“Wake up, Wake Up” she screamed “We are being swept away by the tide.”
I woke up real quick. It was complete darkness all around. The ground below us is shaking. The only sound we could hear is that of a strong wave. I was aghast. “Where are we? How did we come here?” and then Bintan hit us. Like a cool ocean breeze in a hot summer day, it settled everything. We came to senses. We calmed down.
When you think of spending an exotic night in an overwater bungalow, chances are you’re thinking of Maldives, Seychelles or Bora Bora. Yes, turquoise blue water through the bedroom window, private island, a slide from cottage into the sea, all sound dreamy and undoubtedly they are. But as a budget traveler, can we afford that? Once in a lifetime? Maybe yes, but is once enough? Certainly not!
Fortunately, South East Asia comes to your rescue. In less than 2 hours from Singapore, you can reach Bintan island, the largest island in Indonesia’s Riau Archipelago. Although mostly famous for world class sport tourism destination, crystal clear tranquil beaches, exotic resorts, giant Buddha statue and unique floating villages make Bintan a perfect comparatively pocket friendly beach destination. What makes it more special is the fact that you have the opportunity to book a night (or more) in an overwater bungalow at probably negligible price compared to Maldives or Bora Bora etc.
Bintan is not a traditional holiday gateway. I would not expect you to come here from somewhere outside Indonesia or Singapore. However, if you are already either in Singapore or Sumatra and if you can manage at least two spare days from your itinerary, then Bintan is a must stopover. No matter what type of traveler you are, this small island will definitely have something to offer you. Read along to find out how to reach, what to expect and what’s unique about Bintan.
We had a special memory with Bintan. It’s the island where me and Annapurna spent our first night together (outside Home of course 🙂 ). I was serving a long term deputation at Singapore so post marriage, we were looking for a spot for a relaxing weekend. Although our main interest was an upcoming trip to Cambodia (Read about it here), I was looking for a quick weekend destination outside the mainland. It’s cheap. It’s nearby. It’s visa free. Pictures look dreamy and a fantastic overwater cottage at a steal deal. What could be a better way to start a new year?
As we visited Bintan on the New Year day (31/12/2016-01/01/2017), unfortunately some of the attractions were closed. So, that’s also a lesson learnt and make sure to read till the end to get to know about insider tips and tricks so that you can avoid unpleasant surprises. In this blog I am going to explain how you can reach this paradise, where to stay for the overwater cottage experience, top sights to explore and most importantly dos and don’ts.
How To Reach Bintan
Although it’s in Indonesia, Bintan is super close to the island nation Singapore. Most of the online articles you come across will definitely tell you how to reach Bintan from Singapore. However, you can easily reach Bintan from several points of Indonesia as well as Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Depending on which part of Bintan you want to visit and what is the type of vacation, the choice of port of arrival at Bintan depends. So, let me first explain what are the two major vacation types. Then depending on your point of Origin and port of destination, you can navigate to the suitable section.
Types of Vacation at Bintan:
- Leisure Gateway at a Luxurious Private Beach Resort – Bintan has lots of beach resorts which are super close to the South China sea. All these resorts are luxurious and offer private beach to the guests. You have a grand choice starting from seaside pavilion, teepee style tent, resort perched on a cliff and many more which I will explain in the where to stay section. To reach these resorts, you need to arrive at Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal. All these resorts offer shuttle pick up and drop off (Mostly Complementary but ask your resort) to the ferry terminal. You would get chance to sit back, relax or indulge in some adventure activities including water sports but you will miss the beautiful Trikora beach (where you can witness three shades of Blue on a clear day). Also, you will be pretty limited to sight scenes in Bintan as well as the nearby islands.
- Regular Accommodation with Lots of Sight Scenes – Although for tourists, Bandar Bentan Telani is the most popular Ferry terminal across the island, near the capital Tanjung Pinang, there is one more Ferry terminal named Sri Bintan Pura. Although ferry service to this terminal is limited, if you want to explore nearby islands or fishing village, this is the only terminal from where you can get connecting boats. Also, my personal favorite Trikora beach is easily accessible from this terminal. Although you can’t expect luxurious accommodations at Trikora, this is where you can get overwater cottages.
