but want buy a paid Visa. That officer will ask you to pay SGD $50 instead of USD. After paid up, the officer will stamp the passport and give a slip for the paid VISA. Just keep that slip in the passport. No issue when departure from batam. This apply same to those with defected pages in passport.

Looks like this is the perfect solution (for those 6 month expiring passport holder entering Batam).

Head to VOA (visa-on-arrival) counter to make payment upon arrival to Batam. Can cut queue too,hehehe...i mean no need queue so long (benefit of S$50 ).

Noted on the information.

Cheers!

[ndnd]

Originally Posted by nono1973

You go during lunch hour peak period? Weekends?

Becos of the 1 hour time lapse between Singapore and Indonesia timezone,hehehe...

I went to that mall a few times. That Q is on Friday @ 7pm+ after the movies. That restro have the belt with plates of sushi, maybe thats make the place look more interesting for the locals.

I already forgotten Singapore timezone LOL

[miumiu6464]

Originally Posted by NO1PUNJABI

Am enroute to batam. Not a newbie but this time thinking of going to booking joints without taxis. Am staying near bcs mall.


Which joints are walkable. Will be there till Saturday.

Bad choice, no booking joints nearby.

[BFOMF5]

Originally Posted by nono1973

Head to VOA (visa-on-arrival) counter ... Can cut queue too,hehehe...i mean no need queue so long (benefit of S$50 ). .

Now must check is that a way to use the VOA counter to cut Super Long queue during hyper peak time. Under emergency.

[OnlyLiveOnce]

Originally Posted by NO1PUNJABI

Am enroute to batam. Not a newbie but this time thinking of going to booking joints without taxis. Am staying near bcs mall.


Which joints are walkable. Will be there till Saturday.

Bro,
Use Google map to walk to Bunga Massage. Near Utara Hotel, there are a few happening joints. If you walk further, can also reach Sri Kandy an MM Massages. These joints are all within 30 minutes walk or about 2 km. Enjoy and cheers.

[ndnd]

Originally Posted by NO1PUNJABI

Am enroute to batam. Not a newbie but this time thinking of going to booking joints without taxis. Am staying near bcs mall.


Which joints are walkable. Will be there till Saturday.

Infront of BCS got so many ojek on standby. Just spend SGD$1, took an ojek to DC mall and cross the road. Then start your search from there.
No need waste time to walk just to save Rp10k.

[ndnd]

Originally Posted by BFOMF5

Now must check is that a way to use the VOA counter to cut Super Long queue during hyper peak time. Under emergency.

Arrival hall always have staff standing around. Just approach any of them, handed him your passport. He will bring you directly to the counter, skipping the Q or bring your passport to the office for stamp. After that just give him Rp100k will do.

Btw what emergency could be until have to pay VOA $50 to skip Q.