After a long chat in the WhatsApp group, finally we made our trip to Bintan. The five of us, me, Bang Anggi, Aria, Mbak Nila and Icha decided to meet at Punggur port. Sadly two of our friends, Meri and Rama could not join us because they did not get permit from their parents. That month we had a trip, the weather was still not that good. The wave and wind were so crazy.
Me, Aria and Bang Anggi arrived earlier at Punggur port. We waited for Mbak Nila and Icha. That was the first time of Aria and Bang Anggi meeting Mbak Nila and Icha. For me, it was the second time after Backpacker International regional Batam meeting in 2019. Once they arrived, we bought the ship ticket to the counter. The price was around IDR 20,000.00 per person with RORO ship. It took around an hour from Punggur port to Tanjung Uban port. The wave was still high and we fell asleep in the ship after had our lunch.
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| We call ourselves as "Dora the Explorer" |
Once we reached the port, I called the driver who would pick up from the port to the jetty around Teluk Bakau. It was very sunny day and the stupid thing I did was wearing a winter jacket, assumed that I will wear it too at night because we stayed in the middle of sea. It took around one and half hour from the port to jetty. We could see beautiful beach along the way and could not wait to swim.
A motor boat stood by in the jetty, was waiting for us. I was amazed by the crystal clear water along the jetty bridge and could not stop taking picture here and there. The crystal clear water and blue sky were such perfect combination, a definition of perfect day for me.
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| View from the Jetty |
It took around fifteen minutes from the jetty to the home stay near Beralas Pasir island. Its name is Bintan Dori, a new home stay around Bintan Nemo. The home stay was only for us! It felt like a private villa in the middle of sea, so tranquil. We set up our room. Bang Anggi and Aria in the same room while me, Mbak Nila and Icha in the same room with bunk bed. Our room separated with a space for chill out. The host served us syrup with ice which was good for such kind of weather. We chatted for a while before prepared ourselves for snorkeling.
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Before Snorkeling (see the weather 😍) |
We went snorkeling not far from Beralas Pasir island, with note that we could not get into its beach because they might charge us. Oh, the wind was so crazy. We could not focus on underwater because our focus was to survive and not being brought by the stream 😂
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| We are so ready, oh where is Aria??? |
It was so difficult to get into the boat because they don't have stairs on that. I took forever for me to get in and my leg hit the machine and it was so hurt. I was almost cry, but then laughed when finally catch the boat (I was the last by the way 😂😂).
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| Tired faces |
We went back to the home stay with our tired faces. One by one, we took shower. While waiting for my turn to shower, I enjoy taking pictures of the beautiful sunset from the guest house. It was fascinating view of the day end. I took slow motion of the sunset video while snacking and chatting with the group.
After everyone had had their shower, including me, our host made fire for our dinner. They prepared fish, chicken, otak-otak, and much more. We helpt them to grill our food (or exactly bothered them haha).
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| Sunset from the guest house |
Around seven, our dinner was ready. We enjoyed our dinner and satisfied with the tasty and much food. They also served us some hot tea to warm up the windy night.
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| Our dinner, yummmmm |
We play UNO right after dinner. Well, that was my first time playing it and I still don't know how to play it 😂😂. But we didn't survive because of the strong wind flew our cards away. Okay, we gave up 🙇. We started to sing some songs and lucky they have mic for karaoke. Yayyyy 🎉!!
One by one of us sang our favourite songs while the others enjoying the night in the middle of the sea. It was wonderful night. We watched our driver tried to catch the sotong with his fishing reel. It was great when he finally could catch some.
We ended up sleeping in our own room after eating, singing, and playing. The wind was still too strong. Lucky I brought my winter jacket or I will get sick of it.
In the morning, the wind got calmer. We woke up one by one and admired the sunrise at the snacking bench. After washed up, we initiated to find something in the kitchen like coffee and tea. Our guide had not woke up yet and the lady had not arrived at the guest house (she didn't stay).
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| Beautiful sunrise |
We enjoyed our coffee and tea with some snacks, started to do some stretching, admired the beauty around the guest house. I really wish that I could wake up every day like that, in the middle of sea, with blue sky and breezy. 😇😇
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| Morning Tea |
The lady of the guest house arrived around eight with our breakfast ready to eat. She brought her cute little girls. We ate our breakfast, lontong sayur, as fast as possible, because we need to start swimming.
Once everyone ready, our guide prepared the equipment for us. Snorkeler, fin and life vest. Time to swimmmmmmmmmmm 🏊
We swam here and there like crazy. They provided banana boat as well. Paddle..paddle..swim..swim..dive..dive.. there was not so much fish but we enjoyed our time in the water. Chat, laugh, scream and everything. Oh, take me back to that fine morning under the blue sky.
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| One fine morning |
We finished everything around eleven. It was sad to leave that cozy place and the lady with her family. I really wish to come back to that place. Insha Allah.
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| See you again next time Bintan Dori |
We took the boat back to the jetty. The day was perfectly clear. My typical perfect day, blue sky and crystal clear sea water.
Once we touched down the jetty, we asked the driver to drive us to the nearest restaurant for lunch. He recommend us to a seafood restaurant nearby which I forgot the name but cozy and has very nice food with reasonable price of course.
The restaurant has some huts above the beach. We could see some tourists playing kite surfing. We took quick lunch because we needed to quick visit Trikora Beach and catch the RoRo as soon as possible.
We paid the bill and left the restaurant with full tummy. We had quick stop at Trikora Beach that has long coastline with white sand. We took pictures and watched the people happily playing on the beach with their family.
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| Quick stop at Trikora Beach |
We left the beach and went back to the port. We all fell asleep on the seat because of too tired and full tummy 😂😂
I bought some otak-otak at the port before we boarded the RoRo. We said goodbye to the driver. He said, they will wait for our next visit. Insha Allah 😇
It was a great weekend. Looking forward to our next adventures.
Note:
These are our expenses for this trip (per person, general, exclude personal stuff):
- RoRo ship (round trip) = IDR 40,000.00
- Motorcycle parking at Punggur port = IDR 10,000.00 (if I am not wrong)
- Bintan Dori Guest House (include: round trip of pick up from Tanjung Uban port to jetty by car, room, dinner, breakfast, boat from jetty to guest house and snorkeling gear) = IDR 500,000.00
- Lunch at seafood restaurant = IDR 350,000.00 for 5 persons
Nos vemos,
Kirei
