The company: The husband, The folks, The in-laws
The cost: $750 per pax, including ferry and Club Med membership
On Monday morning as we trooped down to Tanah Merah MRT enroute to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, I wondered if this was the worst idea in a millennium. On Friday, as I was on a cab home from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, I decided it was fantastic and I want to be back again real soon. This time perhaps without the folks.
For the ill-informed, Club Med is an all-inclusive resort. You pay 1 price and you don't need to care about anything else anymore. All your meals and drinks are provided for. All the activities that you would ever do (except for those exclusive ones like spa and private golf lessons) are also included.
When we picked Bintan, it was more of a safe choice since it was our first Club Med experience and we wondered if it would suck. And in terms of travelling, a 55min ferry ride is hell lot better than flying to Phuket, Bali or driving up to Malaysia.
Day 1
It poured the entire morning. Even when we got to the resort, it was still pouring but the GOs' spirits were high. They led us around to show us to our rooms. Thereafter, we gathered at Santai Bar for finger food (yummy otah and satay) while waiting for lunch at Waterfall Restaurant to begin at 12pm. Tobs wasted no time and tried a cocktail. I got myself a Honey Lemon, which I grew to become addicted to over the next few days.
After lunch, the parents insisted we rest cos Tobs was running a headache. I badly wanted to do Archery at 3.30pm though but okay, husband needs rest. He napped while I did work (gasp). This is what our room looked like:
How I would describe the room: frills-free. The bed was comfortable, although it creaked like crazy. Not stunts or jumping on the bed man. The desk chair was hard and positively bad for your posture. The "TV" is better described as a computer monitor in my opinion. We hardly watched TV when we were there.
By like 4pm, I was sick of doing work. Hello, I did not take leave, pay 750 bucks to come to Bintan to do work people. So I decided to leave the husband in the room and take a walk. It was pretty serene and lovely. The beach was actually decent, although I'm not a very beachy person. Walked past a GO who invited me for Beach Volleyball. I told him not today (was not dressed) and he gave me a sad look. I told him maybe tomorrow. And he shouted back, "you're not leaving tomorrow are you? cos some people just say that to make me happy" or the like. It was quite funny. I was quite entertained by the hospitality and warmness.
At 4.30pm, I was back in the room cos the husband was due to wake up. We were going for the Zen Yoga at 5pm (hello, cannot do nothing on Day 1 pls. did not pay 750 bucks to do nothing!) and we made it to the Zen area. We laid beach towels as mats and practiced on the grass, having to deal occasionally with giant ants crawling onto the towel and not having enough length to lay completely flat, but yes, we survived.
Then it was dinner at 6.30pm. Meal times are fantastic cos it's a good buffet spread of Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean and Western cuisine with daily specials available. I grew to love their artisan breads baked by the in-house baker. It rocks. I especially heart white chocolate bread and the walnut bread. Ate tons while I was there. Then it was a quick post dinner walk about the premises to familiarise ourselves with where everything is.
Day 2
The weather rocked. We did an early morning jog up to the gym and worked out a bit before making it for breakfast at about 7ish. Then it was straight onto activities - had to make reservations at the Snorkel shack for the 10am boat trip out and got flippers and mask to practice at the pool.
When it came to the real deal, it was a good first experience snorkelling. We held hands and snorkeled everywhere together, pointing out cute and interesting creatures to each other. Spotted sea urchins, corals and all sorts of funny fishes that have no qualms about swimming right up to you. But the marine life is dying and you can see that there are quite a bit of dead corals, which we should really do something about - I cannot imagine there not being any more of these beautiful things in 10, 20 years' time.
After we came back, we washed up and then headed straight for lunch. Then it was a short break before we all gathered for Archery at 3.30pm. The instructor, Jayrate, was a total comedian. There were some annoying kids in front of us but they were soon gone. Thereafter, we had a good time of practice, including cheering each other one when we hit bulls' eye.
But after a few rounds, your arms would get tired. I also tried the larger bow that the men were using to shoot a further target but sadly, my strength wasn't sufficient. When we needed to take a break, we just adjourned to the courts where we played badminton and basketball. We really spent good time sweating it out.
Alas, dinner at La Terrasse was not quite up to standard. We had to make reservations for this early in the morning as there were limited seating available. It turned out to be a starter and a main that we could choose, coupled with a small buffet spread of fruits and dessert. Tobs didn't have enough and we went for seconds at Waterfall subsequently and made a mental note not to go for dinner at La Terrasse anymore. However, to be fair, the portion can never be compared to a buffet spread. Plus, I felt the ambience at La Terrasse is nicer, quite romantic. Couples should opt for that.