Apart from these two major Ferry terminals, Bintan also has an airport (Don’t rely on it) named Raja Haji Fisabilillah International Airport (Also known as Kijang). Considering these 3 as the point of arrival at Bintan, let me now explain how you can reach these points and from which countries
From Malaysia:
The only port in Malaysia which serves direct ferry to Bintain is Johor Bahru. In 2 hours and 45 minutes, it reaches directly to Tanjung Pinang Sri Bintan Pura Ferry Terminal from The Zon – Stulang Laut International Ferry Terminal. The ferry operates 5 times a day and on every day of the week.
The first ferry from Johor Bahru departs at 9AM and the last one at 5:30PM. From Bintan Pura, the first ferry leaves at 7AM and the last one at 3:30PM. Please note that it’s not possible to reach Bandar Bentan Telani from Johor Bahru and there is no flight connection to Bintan from Malaysia. So, if you have a booking at a resort near Bandar Bentan Telani, inform them that you are arriving at Tanjung Pinang. Shuttle service will still be possible but most probably chargeable.
From Singapore:
Even though Bintan is in Indonesia, the easiest way to reach one of the luxurious resorts is from Singapore. It’s very easy to reach both Bandar Bentan Telani as well as Sri Bintan Pura directly. No matter where in Bintan you want to reach, the point of embarkation is Tanah Merah Ferry terminal. Please note: Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT) and Tanah Merah MRT are not the same place. From the MRT station, bus no. 35 takes 15 minutes to reach the terminal. Alternatively, a shuttle bus runs between TMFT and Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 & 4.
A. Bandar Bentan Telani / Lagoi
As all famous resorts are easily accessible from this ferry terminal, the group of resorts have arranged some ferries run under the brand name Bintan Resort Ferries (BRF). The tickets can be booked directly at the counter at Ferry Terminal but to avoid unpleasant surprise, it’s always better to book your seat in advance at this website.
The high-speed catamaran oragnized by BRF ferry ride only takes 60 minutes from TMFT to BBT and vice versa. To know the timetable, it’s better to refer to the official Bintan Resorts Website here but just to give you an idea, the first ferry from Singapore departs at 8:10AM and the last one at 9:00PM. From Bintan, it’s from 8:35AM to 8:15PM. The ferry service is very regular and on weekends, the frequency is more.
B. Sri Bintan Pura / Tanjung Pinang
Although Tanjung Pinang is the capital of Bintan and there are two beautiful islands nearby, it lacks luxurious resorts and looks more like a Busy town compared to a relaxing beach. Only Sindo Ferry and Wave Master operate direct and regular ferries to Sri Bintan Pura terminal. There are only two ferries a day from TMFT to Sri Bintan Pura and it takes 2 hours. We opted for Sindo Ferry and you can book your tickets from here.
Photo Taken from Official Sindo Ferry Website.
From Indonesia:
There are two places from where you can reach Bintan. First, Jakarta, the capital city and second the nearby Batam island. From Jakarta, the only option is to take a flight to Kijang. From Batam, there are numerous ferries running almost every fifteen minutes so there are plenty of choices.
A. From Jakarta
- Sriwijaya Air: Daily Flight (Depart from Jakarta at 18.10 PM – Arrival at Tanjung Pinang at 19.35 PM) (Depart from Tanjung Pinang 07.00 AM – Jakarta 08.30 AM)
- Lion Air: Daily Flight (Depart from Jakarta at 13.10 PM – Arrival at Tanjung Pinang at 14.40 PM) (Depart from Tanjung Pinang at 03.20 PM – Arrival at Jakarta at 04.40 PM)
- Garuda Air: Daily Flight (Depart from Jakarta at 05.20 AM – Arrival at Tanjung Pinang at 07.05 AM) (Depart from Tanjung Pinang at 07.45 PM – Arrival at Jakarta at 09.20 PM)
B. From Batam
From Morning 7AM to 6:30PM in the evening, ferries run very frequently from Punggur Ferry Terminal, Batam to Sri Bintan Pura Ferry Terminal, Tanjung Pinang. The journey time is about an hour. Ferry Operators like MV SENTOSA or MV BARUNA serve this route daily and tickets can be booked directly from counter at either side. It’s not necessary to book tickets in advance.
Photo Courtesy: Yacht Rental
There is also an option to hire private Yacht to reach Bintan from Singapore/Indonesia. We, here at Exploremoreinless repel expensive tourism unless absolutely necessary so I will not be sharing details here. But if you are interested, you can book one.
