[Amsterdam101]

Regarding this topic of (over)paying in Batam, I like to look at it from the angle of different categories of expenses, and how much I am willing to pay for each. Some bros may like to splurge on everything, others may scrimp on everything, but I have my own idea how much I want to spend on each.

First, let me define the categories:

1. Ferry ride
2. Taxi service
3. Food
4. Entertainment (including discos, KTVs, massages)
5. Lodging
6. Ceweks

First, ferry ride, pretty much standard pricing, unless you want to swim.

Taxi service, I don't want to pay more than I have to, but I also don't want to walk for 15 minutes just to save 5k rupiah, or get into a vehicle that looks like a death trap.

Food, I don't mind a seafood dinner that's reasonably priced, but I don't want to overpay either. I told my cewek very bluntly, if you like more tips, then we chin-chai eat. Cewek agreed and she benefited in the end.

Entertainment, I don't do discos, ecstasy, or hanky panky KTV. We go family style KTV and the cewek sing and I watch.

Lodging, I don't mind to pay more for a half way decent room. Nothing turns me off more than a toilet bowl I feel too disgusted to sit on.

Ceweks, I don't go for 800k and up ceweks, I don't see the point. I've had great looking ceweks for 400-500k. As for tips for ceweks, this is where I splurge. If I feel happy with them, I am willing to tip extremely well. Jaw-droppingly well.