The final installment of our Bintan vacation comes on...
We explored options to head out of the resort and the only way out was by
taxi or rental car. There was no free or paid shuttle bus
service to bring you out. Pasar Oleh Oleh, a little shopping village
which I googled to be nearby has closed down.
Instead, a
new 'mall' standing nearby is Plaza Lagoi, about a 15 minutes drive
from the resort. But don't expect much if you're visiting anytime soon.
It opened its doors early this year with only a few shops up and
running. A touristy attraction, so not any much cheap deals in there.
Plaza Lagoi |
We were firmed about getting out of the resort since no other activities appealed to us. We opted to rent a car out for 8 hours. Their rate goes bi-hourly. We were initially skeptical about car rental as none of us knew the roads, no GPS and no idea of how traffic would be like. Worries uncalled, we found that their rental car comes with a driver. 8 hours, a 7-seater car and a driver at $120. We paid and zoomed off. Quite fast and furious with our assigned driver.
After
a touch and go at Plaza Lagoi, we requested to roam the heart of
Bintan, Tanjung Pinang. About a 90 minutes from the resort. Along the
way, our driver did a short stopover at a temple, Vihara
Avalokitesvara Graha. I stayed in the car as Js were sleeping, while the
rest stepped out for some sightseeing.
Place of worship |
We
continued our journey to Tanjung Pinang after a short stop. City where
we caught glimpses of the local bustling life. If shopping is on your
mind, this place unlikely to please you. Or perhaps, my shopping mode
wasn't on. Prices were cheaper and there was quite a large number of
Chinese population. So yeap, some shop owners can communicate in
Mandarin.
We
did some street walking and whacked food from the street stalls. Went
for the hot food just to be sure our tummies could handle them. We tried some peanut pancake which was surprisingly delicious.
Seemed to have defined the taste of simplicity and authenticity. $0.40
per piece. Only.
Fruits, peanut pancake etc |
We
stopped by another stall that sells fried finger food. Oh yes, spotted
goreng pisang (Fried banana fritter). Hot and cripsy! $0.30 per 3 pieces.
It's been such a long time I last ate it in Singapore. Nowhere quite
seen now.
Food galore |
Life
there may be a little backward, looking like the days of 1950s or 60s.
Simple and delightful, with nothing fanciful or luxurious. I tried
defining simple joy to Js while walking down the streets. It was an eye
opener for us, as travelling has always been modern and beautifully
exciting for us. The World for exploration is endlessly huge.
We
strolled for about an hour before meeting up with our driver again.
Though the setting up of night food stalls were almost visible, we
decided to move off with our initial plan of kelong seafood dinner.
Before moving off, our driver asked if we were keen in batik clothes.
Looking at some spare time left to dinner, we agreed. We were brought to
the nearby, Tanjung Pinang mall to shop. You might enjoy some shopping
in this 2 storey mall. We didn't explore much as the first storey caught
most of our time. Js got shoes, while I bought slippers. Bata seems
cheaper in there.
There were also fast food, supermarket and some kids entertainment in the mall.
Batik section at Tanjung Pinang mall |
We were genuinely ready for dinner
after some slight shopping. The tummy calls and off to kelong we go! But then, though I had a
kelong in mind, we were counter offered another by the driver. Aah, it
flashed my mind that he might benefit from bringing some customers
there. Oh well, we are always kind and sometimes, obliging. We found he could get his meal free at the kelong he recommended, when we asked him to join us for dinner.
Fresh seafood |
After about 30 minutes drive, we landed at Ciu Yong Seafood. We had much reservation about the restaurant, we doubted much on price and transparency. It was also empty and quiet at our time of arrival. Arriving after the sun set didn't help, its surrounding was near pitch dark. Nonetheless, we were hungry and needed food.
The food tasted pretty average with a few excellent dishes. Seafood is undoubtedly fresh as it came straight from the water. We had some good fresh prawns and a Garoupa fish which was a little over steamed, else it would be perfect. We ordered huge cockles with sambal (their sambal is spicily awesome), but a pity it was overcooked.
Top left to right: welcome coconut, squid, hot plate tofu. Bottom left to right: Cereal prawns, huge cockles, Garoupa |
Total bill |
Perhaps, it might be more comforting to visit when the sun is still beaming. I'm sure it has quite a spectacular view around it.
The meal filled us and summed up our day. We were brought to one final stop near our resort to get layers cakes, or kueh lapis. Not a regret, because they were so good! We bought the original and coffee layers, which I heart the coffee flavour very much. A unique taste indeed. Other local products like luwak coffee can be found there too.
So yeap, our adventure ended that night. And we were all ready for check out the next day.
Bintan layers cake
Address:
Shop house of kota sebong block 907 No.2 (near Pujasera Lagoi)
Lagoi - Bintan resort
Email: bintanlayercakes@gmail.com
Previous post on Bintan Lagoon:
Bintan Lagoon Resort - Villa Stay
Bintan Lagoon Resort - Exploring with kids
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