Viva La Bintan.

When Hubby said let’s go to Bintan Island for the Chinese New Year holidays, I was a bit skeptical about it. All I knew about the Island, is that it’s part of Indonesia and quite near to Singapore. Did some research online and found out that there’s nothing much to do there but to chill by the beach. Hubby wanted to have a chilled and relaxing holiday within the resort itself that does not involve any hectic sightseeing activities. Therefore Bintan is ideally the best place for it.

My brother in law (Hubby’s youngest brother) joined us for our Bintan escapade. I wasn’t expecting much from the island that is famous in history as the place where Sultan Mahmud of the fallen Sultanate of Malacca fled to after Malacca was taken over by the Portugese in 1511. Keeping an open mind, we made our way to Bintan Island from the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal via a 55 minutes high-speed catamaran ride on the eve of Chinese New Year.

Hubby booked us accomodations at the Nirvana Garden Resorts. There are many beach side resorts in Bintan Island but as it was the Chinese New Year holidays, many of the resorts were fully booked and we were fortunate enough to get a room at Nirvana Gardens. At first we were contemplating to stay at Club Med Bintan, (as we’ve heard good reviews from friends who’s been there) but when we got the quotation and found out that we had to fork out USD8,000 for the whole family for a 4 days 3 nights package, Nirvana Gardens Resort was our best choice. It only cost us a grand total of SGD1,800. (inclusive of food and all the outdoor activities)

For someone who was a bit skeptical about holidaying in Bintan, I ended up liking the Island (actually it’s more of  liking the resort as we spent our time only at the resort). I enjoyed lying in the hammock by the beach reading while Shafiq and his Uncle was busy building sand castles and Hubby taking a stroll along the beach. We enjoyed lazing around the resort’s pool that overlooks the beach.We enjoyed the outdoor activities available within the resort (lasser tag, riffle shooting, riding the ATV,etc…). We enjoyed the buffet spread. Shafiq enjoyed his time at the resorts’s kids club and made some new friends.

Overall, I would say it was a very satisfying holiday. (The only down side of it, all of us came back very, very tanned!!! :D)

Some pics from our Bintan trip.

 In the catamaran, on the way to Bintan.

Our not too big, not too small hotel room.

 Chinese New Year celebrations at the resort.

Hubby joining in the "Yee Sang tossing" festivities.

Getting ready for "laser-tag"

Hubby in "combat" mode.

BIL showing off his gun.

Me, trying very hard to take cover so I won't end up being shot. 

Unfortunately, as I was dressed in white
(how stupid of me when playing war games!), I was an easy target.

Mummy's Little Cowboy.

Mummy's Little Cowboy seems to be upset with his "horsey".

Hubby discovered a new "passion".

Shafiq and his newfound friends from the Kids Club.

At the "Kellong".

By the resort pool overlooking the beach. 

(It was a very windy morning as can be seen by my windblown hair!)

The Adventurous Four in their ATVs' (All Terrain Vehicle)

"Haiyah"! ATV got stuck in the sand....

ATV crew to the rescue.