Retreat at Bintan (Dec 2012)

Our extended family (12 people in total, 9A3C) took a retreat at Bintan Lagoon. It is thru my company, NCS resort at Bintan Lagoon, Cempaka 56.

It cost me $270 ($95+$95+$80); rental @ weekend $95/night; rental @ weekday $80/night, from 22 Dec till 25 Dec 2012. Xmas eve was cheaper!!!

The resort only take 7 people officially, any extra would be charge (one-time) $20 per adult and $10 per child.

The accomodation is cheap, but when we look at the grocery list, we were stunned.

It is then, that we plan our meals with instant noodle and eggs and bread, etc.

 
 

 
 

We booked our ferry @journeyful.com. It must be noted that the destination is Bintan Lagoon Terminal, a standalone one, not the usual Bandar Bentan Telani Terminal.
Fare was in total $775 for 9A3C.

The pro of booking thru journeyful for mozaic lines is that once you check-in your luggage, you only need to collect them at the resort lobby itself. For others, especially to BBT, it will require your intervention when you arrived at the terminal, to transfer the luggage to the coach. Thus, the higher price. However, do note that mazaic lines schedule are not confirmed, as their smaller crafts are unable to travel when the weather is bad. We noted this on 3 different times during the trip. One of our party had to wait for an 815 pm craft when his booking is 340 pm. In view of this, we recommend going thru BBT.

The journey took about 50 minutes. Arrival at Bintan Resort terminal, we were transfer via buggy to the lobby. Greet by dancers. Check in and then were driven to the villa via buggy. If you got your own buggy, you would probably escape the additional charges. They only found out we have the additional people during the buggy trip.

 
    

The villa was cempaka 56. The facilities was a bit broken down but was clean.

There was no mahjong table, but we improvised with the 2 dressing table from the guestrooms. Mahjong set, we bring ourselves.

 Our charging station.

We chartered a minibus from the resort at $128 (12 seater, 4 hours) to Tanjong Ubud to get supplies. Got hit by debris from some grass-cutting party. Recommended that you get to Oleh2, and get a rental vehicle there. It can be as cheap as $40 for a 7 seater, whole day. Best to make a trip as early as possible to get all the supplies for the next few days. Then it would not be necessary to bring anything else from SGP.

 Tanjong Ubud is about 45 minutes away. Small town, but there is a wet market and a supermarket.

 Live poultry available.

 Packets of oils.

We then had lunch at a kelong restaurant. It is noted that wherever you had lunch, there is transport that will take you back to your resort. For example, if you have a meal at Oleh2, they could transfer you back. That means that you only need to take a one-way ride from your resort. Better still, you could always call and ask them to pick you up. The contacts are:

Not that cheap!

We had a boat ride back after the lunch, FOC.

We embark at the mangrove walk jetty, just beside Oleh2.



We also took the shuttle out to Oleh-Oleh the next day. It costs $6/pax for a return trip. It is aty Oleh2 where I found the contacts for supplies and car rental at local rates. Too bad, will do it the next trip.

Other activities include futsal and swimming. There are 2 swimming pools available.

We had our BBQ at the villa. There was no lights at the pit and we had to cook with our handphone torches.

Also note that the restaurant in the resort start operation at 1800 hrs. So no early dinner possible. We had simple meals within the villa.

We also celebrated C'mas eve at Rice, the restaurant near the sea.
                                      

Our ferry was cancelled, and we had to move to BBT for the ferry home. It was chaotic.