Tg Pinang (TP) Guide & FAQ V.0301 MAR 2001

Q: Where is Tg Pinang
A: Map of Riao Islands.

Q: How do I get there
A: Via Ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT)

Q: How long is the journey ?
A: Most of the ferries would take approximately 1 hour 50 mins except for Indo Falcon which uses the smaller speed boat, the journey is approximately 1 hour 20 mins.

Q: What are the departure time of the ferry from SIN - TG PINANG (SIN LOCAL TIME)

Q: What are the departure time of the ferry from  TG PINANG - SIN (INDO LOCAL TIME - 1 Hour FROM SIN TIME)

Author's notes about the ferry.

Ferry journey to TP is on the average approx 1 hour 50 mins from TMFT. However, Indo Falcon can do it in approx 1 hour 20 mins if you can bear with the smaller boat and a choppy ride. Being a smaller fast boat, it takes the short cut through the island when approaching the TP jetty. Other ferry had to approach TP toward the right of the island, slow down and swing left toward the jetty.

Preferred Ferry :
Penguin Not only because Penguin serve free coffee and tea onboard but their schedule is more reliable. And the latest good news is that Penguin ferry service is providing complimentary transport from TMFT to Bedok interchange provided that there is at least 100+ passengers on board the particular schedule. You need to ask the crew coffee counter) for the coupons upon your return trip.

So far not many people is aware of it. The transport will be located at the 'Arrival' hall. Hope that this info may be useful to you. U may have a question with regards to whether the we can board the transport at Bedok Interchange for the journey to TMFT. Sorry brudders, no info on this.

Ferry - Local Contact TMFT Penguin (65) 542-7105
Dino (65) 276-9722
Indo Falcon (65) 2783167
Berlian (65) 5468830

Q: What is the cost of the ferry ticket
A: Ranges from S$30 (Indo Falcon) to S$38 (Dino) for the return ticket.

Q: How do I buy the ferry ticket
A: Either walk in to the shipping company at TMFT with cash purchase or you can ask the hotel to book for you and you pick up the ferry ticket from the ferry's counter and pay the hotel when you check out. Not all hotel provided this service though.

Q: Where is Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
A: After the SAFRA Resort, turn right on the traffic light.

Q: How to go to TMFT by public transport
A: Take the MRT to Tanah Merah station and take SBS service Nos 35 or take service Nos 35 for Bedok Bus Interchange. For those who is driving there, whole day parking is S$4.00 per day. Auto parking system.

Q: Where to exchange rupiah
A: Generally, the rate is better in TG Pinang than in SG. Rate at TP's hotel is slightly lower. Example if the hotel rate is 4500, you can expect to get 4600 in town. One known place is Bintang Indah. Most hotel drivers know where it is. Current rate at time of posting is approx S$1 = 5430 Rp

Q: Where do you arrange for the driver in TP and how much do they charge?
A: Most hotels would send their driver to meet you at the jetty. Most hotel driver are in uniform with name tag and carry the hotel signboard. Don't be con by 'driver' claiming to be from the hotel with the hotel name card! The hotel driver knows where are the places where you can book the gal. The driver would gladly detour to these places before sending you to the hotel as they get commission from these places. Most hotels also have FOC shuttle services to town if you fancy some shopping or go out for lunch or dinner. They will drop you at your destination and once you are ready to go back to the hotel, you have to call the hotel and they the vehicle. This is also applicable if you go to the disco. Hand phone cums in handy in this case. Other than these I don't think you really need a driver. However they do charge about S$6 per hour if you intend to go any places and have the driver and vehicle with you all the time. NEVER, NEVER AND NEVER SELECT A DRIVER THAT IS HANGING AROUND AFTER THE IMMIGRATION AREA, ALONG THE JETTY AND AT THE GATE AFTER THE JETTY!

Hotel in Tg Pinang (Tel no updated)

Asean Hotel 22161
Bintan Island Indah 21946
Bintang Beach Resort 23661
Garden Hotel 22344
Kartika Hotel 22446
New City Hotel 24365
Paradise Hotel 24213
Pinang Island Hotel 21307
Riau Holiday Inn 22573
Rainbow Hotel 21688 
Royal Palace Hotel 27555
Sempurna Jaya Hotel 21555
Shangri-La Hotel 22202
Sunset Hotel 24221
Surya Hotel 21811
Tanjung Pinang Hotel 21236
Wisata Hotel 21488

Good Hotel & Contact Nos Rainbow Hotel 011-771-21982 ( Promotion - 50% off every third night and free room on every ninth visit ) Sentral Hotel 011-771-312000

Q: Where to find girls
A: These are few of my favorite joints, to each his own, read it with a pinch of salt but if you cant find any suitable gals in these few joints, take the next ferry back ;-) Should also check 24th miles and 16th miles but suggest you wear double protection for gals there as they do short time business with the local guys where else "town" gal who do short-time only do it at a hotel and at RP100K. Their counterpart at 24 & 15 miles do it for RP30K ;-)

Bintang Plaza Salon Puteri at Bintang Plaza , others in this area worth visiting is Sunflower, two doors away from Salon Puteri. Entrance to this joint at the back. Salon Puteri Dua (2) is located at the coffee shop beside Sentral Hotel.