Bintan - Where To Stay
If you go by popular blogs, Bintan Island is called a resort island popular among Singaporeans which means accommodation is the most important factor here. If you ask me, the other attractions Bintan are pretty good but not so unique that you need to come from other places than Singapore/Batam/Johor. For me, it was the chance to stay at an overwater cottage at 20$(SGD) a night with a hope of a sunny day to enjoy tree shades of blue from the hotel. Below is how our experience was like straight from the resort.
North vs. East
We chose Trikora Beach at the East as our point of accommodation. The reason for this selection was its easy accessibility from Tanjung Pinang and proximity of other sight scenes nearby. Moreover, we never wanted to spend our weekend only in a luxurious hotel and did nothing else. However, if relaxing is your primary goal, below are some (Not All) state of the art accommodations at the North side near BBT Ferry Terminal. Keep in mind, your chance of sight scenes will be almost zero is you just spend the weekend. If there is one full day in your itinerary then it’s still possible but ask your hotel about transportation.
- Angsana Bintan – Private Beachfront resort offering Golf Course, Beach Soccer and a tropical Rainforest
- Anmon Bintan – Escape in the Dessert with Mediterranean cuisine
- Doulos Phos: The Ship Hotel – Brand new and super Unique (If I come back with more money, I will choose this one)
- Indra Maya Pool Villa – Ocean View Room with Infinity Pool
- Club Med Bintan – Award Winning Fitness and Wellness Resort
*All the above resorts are super expensive so I don’t recommend them for budget travelers
Photo Credit: Angsana and Club-Med
Of course, these look luxurious but let me ask you why do you need to come to Bintan for this? If you are in Singapore/Johor for some long time and want to spend a luxurious weekend or a memorable beach wedding, then it makes sense. But if you are a nature and offbeat destination lover, and you are traveling Singapore from India/other countries/continents and have an extra day in your itinerary, do you prefer the above or the below? Decide, your accommodation and port of arrival accordingly.
We chose Bintan Laguna Restaurant and Resort. Before arriving, we knew that the view would be fantastic. After arriving, we realized that we underestimated. The pictures truly don’t do any justice. Also, the food was super tasty. Compared to the price, the quantity and the quality both are too good. We arrived this place around 2:30PM and there was no other guest present in the restaurant but they offered us the full menu and food was freshly prepared. Yes, the staff at the restaurant didn’t understand English well but it’s manageable.
Luxury? No ! Unique? Yes!
Above you can see how the path from the restaurant to the resort looks like. At first, when we stepped in, it seemed a little shaky so we quickly put mobiles in our pocket and cameras in our bag. But after walking for one-two rounds, it’s become super thrilling.
The interior of the hotel is far from what you call as luxury. But, we never expected that. After all, we paid 20$ only. At night, the light inside was little dim. The fan was powerful to blow away tropical heat. The toilet was like Western style and the bed was cozy. It’s not super spacious but enough for two people with small luggage. The best part is as you come out of your room and sit outside on a chair. Literally you are over the Trikora beach. If you wish, you can directly jump into the water.
If you don’t want to get wet, going to the beach takes less than 5 minutes of walk through the restaurant. At the entrance of the restaurant, there is a tap where you can wash away snads from your feet. If you need a quick shower without going into your room, that’s also possible in a common bathroom within the resorts. If you want a Spa treatment, just ask at the reception and they will point you to a dedicated overwater cottage for it.
What To Explore in Bintan
Some of you may already be familiar with the fact that Bintan is a paradise for adventure lovers. I will be sharing full details about what are the different kinds of adventure activities you can do in this island. But, before going to that, let me first share the places to visit for tourists seeking leisure vacation. One important for you to remember is that if you are interested in sight scenes, it’s better that you come in Tanjung Pinang Sri Bintan Pura terminal instead of BBT.
Nearby Islands
Once you come out of Sri Bintan Pura Ferry Terminal after clearing Immigration (Check Indonesia Visa Eligibility here – Indians have Visa Free Entry there), you will find many local taxi operators approaching you in aggressive manner although most of them are not English speaking. The only word we were hearing is Trikora. So, I think it’s pretty common for tourists taking accommodation in Trikora to reach there directly from the Ferry Terminal. However, we decided to visit the nearby islands first (We traveled with one backpack only) and then move to Trikora. Fortunately, we found a guy who arranged for two islands Boat trip with 1+ hour stop at each one and agreed to drop us to our accommodation at Trikora.
