By. Simon Marcus Gower , Contributor , Bintan | Tue, 11/18/2008 12:37 PM | Potpourri
Quiet and calm alcoves on Bintan Island, Riau Islands province, are pleasant places for leisurely swims in the sea. (JP/Simon Marcus Gower)
Bintan is relatively unknown, but perhaps this is why it is a place of such great surprises.
"This is just like being in Bali, only much quieter," said a visitor, referring to the picturesque beaches he's spot on.
But in some important ways, Bintan is quite different.
For one thing, Bintan -- a resort island in Riau Islands province -- is a relative unknown next to its internationally acclaimed counterpart.
But Bintan certainly is an international locale. It may be an island in Indonesia but many of its visitors come from or via Singapore.
This is reflected in the fact that most things are priced in Singaporean dollars, which in turn makes the island relatively expensive compared to others in Indonesia.
Bintan sits between Borneo and the Malaysian peninsular, just two islands or 40 minutes east of Singapore.
But Bintan is much larger than its city-state neighbor, however less developed. Save the string of resorts, which has sprung up on its northern shores, the island remains largely untouched.
Many visitors to Bintan arrive by boat, as "island hoppers", effectively served by a port that brings a procession of ferries from the surrounding islands daily. At this port, a veritable convoy of buses awaits to whisk visitors away to their respective resorts.
The road to the resorts is surrounded by thick greenery; there is little or no sign of human habitation here and at times it feels as though the forests' undergrowth is about to engulf the roadway.
It is only as the buses turn on up the long driveways leading to the resorts that some signs of life begin to show.
Reaching the northern shore, the dense greenery parts to reveal the manicured environs of not one, but four golf courses.
Getting of the bus, the first sounds one hears is the whir of lawn mowers, tending to the greens. Drivers busily buzz around and over the greens and fairways as attendants carefully rake the white sands of the bunkers.
Golf then, is perhaps the most prominent pastime at the resorts of Bintan, but there are plenty of other options for those not fond of the fairway.
Archery facilities, all terrain vehicles for a slog through the jungle, go carts, a paintball arena and "laser quest" zones can all be found along the shore.
In addition to these land-based activities there is, not surprisingly, a range of water activities to be enjoyed.
From windsurfing, jet skis and banana boats to kayaks diving and fishing from a traditional sampan, the waters surrounding Bintan offer something for everyone.
It is possible, therefore, to be highly active in Bintan. But those looking to take it easy also have many options.
Bintan's north shore has long and mostly empty beaches that allow for peaceful walks on simply lying on the sand next to the tranquil water, absorbing some warm rays.
The surf here is gentle and limited, the waters are calm and practically lagoon-like. Dotted along the shore are pleasant little coves offering seclusion in which to take a dip.
This is perhaps the best thing about Bintan -- it is quiet and restful. Thanks to the fact that it does not have the prominence and notoriety of a place like Bali, it is possible to be free of crowds here.
The resort hotels that have been developed here are really quite large and can accommodate very large numbers of tourists.
From the usual centralized hotel with swimming pool and restaurant to beach front villas, the range of accommodation offered is quite diverse.
All of this accommodation spreads out over a large area, so there is no feeling of congestion and/or over-development as there can be in places like Bali.
Many of the resorts exist as entities unto themselves. They are in effect bases for holiday-makers for which there is no need to stray.
Should you, however, crave a taste of the island beyond the resort compound, there are a few locations, worth checking out.
A nearby elephant park allows visitors the chance to ride a real-life Sumatran elephant.
For a peek of the local culture visit the village of Sri Bintan Kampung, where age old crafts and traditions may be observed. The more adventurous and physical fit can trek up Gunung Bintan, the highest point on the island.
Shopping is also on the agenda, at Pasar Oleh-Oleh, where dozens of shops huddled together cater to the tourist market. Perhaps disappointingly though, much of what is on sale here could be found in Jakarta or Bali -- in other words, it is very touristy.
But souvenirs are secondary and hardly necessary. What the visitor will take away from Bintan and its resorts is a relaxing and refreshing experience.
Bintan may not be so famous as Bali but it is well worth a visit, the body and mind will thank you.
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