On my second day in Singapore, decided to take a quick trip to Batam Island Indonesia to check out the resorts, eat seafood and inquire about nightlife.

HOW TO GET THERE: From Singapore city, we took a taxi to the Ferry terminal close to the airport for about 12 S$. Evidentally, there is also a ferry terminal at the World Trade Center but the trips are more infrequent. The terminal looks like a small airport and is clean and modern. Once inside, you will see several agents with destinations and departure times. There are trips to several other islands close by as well. I would suggest taking a trip to the city of Nagoya as you will have an easier time getting around. We took a trip to the main port on the other side of the island and had to take a half hour trip to Nagoya. The boat ride is on a speedboat (catamaran) and takes about 25 minutes. Like Malaysia, if you have a Thai GF, they will not need a visa prior to departure.

ONCE YOU ARRIVE: Once you arrive, you will be bombarded by independant taxi drivers wanting you to pay 70S$ for the day. It was raining and there were no real taxis to be found. These guys speak little English but I was able to negotiate down to 45 Sing$ for the day. Many of the roads were closed and my drivers car broke down in the middle of a mud pit. Mai pen rai, we just trekked through the mud and my girls new shoes were caked with mud. I gave him 5 Sing$ but only paid the new driver 40 S$. Once in Nagoya, you could see how downtrodden and poor this area was. Reminded me of parts of Laos mixed in with the La Mesa region of TJ. Everyone is Muslim and the men will stare at your girl till there eyes pop out as they have not seen any women without traditional Muslim clothing out in public..and my girl was dressed conservatively.

ON GOLDEN PRAWN: I tried to read up on Batam but there is very little information for tourists so I took the taxis recommendation and went to this seafood restaurant that was packed with Chinese tour bus groups. The place was very nice and the seafood excellent. The only problem was that I asked for slipper lobster tails and the guy added in a 6 pound lobster that I did not order. When the lobster arrived, I knew something was up and told the that I did not order it and to get the waiter. The waiter was,of course, nowhere to be found and I told them please give it to someone else cause I didn't order it. "OK Sir, no problem, mistake". The left the lobster there and I put it at the edge of the table..The bill came and the huge lobster was on the bill at a whopping 70Sing$ ($42). I talked to the manager and he told me that I had to pay because I ordered it and if there was a problem that he could call someone..like the police. Again, the original waiter is nowhere to be seen. I paid the bill and left pissed. I could care less about paying $42 bucks for a lobster in a 3rd World Country but I hate when people are trying to play me.

NIGHTLIFE: There are a few malls in Batam and they are full of unemployed people that would rather be there than their home (dont blame em). We went shopping and drank at a Karoake bar that was in an area with a lot of Karoake and Massage places. I saw several Chinese tour bus guys with their new Indonesian date at the Karaoke bar and we started getting hammered on the local beer ( I think it's called Bintam or something starting with a B). They actually had a few Thai songs for my girl to sing. I talked our taxi driver on the way to the terminal and he told me that many of the tourist men go to the Sphinx which is a freelancer disco as he described it. I would really like to come here again and explore it more when I'm solo because I bet the prices are cheaper than Singapore and some of the Indonesian girls are hot. The downside is that there is a huge Muslim presence which makes me a little uneasy. There are also some great golf courses and resorts that we checked out while we were there and we noticed a plethora of new housing for Singaporians whom live there on the weekends. Bought some Indonesian coffee, a robe with Indonesian markings and got on the speedboat back to Singapore.

Did we even go to the same Island? Last time I was there I saw a lot of Chinese and Indonesians.
I didnt see many women all covered up. Has Batam changed? When was this Blazers?
Sorry Blazers, but if I had Thai girl in Singapore I would never take her to that dump Batam!

Tons of Muslim women covered and if you saw a lot of Indonesians you would notice that the country is almost entirely Muslim.

I think maybe you start with a grain of truth and then add Muslim women. Just kidding. Interesting report, Blazers.

The reading and discussions I've had about prices there on Batam Is. are $20 LT (USD). $20 is the ST price in S'pore, that's why many Indonesian ladies like to go to S'pore for a short while and make the big dough. I've heard those freelance bars are very loud with nearly no lighting, that's why the Chinese S'pore men bring flashlights to inspect the girls!