Just an hour away via ferry, Bintan is a convenient getaway.

Aroma Spa, offers the full spa amendities for us to melt away. The spa is great and in a setting that you can just destress. After spa, Pasar Oleh Oleh and Kampong Lagoi offers a wide range of eateries to choose from. Also shops to pick up some local souverniers.

Another spa that I really enjoyed is one set in nature and back to basic.
River Spa is set in the original Mangrove and about 1 hour away from Bintan. Once you hit the road, the ride is really scenic and you have reached before you knew it. The spa huts are simple but with privacy. The spa is a simple body scrub and the massage is really good. After the spa, we took a boat ride down the mangrove swamp to our lunch location. Lunch is simple but bet it it very tasty. On return, we stop over at Trikora Beach. The white sand n beach in the photos are no photoshop effect.  Simple day away, fill with nature and full relaxation.

Check out the details at http://www.jatravel.com.sg/indonesia/bintan_SpadaytripWD.html

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Very fast, very prompt in follow up for our batam trip. Provided me with excellent service for my pending redang trip.

I have and will continue to recommend your services to my friends in the forums and family should they need to travel.

Keep up the great work!

These bridges make a spectacular contrast of modern engineering against a rural backdrop linking Batam to the southern islands of Rempang and Galang. The Barelang bridges have become an icon in Batam (the name is an abbreviation from Batam, Rempang, and Galang) & riding them makes one feel … well … “On top of the world”!

The Ride

The start/end is the Barelang bridge itself. The spectacular views along the way makes the 55km route (one way) feel short if one wants to soak in the scenes. For the super “kilat” athlete who relishes the challenge, conquering the rolling hills, cross & head winds; man-machine against the terrain, the challenge is too mouth watering to resist.

Unlike riding in forever congested Singapore at any time of day, the island ride is smooth with hardly any traffic & excellent road condition. Brakes were hardly used & is only required for the photo shoots & watermelon breaks.

The excellent mobile service support provided, made both the recreational & avid cyclist feel shiok! Lots of hydration, & we even get water supply while on the move ala Tour de France! We got to ride as fast as humanly possible or as hard as our legs can take us! After all, no one gets left behind with the support vehicle always in sight.

The Turn

The u-turn point is the sleepy ex Vietnamese refugee camp at Galang. While letting the sore thighs recover, we took to the sights of the village, boats & amneties used by the “boat people”.

After replenishing the loss fluids with the super cold Pocari & watermelon, we head back for the return leg. The ride seems easier especially with the cloudy skies. Drafting(cycling term for group aerodynamic riding formation) as much as possible do help in conserving energy but the ride becomes less of a challenge. The sight of the first bridge(our start/end point) on the return leg is simply spectacular & a sight for sore eyes.

Post ride

The seafood at newly opened Harbour Bay never tasted better. Nice pubs there too with rather corny names like 911 Café, & G-spot. Hmmm …

Retiring at Harris hotel is even more pleasant with the all inclusive package. Exchanging banter about the day’s event over the free flowing drinks till late, makes the hard work all more rewarding. The traditional massage slotted in the morning chased the fatigue away & we were fresh when he head back to Singapore albeit a bit sore around the legs.

It seems that all who went had some “unfinished” business in Barelang as the conversation centered around “when I return here, I’m gonna do things better, this way or another …”!

Statistics

Total U-turn distance from Barelang bridge – 110km

* Longer distance of 160km can be arranged but the ride starts from town.

Decent completion time – 4 hrs 30 min

Kilat athlete time – 4hrs

Happy-happy photo taking time – 5 hrs 40 min …. No pressure, no complains.

In a nutshell, one need NOT be a great athlete to do it. Anyone physically fit and knows how to ride a bicycle can do it. Having the right bicycle(not the market bike extremes) or rather road bikes does the trick. Knowing how to operate it will bring you all the miles. The Barelang bridges offer a great experience. WOW to the view.  Ride to your limit.  Feel the satisfaction after the trip. What next? Seafood & massage!!

CHECK out the hassle free package : BATAM Cycling Adventure

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Some highlight of the trip:
For the Chinese – Senggarang Island
There is an old temple there. Unique. The Banyan tree (abt 300yrs old) actually forms the structure of the temple. See it to understand. But 4D lovers, see if u can get your inspiration. The group of us did!! Hope can Strike!!!

