BINTAN ISLAND A Resort Island Rich in History

MOST VISITORS would not know it today, but Penyengat Island in the Riau Islands province was once the capital of a Malay Sultanete known as Nusantara. Many people would struggle to locate Riau, which has about 2,000 islands, but the main islands of Batam and Bintan are both located less than an hour by fast ferry south of Singapore in the South China Sea or 90 minutes by plane from Jakarta. interestingly, Bintan is two-and-a-half times bigger than Singapore so Riau is quite a significant regional island group and yet one that is not yet on everyone's travel radar.

After the fall of Melaka in 1511, the Malay regional political power switched to Penyengat Island, which was considered the center of the Johor-Riau Sultanate before the Dutch colonials split it up in 1824. Singapore was then considered part of the Sultanate.

Plans are afoot to give the striking gold and several old cannons and a green Grand Mosque on Pulau Penyengat Bintan adn the adjoining old fort heritage protection. The site is located on Pulau Penyengat just a few minutes boat ride fro mTanjung Pinang and includes a fort with several old cannons and a moat, the Sultan of Riau's Grand Mosque and other heritage buildings.

Many visitors to Bintan head to destinations such as Bintan Resorts on the northern coastline, check into one of several resorts in the special tourism zone and chill out along beautiful palm-fringed beaches. While this is a great way to relax, it is also recommended that visitors hire a vehicle adn take a trip around the island to discover its history and Indonesian culture. Be aware, though, that it is big island and you will scarcely scratch the surface in a day's journey of discovery.

Boatbuildings and Kelongs

Being and island of mostly fisherfolk, seafood is bountiful all over the island. Most visitors will be taken to a small wooden boat building yard and then to one of several kelongs (places where fishermen store their catch) at Trikora on the east coast where the rustic restaurants on stilts over the water keep fresh fish in nets below and haul it up upon request. Seafood such as fish, prawns, squid, crabs and oysters could not be any fresher and it is all very affordable. Restaurant Pantai Trikora is recommended as it offers fresh ocean-caught seafood and a breezy over-the-water ambiance.

Akau Market in Potong Lembu in the capital of Tanjung Pinang is the place to dine on delicious dishes in the open air under the stars. Most of the food is cooked fresh and includes famous dishes like oysters omelette, ikan bakar (grilled fish), nasi goreng (fried rice), ayam penyet (fried chicken) and a local favorite called gong gong (sea snails). The stalls ope nat 5 p.m. and close at midnight.

Wetland Wonderland

Parts of the Bintan coastline and rivers that flow into the ocean are lined with mangrove forests. These can be explored from the safety of small boats, which head upriver to the narrowest reaches of the overhanging forest. Long-tailed macaques and mangrove snakes lurk in the trees and it is possible to see them plus lizards, birds and some fascinating plant life along the way. Skimming fast across the water in a small boat is also an exhilarating experience, while visiting in the early evening to admire the flickering fireflies is a memorable experience.

Resort Living

There are various accommodation options in or near Tanjung Pinang adn resorts along the east coast centered on Trikora.

The finest accommodation is within the Bintan Resorts precinct in the north of the island Bintan Lagoon Resort ia a large property that stretches along a picturesque palm-lined coastline. It has an extensive selection of recreational activities and dining opportunities.

The added bonus here is that golfers can play the Jack Nicklaus Sea View adn ian Baker-Finch Woodlands courses. Both are in immaculate condition and while the landscaping is similar on both courses, they each offer different golf experiences.

The par 72 Nicklaus course of 6,420 meters has wide-open fairways, which encourage golfers to open their shoulders to get some distance on their drive ,but bunkers round the greens make approach shots challenging.

The par 72 Baker-Finch course of 6,211 metes is narrower as it weaves its way through the coastal forest ang golfers need to pay more attention to their game to stay on top of it.

Facilities at the resort and several other properties here, including Club Med and Banyan Tree, ensure Bintan's popularity with Singaporeans. Indonesian visitors can join in the fun here or the sights attractions in other parts of the island.

Travel File

Getting There

There are directy daily flights from Jakarta to Bintan Island on Sriwijaya Air. The alternatives ar to fly to neigboring Batam Island and catch a ferry across or, to fly to Singapore and catch a ferry to Bintan from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.

Where to Stay

The Bintan Resorts precinct, or Lagoi, is located on the northern side of the island. Visitors can stay in Luxury seaside accommodation such as the Bintan Lagoon Resort (www.bintanlagoon.com), which
is set in spacious landscaped grounds. It has a comprehensive range of services adn facilities. In additionto an expansive beachfront, there are many food and beverage outlets, watersports, pools and two championship golf courses. In Trikora, stay at the Trikora club and resort (www.trikorabeachclub.com) while on the outskirts of Tanjung Pinang, the Pelangi Hotel and Resort (www.pelangihotel.com) offers resort living near the main town.