1 Degree North: December 2012

While we're sneaking up on Christmas 2012, I realize I've got to slow down and enjoy the season. This happens every year, but this year it's a bit different. First off, I'm enjoying a new job, but I had to stop after 1.5 weeks on the job to go on my Christmas vacation ( planned long before I was employed). I've been back now four days and it seems like months ago I was lazing by the Club Med pool in Bintan.
Reversing.....Hubby decided he wanted to be around the office over the Holiday season (someone has to man the ship) so he volunteered. (Some people never learn) I said "great, but I want to go somewhere for Christmas". We then compromised on an early get away...but somewhere easy to get to...Bintan. Bintan is just under an hour by ferry, across Singapore Straits in Indonesia. Vastly different from Batam, since this island was developed solely for Singaporean holiday get aways. Not only is it newer, but highly planned out. The ferry terminal is modern and efficient (helped buying the Emerald Class ticket for fist off the boat rights) and so we were soon on our way to Club Med. Hubby had not done an all inclusive resort before, so I was watching to see how he adapted ( turns out fine. He's getting better at dropping his troubles at the door). He had booked 5days four nights so we had nothing to do by rot. Ahhhh.

Waiting for the ferry

I have to say I was impressed with Club Med. I've done the all inclusive with the Girls in the Caribbean, but this was more personal service oriented. The bar tenders knew what drinks we wanted. The staff sat with us at lunch and chatted (perhaps too friendly) and they always greeted us when we passed. While the resort was not as large as the one's I stayed at in the Caribbean, it was lovely and big enough for our needs,

our room


view from the balcony

corner seating area

view from one of the panoramic bar

massive king bed

mid day beach

The private beach was virtually empty. They said it was because it was Monsoon season, but they also said they almost full. I'm not sure where all the people were, but it was not on the beach! Unlike the trips to the Caribbean, where we had to get up at 5am to mark out our beach chairs, there were ample spaces available to us.

random couple

early morning stroll site

the beach from the Terrace Restaurant

beach bar nearing dusk

midday beach

"Ah but what about the food" I hear you say.... Uhhh. food any time from 7am to 11pm. Not the largest resort so there's not the 24 buffet, but seriously, do you need that?? The food was lovely. Breakfast had a western area, Chinese, Japanese and Korean areas, all catering to the clientele. The lunches had a similar idea but always offered a great salad area too. There were daily themes like Cucumber one day. Or low GI food the next. A monitor told you what was the daily special and on offer tomorrow. When lunched closed down at 2pm, the outdoor terrace opened with "snack" until the buffet opened in the evening. We opted to eat our dinners at the Terrace restaurant each night ( since we buffeted it for breakfast and lunch). What a lovely view. Yes it rained every afternoon, but we dines alfresco under the covering.

the sole buffet onsite, but huge

part of the salad area

some of the hot meals

Chinese corner

Terrace Restaurant

salad from the salad bar

just some sampling of the food

pistachio dessert

teriyaki chicken

We also took advantage of the on site spa. Had two massages during the week. Oh so good. And these were no measly back rubs either. 90 minutes one day then 90minutes with an addition 30 foot massage the next . If only every day could be this nice. But then I guess it wouldn't be special, just an everyday occurrence. Hey, I'm thankful for this week. It was totally awesome and Hubby did a fantastic job arranging it.
The following is just some sights from around the resort. Enjoy. Feel the relaxation begin...Oooommm.