I wonder if I was the few remaining Singaporean adults who have not been to the resort island, some 45min away from Singapore. Friends who knew I've never been to Bintan were often incredulous.
Anyway, I departed for Bintan this early morning. I sat in the new ferry, in the Emerald Class, and even sat next to the captain mid way through the journey.
He even let me press some buttons, and explained what all those screens and gadgets on the dashboard were for.
Very fun.
But I was in Bintan for work, not leisure. I did a lot of walking to see some of the resorts and facilities.
My first stop was Ria Bintan Golf Club. Its 18-hole Ocean Course, designed by Gary Player, took my breath away, and I wanted so much to take daddy there.
This is a view of the 7th hole. Beautiful, isn't it? And this wasn't even the club's signature hole!
The club's signature hole is the 9th hole, where golfers will whack their balls over a part of the sea and towards another spread of green. I will not post a photo of the 9th hole here because the photo I took does not do it justice. You have to see it for yourself.
I don't play golf, much to daddy's dismay. But I am willing to tag along with him while he plays this course, just so I could enjoy the breeze and views. I will even be his caddy.
The excursion around Ria made me really chirpy and I was all geared up for the rest of the island.
Bintan amazes with rather good sea views and its blue waters.
Then I broke for lunch at Rin Japanese Fine Dining, where a Japanese chef whipped up something of his choice. Fortunately I got to choose the meat for my mains, and of course I picked beef. Oh, and wagyu beef, no less. :)
Then I went to visit Club Med Bintan's new spa, which was a real haven for relaxation. It wasn't overly glam and pretentious, which would have irritated me. Pity I was only there to see it. Next time I will return for a day spa, which I was told costs only S$100 onwards for a three-hour session, including tranfers to and from the ferry terminal. That's a great deal.
And finally, I visited the construction sites of a future massive resort development. I had done several interviews on this project since 2008, and I was damn eager to see the site before it becomes all fancy.
I tell you, some of the hotels that will appear on this new development in Bintan will offer some really spectacular views of the big blue sea. And I can't wait for Alila to complete its Bintan property.
By 4pm, I was exhausted. Fortunately, the site inspection drew to a close too, so I went to check into my hotel. A simple room with a garden view. Not something that would make me dance on the spot, but it was bright and clean. And that's all that matters when I am tired and in dire need of a shower.
I shall rest a while, go have dinner and some beers, then return to my room and wait for the masseur to come. Yep, I've booked an in-room massage at 8.30pm.
And it costs only S$29 for an hour. :-D
Wonderful, isn't it?
I bet I will sleep like a baby tonight. And tomorrow morning, I will join Indonesian president Susilo at the renaming ceremony for Treasure Bay.
Okay lar, the president will be in another tent with his bodyguards and other big shots. It is not like we are old time kawan kawan. :)
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