Bintan Trip 2015 - A Walk to Remember

Woke up exceptionally early to catch the sun rise and it leads to something more!

I dragged myself out of bed, remove the tripod out of the bag, sling-ed my camera and off I went! The sky was still dark and I could see the sparkling stars. I made my way to the far side of the beach where I was told I could see the sun.

Sunrise

I set up my tripod, removed my lens cap and realized my lens had fogged up! Spent a couple of minutes getting it off before taking shots. I chose the photo above because it reminds me of Siloso Beach, Sentosa. I love that small island and the rising sun!

Attack of the sea weed

The sun is already up high around 7.30 in the morning. I was strolling around and I noticed workers ploughing by the sea. I came to know that they are removing the layer of polluted soil, sea weeds and litters like cans, plastic bottles, metal containers etc.

Clearing the beach

These workers started work around 6.30am each day! The female workers on the other hand are in charge of sweeping the roads and watering the plants.

Do not litter

The beach is much more beautiful without all the litter around. So, please pick up your rubbish and keep the sea clean! This was what I felt at the very moment and I took the photo above to drive this message.

Shot of the trip

Last but not least, the prize shot of the whole trip! These had my tripod stuck with bits of sand. I had a very tough time cleaning my tripod after the walk. Enjoy folks!

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Bintan Trip 2015 - Pasar Oleh Oleh

Pasar Oleh Oleh is a small town on Bintan Island. Fortunately, I got to visit it on it's last day!

At Pasar Oleh Oleh, I had my first full body massage! It's kind of awkward to be touched by a lady and my calf hurts! (She put her whole body weight on my skinny calf!)

Cartoonish houses

The pace of life there is slow. The people there have simple jobs such as being security guards, waiters, bell boy, basically staff at resorts and hotels. The better offs own stores or hawkers.

Connivence store

The food at the hawer centre around the area is way cheaper than what I had in hotel! S$1.50 for a delicious plate of mee goreng with egg. This is really good!

Mee goreng

Since it's the last day, most stalls are not opened. The town is very small and there are more of massage parlors and bars around. So, I spent the last hour at Cafe Helo Helo while waiting for my bus back to hotel!

Cafe Helo Helo

I was enjoying my mug of Bintan beer, listening to 98.7fm and chatting with the 2 beautiful counter girls.

Bintan beer

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Bintan Trip 2015 - Sunset

How could I miss beautiful sunsets when the beach is just a walk away?

I have a thing for sunset! I meant who doesn't? The beautiful orangey glow that slowly gets devoured by the dusk blue sky. Sometimes shades of indigo are created in the process.

Sunset by the pool

Bintan Island has quite beautiful beaches despite them polluted by rubbish, oil spills and sea weeds. The sun can be quite scorching in the evening but fear not. The wind is super strong! Look at the way the leaves of the coconut tress were blown.

Blow wind blow

Just within a matter of minutes the sky darkens and out comes the moon. Fortunately, I did managed to squeeze "Mr Moon" into frame with the coastline and tress along the seaside

Out come Mr Moon

I found some interesting subjects to feature and this huge log was one of them. I love details the bark brought out and the grains of sand that littered the log.

Huge log

I spent some time with this rock - trying to get a good photo out of it. The waves are crashing up swiftly and sweeping the rock ashore. Below is one of my favorite shots for the series. I love the movement of waves coming hard at the rock.

Waves incoming

The photo would be something different if I had my tripod and a polarizing filter to stop down the shutter speed making the water silky.

Enjoy folks :)

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Bintan Trip 2015 - Expensive!

Expensive! Basically, everything is expensive in the vicinity of the hotel. Be it food and leisure.

I had Aglio Olio (prawns) and a glass of Passion fever for my first meal. It cost a total of $37 SGD. It's even more expensive than the cafes in Singapore! Oh well~ I shall indulge myself once in a while (more of trying not to be a victim of starvation).

Complimentary bread

Fortunately, the service was good! I was seated immediately, made my order and served with my drink within a few minutes. However, my plate of spaghetti was not serve and it's past 30 minutes! I did occasionally turn my head around to check. A waitress took notice and served me with a few pieces of bread.

Lunch

The plate of Aglio Olio was served shortly after that. Food was acceptable. Nothing particularly special. After lunch, my room was ready and here's it. I'm satisfied with it! (I'm sure she will too..) Spacious and having the essentials in place.

My room

There isn't room for singles so... I had the queen size bed all to myself, hog the television and toilets. Muhahaha! But I have to admit it could be a little too quiet and "spooky" in the night!

"Dumbo" the elephant

Meet "Dumbo" the elephant from the Mini Zoo and the eagle that reminds me of the logo for "Agents of Shield".

Eagle

Enjoy the photos folks =)

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Bintan Trip 2015 - Nirwana Resort Hotel

Bintan Trip 2015 was fun although I travelled alone! Hit the beach, enjoyed the sun and the sea.

Finally got the time to blog! I managed to cleared some of my work that's piling up while I was on vacation. Spent some nights editing the photos and here are the first batches of photos.

I took the ferry, had an hour of ride before reaching Bintan Island. From there, I was ushered to the shuttle bus, spent another 20 minutes on bus ride to Nirwana Resort Hotel. Right in front of Nirwana Resort Hotel stood three elephant statutes.

Nirwana Resort Hotel

We were welcomed by a group of culture dancers and served with a glass of chilled refreshing lemon grass drink. After settling the administrative stuff, I roamed around the hotel in search of the beach. I passed by this iguana enclosure and took a shot of the 2 fat captive iguanas.

Iguanas

The first thing that hit me when I reached the beach was this tall coconut tree that "curls" out from "his other friends". How would I miss this interesting subject!

"Curls" out from the rest

I visited the mini zoo, scouted from good views before heading back to the lobby waiting for my room. The cafe there was ridiculously expensive! I couldn't hold my hunger and had a meal there.

Coconut trees

Fortunately, the view from above was beautiful! I could see the tall coconut trees and the pools. The sky was so blue and the grasses so green! "Can I NOT return to Singapore?" That struck my mind!

View from cafe

That where my first moments when I set foot on Bintan Island. Enjoy folks! More to come. Stay tune =)

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Pre Post of Bintan Trip

Finally, a getaway soon! This time, I will be going to Bintan for 3D2N. So, here's the pre post of it.

I was choosing between Rawa Island and Bintan Island. Finally, I decided on Bintan Island due to it's accessibility. To get to Rawa Island, I need a a few hours of coach ride before reaching Mersing Jetty and then another few hours of ferry ride to Rawa Island. Whereas for Bintan Island, I need a 55 min ferry ride from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and a free shuttle bus ride to my hotel.

Packing List

Here are some activities to do over at Bintan Island.

• - Spa & Massage
• - All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)
• - PaintBall
• - Water Sports
• - Elephant Park Tour
• - Mangrove Tour
• - Sun-tanning
• - Swimming

And... Here's my draft plan! Anyway, activities will change according to mood and $$ ;) "Field pack inspection" on Sunday @ 1100 HRS!

Activities table

"Ocean! Are you ready for the trip?"
"That's my Good girl!"

Just random :)

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