Pulau Penyengat
Visiting Pulau Penyengat is a journey back to the past. From Tanjung Pinang, you need to take a water taxi (Locally known as Pompong). We reached Bintan on 31st December and we got the Pompong all for ourselves at very nominal price so I don’t think there is ever a rush or queue. It takes around 15 minutes and the boat is so low, if you can bend a little, you can literally touch the water. As we were approaching the island, the striking Royal yellow Masjid Raya Sultan Riau, the jewel of the island was becoming more prominent.
Once inside the island, Although it is possible to take a leisurely walk across the island, you can take motorized tri-cycle (locally known as Becak) to visit renowned sights. If you choose to walk, 3 hours in my opinion is enough. Except the Masjid (Mosque), There are places like Raja Hamida’s tomb and Fort Bukit Kursi (From where you can witness vast open South China Sea and some deserted Canon from the past) but after we visited the island, I would not recommend spending much time here for tourism.
In my opinion, people looking for a religious gateway would find Pulau Penyengat a promising destination but for a regular traveler, it’s not a worth place to visit if you are in very tight schedule. The journey from Tanjung Pinang and the first glance of the island from the water is marvelous but we were little disappointed after spending a couple of hours in this island. Little reluctantly we boarded the Pompom again for our next destination, Senggarang.
Senggarang Fishing Village
The small Chinese fishing village was probably the most beloved part of our entire Bintan trip. When the Pompom anchored at the small jetty of Senggarang, it looked like time stood still in this serene island village. A long boardwalk from the jetty takes you to the picturesque village with an old World charm. As we entered Senggarang, giant sculptures of Buddha greeted us from the distance.
As we walked past the boardwalk and the lush green landscape, we discovered a Chinese temple complex (Sun Te Kong Temple) with quite a few Shrines. From the narrative, We soon discovered that it is built by Chinese immigrants and they used to refer it as the Temple of Fire. Nearby you would find a temple dedicated to the God of Sea for protection of the villagers and another temple dedicated to Earth for better harvesting.
Apart from the big Buddha statues, there are many other sculptures of baby Buddha and Dragon and it’s a pure Joy to walk past those. We found many kids were running around those pretty enthusiastically. After spending a short time there, we moved towards the actual village sight.
At Senggarang village, we walked past rows of Stilt wooden houses with residents practicing several hundreds years age old custom. In the narrow lane between rows of Stilt houses, we met running excited kids, cyclists, bikers and also curious eyes from the Window. Local residents park their bikes just in front of the wooden houses and everyone has boats parked on the floating breeze. On the open lane, we saw villagers doing their laundry and drying salted fishes, preparing crackers.
We took lots and lots of photos. For a regular city-dwellers, it’s very hard to imagine staying at a place of this kind for the entire life. After roaming aimlessly for a while, we came to the very architecture nature herself has created over time. It was nothing but the Banyan Tree Temple, a miniature of the World Famous Ta Phrom Temple from the Angkor Thom of Cambodia.
Photo Courtesy: Bintan-Resorts
I cannot stress enough on why you should visit Senggarang village in your trip to Bintan. You would find fantastic beaches and resorts in any part of the World and lets be honest, Bintan is not among the best. But, by freezing time, Senggarang has created an unique vibe with super friendly locals. Here is one photo from our trip where a family from Malaysia wanted to have a picture with us. Lovely, isn’t it?
Tourist Attraction within Mainland
After visiting these two small islands, we came back to Tanjung Pinang and headed straight to our resort at Trikora. We decided to spend the afternoon at the beach in front of our resort. It was a fantastic weather when we reached Bintan Laguna Resort and Restaurant and a perfect time to have our lunch too.
WRITE ABOUT TRIKORA BEACH HERE. ALSO GIVE PHOTO of the DINIG AREA
1. Vihara Avalokitesvara Graha
The next day we reserved a car from the resort who would take us to some sight scenes and eventually drop at the Ferry terminal. I don’t think you can avail public transport to reach there but the cost of hiring a car with driver is very affordable from the resort. It took around 30 minutes to reach to Vihara Avalokitesvara temple, also known as Guan Yin Temple, the home to one of the tallest statue of Buddha in entire South East Asia. The temple is open everyday from 10AM to 5PM.
