3D2N Bintan Trip

This is the 4th time we are visiting Bintan but yet the first time with an itinerary that covers some of the more popular tours like the Elephant Ride and Mangrove Tour. It’s also the first time we stayed at the Angsana Bintan, the service was excellent. We had a personal staff to help us with the check-in and check-out, she was also there to confirm all the car rides planned for our tours on the second day. Basically, we had nothing to fuss about and just need to be on time to board our rides for the tours and stuff.

We had one of the best room, a 1-Bedroom Suite that can comfortably accommodate 2 adults and 1 child. We added a bed to cater to the Kuan family.

 

There was also a nice welcome gift for the girls. So sweet!

 

One thing different about Bintan from our own Sentosa is the layback feel across the island. Everything goes on a slow motion, no one is rushing and everyone’s agenda is just to relax and not rushing to visit certain attractions or do shopping. With that in mind, the view from our hotel room simply looks stunning.

The road that leads out from the hotel. A picture of serenity and quiet.

You can choose to walk around the vicinity or ride a bicycle available for booking with the hotel reception.

Breakfast at Angsana Bintan.

No island holiday is complete without the pool and beach experience.

 

 

 

 

Talk a quiet stroll along the beach for the couples.

The view from the pool on the hotel building.

In Bintan the only place to buy your daily needs or some souvenirs will be at the Pasar Oleh Oleh.

If you are looking for massage and the hotel rates are too expensive for you, then I will recommend to you the few Spa & Massage shops in Pasar Oleh Oleh.

My personal recommendation is Bintan Beauty, it may not look as high class as the other shops but I guarantee you the quality of service is good and the price is very affordable.

Polo Ralph Lauren factory outlet. Very popular with tourists.

Jayne up to her cheekiness yet again.

   

Night view of Pasar Oleh Oleh.

Helo Helo Restaurant, the fried chicken is awesome!

A corner for some drinks and live music.

On the 2nd day, the plan was for Mangrove Tour and Elephant Ride.

I will cover more on the tours in my next post, do look out for it.
Here are some of the details for the massage, taxi and tours available in Bintan.

Bintan Beauty
Full Body Indonesian Traditional Massage:
- Rp. 208.000 / S$26.00 per 60 minutes
- Rp. 256.000 / S$32.00 per 90 minutes
Back Massage:
- Rp. 144.000 / S$18.00 per 30 minutes
Foot Reflexology:
- Rp. 144.000 / S$18.00 per 45 minutes
For booking (to avoid unnecessary waiting):
- Using hotel’s telephone, get an outside line and dial 692408 or 692405
Address:
- Pasar Oleh Oleh Block 411 A&B – Bintan Resorts – Indonesia
- Business hours from 10am to 11pm

Kampoeng Lagoi Taxi
Opening Hours:
- Daily from 8am to 9pm
Contact:
- Website www.bintankltaxi.blogspot.com
- Email kl.taxi@yahoo.co.id
- Phone +62770 691818

Global Bintan
Bintan Mangrove Discovery Tour
- Price (Adult S$38 / Child S$25, minimum 2 person)
- Children under 3 years old are free
- Tour includes 2-way transportation, 90 mins boat ride thru sebung river and mangrove forests, insurance coverage
Night Tour (Fire Flies)
- Price (Adult S$38 / Child S$25, minimum 2 person)
- Children under 3 years old are free
- Tour includes 2-way transportation, 60 mins boat ride, insurance coverage
Bintan Elephant Ride (30 mins)
- Price (Adult S$28 / Child S$17)
- Tour includes 2-way transportation, insurance coverage
Contact:
- Website www.globalbintan.com
- Email reservation_bintantours@hotmail.com
- Phone +62770 691818 / +62770 691838

Army For Kids

Ever since I have left the army and eventually finished my 10 years of reservist, I have never wanted to look back and be associated with the army anymore. Plus the fact that both my children are girls, and unless the law states that female needs to be enlisted as well, I don’t think I will ever step into a army-related building. Until..

The girls were invited to the Army Museum of Singapore (ARMS). It’s an event to introduce the Army to the children. The organizers actually wanted the parents to come in our old army uniform, omg! Only Andy was sporting enough to obliged. Salute!

There are three areas for the children to learn some knowledge of the Army, the Navy and the Airforce.

Every section has kids uniform for them to try on but Joey only tried on the Army No.1 uniform. She felt that the uniforms were not feminine and she looks like a boy. Isn’t she cute?

Kless and Jayne just tried the ceremonial caps.

When the army officer took out some of the items from the fullpack, the girls gave some very funny comments. The mess tin became a lunchbox. The airtight towel pack became a pillow. The combat ration became pizza. How we all wish, right? I can only remember the super hard ‘dog biscuit’ and the tasteless ‘colour water’.

Whatever is Colonel Seet explaining to the father, it seems like the boy is not too interested.

Uniform & caps for the Navy.

And the girls listening attentively to what the Navy does in missions. The dangling carrot was the chance to enact the scene after that.

Joey was chosen to be the Captain of the ship and Jayne was her Gunneryman.

With a lady officer, the two girls are definitely more receptive towards the Navy than the Army.

And the last station is the Airforce. The presenter is a F15 fighter-plane pilot. He is actually going to fly one of the F15s during the upcoming 48th National Day Parade. How cool!

In every station, the girls were given the task to do some handycraft related to the Army, Navy or Airforce. With the done product, the reward is the specially made “army” cupcakes.

Time for lunch and a bit of exercise after that, Standard Obstacle Course (SOC) for children.

Jayne met her blogging friend, Boon Xin. Sorry for the over-exposed photo, forgot to switch my settings after the previous photos.

Standard Obstacle Course (some called it the soldier’s playground).

Old SOC Obstacles
Low Wall. Parallel Bars. Stepping Board. Swing Trainer. Low Rope. Horizontal Beam. Swinging Beam. Balancing Log. Gate Window. Jacob’s Ladder. Low Ramp.

Redesigned SOC Obstacles
Low Wall. Stepping Stones. Rubble. Tunnel. Dodging Panel. Low Rope. Ditch. Corridor. Balancing Bridge. Window. Apex Ladder. Terrace.

Redesigned SOC Part 1

 

Redesigned SOC Part 2

And here is how Joey cleared her first SOC.
Low Wall

Parallel Bars

Swing Trainer

Swinging Beam

Balancing Log

Jacob’s Ladder

Low Ramp for the finish. Well done Joey!

Jayne tried a few obstacles too, like swinging on the Low Rope.

And overcoming the Jacob’s Ladder all by herself. Awesome girl!

All went well. The girls had their experience of the army life. And I survive my trip back to army.