Bintan Island Retreat

Friday, April 11: This was a travel day and one much anticipated for we were headed to a Club Med Resort on the Indonesian island of Bintan. We said farewell to the Albert Court Village midday and took a 20 minute ride by taxi to the Tanah Merah ferry terminal and a one hour cruise south of Singapore to Bintan.

It was a pleasant enough boat ride with 80 or so others headed to one of three resort villages on the island. When we arrived, I needed $10 USD to pay for the week long visa, so stepped into the ladies room to access my money belt. There was an old acquaintance I hadn't encountered since my 2011 trip to Bali: the tile hole in the floor and bucket that passes for a toilet in these parts. Had not missed seeing one at all and hope not to have to use one on this trip! I felt fairly confident that Club Med would have modern facilities.

Glad to say I was not disappointed! We boarded a large, modern tour bus and took a 10 minute ride through lush tropical landscape to Club Med. There we were greeted by 20 smiling, waving, uniformed young staff as we exited the bus. They offered warm damp cloth for our hands and cool sweet tea as refreshment before a brief welcome presentation.

Then, each family was assigned a guide to show us to our quarters and answer questions. We have ground level connecting rooms that are spacious, modern and attractive with garden patios and a view to the sea less than a hundred yards away on the undeveloped side of the peninsula. We are in the Hibiscus building, so only natural that our rooms were festooned with pink and red blossoms. We enjoyed a late lunch in the terrace restaurant overlooking the beach.

I could barely wait to get my feet in the sand and warm water! Oh my heaven! Without a doubt, this is the BEST sugary sand beach I've ever visited! I walked the length of the beach (200-300 yards, I'm guessing) at water's edge, as the waves caressed my feet. I collected a pocketful of small shells and bits of coral, which I'll bring home as a fond reminder of this place and moment. I was so relaxed after that, I passed on dinner and wound down for the evening, leaving Aron and family on their own. We will stay here until the 16th.

View from the Club Med reception area