Located on a Hill with dragon fruit plantation, this temple is more of a place to worship than a typical tourist spot. However, you can find great downhill view of the landscape below along with the decorated pillars all around. Specifically at the entrance, the wall arts and sculptures are truly marvelous.
The main attraction for tourists is the large 16.8 metre tall Buddha Statue covered in 22 carat Gold. The artwork deserves an applaud and finishing is top notch. I only had a point and shoot back then but still I believe you can get the impression from the pictures below. Look how small we are compared to the Big Buddha.
You need to take off your shoes before you enter. Although I have not seen any instruction but I believe there are some dress restrictions (Like no Sleeveless and you need to wear dress covering at least your knees). You can meditate peacefully inside the temple. We saw hundreds of small Buddha statues which looked like are open for tourists to buy as a souvenir but unfortunately the monks present inside could not speak English. We took help of our cab driver and finally found out that they can only offer us some candles with holder but their is no price as such for that. He showed us the Donation Box and that’s all they expect.
Look at me standing in front of the huge Buddha statue. Look how small we are in front of the divine.
Unfortunately we visited Bintan on a New Year day so other attractions were closed so after visiting this beautiful temple, we headed straight back to the Ferry terminal. But if you plan a visit to Tanjung Pinang, make sure to include 500 Lohan Temple in your itinerary. Ask your hotel specifically if this is open during your visit. If not, simply reschedule your itinerary.
2. 500 Lohan Temple
The manager at our resort said that Bintan follows Singapore Holiday Calendar and if a certain day is marked as Holiday in Singapore, the 500 Lohan temple remains closed for the day. Also, as Chinese New Year was approaching, some renovation was on-going. As per the official website, There is an Entry fee of 30,000 IDR and the temple is open everyday (Except Monday unless it’s a Public Holiday) from 7AM to 5PM but our experience says it remains closed in Public Holiday. Please let me know in the comment below which one is correct.
Photo Courtesy: Tripadvisor
Also known as Vihara Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, the temple features 500 life-sized Lohan stone statues with different facial expressions, each one unique and different from the next. The visitors enter the premises through a gate at the foot of a hill, then take a short climb uphill and you will be greeted by a sculpture of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (I think very few place on the World has sculpture of Bodhisattva). After some more stairs, you would reach the garden to find 500 statues standing in a perfect order. Well, I can’t comment about how religious the place is but to me, it was a photographer’s paradise but unfortunately I missed it.
3. Santa Maria Cave
Let me start with a caution. Either cover yourself fully or Take a Mosquito Spray. Yes, it’s a Catholic Christian Church at the heart of Trikora Beach (Less than 20 minutes away) and it’s super peaceful and truly a hidden gem but if you come unprepared, you would definitely get stung, A LOT. Also, don’t get surprised if local drivers tell you that they have not heard the name of this place. Trust Google Map and you will reach there.
Photo Courtesy: Tripadvisor
Also known as Grotto Santa Maria, this place is small and lovely and located on a hill. On Sunday 9AM, a Mass takes place and you can visit it for a different types of experience. As the place is not at all maintained, you won’t find any signpost on how to visit this place. Once you reach the cave, there a total of 14 stations and you need to climb a little uphill. Each station has a story to tell with a unique statue and you can only complete the story when you reach the top. A nice adventure. Isn’t it?
Adventure Activities: Bintan
Beyond the white sandy beaches and blue shades, the small island of Bintan offers an extensive selection of action-packed activities – on land, water, and even in the air. Whether you are a veteran adrenaline junkie or simply a novice thrill-seeker, a lifetime experience awaits! On the island of Bintan, there is a 338-hectare wtaerfront resort city called Treasure Bay Bintan housing South East Asia’s first Crystal Lagoon. I would recommend to visit their Official Website to get a list of all activities and latest COVID-19 restrictions.
1. Jetovator
Yes, You can fly ! That too, over water. All Alone!
Photo Courtesy: Justgola
Jetovator is probably the most Adrenaline rushing water sports and once in a lifetime experience. Before your ride, trained staffs will give you proper instruction and safety gear and you are all set to fly all alone. Just a word of caution, an immense thrust pumps you high above the water so make sure you are physically fit enough to get lifted to mid air without getting nervous.
