Bintan Trip

Bintan is located just 55 minutes away by ferry from Singapore. Can take the ferry from the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. It is like a mini-Singapore as you can use the Singapore dollars at almost everywhere - within the resort, at Pasar Oleh Oleh and even in their town area, Tanjong Pinang. So, you guys don't have to exchange a lot of rupiah if you intend to go to Bintan. Just bring your S$. I made the mistake of exchanging a lot of rupiah =.= Luckily, Robin brought S$300 there!

By the way, Bintan is quite an expensive place. Especially in our resort - Bintan Lagoon Resort.

I'm a millionaire!! Yay!!!

Day 1

Our boarding passes. So excited!!

Zi pai while waiting.

Onboard the ferry. Go go go~!!

The interior of the ferry.

Raining =.=

It was bright and sunny when we reached though.

Transport pick-up by Bintan Lagoon Resort.

We had to wait for the second bus to arrive to drive us to the resort as the first bus was packed with people. Don't understand why some people bring so many luggages to Bintan. Bintan only leh. After traveling for about 20 minutes, we finally reached the resort. Whew~!!

The resort lobby.

Robin and I queued for quite some time - about 30 minutes before we were able to check-in. At first, we were given a room with 2 single beds but luckily the counter staff was able to help us change our room to one with a queen-size bed.

Our room cards.

There is also a day bed. Can play cards/games here. Quite cool!

The view from our room.

After exploring the resort, we were tired and famished. Didn't know what to eat so we decided to try out the buffet dinner in the resort. It was not bad, just a tad too expensive. Cost S$45 per pax before tax.

I love the satays. Yummy!!

Day 2

Had breakfast at the resort before taking the resort bus to Pasar Oleh-Oleh. The Bintan Resort’s very own market of gifts, Pasar Oleh-Oleh is a cluster of Indonesian-style huts offering everything Indonesian. From local Indonesian delicacies like keropok (prawn or fish crackers), emping (belinjo crackers) and packets of dried seafood such as ikan bilis (anchovies), scallops and shrimps with a must-buy is the kueh lapis – a spongy and sweet square-shaped Indonesian cake baked to a layered perfection.

In the late afternoon, Robin and I went to the beach. It was really HOT!! Surprisingly, the beach is rather empty.

       

Bought a bracelet from one of the shops there.

Photo of the villa by the beach. It's huge!! But I read reviews online that it's not cleaned.

I love the resort's swimming pool. It looked nice =) There are 2 swimming pools but I've only been to 1.

Drinking coconuts by the pool. I love the young coconuts! Really very tasty and fresh. It was not cheap though. Cost S$8 each =.=

At night, we joined the resort's Mangrove Firefly Tour. I love the tour. It was so cool. My first time seeing fireflies. We were able to catch and touch the fireflies.

I tried to take photos of the fireflies but it was difficult as the surrounding was really pitch dark. Managed to take a photo of one in my hand. Can see?

We were hungry after the tour. No idea what to eat so we ordered room service. The food is not bad. Anyway, I would recommend you guys to bring loads of food (cup noodles, potato chips, etc) if you intend to go to Bintan as the food at the resort is expensive. Read somewhere online that there is a hawker centre near Pasar Oleh-Oleh with relatively cheap and good food. Didn't get to try it though.

Day 3

Ah yoh. Need to queue to check-out. Boo~!! After check-out, we got a driver to drive us to Tanjong Pinang for S$90. The drive took about 2 hours. Ate our lunch at a local restaurant (finally not in our resort) which our driver recommended. Paiseh, I forgot our driver's name =.= The food was quite good!

Prefer the coconut at the resort. This one didn't taste as sweet.

Had to order a large bottle of water as the weather was really hot there.

Their shopping street - Nothing much to shop though.

There's Prudential in Bintan. Quite surprised to see it.

Bought a bottle of coke from the supermarket. The bottle is so cute.

Dinner at Bintan Ferry Terminal.

Overall, we had quite a pleasant time in Bintan and we spent about $700 in total. A good place to visit for some peace and relaxation and to de-stress. Get away from the stressful and fast paced Singapore. A very suitable place to bring kids for a short getaway. There are many activities/things and places which we haven't explored in Bintan yet.