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Hey cheongsters!

I benefited so so very much from this thread that i must write my first time experience down. Hopefully will get first timers started. Special thanks to all the seniors here who shared their stories and experiences and ideas. Couldnt have done it without u all!

I went for my FIRST batam trip by myself (solo) after reading up what the seniors have written here. 2d1n, just to get a feel. All in all, first timer flying solo can definitely try batam. Small place, relatively cheap (even kenna carrot also not wont cost u an arm and leg) near to SG, and so many Singaporeans around there lol.

First timer take note. Batam is quite a run down city. The city being the city in general, not referring to any particular place. Ill discuss in more details on individual places i visited. If u are looking for atas stuff, dont look there. By run down, i mean the city is .... "lok kok". (no offence hor) But the price to pay for being run down is ... CHEAP!! If u ask me, im willing to sacrifice atas-ness for what batam has to offer in cheapness.

Hotel : i stayed in da vienna boutique hotel. The hotel is good! for all the "run down-ness" in batam city, the hotel is definitely not run down. It is really as good as what the various online reviews wrote.

Girls : i didnt get a booking girl as i wanted to explore the city as much as possible. So no booking girl joint experience to share.

Massage : i went to delta spa massage. 600k package including hj. The joint is also VERY nice. U wont believe the inside is so nice by the look of the outside. Girl is so so. Personally i find it a bit not worth it.... Maybe the girl not chio enough?

Massage (clean type) : i popped into "indothai" and ran out when i see the price list. 300k and up. Disclamer: I am a cheapo. lol. Then i went to a roadside shophouse massage. Simple deco, cant compare to delta spa, clean rooms (no dirty wear and tear marks etc), hall with curtain partition. 80k per hour HAHAHA. 120k two hours. Wow. Pressed until i song song.

Food : the dish i had the most in batam is a&w root beer float. My favourite. I find it even better the malaysia one. Their spicy fried chicken also v delicious! Ate some ramli styled burger. Nothing to shout about. Ate some roadside stall anyhow order food. (i dont even know the name of what i ordered, just point to opposite table) tasty but give me slight stomach ache.

Shopping : their groceries are cheaper then SG. (no surprises here) Im not a fan of the rest of what the vendors sell in nagoya hill mall. (clothes ect) Lots of cheong branded bags around.

I found a vape shop (electric cigarette) somewhere in one of the shop houses opposite nagoya hill. Friendly boss. Good for vapers who can stock up some essential items before heading back home.

All in all, a good experience for me. Nice place, cheap price, highly accessible! I'll definitely be back, i promise.