@ 24 months 1 day
11th – 13th April, the days we spent at Bintan, Indonesia; an island about 1 hour ferry ride from Singapore. We boarded the 11.00am ferry (Indera Bupala). The water was very choppy and the ride was very uncomfortable for all of us. Not long after, we started to feel sea sick. Ryan was still jumping up and down throughout the journey until half an hour before the ferry docks we noticed a sudden silent pause from him. Not suspecting anything amiss we assumed he was likely sleepy. He kept mum for a few minutes and held close to daddy’s arms before a huge pile of vomit came out of his mouth in like nano seconds. Poor baby.
Just before he puked during the ferry ride to Bintan
We reached Bintan Ferry Terminal @ 11am local time. Booked a taxi to Angsana Resort for SGD28 return per cab (10 mins). Luckily I did not advance booked through hotel who charges USD11 per pax one way else Im sure I’ll be cursing on my own stupidity! (Hubs actually asked me to book through hotel initially to save ourselves from the hassle when we arrive.. men… oh men..)
When we reached the hotel lobby, we were a little disappointed. Considering the room rates they are commanding we were expecting more tastefully designed reception area. Nonetheless service was pretty good. Staff were very attentive; ‘ibu’ ‘ibu’ greetings all the way.
The resort’s main lobby
The suite room was not bad. Two bedrooms with a living, kitchen, a private sundeck, jacuzzi and a small garden with direct access to the beach. We ordered room service for our lunch. Was shocked when we looked at the price list. Everything in USD apart, a plate of Nasi Goreng was USD11++ (20% tax) each. I ordered that together with peanut sauce. Yummy-licious!
Ryan was already in his beauty nap when the adults also decided to take a breakie to recuperate from the torturing ferry ride. 2 hours later we woke up. While hubs was busy working (yea.. how sucks but better than him not turning up for the trip) we strolled down the beach. The water was very clean and the sand was white and fine. Ryan had a splendid time jumping and running around dipping himself in the water. Busy daddy finally joined us not long after before the day starts to get dark. My two boys managed to get some quality bonding time together.
Cosy master bedroom
That night we went to a restaurant at Pasar Oleh Oleh for dinner (15 mins away). Business must be bad. They were willing to provide free return transportation. Ordered lots of food, meat, tofu, vege, soup, crab, chicken, all for SGD90 keeping all 4 adults with a full tummy. Not a bad deal. Ryan on the other hand already had his meal in the hotel. Ryan is a picky eater. Refused to eat the table food. How odd is that right. Table food with all the msg and yet he doesn’t like. Luckily we brought along the ingredients for his 3 days’ meal from Singapore and cooked in the room.
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Yummy Nestum Crab
Day 2
Spent the morning at the pool. MaMa did not swim and I only dipped into the pool much later after I was done with all the crazy clickings and snappings. After an hour or so, the sun was already shining directly above our head when it was only 11am local time so we had to head off. Ryan was evidently not pleased so we turned on the jacuzzi for another round of chill for the lil fella. Definitely relaxing and rejuvenating.
Happily playing with the bubbles
In afternoon, hubs and I indulged ourselves in some good spa massage. Hubs chose the Fusion treament while I chose Ibu Secret. Massage was really good but 60 mins was simply too short. Also, we regret we did not get the outdoor room. Sighs…
Later in the afternoon we brought Ryan to the Kids’ Club. The resort normally charges a fee of USD35 per kid for a day’s use at the club which includes baby sitting. Since Ryan does not need any babysitting we were only charged per activity we did. Ryan did lots of coloring and was messing with the books and toys (all FOC.. phew) and later we painted clay turtle; that cost us USD6. Still ok la…
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Colorful turtle….
At night we dined at the hotel. Food selection was really poor. Expectedly I had another meal of Nasi Goreng. Simply love the peanut sauce.
Day 3
We requested for a late checkout. It was drizzling a bit so we did not go to the pool again. Instead we spent more time in the jacuzzi. For Ryan, so long there’s water it doesn’t matter whether he’s in a pool, beach, jacuzzi or even the bath tub.
We were entitled for this 15% discount at the Galleria. So when Ryan was napping I indulged myself with some last minute shopping. Didn’t really manage to get anything with the voucher cos most items are on sale. In the end I bought two Angsana bags as souvenirs for myself (40% disc). Ngek Ngek.. Hubs was teasing me saying I could use the bag as lunch bag when I eventually start working one day. I wonder what was he trying to hint. After Ryan’s nap, we checked out at 1pm. We stopped by at the highly hyped (on tourist websites) factory outlet located next to the terminal. I have not seen a more disappointing factory outlet goods than this one. Sigh…. what a let down.
My souvenirs…
Our ferry was at 2.30pm. For the returning journey we managed to get executive cabin for the time we wanted. It was definitely more room of fresh air than the common area. Ryan was as usual jumping around, going up and down the seat. I just don’t understand where he gets all the energy. Aren’t he bits tired? The journey was also pretty disturbing and bumpy. So we were worried Ryan may get sea sick again but despite our countless efforts we failed to confine him to his seat. Sotong was half dead half way through the journey so I took over the babysitting despite feeling nauseated myself. Ryan was active and bubbly until like 5 minutes before ship docks when he suddenly came to mommy looking unusual. I knew he was going to puke. So I quickly held him close in hope to settle him. Not knowing his son was unwell, this smart daddy who saw some sailing boats quickly pulled Ryan up from his comfort zone. Probably due to shock and reflux Ryan puked and lucky daddy got the honour of Ryan’s pile of vomit again. Hehe
Enjoying the view
In the cab while on the way back to our house, Ryan was pretty silent. He insisted a seat of his own and putting on the seatbelt. I wonder what was on his mind…….. (too short of a holiday maybe??)
Looking stoned here…Noticed the mismatch of clothes?
Oki.. Oki.. can see my pic on the mosaic??.. I was there at Bintan too….Hehe
****More pics can be found on facebook