Bintan: A secret unfolds

By Shanika Sriyananda in Bintan

‘A secret unfolds in Bintan: a place where you can lose yourself, or find yourself. Where, everything is close but not too close. And where, your own peace of mind becomes the truest measure of success.’ These words engrossed in an electrified neo lighted hoarding at the entrance of the ferry terminal to the island make the visitor even more curious to explore Bintan, an island belonging to Indonesia.

Except the giant ripples of waves slapping the beaches in Sri Lanka, from hot sunny weather to giant coconut trees to sandy beaches to roads running through the virgin forest of Bintan to fauna and flora to humble and friendly people of Bintan, everything is similar to Sri Lanka. For a Sri Lankan, Bintan is not a ‘home away home’ but it is his or her home. 

The Sri Lankan media team reached Bintan Island by a comfortable catamaran ferry, which took one and half-hours ride from the Singapore Cruise Centre to Bintan. Organised by the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia and SriLankan Airlines, the media familiarisation tour gave the opportunity to explore the beauty and potential of two islands – Bintan and Batam – to tap the Sri Lankan tourism market. 

SriLankan Airlines offers Sri Lankans who travel in searching exciting places around the world the opportunity to visit Bintan and Bantan Islands of Indonesia via Singapore on SriLankan. Currently SriLankan flies three times daily to Singapore. 

With the Indonesian Government declaring ‘on arrival visa’ to many countries including Sri Lanka, these two islands, which are among Indonesia’s most sought-after tourist destinations, will definitely become favourite haunts among Sri Lankans. 

Bintan Island, which is among the Riau Islands, is facing Singapore across the strait. It is one of the popular destinations that the Indonesian Tourism Ministry intends to promote to tap more Asian tourists to strengthen its international market. Known as Bintan Resorts, it has nine resorts and boasts of unspoiled white beaches, luxury hotels, designer golf courses and world class facilities. 

Located in a strategic location along the India-China maritime trading route, Bintan has a rich history and it became one of the major trading centres in the 18th Century and attracted traders from Britain, India, China and Netherlands. Becoming a Dutch Colony in 1911 and invaded by Japan in 1942, Bintan was declared a part of Riau province of Indonesia in 1945.

‘Selamat Datang’ 

A group of young dancers saying ‘Selamat Datang’ (welcome) greeted the guests by performing a traditional dance at the Bintan Lagoon Resort (BLR), the largest integrated resort in Bintan.

After hours-long sleepless journey from Colombo to BLR, the team looked forward to lunch and it was at Haskell’s Café that we relaxed and tasted Indonesian cuisine while enjoying the refreshing cool breeze. 

Welcoming us, BLR President/Director Moe Ibrahim explained the secret why his resort has become a ‘hot spot’ among the tourists. He said that in terms of cost, Resort’s plus point was the affordability factor over similar venues in Singapore even with the ferry and accommodation included.

“With visa-free entry for the Sri Lankan market, visitors from Sri Lanka will find Bintan an easy, convenient access from Singapore to our own ferry terminal at Bintan Lagoon Resort. We offer a five-star experience at very attractive and affordable prices for the Sri Lankan market,” he told the Daily FT.

Ibrahim said that the BLR’s facilities and amazing experiences would make an awesome one-stop destination appealing to the Sri Lankan visitor be it for their honeymoon, golf or corporate incentive trips.

“For those going to Singapore for business, they can add on Bintan. We look forward to welcoming more Sri Lankans to Bintan Lagoon Resort,” Ibrahim said, adding that BLR is a very special place and it creates memories for many of its guests coming for leisure or meetings. 

“Our exclusive lush location integrated with nature, sun and sea has allowed us to host sizeable company meetings, weddings, product launches and other exciting events,” he said, adding that the resort has everything under one roof to enable MICE and leisure guests to totally focus on their event and stay without the distractions found in a typical city environment.

He said that he is confident the guests from Sri Lanka would find their experience at BLR an amazing visit. 

