| S Oconnor |
02 January 2005 |
Stayed at Mana Mana Beach Club - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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The Bintan Resort area is a secure zone of resorts on the north coast of Bintan Island, Indonesia. It feels like a Singapore colony since the currency used is the Singapore Dollar, the electrical outlets are Singaporean not Indonesian and the local population are not permitted in the area unless they have a pass. If you want to experience any Indonesian culture, you have to hire a driver and venture outside the barbed wire fences and security guards. If you like to travel and experience new culture and new food, I do not recommend Bintan. If you want a beautiful beach with privacy and security, Bintan is heaven. I would highly recommend Bintan Resorts for families with children.
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| Y Uda |
30 December 2004 |
Stayed at Banyu Biru Villas - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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Passa oleh oleh is the one of recommendation to have dinner there are local restaurant at less expensive level.
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| T Siew luan |
05 December 2004 |
Stayed at Mana Mana Beach Club - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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Seasports lovers not recommended during December time due to the Monsoon season. Travel round by bus to Oleh Oleh is cheap though the things there are expensive, but food is Ok with not much to choose from. Kelong at Sebong was good especially the Pepper crabs. Going round on the Buddy car on your own was nice but the rate very expensive.
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| S Moffitt |
15 October 2004 |
Stayed at Bintan Lagoon Resort - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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Bintan is a great location, as it is within easy reach of Singapore (1hr), yet resorts did not give us the impression of being crowded (We sayed through the week, and assume that weekenders flood in over the weekends). Transfers were easy despite having to get a visa to enter Indonesia at the border. Would suggest that you have correct money to buy visa (US25) ready when you arrive on the island.
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| S Carney |
16 September 2004 |
Stayed at Nirwana Resort Hotel - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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We spent a day heading doing a loop around the island. Tikora Beach is beautiful on the weekdays with no crowds and locals very friendly. Also stopped at many fishing villages along the way to wander around and talk to the locals.
From Tanjung Pinang head over to Senggarang for a look at the old temples.
Be careful heading over to Penyengat. Locals aren't very nice to westerners at the moment (we arrived just after the jakarta Aust embassy bombing). A shame as it is a beautiful area with some very old royal remains if you like history. The island is muslim so dress to their standards to minimise the awkwardness (cover as much skin as possible is the quick solution).
If you're not travelling back to singapore get the taxi to Batu66 and then get local transport (taxi or bus) to where you want to be.
The taxi to Tanjung Uban is S$32 while the public transport was equivalent to $2. It takes a little longer but you definately see and experience more.
When we had exceptional service we found it best to ask if it would offend to offer a tip and the reason. Most would accept and it made it clear it wasn't a bribe or charity.
Try to learn some indonesian as this makes life a lot easier (at least take a phrase book along).
Remember basic personal security as wages are low and unemployment high so, as in every country there is the opportunist trying to pickpocket etc. Let common sense prevail.
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| J Jenkins |
11 August 2004 |
Stayed at Banyu Biru Villas - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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The villas (Banyu Biru) are within easy walking distance of the main hotel (Nirwana) which has restaurants and another beautiful pool. A short distance further you can reach Mana Mana beach from where you can organise watersports. All are in the same complex, so you can sign for meals and activities. (No cash needed). From Nirwana - shuttle buses are arranged to various restaurants -including a seafood one on stilts which has great food and is spectacular at sunset as it is built over the sea. You can also take a regular shuttle bus to a nearby shopping village to pick up souvenirs.
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| C Tsao |
26 July 2004 |
Stayed at Indra Maya - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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We took Mangrove Discovery Tour. Although it's just 2 hours but we enjoyed it. Important speaking, it's cheaper of tour here than it in Thailand.
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| N Manji |
23 March 2004 |
Stayed at Bintan Lagoon Resort - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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The ferry ride from Singapore was approx. 60min and a very causal ride. We were met on the other side by Bintan Lagoon hosts and were taken to the hotel. There is not much else to see on the island. We took a tour of a small village 45min from the resort and the kids enjoyed a view of village living and shopping.
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| E Oh |
11 February 2004 |
Stayed at Banyu Biru Villas - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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The beach is not as good as Thailand. The new visa on arrival rule was really terrible, not only for money but also time consuming. The entrance process was really slow.
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| J Khoo |
18 December 2003 |
Stayed at Nirwana Resort Hotel - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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Nice getaway. The Mangrove Swamp tours (especially the night one where you can see fire flies) are great attractions even for the kids.
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Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore travel tales 
