Since it was a last-minute booking, our travel agent said that most of the resorts are fully-booked already. She recommended the Beach Club inside Nirwana but she told us not to expect too much since it only had basic accommodation and nothing fancy. I told her I'd discuss with my husband first. Hubby and I decided to just go for it since all we wanted was to get away from Singapore even just for a few days. But when I called back the travel agent, the beach club was full already. Fortunately, she was able to find a spot for us at Mayang Sari (in Nirwana also), but at a higher price. It was ok with us and we when we got to Mayang Sari, we were so happy with our decision because we really liked the place. It was spacious, clean, private, beautiful and quiet.
Mayang Sari is located inside Nirwana Gardens. Inside Nirwana are: Nirwana Resort Hotel, Mayang Sari Beach Resort, Nirwana Beach Club, Banyu Biru Villas, and Indra Maya Villas.
The cottage was beautiful, clean and maluwag. It had that endearing "parang probinsya" scent. Aircon was functioning properly. Everything was provided--from toothbrush to incense to insect repellants. Even though we were not able to get one of the Sea View cottages, ok pa rin cuz it was still very near the beach. Food in the hotel and restau was so-so. But we were not able to try the other restaus, I think they serve good food there naman. Staff were all friendly--very typical Indonesians--always ready to smile and have small chats.
I'd say I can recommend Mayang Sari to you guys who want a quick getaway from Singapore. Thinking of going to Bintan? Try Mayang Sari. Click here to view more of the pics we took of Mayang Sari.
Everything went great on this trip. That's what's nice about getting travel packages, because everything has been arranged for you already. I guess the only thing that I can complain about was that we waited more than 30 minutes for the shuttle bus (transfer from Bintan ferry terminal to Nirwana) to leave. But even that wasn't so bad. Everything just fell into place--even my period stopped earlier than expected.
It was like God telling us, "Okay, you two have been working pretty hard this past two years so let me give you a perfect holiday."
So what did we do on this vacay? Nothing. As in nothing. Okay, there was something that we did--we took photos heheh. Of course, our baby Nikki was with us and it scared the sh*t out of me when hubby said that he thinks an insect was in the lens. Click here to see more of these random shots.
We left Singapore at 5pm via Bintan Resort Ferries at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and we arrived in Singapore on Sunday evening. The downside of travelling as a couple is no one would be there to take (decent) photos of the two of you. Hehehe. The great thing about travelling as a couple is you can do whatever you want without thinking about other people.
Indonesia is an hour behind Singapore so we were "added" one hour when we got to Bintan. We had dinner in Mayang Sari on Friday night, and chilled out at the beach and our cottage afterwards. Then had buffet breakfast. Swam and swam and swam some more. If it was time for me to get out of the water, I was just lying there reading Kramer vs Kramer (I'm now in my books-turned-into-movies phase).
For Saturday's lunch we went to Pasar Oleh Oleh. I didn't really like it. I felt it was too touristy. A bit staged and not authentic. But food was cheap, so that makes the place okay after all. Ahh basta, I don't like the place, it looked depressing. I don't like to see shops kasi na parang walang bumibili, nadedepress akoh!!!
After Saturday's lunch at Cafe Helo Helo, we went back to our cottage to relax a bit. Then we went to the main hotel of Nirwana. It was too crowded and noisy for our taste (haha ang tanda na namen). It had this busy atmosphere that I felt I was back in the city again. It was probably because KPMG employees were having their teambuilding or something so there were so many people there.
For Saturday's dinner, we had room service na lang. We wanted to relax in our cottage's balcony before heading to the beach for an evening stroll. And believe it or not, we were in bed by 10.30pm! I was snoring before it even hit 11pm!!! Vice and the housemates were calling us at 11.30pm to check on us, but we didn't even answer because we were in deep sleep na. We really had a good rest.
The whole of Sunday morning was spent swimming in the clear waters of Mayang Sari. After the breakfast buffet, we headed straight to our spot in the beach, set up our towels and stuff and dove in! By 10.30am, Jun had to shout out at me to get out of the water because I was starting to look like a roasted pig. Mang Tomas na lang ang kulang.
We had to check out by 12noon even though our ferry back to Singapore is still at 3pm. So after checking out, we rented a buggy and drove around the island resort. After that, we had drinks and merienda at the bar near the beach.
Click here to see pics of us na nagtatampisaw sa tubig. heheh.
And before we knew it, it was time to board the shuttle bus to the ferry terminal. Back to reality na uli. Hay.
But it was a great weekend. A really great weekend with my one great love.
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