Bintan - Going with the Flow -

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I really don't have slightest idea how I'm going to be able to describe these previous days in Bintan Island, so overwhelming experience that was. We were looking for a true getaway, and that's what we got, indeed.

Bintan Island is part of the Riau Islands province of Indonesia and is located less than 40 kilometers from Singapore. We took a ferry to going there, and instead of other travellers who stayed in Bintan Resort's area, we were looking for Bintan's best kept secret. With a taxi, it took almost one hour to reach Mutiara beach guesthouse located on island's east coast, where the Bintan's best beach Trikora, was said to be. When arriving there the staff members came to greet us with friendliness, from the beginning it came clear this was totally different place compared to the others I have been, more genuine and more natural with home dog Toby and just couple other tourists.

Afterwards it is easy to say this was one of the best places and accommodations I have ever been. Complitely being eco-friendly rustic village style longhouse, large daybed on the verandah, with great view onto the coconut plantation and shared facilities we were middle of the true fantasy. There were also three traditional lifestyle bungalows for couples or families but we were happy to have that little bit modest one. That peace, quietness, fresh air, coconut plantations and mangrove forests. Breathtaking.

" Kill nothing but time, take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints " - was our motto during those days without cell phones (they were not working), internet, tv, or any electronic devices. And guess what, I was not missing them at all.

There were almost no other tourists, maybe because of the long way from the ferry terminal. But actually they had even arranged transport from the Bintan Resorts ferry terminal to the guesthouse and vice versa. Our faces went blank when we saw us to be waited there in the terminal. Really kind thing for the guesthouse's staff to do. When we were walking on the beach we saw local people living there, children playing and men fishing. Everything was coming straight from the nature, also the great home cooked food.

The Kelong floating eco-bungalow anchored in the bay in front of our beach were one remarkable thing to see. Unfortunately they were only open from early April till end of October, so the very next time I know where I will go to see breathtaking sunsets and sunrises. This time I was having also wordless experience when I saw that nightsky with the stars. They were so close even to touch. So near and yet so far.

Last but not least I want to add some comments along our trip, the so called best parts. I'm so sorry they are in Finnish, but I just can't find the way to translate them in English without loosing their meanings.

"Mieletöntä, siis ihan mieletöntä, ja siis täällä ei ole turisteja, mikä on siis ihan mielettömintä!"
"Eikö tää ollukaan suihkumyssy...? (puhuttaessa annetuista kertakäyttö alushousuista ennen hierontaan menoa)"
"FULL-body massage syöpäseulonnalla. -Tulipahan testattua sekin, miten kiinnostunut onkaan naisista."
"Tiedätkö mä osaan röyhtäistä sun nimen, haluatko kuulla?" (Toi oli Anniina😊
"Siis täällä on kolme huonetta tässä mökissä, ja meidän huonenaapurit on meidän naapurit Singaporen Little Indiasta. Tajuatko?"

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