Travelogue: Indonesia Bintan (Day 2 & 3)

Posted on May 12, 2018 by Tempted to Love

I’m never gonna get tired of looking at the above picture i think! LOL! Who doesn’t love vacation!

Waking up to day 2, I took a morning swim the moment i woke up, before sun is fully up and before breakfast even starts,

After a good 30 mins swim, we took a morning stroll to the restaurant for our breakfast. If you’re feeling lazy, feel free to press “0” and get a buggy to pick you up!

I wouldn’t say they serve the best breakfast but at least, it wasn’t so bad that it’s inedible. Pulut Hitam, Mee Soto, Nasi Goreng, Siewmai, Cold cuts, Salad, Juices, etc..

We chose an alfresco seating since the sun wasn’t that glaring (yet) and the view was somewhat romantic!

To make our anniversary trip even more romantic, we took a long walk along the beach while it’s low tide (no guard btw, walk at your own risk!)

Standing at a spot where I know when the tide suddenly rush in, I have time to run up the shore with my pair of short legs!!!! LOL!!!

When the sun is up….. we walked back to our room. Too hot, I will melt! But before i melt, the ice cream mustn’t melt! Woohooo!! Oh in case you finished your snacks, fret not! There’s a minimart (real mini) here where you can get snacks, cup noodle, ice cream, cold drinks, simple medication, sunblock, bikinis, etc…!

Yup, here’s me and my rainbow ice-cream!!!

& since it was really really near my birthday, my mister ordered a steak to share (in-room dining) as my BIRTHDAY TREAT!

In-room dining so far was good. Food was up to my expectation and price was still affordable! In the end, we only finish our snacks but not the cup noodles!

After dinner, we went back to the beach for another evening stroll.. It was windy and quiet.. We had the beach all to ourselves and thankfully, we didn’t fed much mozzie!

Back to the villa, in case, you’re keen to know how dark is the room at night, it’s actually still decently lit up!

The pool still looks so good to take a night swim!! However, do note that it gets quieter at night hence if you’re at the outdoor area, do speak softer, your neighbor might just hear what your conversation is (at least we heard our neighbor’s conversation for the few hours before they went to bed)!

Before you knew it…

It’s time to check out… 😦

Sad but still looking forward because i can have my favourite HOTDOG BUN from BRF!!!!

This marks the end of my 3D2N getaway and I’m totally glad I came! This is definitely a more cost effective resort than Montigo (at least for now)!

If you haven’t read my day 1 post, check it out HERE!

REMARK: Family travelling with children, the villa offers floaties and activities too! However, IMO, it’s not cheap eh! Let me share the price with you after i found the leaflet which i took!

Travelogue: Indonesia Bintan (Day 1)

Posted on April 21, 2018 by Tempted to Love

When you worked hard (I mean extra hard) for a period of time, what reward you most is TAKING A BREAK!

This trip is so relaxing you basically do nothing plans nothing and think only about summer!

HOLIDAY VILLA PANTAI INDAH BINTAN

Came across this accommodation while doing agoda e-window-shopping and Facebook captured my search result then recommended me this place! Did a lil more homework by going through tripadvisor and other travel blog.. I must say this place sure have not been explore much by locals (or perhaps they just didn’t share much!)

If you are reading this blog, let me tell you, you’re in luck! You will not regret reading this and may even start booking this accommodation (but dun expect 6 stars reviews)!

I booked my accommodation on Agoda (via SHOPBACK – earn up to 6% cash back!) The rate I managed to book for a one bedroom villa was about SGD608.00 – 2 nights stay (inclusive of taxes) with land transfer, breakfast and wifi!

Ferry ticket was by Bintan Resort Ferries. It cost about $67 per pax and I booked via Shopback>Easybook too! NOW ALERT: Not all deals found on shopback are best deal! you need to do a lil homework to compare the price. Apparently after I book my ticket, I then realized brf site was offering $1 hot deal ticket but it was too late to realize it! T__T boohooo!

ANYWAY… SOOOON it was time to depart!! Sorry, didn’t take much decent photos on departure.. Didn’t even took anything upon arrival at the villa reception!

The only photo of the common area I took was probably this alley to my villa!

Clean living room upon entry. Cooling aircon is the best in a country where it’s all-time-summer weather!

What’s waving at me upon entry is the BIG POOL!! you can see the pool from the living room already!