The other is Penyengat Island . I like this island. We took a boat over. A peaceful village. But sit the Sultan’s mosque – the Mesjid Raya Sultan Riau of Penyengat. Also in the mosque, there is a 200yrs old Quaran, very well preserved and delicate artpiece.

Don’t miss the seaside resorts. Abt 1 hour drive away from town, there are a few resorts by the seaside. Mostly kelong style, accomodation on slits! For some, they are actually built in the midst of the sea!… Basic accommodation but a good getaway from city. We really have fun star glazing.

For those keen on shopping, only one mall… Ramayana Mall - the biggest there. Not a location for shopping so don’t bet on it.

This place is basic, n good for those who is keen to go back to our past. But definitely a place to slow down!

Check out our offers for Tanjong Pinang

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Jazz Musician – be at the International ASEAN Jazz Festival 2009 event on 7 Aug!! It will be held at Costarina, Batam,  a strategic coast developed as a new entertainment and tourist venue.  It is only 1 hour by ferry from Singapore, so near and convenient.

This event has attracted many young talented artist and musicians in this region, especially in South East Asia.  The festival begins performance from Mangrove Group, one of Batam’s jazz community and  many Indonesian top artist is expected to perform on this event, such as Ran, Notturno, Tohpati, Sektsa, Devian, Baim Trio, Imel Rosalin and Arina Mocca, Alien Loves Earth (Baron, Soulmates-Krisna’Ada band’- Budhi ‘Tiket’- Rindra ‘Padi’). While for ASEAN artist such as Lewis Pragasam trio (from Malaysia), Aya Yuson (from Philippines), Tze (from Singapore), and The Intersect 3+1 (Thailand).

DON’T MISS OUT !! We have a special package for the Jazz Festive!! Book it now at http://www.ja-travel.com/indonesia/batam_aseanjazzfestival.html

Event details : www.aseanjazzfestival.com

Kampeong Kami Spa

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Mustika Ratu Spa

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Tropikal Spa

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Wins Spa

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Spa in Planet Holiday Hotel

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Since we went with empty stomachs, the visit to Authentic Baker’s Centre prove to be essential as we got to sample the delicious kek lapis that are neatly arranged, accompanied by freshly brewed coffee and tea. We also managed to take a glimpse of the baking of kek lapis.

Next, we drop some of our friends at the Kampeong Kami Spa, where the spa cost relatively cheaper. (Basically, most of the things in batam are much cheaper)

Kampeong Kami Spa

We took a trip to Nongsa area where resorts like Batam View and Turi Beach are situated. The scenery at Turi Beach is overwhelming. The crystal clear water and the kampeong-like architectural design makes it an ideal location for a short relaxing getaway. Unfortunately, we do not have the opportunity to stay over there, but I will not hesitate to give Turi Beach a try.

We got the opportunity to visit one of the orphanages in Batam. However we did not get to interact with them as the kids are in school. (Even on Saturdays) So Singaporeans shouldn’t complain so much…

Our stomachs were growling by then and we were introduced to this Java restaurant, IKAN GORENG CIANJUR, which serves excellent food. Batam was pretty hot on that day, and I was looking for some cold desert to quench my thirst. For those who are also looking for a chilling desert in the hot and humid weather, do not give es gunung a miss- the restaurant is famous for the desert. ^^

After the fulfilling lunch, we took a 45-min ride to visit the Barelang Filsabillah Bridges. There are six spectacular bridges linking the tiny island of Tonton Nipah to the larger Setoko, Rempang, Galang, and Galang Baru Islands. At a height of 38 meters, and spanning 642 meters in length, the first bridge connecting Batam to Tonton Island is truly impressive. Thereafter, proceed to Galang Island , on which you will find the Ngha Trang Memorial Wall in tribute to the boat people of Vietnam , and Galang Museum. It was extremely windy and our hairs were blown in all directions. ):

Thereafter, we stopover at Nagoya Hill for a shopping spee. Nagoya Hill has megamart and a great variety of products. Branches of distingished chian-restaurants such as KFC, A&W and Pizza Hut can found. We also dropped by the local POLO shop where POLO merchandises can be bought at discounted price. As typical Singaporeans, it is impossible for us to resist this offer. [:

We had our dinner at this open-air restaurant(Fortunately the weather permit us to do so) which is located near a jetty. The sunset was gorgeous and the seafood dinner was fabulous and at a reasonable price.

After the satisfying dinner, we proceed to Holiday Inn to rest after an exhausted day.