I was always curious about those outlying islands around Batam and wondering how much fun one could get if taking a dare.
Actually, all this happened terribly fast and without too much of a thought, guess the best things in life happen when done all of a sudden!!!. I had to be in Singapore for a few days for job reasons and was thinking it would be a great time to take a first time quick trip to either Tanjung Pinang or Tanjung Balai, at the end decided for Tanjung Pinang. Did a quick search in the internet concerning how to get there, where to stay and most important, where the girls are. Weather was just great, sunny all around and a gentle brezze to cool one's body. took a taxi right after leaving Sim lim Square, where i was searching for a battery for my JVC camcorder. went straight to the Tanah Merah Ferry terminal where i bought a R/T ticket Singapore-Tng. Pinang-Singapore (S$ 28=). at the terminal, which is not that big, the ferry counters are all in line and very easy to get your tickets. going trough Inmigration/custom is easy and without delays. trip itself in a fast boat is 1 1/2 hrs. i was getting a little worried when Singapore disappeared over the horizon. when arrived at the Tanjung Pinang terminal, it was around 7;30 pm (local time), good to remenber Indonesia is one hour behind Singapore time. You get a visa on arrival from Indonesian Inmigration which is fast and easy, cost is $10=. visa is good for a seven days stay. didn't have any hotel reservation but ran into reps. from the Rainbow hotel at the exit of the terminal and went with them. this is mainly 'cause this was one of the backup hotels i had in mind. my first choice hotel was closed at the time!!!.

Rainbow Hotel and Resort
Jl. Dl. Panjaitan km 6
Kepri (Bintan Island)
Indonesia 29123

Ph: 001 62 771-318888
001 62 771-21688
001 62 771-21982
001 62 771-24982
Fax 001 62 771-25982
toll Free; 800 62 11097
Website: WWW.pelangihotel.com

This hotel always have some reps at the terminal hunting for customers, anyways, went into their van and was on my way to the hotel. after about 15/20 minutes or so got there and was pleasantly surprized how nice and cozy the place was. decided for the superior room (S$50=), which was huge, Queen size bed,full bath, cable tv, A/C, balcony facing the garden & swimming pool, room service and the MOST important factor, ABSOLUTELY girl friendly. one thing i don't like in Indonesia is that they keep your passport, it just gives me the creeps.
Had to refresh myself and take a rest before heading out for the night. went down to check the restaurant on the premises and the menu is mainly Asian but very tasty. they do have some Western dishes and quick snacks. took the services of the hotel van, charges are for hourly rate and very cheap. around 9 pm the driver went up to my room and off we went looking for the lucky lady of the evening. since i didn't know my way around i told him this fact to the driver, which was very accomodating. he took me to this whore village on the km 12. once there i didn't expect to see so many girls in one little town, there must have been around 150 or so; been the only Westerner at the time there got me all the attention and more than i wanted!!! was totally overwhelm in this place and even though i saw a few good looking gals and most of them were very young i was advice to wait and head to the next towm on the km 24 marker. did see a checkpoint with two cops, they were more interested in playing cards than checking visitors. At the 2nd town the crowd wasn't as big as in the first one, maybe i was there a little earlier. went into this house and ended picking this gal named EFE, had to pay mamasan Rp 280,000 for the night. think i payed too much (maybe Rp100,000 more than i should!!!) guess this is the price Westerners have to fork out in Asia. back at the hotel, she just have to check with security and off we went to my room. this girl was a total sweetheart and my night was a total "BLISS". throughout the night i made several calls to room service asking for food which was delivered promptly. next morning, we both went down for breakfast and a shocker was that they don't have Westewrn breakfast available. anyways, Asian style breakfast is not bad at all. after i sent EFE on her way i checked out around 10 am. my total bill came up to Rp625,000/ it was very itemized and no funny deals!!! afterwards, went to the hotel office by the Ferry terminal to get my boarding pass, once that done went for a little shopping at the nearby market, then, just walk to the terminal and my ride back to Singapore. you can buy DVD movies here but the quality is not good so don't bother. one thing i like a lot are the shirts made of Batik, good material and very refreshing. friends always ask me back home where i get these shirts, they just are an eye catcher!!!. Going back to Singapore is fast and without any hitches.
Even though i only stayed one night i was very pleased with the Rainbow hotel and specially with the girls i saw over there. hotel, girl, food and shopping is so cheap that i ciertainly would go back again. most likely will be back again next jan. '07.
Would like to add that i took some pics but still trying to figure it out how to post them, all i can say is once i figure it out, they will be out!!! feel free to criticize but please make it constructive criticism, not just laying it on me for the hell of it!!! I'm doing my humble little part to contribute some info for others to enjoy.///

Hey, MP, thanks for the report. I, too, am extremely curious about the less traveled places. I'm considering Bintang, Bandung, Tretes, etc. I'm wondering though, if you've been to JKT, how does the general looks of the gals compare? You mentioned a "few good looking ones" out of 150 or so. It's my impression from my visit to Surabaya that the hotties gravitate towards JKT for the bigger bucks.

One comment about the hotel keeping the Passport, when I was in Surabaya, and once in Cambodia, the hotels tried the same thing until I feigned outrage and the supervisor came over apologetically and said he'd only make a copy of the passport, which I reluctantly let them do. I'm very wary of giving up my passport.

Thanks for the report. Haha you are a real adventurer. Hell I live in Singapore and haven't made it over to Tanjung Pinang yet. The booking price you quote, I suspect did include a significant commission to your driver. Shame on him for double dipping on the hourly rate and collecting the bonus. Also, if I read correctly you spent about fifty sing dollars on room service. LOL What did you do send the girl home with a carton of cigarrettes and a whole steamed fish?! Thanks again for the report and please keep posting reports of your other adventures. I for one really enjoy repeating about under reported Asian destinations.

No wonder Marcopolo is his handle!

May your adventures continue, and be safe.

Hello fellow Mongers;
thanks for the commemts;
Merlin; I really don't think all the working girls in Tanjung Pinang are local. Indonesia been such a huge and large country tend to spread the girls all over. No, even though, i'm not consider myself a newbie when it comes to mongering, still haven 't been yet to Jakarta (shame on me!!!). the two villages i went had lots of girls of all kinds, so is what you're after and just take your time looking for it.
This deal in Indonesia in keeping the passport at the front desk is not my cup of tea and maybe i'll take your advice and will make a rucus next time in order to keep it with me or just let them take axerx copy.
MongerX; I think you're absolutely right in the money situation, had the feeling right away i was been scammed for extra "dough", guess, is the price westerners pay in Asia. don't think it was too much for room service, to be honest, did ordered a lot of snacks after 'every session". think had a wonderful time and the girl was happy too. Ah, Ah, Ah!!! no she didn't leave with no steamed fish or cigarrettes!!!
sf4dfish; How are you? met in bangkok and still remenber the sweet place you had at the Conrad Hotel, total high class!!!hope we could meet again, take care.///
Thanks for the kind remarks and going to give another try in working out how to post the pics, until then; they are just piling up in my laptop!!! honest, i need somebody to probably tell me personally how to do it!!!!. expect to go to The Philippines and Thailand early 2007, Yeah!!!