Almost fully equipped kitchen! We brought out microwaveable food, cup noodle, snacks and hosen canned fruits! Trying hard to minimize expenses!

Enough of the living room and kitchen (or pantry area), let’s head over to our bedroom!

Woohoooo! Honeymoon anniversary!!!! The staff here sure take note of casual comment (was just telling them we are going there for our anniversary and woohoooo! so much better than SQ – will share this in another post!!)

Toilet was “outdoor” but dun worry, no one’s gonna peek and it’s all sheltered!

Toilet comes with bathtub and separate rain shower! Super spacious toilet I think I can fit a king bed inside if without the fixture! Probably even bigger than my room!

(pssst, anti-lizard fans, my stay here was very safe, no lizard sound no sight of them too! PHEW!!)

So here’s the exterior of the our villa.. Everything you need was just within a few steps and totally comfortable stay!

Wasted no time, get changed and started to shoot a few insta-worthy pic before i get all messy and unglam!!!

After all the play and swim, we got a lil hungry and started heating up our microwaveable food.

We saved the best for last! In-villa dining! The price for room service food/beverage was still quite affordable but it’s not dirt cheap kind.

Beef burger and Fish & chips! Do try the fish and chips if you have the chance! I thought it was not bad and i love that they actually fried in small sizes!

Day 1 was pretty much about it.. Settling down and enjoying my afternoon under the sun (heat rash after that!! LOL) and not forgetting our FULL-FILLING dinner!!

Stay tune to catch Day 2!!!

Travelogue: The Surprise Party

Posted on August 6, 2017 by Tempted to Love

Per the title suggested, this is gonna be a happy and exciting post!! Because it’s about a PARTY!!!! A SURPRISE PARTY!!!

We planned this party about 3 months prior the actual day!! Secretly planning this with the help of our family members too!! So the plan is to have someone bring our birthday girl to Canopi (it was one of the place where she has been wanting to go then) without our smart girl being suspicious about it ! But HOW??? Thankfully luck was on our side! She happened to asked her family to go on a short trip and we played along her story instead. Smooth!

In her impression, this trip was just between her family as my mom & me doesn’t have enough leave and suppose to be going for a charity walk (Yes, we rejected her invite a lot of time!). I’ll skip the details and fast forward the to week of the surprise staycation!

So on this particular day before the trip, we accompanied her to TPY for dinner and went to money changer..Well, it’s not about money changer here we’re gonna talk about but it’s the rainbow coloured drink!!

We bought this from a Thai eatery. We didn’t try their food but this drink was so cool! Tasty and colorful, seeing it definitely stirred up all the excitement about the secret vacation!

Yes, up till this day, she still has no idea what grand surprise we had planned for her!! LOL!

On this beautiful Friday morning, my mom & me took the morning 9am ferry to Bintan! The perks of traveling early, less crowd less noise more peace more space!

Just a mere 50 minutes, we arrived THE CANOPI! Yeap, complimentary airport pick up thus no worry of having difficulty finding Canopi! less than 5 mins drive, and ta-daaaa!

Upon arrival, other than the friendly staff, LOOK WHAT’S WELCOMING US??

Beautiful crystal clear lagoon and safari tent!! MIND BLOWN!

We requested for early check in but the room wasn’t ready when we arrive. However, it wasn’t a long wait before the front desk came up to us (we were sitting at the restaurant prepping the room deco) to inform us about OUR BIRTHDAY GIRL’s room is ready for us to “check in” for the deco mission!!

Here’s part of the stuff we bought for the decoration! Apart from these, we arranged Canopi to arrange room deco too!!

Let me show u the original room state..

And now for The Canopi’s decoration..

Not too bad, but wait till you see our add on!!!

Side track a bit.. While working on our deco.. we rec’d an sms!

It was our birthday girl sharing her wefie, perhaps trying to “show off” that they’re heading off to their staycation! Lol!

Yeap, it’s a photo of them on the ferry! With that photo, it means that it’s almost 2pm already (they’re on the 2pm ferry)! AND WE’RE NOT EVEN NEAR DONE!!! OMGGGGGG…

We need to hurry before they arrive in an hour’s time!!

So both my mom & me hurried and speed up and here… check out our add on!!

