by Debbie Mondon, September 2014
Welcome to Singapore! On arrival we transferred swiftly to our hotel via a short walk & the airport train to the Chiangi Plaza Airport hotel for a very comfortable night stay. The next morning we were transferred by bus to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, about 15minutes away for our launch to Bintan Island. Much like an airport check-in, we pass through Customs onto a comfortable ferry with a 50minute ride to Indonesia. On arrival you are greeted by officials, paying your US$30pp Visa fee before being met by Club Med transfers to our Club Med resort around 40minutes later.
Selamat datang Club Med!
After a warm welcome by the local staff , along with an introduction to Club Med and its facilities , we were well accommodated in our rooms. The resort is set along a beautiful, sandy , clean beach , exclusive to Club Med, and its well dotted with a number of thatched huts for reprieve from the sun, but very comfortable. The nights entertainment is certainly varied, each night changing with trapeze, singing by the staff, as well as comedy and dancing… all very well organised and varied. The dining experience was a pleasant and varied surprise, comprising of everything from Japanese, barbeque, Indian, and Western… certainly not for the dieters!
After our glorious, 3 night stay, including a visit to their well equipped day spa and a putt on the local Ria golf course, we set sail back to Singapore enjoying the very luxurious accommodations at the Fullerton Hotel. If you want a highlight in Singapore, definitely book in for drinks at 2030 on the top floor bar at the Fullerton Bay hotel, its sister property to the Fullerton Hotel, for a ritzy laser light display courtesy of the Marina Bay hotel across the bay – most spectacular with a cocktail in hand too! For a special Singapore dining experience, try out the Lighthouse Restaurant on the top floor of the Fullerton Hotel – fine, intimate dining, whilst viewing the night scape of Singapore. It is just divine…
During the day, sample the many smells and sights of the blooms at Gardens by the Bay with entry being S$28pp, plus I recommend you spent an extra S$4pp for the audio. S$5 will also get you upstairs in the towers for the view over the park and opposing Marina Bay Sands.
Our flight carrier, being Royal Brunei did not disappoint. The Dreamliner certainly lives up to its name – quiet and very comfortable in both economy and business class. For economy class, the leg room was fantastic . The seats recline forward under your legs giving you a comfortable tilt. Business class gives you plenty of leg room as well as a full flat bed option with doonas and varied meals. No alcohol service on these flights, but still very likeable indeed!
