Batam Info / Interest / Help Thread

[nono1973]

The Meg is now screening in Batam,hehehe...should be a pretty good movie tho.

...but i was more looking forward to this one,hehehe...

Alita: Battle Angel

Hopefully it will screen in Batam when the time comes.

Actually i kind of like the music hence this movie caught my attention,hehehe...which is why i dont write about its storyline.

Enjoying the music while i type,hehehe...

[Black Page]

Originally Posted by nono1973

They are Batam Center ferry terminals, Waterfront City, Sekupang ,Nongsa and Harbour Bay. It really depends on which part of Batam you wish to visit most. Most cheonging places were in the Nagoya area,so if you are into cheonging, then Harbour Bay is the closest and the next nearest port would be the Batam Center port.

By all means, if I give a recommendation to a friend. then I recommend to go to HARBOUR BAY and ONLY TO HARBOUR BAY if he plans to stay in Nagoya.
Any small saving on the ticket fare is NOT worth the additional hassle, the time to move from Batam Center to Nagoya and back.
My advice for a friend.

[miumiu6464]

Originally Posted by Black Page

By all means, if I give a recommendation to a friend. then I recommend to go to HARBOUR BAY and ONLY TO HARBOUR BAY if he plans to stay in Nagoya.
Any small saving on the ticket fare is NOT worth the additional hassle, the time to move from Batam Center to Nagoya and back.
My advice for a friend.

Good advice, for newbies to Batam.

I usually travel alone, and stay in Nagoya. Paying almost half of the ticket fare ($26 to BC vs $48 to HBB) and 15k gojek fare is substantial savings. The 15 min gojek ride from BC to Nagoya is not much longer than the 5-7 mins ride from HBB to Nagoya too.

But, your post is spot on. For those who prefer less hassle (trying to get gojek to pick you up at BC is definitely a no-no, but I usually get my gojek ride at the mini garden opposite Harris Hotel at gojek rate and even without firing up my gojek app) and don't travel to Batam as frequently as some of the forummers here (frequently = 2-3 times per month or more), taking Horizon Ferry to HBB is the much preferred route, albeit much much more expensive.

[OnlyLiveOnce]

Originally Posted by miumiu6464

Good advice, for newbies to Batam.

I usually travel alone, and stay in Nagoya. Paying almost half of the ticket fare ($26 to BC vs $48 to HBB) and 15k gojek fare is substantial savings. The 15 min gojek ride from BC to Nagoya is not much longer than the 5-7 mins ride from HBB to Nagoya too.

But, your post is spot on. For those who prefer less hassle (trying to get gojek to pick you up at BC is definitely a no-no, but I usually get my gojek ride at the mini garden opposite Harris Hotel at gojek rate and even without firing up my gojek app) and don't travel to Batam as frequently as some of the forummers here (frequently = 2-3 times per month or more), taking Horizon Ferry to HBB is the much preferred route, albeit much much more expensive.

We travel to Batam once a month, always take the BC route as the $32 return ticket can make up the difference in transport cost. We stop at BCC/Eatern Food Court for our meals before going to Nagoya. Food and shopping around BCC/Penuin Market is great. Nagoya is the preferred place for entertainment. To each his own. Cheers.

[mygirly]

Originally Posted by miumiu6464

Good advice, for newbies to Batam.

I usually travel alone, and stay in Nagoya. Paying almost half of the ticket fare ($26 to BC vs $48 to HBB) and 15k gojek fare is substantial savings. .

Bro MM, can share ur lobang for $26 ferry ticket?
Good price lah..

[biostar]

Originally Posted by nono1973

I dont mean taxi touting has completely stop but at least the frequency is now much lesser in Harbour Bay,hehehe...good news for tourists (projecting a better and cleaner image). No need to be constantly "pestered" by them.

good to hear that taxi touts have reduced and it's so convenient to get a 30k taxi from that small counter desk.

