Fifty-five minutes was all it took us get to Bintan, Indonesia from Singapore via a high-speed catamaran. For my vivacious sisters and I, it was the longest 55 minutes of our lives en route to our desire to discover our own paradise. That particular afternoon, the sea was very rough, the wind was howling. The camphor we rubbed on our temples just didn’t do the trick to relieve us of nausea. Groggy and dizzy, we disembarked from the boat. Little did we know that the travails of our earlier sailing experience were just a trial for something truly marvelous that awaited us: Bintan Lagoon Resort.
Sparkling azure waters, gently swaying palm trees that dance to the humming of the wind, sugar-fine white sands and warm personable service complete the postcard-perfect picture of this idyllic haven. Set among 300 hectares of beachfront gardens, this deluxe resort offers a myriad of choice as it overlooks the South China Sea and archipelago of the Riau Islands. We were welcomed by gracious Tia Avesha, public relations manager of Bintan Lagoon. It was truly a celebration of the good life as we clinked our welcome drinks  ice-cold virgin piña coladas  and watched the sunset. We couldn’t have chosen a more suitable Eden to spend my birthday.
From the ferry terminal, we were chauffeured through one of the world’s oldest and busiest maritime trading routes, characterized by long sandy beaches fringed by coconut fronds and kelongs  odd-looking wooden structures on the water that are actually fish traps. Reminiscent of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, the sensation of wallowing in a hammock or going fishing aided by a luminous full moon seems like a perfect proposition.
Upon entering the magnificent seaside façade of the Bintan Lagoon Resort, the contemporary Asian-influenced architecture and design emanated a very positive aura where ancient culture mingles with modern sensibilities. Our exquisite floral suite exuded romantic nirvana with a fantastic four-poster bed swathed with diaphanous silk, marbled bathroom and a Jacuzzi spa bath overlooking the private sun deck. You must try the Swargaloka Suite (the word means "heavenly world" and the abode of the greatest God in Hindu philosophy).
Bintan Island or Negeri Segantang Lada, an island of 1,866 square kilometers in the Riau Islands province of Indonesia, is noted for its 105 kilometers of white pristine beaches. It is the largest of 3,200 islands in the Riau Archipelago. It is 48 kilometers from Singapore and can only be reached via a catamaran from the Lion City’s Tanah Merah ferry terminal. The capital of Bintan is the southwestern city of Tanjung Pinang.
According to Travel Partners, Bintan and the Riau Islands are the birthplace of Bahasa Indonesia. Both occupy a special place in Indonesian history as these are the places where Sultan Mahmud fled after the Sultanate of Malacca fell to Portuguese forces in 1511 and rebuilt his kingdom. The Portuguese eventually overwhelmed the stronghold in 1526. In later years, Bintan was able to move forward eventually becoming the capital of the Sultanate of Johor thus possessing considerable political and cultural power from the 17th to the 19th century. The island played a central role in Malay culture.
Unlike neighboring and once-wild and deserted Batam Island, which became an industrial hinterland for Singapore and a special zone for international industrial companies, Bintan was not transformed into an industrial park but instead became a tourist haven known for, among other things, a wide variety of water sports, golf and leisure.
Almost twice the size of Singapore, Bintan Island, regarded as the tropical jewel of the Riau Archipelago, offers resorts that are set amid beautiful landscaped gardens surrounded by one of the most beautiful 18 kilometers of pristine white beaches with rich marine life. It is said that luxury and privacy are a priority, and the resorts are designed precisely to enhance your experience of this exotic destination.
At Bintan Lagoon, we explored the two fabulous 18-hole golf courses (Jack Nicklaus Seaview and Ian Baker-Finch Woodlands); two swimming pools; the Alang Alang Sea Sports Center; a variety of water sports (excluding windsurfing); 11 restaurants, bars and cafes serving a wide range of dishes from Japanese to Mediterranean cuisine prepared by a brigade of international chefs; 473 spacious deluxe rooms, suites and villas; a roofed golf driving and archery range.
Complementing the deluxe accommodation is an impressive array of dining options. One can choose from casual al fresco dining, sumptuous buffets, cocktails by the pool, surf and turf beach BBQ, Mediterranean cuisine or authentic Japanese. The resort also offers live evening entertainment and karaoke bars, relaxed lounges and a sophisticated nightclub, Silk, that features a live band.
At Kopi-O, one can feast on authentic Asian and Western specialties created with the freshest seasonal ingredients. Overlooking a cascading pool and waterfall, the restaurant offers buffet and à la carte all-day dining.
The Nelayan Grill features freshly caught local delicacies such as snapper, prawns, grouper and even US prime grade sirloin steak barbecued to perfection. The Orzo restaurant offers mouthwatering Mediterranean delights, from traditional favorites such as wood-fired pizzas and pasta to contemporary southern European dishes, while the Miyako Japanese Restaurant serves authentic Japanese cuisine such as sashimi, donmono, tempura and teppanyaki.
The market at Tanjong Pinang is a must-see with its makeshift stalls piled high with fresh produce from the sea. Another excellent place to visit is Pasar Oleh-Oleh, a cluster of Indonesian-style huts, which offers almost everything Indonesian from fried and dried foodstuff, tasty kueh lapis (spongy and sweet square-shaped Indonesian cake), batik, scents, knick knacks such as intricate wood carvings, the angklung (bamboo piped musical instrument), exotic kites and tribal art pieces.
After a frenzied day of shopping, dining and simply exploring the wonders of Bintan Island, the day ought to be capped by a visit to Taman Sari Royal Heritage at Bintan Lagoon Resort. My sisters and I enjoyed the luxury of soothing massages, reinvigorating the skin with herbal and volcanic scrubs, pampering ourselves with facial, hand and foot therapies.
The Javanese Lulur was a heavenly treat. As I lay face down on a white linen bed with an opening for the head, a bowl of brightly colored flowers met my sight. Scents of citrus blended oils wafted up as the aromatheraphy burner was lit complemented by gentle traditional music that filled the air.
Lulur begins with a Balinese massage followed by exfoliation with powdered turmeric, pandan wangi leaves, rice powder, almonds and spices. Subsequently, fresh yogurt is applied lavishly before relaxing in a soothing flower bath of red rose petals, ylang-ylang herbal bath salts and vanilla milk.
My sister Michelle enjoyed the sublime sensation of the prameswari massage by two therapists working together to create a sense of balance and sheer luxurious relaxation, while Jaqui chose the papaya body polish scrub  the sublime polish of papaya, seashells and vitamins used to exfoliate and create soft luxurious skin. Truly, it was a balm for our senses.
Bintan will continue to beckon. The exotic culture and natural beauty entice us to keep returning to this sanctuary of the gods. Here, our hearts and souls became one. We all the more realized that the family that travels together, shines together.