Tanjung Pinang

With 1 day off in the middle of weekend and Deepavali Holiday, we have a long weekend. With my dear travel to nearby island to have see see look look. Bintan Island is part of Indonesia and it located at South-Eastern part of Singapore across the Singapore Strait. It is a perfect location for a short vacation for Singaporean.

The hot spot of the island for tourist they are Northern part of island - Bintan Resorts. It has various resorts and sea activities to explore. Another hot spot is managed by Bintan Agro Group, it located at Eastern part of island. The scale is smaller compare to Bintan Resorts but it is good enough for a long weekend getaway. For both of us, we always prefer to have different experience, so we decided to stay and explore Bintan Island capital - Tanjung Pinang. It is a small town and people say the building and infrastructure bring you back to the 60s of Singapore. Street hawkers everywhere, narrow streets, building dated back to 30s to 70s, not a bad place to explore.

From Singapore travel to Tanjung Pinang, you have to go to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, a terminal near to Changi Airport. You have 2 ferry operators to choose. They are Sindo Ferry and Majestic Fast Ferry. It is advisable to pre book with them so you won't stuck at terminal or some time especially public holiday, they can be fully booked for the whole day then you may end up need to return back to home instead of getaway.

We chose Sindo Ferry, a 2 ways ferry ticket cost us S$50/person. Over there in Tanjung Pinang, you can let the hotel front desk to help you do booking for return trip. It cost us Rupiah (Rp) 30,000/person including service fee for the hotel's helper. Also you have to pay entry fee Rp 13,000/person when you enter to Tanjung Pinang Ferry Terminal. (as of 10/Nov/2015, the exchange rate of Rp is S$1 = Rp 9578)
The ferry takes approximate 1 hour & 40 minutes to arrive Tanjung Pinang.

We stayed at Hotel Laguna, walking distance from the Tanjung Pianag Ferry Terminal. However, hotel does provide pick up service, just call them in advance and tell them your arrival time.

Sindo Ferry

Tanjung Pinang Ferry Terminal

Basic Hotel

Hotel Laguna is a basic hotel. For convenience, so we decided to stay here. Because the hotel located at the down town, all old building, eateries, shopping all in walking distance. If you want better hotel and do not mind take taxi to town, you can consider Aston Hotel and Bintan Nirwana Hotel. For Hotel Laguna, as it is located near to mosque, you will hear mosque prayer call early morning. Of course if you are heavy sleeper, then this does not bother you. 

Let's have a look on Tanjung Pinang town.

Colourful Mosque

 Sunset

Another colourful mosque.

Besides taxi, you can consider to take such public transport. They have fix route like buses in Singapore. Just ask the hotel front desk, they are happy to help you how to take such small van.

To travel to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal:
Alight at either Bedok or Tanah Merah MRT Station and take SBS Service number 35 to the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.

Sindo Ferry Cost:
Ticket S$50/person
Booking and surcharge in Indonesia Rp 30,000
Terminal entry fee Rp13,000

Hotel Laguna address and cost:
Jalan Bintan No. 51, Tanjung Pinang - Riau 29111
Phone no. +62 (0) 771 311 555
Superior Room Rp 423,500