Day 3
Everyone did Yoga in the morning at the Spa with Eric. I worked up quite a bit of sweat after the sun salutations and everyone was warmed up for the day. The folks and in-laws carried on with Pilates at 10am while Tobs and I went to the Golf Practice Area for lessons. Wayan and Rod were excellent coaches, giving you individual attention and correcting your postures. Even though we only did swings and driving, I could feel a tiny ache in my lower back but was assured by Wayan that it is normal as the body is getting used to this new motion. I would highly recommend the Golf instructors. They are extremely warm and friendly, easy to talk to. We even learn of the Wayan's romantic love story - everything is possible at Club Med:)
In the afternoon, I badly wanted to have a go at the Flying Trapeze. Tobs was not doing it. Period. I also knew better than to try to convince him to, since he absolutely hates heights and does not see the point in learning circus tricks. As for me, I just wanted to try! After sitting at the side and observing others for what seemed like close to half an hour, I decided to have a go. Tobs will have a very animated description of what happened when I had my go. As for me, I am just pleased that I did it. Will I do it again? Maybe, hopefully when not so many people are watching me get kicked off (!!!).
Then it was a quick dip in the pool, where there were many other kids in our way as we tried to do laps. But it was fun. Would be better if there were an adults only pool but okay, can still make do.
Even after the swim, the husbands' ear didn't get better (he suspected water got stuck in there since the snorkeling trip) so we decided to head to the Infirmary. Dr Olivia was very kind to inform that it was definitely not water but ear wax (ewww). There was a quick irrigation procedure done to flush out the ear wax (which was huge and gross btw) and he was given ear drops to ease the inflammation. Total damage about SGD77 just for that.
After dinner, we decided to grab a drink and sit by the pool to talk about life, while waiting for the nightly performance at 8.45pm. It was quite nice and romantic, really. And the performance featured the circus team doing an array of stunts on hoop, sash and rope. The applause seemed lackluster at times though, so I felt a bit sorry for the team - I'm sure those stunts are not as easy as they seem!
Day 4
Yoga with Eric at 9am again and it was back to Golf with Wayan. We learnt the full swing today and my Dad came along as well. The amazing thing about golf is that it teaches you to be focus. Many a time, I catch myself turning my gaze to see where my ball is going but that just screws up the aiming and precision. I had to learn to stop being so full of myself and focus on the ball in front of me and stroke it. Another thing I learnt - to stroke, because whacking the ball is not efficient at all and may even be counter-productive. I'm actually beginning to like golf - it is quite a graceful sport with beautiful beginning and ending poses.
It started to pour soon after and in the afternoon, we tried to do indoor stuff as much as possible so it was Cardio at 3pm with Eric again. We managed to throw a few balls at the basketball court until they had to shoo us away for a company event. We ended up in the Squash court and learnt how to play a new sport.
The resort was also visibly more crowded as more Singaporeans poured in for the long weekend ahead. But alas the weather was not too cooperative so it resulted in massive crowds in the indoor sports area cos all the outdoor stuff was not available.
Day 5
Managed to secure a late checkout at 11am. Yoga at 9am but this time with Chelsea (from the circus team) cos its Eric's day off. Chelsea said "you're the one who found the giant lizard!" when she saw us. I guess that's our reputation now? The people who found the giant lizard with the huge tail that was in bright orange/yellow. At least I'm not "you're the one who had to be kicked off the trapeze!". Heh. We wanted to go for golf but it was full, no thanks to the flood of Singaporeans who came in and were hungry for activities.
Packed up and checked out. Chionged the last lunch where I had 4 lamb chops and 4 slices of white choc bread. Our GO, Claire, sat with us and we learnt more about her (including the fact that she's only 22!). May, the Village Chief, dropped by our table and reminded us to go for the lucky draw at 2pm. At 2pm, the Dads booked the KTV room and sneaked away while Tobs and I plus the Mums hanged around for the lucky draw. The 1st to 8th prizes were for stuff that you could use on the resort - including 60/90min spa treatment, breakfast in bed, private golf lesson, etc. And after the 1st prize was announced, I was going to leave and throw my numbers away when Tobs made me stay for the surprise draw.
The surprise draw: a 3D2N stay for 2 pax at Club Med Bintan. Woah, I thought. And told Tobs, yes, if it is God's will. May announces that the number ends with 8. I shortlist the only number that I held ending with 8. She then says it begins with 1. I think, okay.. can it be..? She then says, the Chinese like this number because it means prosper all the way. At this point, Tobs says it must be 168. So I thought ah, too bad, no game BUT May then announces my number (128) as the winning number. *screams
In utter disbelief, I went up to receive my prize. Thereafter, I was congratulated by a ton of GOs and felt really happy and blessed to have won. We all then rushed to the KTV room to announce this good news to the Dads and found them sleeping in the KTV room -____-". They woke up and shared the joy. The room got extended for another hour and they sang while Tobs and I escaped outside to use the Billard Tables.
When the time came for us to depart at 4pm, we checked out luggages and boarded the bus. May came personally to bid farewell to guests and a bunch of them lined the driveway to wave to us as we left. It was definitely heartfelt and sincere hospitality we never enjoyed elsewhere (except Japan, of course).
Needless to say, we will be back (since I won the 3D2N!). We are also looking at other resorts now that our first experience was so fantastic. Hoping to head to Phuket sometime next year. And when we are able to afford it, a villa in the water in Maldives or Mauritius. I heart Club Med!
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