Furama Most gals is 'trained' to perform BBBJ

KTV directly opposite Rainbow Hotel Some pricey gals here

Q: How much tips to give to the gals?
A: Tips is something personal and to each his own. Generally, Rp50K to Rp 60K

Q How safe is TG Pinang
A.SECURITY ADVISE My only advise is that no matter how regular or frequent visitor you are to these paradise islands is BE CAREFUL OF YOUR MONEY. Remember that average income of the locals is approx S$60 -S$80 per month and that your S$ is "gold" to them. S$300 gets them a million rupiah. It may be nothing to you, but S$300 will get them a million rupiah and it is hell allot to them. So...

5) NEVER, NEVER, NEVER AND NEVER, utilize the service of any taxi driver/guide from the jetty. If you do not have any driver, please ask the hotel driver to pick you up.

AN INCIDENT IN TG PINANG

Quote

"Repost from Sam Leong Forum...

General Sex Discussions - Bintan-Beware of nasty touts/drivers From: GEYLUVER Feb-21 9:22 pm To: ALL Match (1 of 7) 29337.1

6) Try to go with some regulars if you had not been to TP before.

7) Common Sense - If for example, you intend to go to TP for the first time and on your own, you wouldn't want to choose the last ferry to TP do you?

8) At night, no harm to put your money inside the pillow when the gal is not around or in the toilet. Don't take it for granted.

Disco

Club 5 near Bintang Plaza

Garden Hotel There is also a brothel right at the back of the hotel. In the evening, most of these gals would be at the disco. Jumbo Don't quite like this disco personally as it is too dark and quite a lot of drug taking activities.

For better dressed gal, I would suggest Ali Baba disco.

Some question from readers............and my replies.

but this is my first to Palau Bintan. It is my recommendation that you try to co-ordinate with someone who had been to TP. Newbie been robbed and con is a very common occurrence. Go to Sam's Sex Forum and ask around and you might well be able to arrange to go with someone experienced.

or perhaps as a last resort, email me and make use of my driver if you want. I'll give you the contact.

1. Are there any ATM machines? Any Cirrus ATMs? Yes

2. Are there any Internet shops - emailing possibilities? Yes at Bintan Mall, an old shopping center near the market.

3. Are the only ferry options from the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal? Is it possible to take a boat from the WTC Terminal? Is so, which is cheaper? Only option TMFT

4. Do you know of any moderate quality hotels near the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal? Am flying into Singapore late evening and want to take first ferry out to TP. (In-airport hotel is not an option - don't want to wait till morning to collect checked suitcase) No expert advise.

5. Consensus is the Rainbow Hotel is a decent choice in TP. How far is the Rainbow to Bintan Plaza? Walkable? Walkable in 1.5 hrs ;-P You can use the hotel driver to drop you our side or at the main entrance of Bintan Plaza and when you are done, ask the driver to pick you up or take "ojek' back with the gal (5K Rp) this is if want to save the drivers commission.

6. What's the latest going rates for the Rainbow? S$40 7. Is there any Internet or email address for contacting the Rainbow for reservations? (I'm arriving on a Saturday) No email. (Toll free nos available on request)

8. Are trips to KM 16 and 24 worth it? How does the talent/prices there compare to the in-town? Prices is lower in 16/24 but you can give the talent a miss. The only worthiness is the sight of few hundreds talents.

9. What is a fair taxi cost to KM24? No advise to go on Taxi. Use hotel driver, 2 hr shld be about US$13 ?

10 It is possible to hire a driver/car for a full day? Expect what cost? The have income of commission from the gal that you book and dependent on the tips for survival. I give my driver not least than S$20 for 24 hours.

11. Other activities. I enjoy experiencing the local scene during recuperation periods. Lonely Planet book suggests visiting the village of Senggarang across the harbor from TP to see Chinese Temple. Also mentions taking a sampan trip up the Snake River and taking a boat out to Penyenget Island to visit its mosque and graveyard. Has anyone done these? Is it worth it? Any recommendations on other sites to see (out of hotel room..)? If you have time on hand, why not.

12. Do the drugstores in TP sell Viagra? Valium? Yes but you might landed up with fakes.

13. Any CD "copy" shops in town? Yes

14. Any other worthwhile shopping? Bestali Mall The new shopping center.

Cheers n have fun Remember try not to go alone !!

Tg Pinang (TP) Guide & FAQ V.0301 MAR 2001 - ©69Sniper

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