Pls tell me we did a great job!!! My mama almost had a heart attack and swear she doesn’t wana do surprises anymore!! LOL… Made her so gan jiong and even rushed through the decoration with her hand injury.. Awwww… (are u touched, birthday girl?)

About 3pm, we handed over the room back to the front desk for them to lock it up and get ready for their normal check in ! Now all we had to do is ask for our own room check in so that we can have a place to freshen up and “hide” ourselves (rather than sit in lobby)..

While we were in our own tent, we.. we probably been the most troublesome guest.. we texted the front desk for help as our TV couldn’t receive any channel…. less than 5 mins, we text the front desk again!!! This time we actually asked for access to the decorated room – we wanted to grab a cup of confetti for ourselves so that we don’t surprise empty handed! Probably another 5 mins, we texted front desk again! This time, requesting them to give me a heads up when the birthday girl and family are at lobby for check in because it’s already passed 3pm but no sign of them arriving! (No phone service in the tent hence it’s important to connect to resort’s wifi so that guest can contact front desk via whatsapp.)

About 4.05pm, we rec’d a text from front desk…

“Your friends are at lobby“

WAHHHHHH the critical time now!! My mom and me quickly ran outta our own room, lock up & ran to hide at the back of their tent!

we heard “wow” *laughter* (birthday girl impressed!) and once we heard them in the room, we ran in and threw the confetti – I think we scare the kids, made both of them cried (oops!)!! We made our birthday girl cried too!!!! She gave a tearing speech and we spent at least an hour in the room admiring the decos!

So glad the surprise had surprised her (them)!! LOL.. the crying kids??? Yea.. after a lil warm up, they started the enjoy confetti too!!

See how happy they are.. I bet they secretly love confetti!!!!

Note: we cleared our own party mess. Canopi probably will faint if they see this mess when we check out.

About 6pm, we took a transport out to a nearby jetty for our kelong dinner.

This jetty looks eerie ya.. LOL! But probably the only way we can reach our kelong venue. Both land and sea transfer to the kelong is complimentary.

We had the boat to ourselves.. We too had the chance to enjoy this…..

Beautiful sunset!

[Photo credit to my sister-in-law]

Shortly after a boat ride, less than 10 mins, we arrived Kampung Kelong for dinner..

I must say, this is definitely not the most romantic place to celebrate birthday! They do not have the most appealing dishes too.. BUT!

We judged too soon!

Surprisingly, their dishes taste better than it look! We ordered the veg twice!! We ordered more than these actually, we had a fish too but i probably misplace the image as u know this post is kinda overdue!! >_<

By the time we finished dinner, it was already dark! Goodness, the ride back to land was pitch dark!! Not only the kids are afraid, me too!! >_< what if the boat sink?? what if there’s crocodile?? what if we collide with something?

Thank goodness we made it back alive!! LOL!

We didn’t go to bed immediately of course.. we still have a surprise part 2 for her!!

WAHAHAHAHA i bet u can’t tell what is this!!

We arranged for an ice cream cake (strawberry flavour- this cake actually taste quite nice) with my firecracker candle and my aunt super bright torch. thus the result of this image.

By night time, i think most of the resort guest probably already knew there’s a person name JESS in this tent!

After enjoying the cake and drink, the kids went to bed and us?

Lotsa wefie and catch up time!!! We haven’t really talked so much for the longest time!!! Until we ran outta mosquito coil, we decided to end the day!

One more wefie of 四个女人一个梦 before we turn in!

Next morning, we didn’t plan much to do either… just enjoy a lazy Saturday with family. Kids running around after breakfast. Kids swimming in the afternoon.

And adults?

SCOOTER time!!! If you haven’t tried riding a bike before nor have a license, fret not!!

At Canopi, there’s expert here to give u a test/trial ride! After the test ride, you can then decide whether or not to rent it! After the test ride, we rented 6 hrs and everyone got a chance to play!

A quick tips, if u plan to do massage at the resort, try the one further to the resort (the one that’s open to public). Heard that it’s cheaper there and longer massage duration available too.

Well, Good time flies! At a blink of an eye, it’s already our 3rd day, time to check out!

All in all, I’ll definitely recommend The Canopi! Especially if you want stay away from the buzzing city!

Food and recreation is not a problem within the resort hence there is no need to leave Canopi unless you want to do shopping! Good place for family, romantic tent for couple! Best of all, staffs are pretty friendly and helpful! They serve with a heart and not by-rule.