Indonesia ? Not a good idea !

Holly shit ! I never had such a bad idea since I bought my car (and bedore my crappy Sony Vaio).

First, my plan was to stay a day or 2 in Singapore and then cross the Causeway to Johor Barhu which is in Malaysia, where I should have caught a bus to Mersing. I should be there today, enjoying the sun reading a book on the beach. Instead, I'm in Singapore again, with my heavy backpacker, trying to find my way to the Queen Station (where I'll catch my bus to Malaysia for good this time). What happened ? As usual, my plan has changed. Or had changed... because the ex-new plan turned into a bad experience.

Anyway, instead of waiting my lovely French girlfriend somewhere on the east coast of Malaysia, I decided to make a little "detour" (please take the french accent to say that word). I wanted to go to... Java. My wish was to go to Batam by ferry (one hour away for a cost of 30 $AU), stay there a day and take another ferry to Jakarta (35 $AU, a 26h trip !). Arrived in Jakarta, I could have visited around with a rental motorbike and, why not, go to Bali join Jenny for a couple of day. If I prefered to take the ferry (don't care about that pirates stories), it's because all the Indonesian companies are black-listed. I don't like planes even when they haven't take off yet, so, the idea of flying with an old Garuda Indonesia plane makes me shit in my skirt (yes I do wear it sometimes). I could have made it with Singapore Airlines or Valuair (Jetstar), but that was too expensive for me. No, ferry was definetly my best chance to make it to Jakarta. Same on the way back.

Friday 18, I left Singapore. I arrived in Batam center, where the customs sticked a very colourful visa on my passport (I paid it 25 $US for 4 weeks. I could have bought the 10$ one for a week but I thought I would stay more than 2 and a half days). Then I had to take a taxi to Nagoya (not in Japan) where I paid a room for 2 nights. What a bad idea !

Batam looks like Singapore where a war would have destroyed all the buildings. To be honnest, I found it kind of funny... new landscapes, new people, atmosphere, ... And then, I went to buy something to eat. Every single guy looked at me. I felt like I was a chocolate cake. Everyone yelling, waving, ... There I was THE white guy. Stephane D. Trump. I didn't mind and did what I wanted to do. Just before I stepped in my hotel, a guy gave me is card (front of the security guard). To be polite I took it. He introduced him as a guide and told me to call him if I needed "anything". Go to the beach tomorrow or dancing later.

Arrived in my room, I started to watch a movie and relax. The room was nice by the way. About 1h later, the guy called me (from the reception) to ask me If I need something. And he mentionned... girls ! Filthy bastard ! Of course, I told him to fuck off. All my good friends know I prefer boys (and Jenny. But she's too cute to be a real girl). I was still decided to go to Jakarta and I even took my first pill against Malaria which costed me a little fortune (25% of my budget).

The next day, I tried again to have a walk. 9am. I couldn't have any worst idea (maybe step out with a dress made with US dollars and a sign saying "I love Indonesia but I'd prefer to be in hell" around my neck). The same guy as the previous night came to me and offered to guide me around, and drive me to the beach (was it bitch ?). But he was not the only one. Another 3 guys came, plus 2 children in "sad-hungry face" mode asking Stephane D. Trump for money. I asked the pimp to show me where I could buy an adaptor to recharge my camera and buy a cake to eat. After that, I went back in my room and spend the day watching movies and football (Arsenal-Reading, ...). But as a good boy, I did not forget to give a tip to that pimp. 0.75 $AU. Thank you fuck head ! He wasn't happy and told me. I don't give a shit.

My 1,7 $ cake was good and the rest of the day quiet. Unfortunetly, the reception told me that the next ferry to Jakarta would be on wednesday (I knew there is only one ferry a week by internet but I hoped it would be closer). No way for me to stay in Nagoya another 4-5 days !

This morning, when I went out, the same story started. But this time, I had my backpack, ready to fuck off. The security guard had to escort me to a taxi. I went back to Batam Center where I caught a ferry to Singapore where I'm not Stephane D. Trump anymore and quite happy to not be.

I know what you might think. Thailand is the same, blablabla, ... yes. But in Thailand, I'll not be the only Donald Trump (First, Ivana will be next to me). In Batam, I had met 0 other caucasian in 2 days.

That's it for Indonesia. Never again.

Comments

[Tarlaff]

I think i can understand your english "trip" et prononce le en français too...

[Donald]

Glad to see some of you are following my trip. I still have my armani white skin here in Malaysia and no body cares !

[Dayle]

Don't worry, it's probably better to be on land rather than those Indonesian ferries anyway! In just a few days you'll have that hardened Asia-traveller look about you that will send pimps running. Maybe you shouldn't wear your Armani suits in Batam!