He decided to go explore Bintan! Heard that it was more relaxing than Batam. After much searching, he decided upon Nirwana Resort Hotel & Villa for a 3 days 2 night stay. It cost $320 for the 2 nights stay.
The Nirwana gardens group include: Nirwana resort hotel, Mayang Sari Beach resort, Banyu Biri Villa, Indra Maya Pool Villa and Nirwana Beach Club. The Nirwana resort hotel is like the mid range brother of all.
Keykey booked the ferry tickets separately. He took the Bintan resort ferry from Tanah Merah ferry terminal. There were the normal tickets and the emerald class ones. It costs $218 for a pair of round trip tickets. Keykey's ride is complimentary as he will be hiding in the bags!
Reached the ferry terminal. First time to this terminal! The terminal seems not very accessible by public transport.
Can book tickets at the numerous ticketing agents here too.
The red carpet queue for the emerald class and the normal queue for normal tickets. Not much difference actually.
The Difference between economy class and emerald class. On hindsight, the relatively higher price is not so worthwhile. But as Keykey commented, "Try la!"
The baggage check in area is just next to the checkin in counters.
The departure hall entrance next to 7-11
The lounge for the emerald class
Sitting area in the lounge. Frankly speaking, there is nothing much inside other than the newspaper which Big Key is hogging! Light snacks include coffee, milo, tea and some biscuits. You will also be told to board when all the economy class are up.
Boarding!
Emerald class seats are on the top floor which has bigger seats and 1 free drink/bottled water.
Keykey sneak out to see the sights.
Setting off
Blasting away!
1 of the tour that Big Key was interested in. Keykey wanted to go too! to meet his fellow friends.
Reached the terminal
There is a free shuttle bus from the terminal and you can recognise the elephants for the nirwana resort hotel stop!
Welcome dance
The lobby of the resort. Nice and airy.
Can arrange for tours, massage at the stalls at the lobby
Welcome 'tadpole' drink- claimed keykey
Nice swimming pool facing the sea.
Giant chess
While waiting to check in, Keykey roamed around to look for lunch. He saw this coffee shop which is a restaurant at the hotel. The buffet looks expensive. In fact, all the food at the hotel are like Singapore restaurant/ café prices. They accept SGD. Or rather it's the norm for payment.
Keykey sneaked up on sleepy komodo dragons
Keykey finally settle on this café by the pool.
Hardworking chefs.
A coconut cooler to cool down first. The coconut is super big and nice!
Super thick 'skin' like keykey!
Lady key satisfying her craving for burger. The burger is very nice. A must try!
Spaghetti was not bad too.
After checking in, Keykey brought everyone to walk on the beach. The beach was quite clean and within the resort. Can see the staff cleaning the beach every morning. Didn't see any oil slicks.
The whole stretch of beach to relax.
The map of the entire resort. The place is quite big and you need to use the internal shuttle bus to get around.
Keykey decided to go the Kelong for dinner.
The kelong is literally a restaurant built on stilts. It is like Chinese Zichar
A small bar resides after the Kelong
Lobsters!
Keykey decided to have a feast and to get this Golden Sunset set meal.
The internal of the Kelong looks not bad
Shark fins. Can taste the shark fins meat.
Sotong
Our dishes!
After eating a while, the storm started outside. The wind was super strong. But the Kelong is very stable and there was no swaying at all.
Our Chilli sauce crab
The prawns were ok only.
The set meal is really enough for 2 pax.
The bar at a distance. Seems like a nice place to hang out with friends.
http://www.journeyful.com gives you US$25 off your first booking to Bintan. You also get another US$25 in rewards when you refer a friend who completes a booking.
ReplyDeleteIt's the cheapest place to book your hotel to Bintan.