SINGING BRITISH: Idyllic Indonesia

*Warning many, many photos*

As I am sure you all gathered by the rushed and non chronological nature of my last post, I was rather excited for our weekend jaunt to Indonesia.

Now I have made a point about the perks of Singapore previously, but this is beyond amazing. The place we went to was a picturesque spot called Bintan, a mere 50 min ferry journey from the shores of Singapore, and guess what...because they are an hour behind you actually arrive before you departed- seriously there are few things in life better than gaining an hour and ten minutes on your friday night!!

Waiting for the ferry, just in time.

Nervous anticipation?

A little more keen!

Off we jetted from the Ferry terminal at 8pm, playing it big time in 'Emerald Class' I would highly recommend that anyone who does a Bintan trip from Singers does this as it means you can sort your visa on board, you get priority boarding, all the free orange and apple juice your bladder can hold, and apparently (judging by the people who retreated from the upper deck as we docked) if you go out onto the upper deck you are actually transported back into the 80s.

Why Bintan?

Well not just because 'we can' but because it is probably the most serene (apart from when they bang the gong when you arrive at the hotel- seriously) and easily accessible place from Singapore and the travel is dirt cheap and speedy. As it was our first trip away Brad VERY kindly splashed out on a beautiful hotel, a world renowned spa resort called the Banyan Tree, which made for a, not extortionately expensive weekend, but it is definitely possible to do it on a more sensible budget.

One of the main reasons for travel to Bintan is the golf. It is ball achingly (oh, pardon the pun) expensive to play golf in Singapore, so much so that it is just as cost effective to get a ferry over to Bintan, play a round, stay the night and then come back as it is to do 18 holes in the Shiny city, thus there are a LOT of golf types on board- not so much the stuffy 'too rich to do anything else' type as they can stay and play in Singapore- but more the Dad types and men on 'lads' weekends or corporate trips away, giggling gruffly over some tiger tinnies in the queue, and then having a little panic over whether or not their wives remembered to pack them pants for 2 days and sun cream for their sensitive maturing hairlines.

The Beautiful Banyan Tree

Without need to scramble for an overly exuberant adjective, the Banyan Tree was nothing short of incredible. Advertising a variety of rooms including villas on the rocks and villas on stilts, the selections is rendered irrelevant as once submerged in your own little paradise, you have absolutely no idea that there is anyone else around, until you are reintroduced to civilisation on your buggy rides to and from locations in the resort and in amongst the comforting background 'restaurant mumble' at breakfast and dinner.

We stayed in a Villa on the rocks which was beyond what I expected. the pictures on the website painted a stunning picture of sumptuous décor with traditional trimmings, however the breath taking setting a eye stretching views could only really be appreciated once there. Our room was set up above the rocks in amongst the trees, with a small gated terrace area with out own private pool/Jaccuzi with sun loungers and a table, so if you didn't want to , you didn't have to leave your villa at all.

Hopefully the pictures will give you an idea...

Welcome

bed

mosquito nets have never looked so romantic

treats from reception

our outdoor area

Brads First Meal, traditional Indonesian Nasi Goreng, fried rice with mean satay prawns and fried egg

Breakfast views

Fernando the Frog

Argh posting those pictures just brought those Monday morning blues right back. Trust me, after a mini break to a tropical island, the cold reality of facing your inbox at 8:30 on a monday morning could not be further away!

I have to be honest though, as this was Brad and I, there was obviously a bit of drama....

On the final night after getting dropped off at our room we approached the movie set stairway leading up to our villa and Brad noticed our door was ajar...this was unexpected and instantly unnerving (We've all read about honeymooners horror stories in deserted Islans villas). Being the man and taking charge Brad marched on to investigate, on closer inspection we noticed it was a gang of hotel staff. Brad told me to wait behind as he commanded an inquisition. Certain they were taking their chances and having a rummage in our room Brad proceeded forward with his authorative face, telling them all to "stay exactly where they were."

Turns out we weren't being robbed.

Nor was what came to follow Brads romantic handy work. Shame, he could have totally taken credit, lesson learnt 'Thou shan't be so hasty upon suspected robbery' as you never know when you could earn serious BF points (disclaimer. If there is an actual robbery taking place, probably best to act on it, more boyfriend ~~legal~~ credential that way)

See the actual goings on below