2. ATV Ride
It’s your chance to get dirty. Within Treasure Bay Bintan, you can take a forty-minute adventure filled, super muddy and bumpy ride through the off beat road that takes you to a different horizon of tropical landscape inside Bintan. Jump on an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) or UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) and take on a challenging trek through the jungle.
Photo Courtesy: Treasure Bay Bintan
Below are some important points for you to take note while you are thinking of trying out ATV or UTV in Bintan
- You need to ride ATV alone (Not even with your partner). If both of you want to ride in the same vehicle, take a UTV.
- Safety Helmet and Shoes are mandatory.
- You are not allowed if you are under the influence of Alcohol or medication. However, for the latter, if you can provide fit certificate, then sometimes they consider.
3. Mangrove Kayaking
If Kayaking is in your mind, I would suggest you to head towards Pengudang beach and take the service from this company. Here, not only will you have a relaxed water sport adventure but also you would get an equivalent vibe from Thailand or Philippines with limestone rocks all around. With a very affordable price, they provide local guide, lunch, kayaking equipment and return transfer.
Photo Courtesy: Klook
Ubin Rocks Kayaking is a half day adventure (So make sure you stay at least two nights in Bintan). If you have kids, they need to be at least 6 years to take part in this Kayaking. Also, you at least need to be paying for two persons. Generally the tour starts early in the morning (7:30AM) but if you have an alternate preference, you can discuss with the operator in advance.
4. Parasailing
If ATV or Jetovator look too much for you, you can consider parasailing as it’s not an extreme water sports. It could be the perfect outdoor activity for you mainly because it’s completely effortless. Along the same line, parasailing gives you a unique way to get a bird’s eye view of the ocean scenery and tropical forests of the region. There is no better way to witness the dramatic coastline of Bintan.
Photo Courtesy: Bintan Resorts
Parasailing is an experience that is both thrilling and peaceful as you are lifted into the air by a parachute that is harnessed to a parasailing boat. But keep in mind, parasailing is probably the most popular activity on the island so after you have booked your resort, ask them about procedure to reserve your spot to avoid any disappointment after your arrival in Bintan.
Useful Insider Tips For Bintan
Undoubtedly Bintan is an exquisite weekend gateway specifically from Johor or Singapore but unfortunately the island has not yet got much online presence. So, here are few very important points for you to consider while planning your trip
- Although Bintan is an island of Indonesia, it follows Singapore Holiday Calendar. At least in our visit, one attraction was closed due to Holiday in Singapore. So please cross check if attractions are open during your visit. Ask your accommodation in advance and then pick your date.
- Bintan’s most advertisement focuses on the North side but Trikora is the best Beach in terms of color variation on a Sunny day. Period. It’s also the cheapest place in the island to stay. As it lacks water sports activities, it does not get enough attention but it’s your best bet if you are after a relaxing gateway with ample opportunity of photography.
- If you are travelling from Singapore via Ferry, you need to pay additional SGD 7 per person during departure only. If you leave Bintan from Tanjung Pinang, you need to pay Rp 60,000 per person (40,000 for Indonesian) as a part tax.
- I preferred to use SGD instead of IDR for transport because I got better value out of it. For small items like Souvenir or fruits/drinks from street vendor, you can use Indonesian currency. However, everyone accepts Singapore Dollar so it’s not a must thing to change currency.
If you are based in Singapore and thinking where to go on an extended Weekend, Bintan could be a fantastic choice because it’s cheap, it’s nearby and it’s not overly crowded. If you try to visit Kuala Lumpur or Genting or Melaka over a long weekend, you would have to spend at least a couple of hours in each immigration area so only 4 hours will be required to cross the border via road. Bintan, on the other hand is much hassle free and probably will offer you more in less.
There are many places in the World where tourism is an absolute pleasure but unfortunately they never get the attention they deserve. I was lucky to remain close to it and took the right decision to choose it over some other much hyped nearby destinations. After our visit, many colleagues of mine took my suggestion and all of them were equally fascinated by the beauty and diversity of this small island.
To all who are still reading this, many thanks to you for spending your time to show your interest about this offbeat destination. If you have grown interest already and have some questions, please feel free to ask me and I will try to respond as soon as possible. Have you already visited Bintan and want to share some thoughts? Please use the comment box. Any suggestions? feedbacks? Anything I said incorrectly? Please let me know so that I can cross check and correct it. Till then “Selamat tinggal“.