From : http://www.paradisegolf.co.uk

Be enchanted by the mature woodlands and windswept beaches of the Ria Bintan golf club situated close to both the Nirwana Garden & the Bintan Lagoon Resorts. It offers first class golf at reasonable prices, as golfers come and get captivated by the award winning 27 hole championship Ocean and Forest courses designed by the renowned golfing legend and course designer Gary Player.

Some of the best holes are on the front 9 of the Ocean course with the testing short par 3 second hole & the par 5 seventh hole which ends on a green that is guarded at the back by a boulder and has the South China sea as a backdrop. The par 4 eighth hole is a real cliff hanger that is reminiscent of Pebble Beach's 7th hole plus the signature par 3 ninth without doubt the most beautiful hole on the course. It's a demanding tee shot over the sea to a green that features a bunker to the left and to the left of this bunker rocks cascading down to the sea. Negotiating this wonderful course layout can lead to a lack of concentration on your maiden round as from tee to green, every bit of the course is in tip top condition and leaves nothing to wish for other than coming back for more.

In 2005, 2006 & 2007 Ria Bintan was voted the Best Golf Course in Indonesia, it also achieved 2nd runner up & 1st Runner up places for Best Golf Course in Asia in the same years and Best Clubhouse in Asia in 2005 - these prestigious awards where presented by Asia Golf Monthly magazine.

Visitors are welcome with the following green fees:

Club facilities include:
The Restaurant at Ria - Offering a wide variety of delightful meals with specialties in Asian and Western cuisine, guaranteed to entice your taste buds. The bar is fully stocked to provide for guests who wish to consume both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Locker Rooms There are 113 spacious lockers catered for ladies and 312 lockers available to men. Excellent spa facilities including massage services are also available for those who need to unwind before or after a game.
Function Rooms - "Samudera" and "Rimba" Ria Bintan Golf Club offers meeting and banqueting facilities to those who want to have a party or banquet.
Practice Putting Green - Golfers can sharpen their putting by testing the speed of the green before heading for the first tee.
Driving Range - A 20-bay driving range with mat and turf practice tee is fully open.
Halfway House - Located between holes 9 & 10 on the Ocean course, golfers can enjoy light refreshments as well as admire spectacular views of the South China Sea before embarking on another nine holes.
Ria Bintan Golf Academy A full-fledged golf academy at Ria Bintan Golf Club is expected to launch soon….
Proshop - offering a selection of superior brand name apparel, golf equipment and accessories & updated throughout the year.

Getting there:
10 minutes by car from the Nirwana Gardens or 5 min from Bintan Lagoon Resorts. Travel for day trippers can be arranged from Batam, by speed boat from Punggur - approx 1.5 hrs from Nongsa or Nagoya.

Notes:
Having hosted the Motorola International (part of the Asian Tour) in March 2007, the course was and has always been kept is in perfect condition - the signature 7th, 8th & 9th holes are particularly stunning & a delight to play. Quite rightly this course was awarded the best course in Indonesia title in 2007 & it has been nominated again in 2008, it was also awarded 5th best course & 7th best club house in Asia in the same year. You will find it difficult to improve upon the fine reception provided by the friendly & caring staff and your golf will be a delight making you want to return at a later date for another game.

From http://www.paradisegolf.co.uk

With very pleasant staff & finely prepared courses the golf at Bintan Lagoon Resort is in a league of its own, unmatched by any other in the region by proudly boasting two 18-hole championship courses. Designed by golf legends Jack Nicklaus & Ian Baker-Finch both courses are at once entertaining, stunning and challenging - whether you play for business.

The following accolades where achieved by the Bintan Lagoon Resort in the 2003 Asian Golf Monthly Awards:

Note: In April 2008 following further improvements the popular Jack Nicklaus designed Sea View course it will become known as the 'Premium Championship' course, unfortunately this will incur a slight increase in cost in comparison to the Ian Baker-Finch Woodlands course.

Visitors are welcome with the following green fees:

Sea View Course

Woodlands course

Club facilities include:
Proshop - offering a selection of superior brand name apparel, golf equipment, accessories & souvenirs, updated throughout the year - rental clubs are also available.
Locker Rooms Spacious lockers catering for ladies and men alike with large lockers, shower facilities & towels all inclusive.
Haskell's Cafe - Offering a wide variety of delightful meals with specialties in Asian and Western cuisine, guaranteed to entice your taste buds. The bar is fully stocked to provide for guests who wish to consume both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Driving Range - A 31-bay driving range with mat and turf practice tees.
Halfway House - Located at Hole 10, golfers can enjoy refreshments as well as admire the course views before completing the back 9.
Massage Service - Unwind after your game with this traditional strong and instantly relaxing massage.
Practice Putting Green - Golfers can sharpen their putting by testing the speed of the green before heading for the first tee?

Getting there:
Being part of the Bintan Lagoon Resorts access is on your doorstep or 10 minutes by car from the Nirwana Gardens. Travel for day trippers can be arranged from Batam, by speed boat from Punggur - approx 1.25 hrs from Nongsa or Nagoya.

Ian Baker-Finch Woodlands Course

Woodlands Course - a course you won't easily forget.
Of the two Bintan Lagoon courses, the Ian Baker-Finch Woodlands course is by far the most challenging and difficult to play. Carefully carved out of genuine rain forest, the course becomes more interesting the further you get away from the clubhouse and more into the forest. As a course designer Ian Baker-Finch is one of the best in the trade having laid the course over dramatically changing terrain, with many of the greens being surrounded by steep slopes and mounds to create an amphitheatre effect. He created some terrific holes like the par 5 eighth or the par 4 ninth, where monkeys roam freely around the green area. All of the par 3 holes, 5, 7, 14 and 17 are of a high quality and are creatively designed. The par fives 4, 8, 13 and 16 can be score wreckers - the 16th for instance demands a precise down hill tee shot, since the fairway, at the landing area is bisected by a brook that is guarded by three bunkers some 20 meters shy of this water hazard. Your second shot could easily be from one of these three bunkers or, when too long, could be wet. Number seven plays down hill but ends on an undulating green that seems to be located miles and miles away from the tee box.