Ibrahim said that the BLR employees were well-trained and go beyond efficiency to convey Indonesian warmth and friendliness that are second nature to them. “Going an extra mile for service is the norm, rather than the exception. This has resulted in long-lasting relationships being forged, which in turn helps to generate return visits and excellent referrals,” he explained.

He said that as they were concerned about their client’s need, the packages were competitively priced to suit different budgets. The guests can take a comfortable ferry ride from Singapore and get down at the BLR’s doorstep as the resort has been operating its own ferry service since 2012.

Perched on the magnificent Pasir Panjang beach overlooking the South China Sea, it spans to over 300 hectares of beachfront overlooking the South China Sea. The Resort has manicured gardens and a private golden sand beach, which is 1.5 km long, and an extensive assortment of dining and wining options and function rooms, along with two world-class championship golf courses and over 50 recreational activities. 

The BLR is very popular for its two golf courses – the Woodlands Course designed by golf luminary Ian Baker-Finch and the Sea View Course designed by golf luminary Jack Nicklaus, which are set amongst lush landscapes overlooking the South China Sea with spectacular signature holes, fast greens, undulating fairways and scenic water hazards. 

The Spa, which offers treatment including traditional Asian and Javanese massages, Western therapies and natural beauty care, is not to be missed as they will help to rejuvenate weary travellers. 

Dinner was served at the Fiesta, which means ‘festive celebration’ in Spanish. Here the guests can have international culinary experiences – authentic Japanese, Mediterranean, Indonesian and other Asian cuisine – offered via several buffet counters and cooking stations in a lively and vibrant environment. With vivid colours set with stylish interior gives the guests – young and adults – the ‘good mood for food’. 

M. Ghulam, the experienced chef at the Indian restaurant, said hospitality was the key to offer a good service for the guests. “I always ask the guests ‘what do you want, sir?’ I prepare menus according to their choices,” he said showing the orders he got for Gujarati, North and South Indian dishes. 

He said some of his menus were popular among the guests from the Asian region including Sri Lankans. “Indian food is becoming popular,” he said. 

Treasure Bay

Imagine having a boat ride in a crystal clear blue water lagoon while guests are swimming on one side. Treasure Bay, which is the Asia’s largest man-made sea water lagoon in Bintan, is an amazing creation.

Now a popular destination for resort and nature lovers, Treasure Bay spans 338 hectares of land. With white sandy beaches and a marine life pool, it is five times the size of Marina Bay Sands. The Treasure Bay is accessible via Singapore and it gives a peaceful life for the guests to escape from busy stressful life-styles.

Two little boys were tired and thirsty after the early morning swim in the Treasure Bay Lagoon pool. S. Young, their mother, holidaying at Treasure Bay as her sons were having school vacation. Living in Singapore, she said she had accompanied her friends’ family while her husband was busy in Singapore. 

“This place is safe and amazing,” Young said, adding that most of the tourists with young children were attracted to Treasure Bay as the environment was safe for recreational activities for kids. 

Enjoying the activities like water sports in the Treasure Bay lagoon, they were accommodated at the Canopy Resort in Bintan. “With reasonable priced packages, kids love to be at the Treasure Bay as they can do lots of water-related sports. They are waiting for their holidays to come to this place,” she said.

Nirwana Gardens

Nirwana Gardens Resort, with 245 guestrooms including 29 suites, is popular hideout for its sweeping sea, pool or garden views. While it is a popular resort for families, it is also a popular hide out among honeymooners.

Built on stilts just above the sea, the Kelong Seafood restaurant of the Nirwana Gardens is a unique blend of Chinese and Indonesian culinary style. If you want richest and freshest seafood in Bintan, it is this restaurant which offers your mouth-watering seafood dishes.

It is not worth missing the mini zoo, a home for various tropical animals and exotic wildlife, and the Jumbo Elephant Park, with seven Sumatran elephants and their 40-minutes elephant show.

It is surprising to know that there is something for everyone holidaying at this beautiful resort enclave. Bintan, the tropical paradise, offers more than its wonderful white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. It offers a tranquil environment to re-discover you. It is a perfect hideout for few days to be to yourself while enjoying nature, its sounds and peace.