SUMMARY

I am not really an adventurous person. I was always very conscious that I was an American in a Muslim country at a time when USA was bombing and killing 1000s of Muslims in Iraq. I never advertised my country of origin, but I didn't know how to hide it. I was extremely wary all the time, uncomfortable most of the time, scared some of the time, and really frightened a few times. I tried to keep a very low profile, but being a white rock in a sea of brown ones does not lend itself to being inconspicuous. I never showed much emotion, no temper, no laughing, no arguing, no complaining, did not engage the locals much, only as needed. I especially avoided dealings with the grungy males on the street.

I know that is not a great approach for making friends and getting to know the people. But my personal safety was far more important to me. To be honest, I never heard of visiting bules having problems in any part of Indonesia, although expats have had their share. Still, I followed a very conservative approach.

The hotels and food were as expected, acceptable to good and generally cheap. Food was a bit more expensive than I expected, but still far cheaper than USA and quality usually followed price.

Transportation is a different story. While the fares are dirt cheap, the boats are old and safety precautions nowhere near western standards. Most taxis in Batam now sport late model cars and identifying signs on top. The other islands have not caught up and the only taxis available were private guys hanging around. That is one of the things that frightened me most, trying to select a driver who would not take advantage of me in one way or another. I am an old, fat, vulnerable white guy, carrying a suitcase, and obviously carrying more money than taxi drivers make in a month, perhaps even a year. I was not just an easy target, I was a tempting target. And I knew the roads to my intended locations were remote. If I were to go again, my top priority would be to get driver recommendations and phone numbers for each locale.

I did not find a replacement for the K11 I remembered in my dreams. The physical aspects of Batu24, Batu7, and Payar Labu were very similar to K11. Batu 15 was a step down, Villa a step up. The overall quality of the girls followed suit. Unfortunately the overall quality of the girls of all the villages cannot be compared in either looks or service or attitude or skill to the gals I remember at K11. Girl hunting in the villages is more like looking around the bar beers of Pattaya in the daytime. Young, pretty gals are there, but found only with luck and after diligent searching. Finding one who will actually go with bule is even more difficult.

Nonetheless I have met several memorable gals during my trips to Riau. At the top of list of course is my Little Darling from my first trip. (you have read my first report, right? http://nedbatam.com/classic/asiaphan.htm) This trip both D and the runner Su left indelible imprints on my heart. And after all the sex and good food and beer and hotels, it's those imprints that will stay with me forever.

bye

Senor King thank you for you comprehensive report on some very off the beaten track venues. When reading this report I was constantly feeling angst and knots in my stomach as you encountered one uncomfortable situation after another. Your cautious and, I hate to say this, scared of your own shadow nature I get from reading your prose is such a paradox to the rather ambitious and ballsy activities you did!

One other comment, I am totally with you on wanting to avoid the typically male sleazy no value adding middle men. However, you really seem to always falls into the trap of being at the mercy of these guys. Of course, outside of Batam I see that you really had no choice except I think you really sell the Singapore Chinese guys short on what their willingness to help other mongers. However using taxis and guides like Jensen to take you to the booking places in Nagoya is absolutely not needed and really limits your selection. These touts only will take you to places that give them good commisions, and of course they want you to choose as soon as possible so they do as little work as possible. Of course, it is easier for me to say this as now there is a lot more information about these places on the internet.

Congratulations on your pioneer spirit.