First weekend trip to Bintan
Above: Eternity pool at Nirwana Gardens at 7a.m.
I decided on an island retreat for a change. Just had an urge to go to some nice seaside resort to just reflect on life (think it's part of the ageing process). Bintan was close enough as it was only a 45 minute ferry ride away and after surfing the net, Nirwana Gardens was the choice thanks to their summer promo.Went with a good friend, and we were armed with books, magazines, journal for her and some work reading for me. We were also warned to bring our own snacks cuz it was expensive there so we lugged 12 cans of Coke (only one made it back) and a combined of $50 worth of snacks (disappointing but we brought back a bag full of the snacks that we didn't manage to finish). Yes, we were prepared.
We spent the first day just settling in and in the evening, managed to watch the release of hawkbill turtles at the beach. We were very lucky to have witness this. We saw the little fellas being dug out, and then released into the sea. For such tiny creatures, it was hard work for them to make it to the sea. And we learnt that only a few actually survive and come back to Bintan 20 years later to lay them eggs.
Below: Hawkbill turtles being dug out
At night, we took a blue bus that took us to a handicraft market called Pasar Oleh Oleh. Lots of handicraft stalls and eating places. But take note that only tourists seem to frequent this place. Bus costs S$6 per person for a round trip. And if like us you miss the bus (cuz we thought it was complimentary), you end up paying S$14 for a one way taxi ride which lasted about 8 minutes. Yes, it was daylight (nighttime in this case) robbery and it kinda spoilt our day. And when asked why it was expensive, the answer we got 'RESORT' which seem to explain why EVERYTHING is so costly.
On the second day, we spent a good part of the morning by the beach. We managed to find a secluded part of the beach, with a nice hut for us to sit sheltered from the sun. We were not ready to bake in the sun so the shade was perfect and we had our own 'private' beach cuz we were tucked away from the other people. The weather was hot (better hot than rain), and we managed to soak in the sea too. And we even saw little fish swimming about us. They were harmless enough and we were more afraid that we might actually hurt them. But when the tide came up, the little fellas went away too. But it was really cool seeing them swimming. And yes, that was how clear the sea water was.
Above: View of our 'private' beach from the hut.
In the afternoon, we spent our time trying air rifle shooting and archery. Even thoughts of Legolas didn't manage to inspire me to continue with archery after about 25 arrows. It wasn't easy and you really need arm power. We did manage to shoot majority of the arrows on the board and a few did go astray (we justified it by saying that there could be enemies hiding so those arrows were meant for them).
But we reached the conclusion that we preferred the air rifle shooting and did much much better there. We had to aim for tin cans and we did pretty good.
Above: Picture of the target we had to aim at for rifle shooting.
The last day was just spent lazing about. Lots of lazing about since our departure time was 6.30pm. So we managed to do some reading. I reckon 4 days and 3 nights would be a comfortable getaway to truly feel relax at Bintan. Would I go again, yes, but maybe try a different resort for comparison. And ultimately, would like have a go at Banyan Tree..maybe when am feeling very very loaded I might just do that. Heard that it's an amazing resort at amazing prices. So time to save up for that!
The weekend trip ended way too quickly for my liking. I have gotten several shades darker thanks to several minutes spent in the sea. It was an expensive trip thanks to the fact that everything was in S$ but many times more than what we would pay in Singapore. But it's part of the 'resort' experience. Food and service at the resort was so so. So yes, am looking forward to another trip (maybe several more trips) back to Bintan. Just need to find long weekends for these trips.
Below: Room where we hid when the sun got way too hot!
posted by Me, Myself n I at 11:11 pm
Above: Eternity pool at Nirwana Gardens at 7a.m.Went with a good friend, and we were armed with books, magazines, journal for her and some work reading for me. We were also warned to bring our own snacks cuz it was expensive there so we lugged 12 cans of Coke (only one made it back) and a combined of $50 worth of snacks (disappointing but we brought back a bag full of the snacks that we didn't manage to finish). Yes, we were prepared.
We spent the first day just settling in and in the evening, managed to watch the release of hawkbill turtles at the beach. We were very lucky to have witness this. We saw the little fellas being dug out, and then released into the sea. For such tiny creatures, it was hard work for them to make it to the sea. And we learnt that only a few actually survive and come back to Bintan 20 years later to lay them eggs.
Below: Hawkbill turtles being dug out
At night, we took a blue bus that took us to a handicraft market called Pasar Oleh Oleh. Lots of handicraft stalls and eating places. But take note that only tourists seem to frequent this place. Bus costs S$6 per person for a round trip. And if like us you miss the bus (cuz we thought it was complimentary), you end up paying S$14 for a one way taxi ride which lasted about 8 minutes. Yes, it was daylight (nighttime in this case) robbery and it kinda spoilt our day. And when asked why it was expensive, the answer we got 'RESORT' which seem to explain why EVERYTHING is so costly.
On the second day, we spent a good part of the morning by the beach. We managed to find a secluded part of the beach, with a nice hut for us to sit sheltered from the sun. We were not ready to bake in the sun so the shade was perfect and we had our own 'private' beach cuz we were tucked away from the other people. The weather was hot (better hot than rain), and we managed to soak in the sea too. And we even saw little fish swimming about us. They were harmless enough and we were more afraid that we might actually hurt them. But when the tide came up, the little fellas went away too. But it was really cool seeing them swimming. And yes, that was how clear the sea water was.
Above: View of our 'private' beach from the hut.
In the afternoon, we spent our time trying air rifle shooting and archery. Even thoughts of Legolas didn't manage to inspire me to continue with archery after about 25 arrows. It wasn't easy and you really need arm power. We did manage to shoot majority of the arrows on the board and a few did go astray (we justified it by saying that there could be enemies hiding so those arrows were meant for them).
But we reached the conclusion that we preferred the air rifle shooting and did much much better there. We had to aim for tin cans and we did pretty good.
Above: Picture of the target we had to aim at for rifle shooting.
The last day was just spent lazing about. Lots of lazing about since our departure time was 6.30pm. So we managed to do some reading. I reckon 4 days and 3 nights would be a comfortable getaway to truly feel relax at Bintan. Would I go again, yes, but maybe try a different resort for comparison. And ultimately, would like have a go at Banyan Tree..maybe when am feeling very very loaded I might just do that. Heard that it's an amazing resort at amazing prices. So time to save up for that!
The weekend trip ended way too quickly for my liking. I have gotten several shades darker thanks to several minutes spent in the sea. It was an expensive trip thanks to the fact that everything was in S$ but many times more than what we would pay in Singapore. But it's part of the 'resort' experience. Food and service at the resort was so so. So yes, am looking forward to another trip (maybe several more trips) back to Bintan. Just need to find long weekends for these trips.
Below: Room where we hid when the sun got way too hot!
posted by Me, Myself n I at 11:11 pm
3 Comments:
I'd recommend the ClubMed.... but they've outpriced themselves.
Perhaps it's the Nirwana for me the next time? :)
Will have to try ClubMed someday yes. Sounds like a super fun place. Wanted some peace time so thought to try Nirwana. It's a shame about the price for Banyan Tree. Disgustingly expensive!!!
When I have a choice I would choose a Bintan beach resort and I enjoy the beach, food and everything else out there.
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