Bintan is a great idea for a quiet romantic getaway. Bintan lsland is the largest of the 3,200 islands in the Riau Archipelago of Indonesia. Bintan was once the centre of the powerful Johor Riau Sultanate. Penyengat, on the northern tip of Bintan Island, was also home to the Maya-Bugis nobility during the 18th century. Remnants of Bintan's glorious past can be seen from Penyengat’s Royal Mosque, old Dutch fort and palace ruins.
The south of Bintan Island is home to many quaint fishing towns, all with an easy-going and relaxed village atmosphere. The numerous kelongs (fishing huts built on stilts above sea) dotted the sea. You can dine on delicious seafood here. Slow down and savour the scenes of the traditional life of the orang laut (sea gypsies). Take a romantic evening tour of the river to see a swarm of hundreds of fireflies moving in harmony.
The northern part of the island boost a host of spa and golf resorts including Club Med and Banyan Tree. Just the place to go for a romantic getaway in Bintan if you want to be pampered at the same time.
What Else to Do on Bintan
You can embark on an eco exploration of Bintan's mangrove forests on the Sebung River. Guided tours are available from the several resorts onthe island. The mangrove forests protect the coastal line from sea erosion whilst retaining the sediments from water flowing off the land, helping to create a clear blue coastal waters. Your eco tour would be a fascinating journey through the rich native foliage and exotic wildlife. If you are lucky, you can catch a glimpse of the wildlives such as the Macaque and Silver Leaf monkeys, monitor lizards, snakes, Kingfisher and Purple Heron. Beneath the surface of water, a rich variety of sea life such as coral fish, mudskippers, crabs, prawns, mud lobsters and clams can be found. Or visit the Lagoi Park and Reservoir, a large reservoir covering over 14.7 square kilometers and holding some six million cubic meters of water. This reservoir provides water treated to WHO standards. Relax in the serenity of the lush greenery or have fun with water sports in the reservoir.
How to Get to Bintan
A romantic getaway to Bintan is easily accessed via high-speed catamarans from Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, which is only 10 minutes drive from Changi International Airport. The catamaran trip takes 55 minutes. Tickets can be bought from the ticketing counter of the ferry terminal or from selected travel agents in Singapore.
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