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Originally Posted by tangoten0
On friday morning, after learning my lesson, I booked directly via Horizon website. Just follow instructions and its pretty smooth. Ferry ride smooth and easy.
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There is a wide availability of ferries and more seats than passengers, except on returning rides from Batam to HF on Sunday afternoon.
Honestly, I do not see the point of pre-booking.
It is true that usually I arrive from KL by bus, and the arrival time may vary due to lines at immigration.
I am used to arrive to Harbour Front, go to Horizon Ferry counter, and take a ticket not for the first ferry, but the second, to have time to have a coffee, or eat some sushi, etc.
What is VERY IMPORTANT is, once arrived to Batam, right after immigration go straight to Horizon Ferry counter and check in for the return, even one week later as I am used.
This will save lines on return (nobody waiting to check in after a ferry has arrived) and will reserve a seat in case the return is on busy time (for instance on Sunday afternoon). On my first time, I did not know this, and I risked to be stranded in Batam until night (and miss my flight to Europe the same night from Changi).
Quote:
Originally Posted by tangoten0
After landing, decided to call Gojek per some advise I read somewhere.
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There is a hype here for saving insignificant amounts of money. Many are happy to save 1 SGD calling Gojek (and waiting) instead of grabbing the first ojek among the dozens available in streets. If one can bargain and save some additional 0,50, others give kudos to him.
Then, the same one goes booking a girl and spend more than 1M, but it's the principle itself of saving 0,50 more than others that gives pleasure...
Personally I prefer to walk (I save more, ahaha), and if I need transportation because I feel lazy I take the first ojek I see (10k downtown).
Quote:
Originally Posted by tangoten0
Made it to Formosa Hotel.
When you first walk in, there is a musty smell to the whole hotel even at counter area. As your nose gets used to it, you won't smell it after a while. I think it permeates the entire hotel.
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That smell was the first scent I felt on my first trip to Batam.
Even now, that scent is inextricably linked to Batam in my brain. When I smell it, I feel in the Land of Impossible. Welcome to Batam, enjoj man!