Batam trip
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These information is for those who are curious.
I just came back for a 1 night stay at Harris Hotel in Batam. I did all my booking seperately.
(A) Pengiun Ferry
Ticket cost = $22
Departure tax (sin) = $5
Departure tax (Batam) = $3
Pls check the ferry timing cos some of the timing have been cancelled due to lack of "traffic".
Dino ferry (competitor) timing not so "fantastic", go very few timing slots!
(B) (i) Harris Hotel
- It is about 5 mins away from the waterfront city.
- Pickup by van (very clean)
- Hotel is so-so (like 1st world hotel but bigger and cleaner)
- Food (we had pizza "big" and carbona pasta "little") but good
- Room is not carpeted but very clean. 2 single bed (quite BIG) + 1 sofa + 1 armchair
- I would say YES to stay there again if I can get cheap rates. Cos the staffs are good and very responsive!
(ii) Holiday Inn
We saw that it was the opposite direction (i.e. when van came out of the ferry terminal, left is towards harris, right is towards Holiday Inn)
(iii) Melia (Parnoma <-- I think) Hotel
It's in the city
(C) From Harris to City
Taxi = $10 (But u can ask to pay rupiah = 50k which is cheaper) on way
(D) City
It's very much like going Malaysia, Johor when it was a "hit" in the 90s. Everything simple
(F) Food
- Ate at the street food, pretty clean (the place we went). Ate Bak Kut Teh, dh loved it cos got pig's blood...he miss it! *yuck* I had Nasi goreng.
- Water, pls buy from super market...cheaper
- A1 Food Court - Hai San seafood. CHEAP! Had 2 small steam crabs, black pepper chicken, Dou Miao and white rice. Total 85k rupiah (S$15/S$16). The shop is near Lucky Plaza, pls don't let taxi driver cheat u like we did. Taxi shld cost abt 5k - 10k. Either that, walk! (ask around) Cos it's really NEAR!
(G) Shopping
(i) Matahari (Lucky Plaza)
--> Forgot abt shopping there...cos when we went to city we were hungry for lunch
(ii) Robinson
--> Bought 3 tops and 2 pants for my kids. Relatively cheap...abt $2-$3 per top or pants
(iii) Centrepoint
--> pretty new. We bought DVDs there. Buy 5, free 1. Cost us abt 90k rupiah ($16/$17). Very CLEAR...ask them to let u check first.
(H) Exchange rates
- we changed our money in Sin at suntec. Pretty good rates.
- Or u can change at the shopping centre. (Yesterday rate S$1 = 5.7k rupiah)
(I) Massage
Didn't go for it. So can't comment.
Pls note:
- For taxi, take those that have the word TAXI
- Going to town, if u not afraid of dust and dirt (it's really like Malaysia lah), then bring the kids. If not, stay at the hotel
- Bring some spare singapore dollars =)
- For hotel (harris), u can check if u can pay via rupiah or S$. Though everything there is priced S$.
- Mineral water (500ml) in supermarket cost abt 700 - 1300 rupiah. Outside is twice the price.
- Indonesia is 1 hour behind us!
- Some pple speak hokkien/cantonese, english and Indo Malay, Indonesian. -
Thanks for all the tips!
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I just came back from Harris Resort-Batam. I concur with what the topic mentioend but would like to add the following.
Go-Kart
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Go-kart at $17 for 10 mins. The track is less then 5 mins from the resort. There is a 1 for 1 promotion, so both my companion and myself did the Go-kart together at $17. It was our first time and really very very fun.
Spa
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There is a 20% off. It is the first time that my partner and I tried. but we really like it. a 180 min package cost about $200 for the both of us. Not sure how it is compared to packages in bintan or singapore but we find it quite affordable and value for money. the place is quite clean and the env was actually quite romantic. This is actually the highlight of the trip for us.
Currency
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Actually, if u r only staying at the resort, there is no need to change rupiah at all. All transactions can be charged to the room and final settlement at checkout can be in Sing dollar.... -
I guess u did enjoy urself!
Myself, I am hoping to go again. -
I am also hoping to go again! but only for the spa and the go-kart. already plan out liao!
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Just to let u know that they are having the "crazy" offer again.
http://www.harris-batam.com/php/packages.php
CRAZY RATE 1
Validity: 22 Jun 2005 - 31 Jul 2005
S$ 15 nett/PERSON/Night
* This offer apply on weekends or weekdays
CRAZY RATE 2
Validity: 22 Jun 2005 - 31 Jul 2005
S$ 25 nett/PERSON/night
* This offer apply on weekdays and weekends
Terms and Conditions:- Free one (1) night accomodation at Harris Room
- Free 2 (two) ways transfers, from Harris Resort to Waterfront City Ferry Terminal
- Minimum 2 persons & maximum 3 persons sharing in the room without extrabed
- Compulsory buffet breakfast at our comfortable Harris Cafe, available at S$12 nett/person from 06.00 - 10.00 am
Ferry
This are the no. that you can call for Penguin Ferry:
HarbourFront Centre - 6271 4866
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal - 6542 7105
Ferry Schedule (Waterfront ONLY)
Sin to Waterfront - 0950, 0955, 1200, 1400, 1545, 1810
Waterfront to Sin - 0915, 1015, 1300, 1500, 1630, 1830
Ferry price the last time I went was $22 (2-way) + $5 passanger charge + $3 tax (at batam side when u come back). Total: $30/pax
**Pls note: I not sure if they changed or added any more timings. Do call and check if needed.
**Pls note when u arrive at Harris Hotel: if you wish to book a seat on ur return, you will have to let the reception know what time u wanna leave (give her ur passport and tickets). They will do the necessary for you.
**I becoming a promoter of harris hotel...should ask them for commission hor**
I just found the website for Pengiun Ferry (Pls note, different ferry have different timing and price)
Timing: http://www.penguin.com.sg/ferrySchedule.html
Price: http://www.penguin.com.sg/ferrySchedule.html#ticket