[yourslovingly]

Originally Posted by biostar

good to hear that taxi touts have reduced and it's so convenient to get a 30k taxi from that small counter desk.

Yes bro very difficulty to find taxi when we return to ferry terminal. They asking again 50k to terminal bcs of less taxi available

[miumiu6464]

Originally Posted by mygirly

Bro MM, can share ur lobang for $26 ferry ticket?
Good price lah..

Qoo10, with combination of coupon and points.

[miumiu6464]

Originally Posted by yourslovingly

Yes bro very difficulty to find taxi when we return to ferry terminal. They asking again 50k to terminal bcs of less taxi available

Is it just today or is the current situation in Batam now?

Where I'm now, due to Haji, even GoFood delivery cost is increased due to Haji celebration, less riders working. Even today, scooting around searching for breakfast took us almost half hour..

[shitty_pants]

wah bro nono1973 . this one sibei good. can use as my mini guide to Batam liao. upz ur points

[ZanShen]

Very good bro. You are a professional. We samsters in this thread are well-taken care of by you. Let me digest them and will ask you if I don't understand any. Thank you!!

[Black Page]

Originally Posted by miumiu6464

But, your post is spot on. For those who prefer less hassle (trying to get gojek to pick you up at BC is definitely a no-no, but I usually get my gojek ride at the mini garden opposite Harris Hotel at gojek rate and even without firing up my gojek app)

I add that I travel to Batam with a 25-kg bag plus computer bag also loaded of papers. That's why I take a taxi from HB to Formosa and not an ojek.

Originally Posted by OnlyLiveOnce

We travel to Batam once a month, always take the BC route as the $32 return ticket can make up the difference in transport cost.
To each his own. Cheers.

Again, the point is the hassle and the value we give to time. Each of us may give a different value to time versus pocket money. That's why I pointed out "if I give a recommendation to a friend". For me, no way those 10 SGD could justify the hassle and time to pass via HC.

[cleyeo]

Originally Posted by Black Page

I add that I travel to Batam with a 25-kg bag plus computer bag also loaded of papers. That's why I take a taxi from HB to Formosa and not an ojek.
.

I stopped taking ojek after my last experience. I was asked to put on helmet which was dammnnnnn dirty. I can hold dirt to certain extent, but that time was toooo beyond my threshold !!

[toadd]

Anyone know a place in batam where can rent bike and ride around to explore? Anyone have any experience renting bikes?

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by Black Page

By all means, if I give a recommendation to a friend. then I recommend to go to HARBOUR BAY and ONLY TO HARBOUR BAY if he plans to stay in Nagoya.

Hehehe...i have tried going via Batam center ferry terminal to Formosa twice (or was it thrice? cant really remember). I did some calculation of my own,the moment i step out of the ferry itself upon reaching Batam, to the moment i reach Formosa, it took more than an hour on a weekday and nearly 2 hours on a weekend (according to some of my friends, even longer sometime during a super long weekend),hehehe....i doubt you are going to like that kind of waiting.

As for Harbour Bay,the moment i step out of ferry at Harbor Bay ferry terminal to the moment i reach the same hotel mentioned, took me no more than 20mins on weekdays and about 30mins on weekend,hehehe...and that bothers me a bit. During CNY time,took me about 30 mins plus minus too.

And i havent count the time i return back from Batam to Singapore,hehehe...

Originally Posted by Black Page

Any small saving on the ticket fare is NOT worth the additional hassle, the time to move from Batam Center to Nagoya and back.

I look at the whole picture from another perspective. If my ferry ticket to Batam via Harbor Bay and Batam Center is the SAME,be it going to Batam once a month,or 3 to 4 times a month which ferry terminal would i choose to drop myself off,hehehe...the answer is obvious.

Which is one of the true reason why i would pick Harbor Bay ferry terminal instead of Batam center ferry terminal to drop myself.

My choice.