Chris and Chandi’s Worldwide Adventures

Bintan was fun and very relaxing. Though in Indonesia, a portion of the Island has been developed by Singapore as a resort area. You take a quick 45min ferry and then spend your time swimming in the South China Sea or just laying on the beach. We all did some of both and even though we saw some jelly fish I still went in. Mom brought a set of snorkeling gear and Chris spent a lot of time looking at the fish and little creatures that live on the coral. Not a major exciting snorkeling spot but we plan to do some more in our next adventure.

Chris and I spent some time kayaking and Vanessa you would be happy to know that I didn’t tip us over!! Chris, Mom and I also went on the banana boat and managed to stay out of the water but our arms sure hurt from trying to hang on :D

There are many tours offered outside the resort so that the local people benefit from the tourism – which is a really good thing and I hope they keep it up! We went on the Eco Tour one day. We drove about half an hour before our first stop and got to see some of the Indonesian houses, shops and villages that are along the road. We got off at a community farm, where they grow bananas and pineapples and raise goats and rabbits. There is a school that teaches English in the village and our guide was a young lady that goes there. She was very nice and explained to us all about the farm and even managed to let the workers give us a go at planting a banana tree.The next stop was a women’s weaving centre – here they use dried leaves to make bags, place mats and rugs. I am sure they undid my handy work once I left but I attempted a little weaving myself. The next stop was a rubber plantation. Just before we got there a storm came and we didn’t get to see the collection process as they needed to bring it all in before the rain mixed in with the rubber from the trees. The local black smith was next and we got to see him and his sons used scrap metal to make knives and machetes. He is a third generation smith and people come from all over the surrounding islands to place orders. Our final stop was for a meal – Nasi Goreng made by a local family – and to watch some cultural dances. At the end of the dance they asked if anyone wanted to try and I still am not sure how Chris and I ended up on stage!!

The tour was really good and that the local people run and get the benefit from it is even better – I would recommend it.

At night we would go to one of the pubs on the Island and sit outside and have a beer, Bintang is the local brand, or other cold drink. Even though they give you mosquito lotion in the room I still managed not to put it one night and am still trying not to scratch the bites.

One evening we went to the Chinese restaurant which is located over the ocean on pilings. It had very nice views and if we had left a little bit earlier we would have seen the sun set over the ocean. The food was good too!

Besides the few bites and sun burnt legs from kayaking we all had fun and if anyone is looking for a resort to just chill out and enjoy the sun and sand with the option of doing local tours to see some of Indonesia this is a good place.

And sorry for the links but I just can't resist!!