The signature hole number eight initially plays from an elevated drive, then goes up hill in the opposite direction and its fairway is guarded by a huge water basin on the left of the landing area - with the trees and the area around the green being a playground for monkeys this gives the hole a rather unique prospective.

In the words of Ian Baker-Finch "My greatest love is for the traditional European and Australian courses, so it is personally gratifying for me to design a golf course which features these qualities and one day, enjoy the same distinguished heritage. I am confident that this will excite players of all ability. It will entice, challenge and reward the seasoned golfers while the less experienced will find it flexible to suit their ability."

Jack Nicklaus Sea View Course

Sea View Course - to suit golfers of all abilities.
Of the 2 Bintan Lagoon courses, the Jack Nicklaus Seaview course is the longer with a stunning terrain it is exciting for both the amateur & professional golfer alike. Recently voted one of the top five championship courses in Asia it compliments the Woodlands course well and would be a good choice and challenge for any player. As a course designer Jack Nicklaus offers a smattering of typical Golden Bear design work - water hazards, majestic bunkering and a strategic use of the natural rolling landscape providing some unique features. The front nine is a great introduction and it is advised to follow the recommendation of resident pro and Australian PGA member, Peter Brown to "play from the tee suited to their game" from the 5 offered.

Looking at the 12th with the South China Sea behind.

The par three 12th & par four 13th signature holes offer up different challenges with water featuring in both. The par 3 can be a very difficult club choice as the strong winds from the backdrop of the South China Sea will affect any player. The 13th although relatively short will require an accurate shot into the green as it is uniquely cut into 2 by one of the many streams on the course.

The split green at the 13th.

In the words of Jack Nicklaus "I think the natural terrain, the vegetation and the scenery really shape the natural character of the golf course I've designed at Bintan Lagoon Resort. I worked very hard to bring those elements into the golf course. I also worked hard to make sure that the course would be enjoyable to golfers of all handicaps and skills. I hope that everyone that plays here will enjoy both the beauty and the challenge of the course"

It is not possible to get an extension on a tourist visa, unless there is an extraordinary circumstances such as natural disasters, accident, illness, medical or you have to answer legal charges.

The government has a tourist visa system with three different categories , which is non-extendible and cannot be converted to any other form of visa.

Visa On Arrival booths are available for service in all Indonesian international airports and seaports.  For those who will apply for the Visa On Arrival, upon arriving at the international airport gate has to proceed to a special Payment Counter to have their passports stamped with the on-arrival visa before going to the Immigration Clearance desk.

Beware ... of the 30-day counting policy! The way the Indonesian Immigration officials count the 30-day period is: you arrive on the 1st day with, for instance, a 30-day visa, and you must leave on the 30th day (not the 31st or the first of the next month, as you might think). This is actually their policy for how to count the days.

News From F1 2008 in Singapore

1. Watch Live Music in Nirwana Resort

You must staying in Nirwana Resort or Banyu Biru, do pay the bar in Nirwana Resort a visit during one of your nights in Bintan. During my first night in Bintan, I was exploring the grounds of Nirwana Resort and was immediately captivated by the calming sounds drifting from their live band. While they were definitely not the best band out there, somehow their singing just perfectly complimented the serene atmosphere exuded by Nirwana Resort. On the second night, I dragged my tired friends over for drinks. While initially resistant of the idea (as they were tired out from all the water sports we tried during the afternoon), they like me, felt rejuvenated after spending our entire late evening at the bar, listening to the band members singing hits from the 80s to 90s. We even made dedications and were impressed by the band's rather wide repertoire ranging from Colin Ray's Love Me, to Tokyo Square's Within You'll Remain, to Eagles' Hotel California. It was a wonderful way to spend my last night in Bintan.

2. Go To The Beach and Have a Wind Surfing and Para Sailing

The beach was very clean n calm compared to the last time i went. The monsoon is from Nov - Mar and the beach will be scattered with jellyfish as advised from the beach board. They have 4 colour flags. half red & yellow -> beach ok to swim and life guards r partrolling. yellow -> beach ok but swim at own risk and no life guards patrolling ( usually is this flag) red -> beach is not advisable to swim ( they put when it hits 6pm) Blue -> during the monsoon season.

During the NE monsoon season, the wind is very strong, it is a good time for wind surfing. But it is only recommended for expert level. My boyfriend, KL wanted to learn windsurfing but was rejected as the wind is too strong for beginner. So therefore if you are beginner, pls come back during Mar to Sep when the sea is calmer.

This is one cool sport you got to try. You have to control the Parachute according to the wind direction while you surf on the wave. Too bad we didnt go to try it as their para sail is broken. The one in the pic is their staff using the broken sail for practising. They are such a pro !!!!!!!!!!!

3. Get The Best Spa

In Asmara Spa, you can also do manicure and pedicure. You will be lead to a room with a very nice ambience and also with a window view that look outside to a greenery garden and pond. The price is very reasonable and also give your nails a treat too. Inside the Asmara Spa, you will find a very relaxing room with a very confortable atmosphere. They have a counter to serve their own spa rejuvenate drinks. The drinks are very refreshing. If you have time, do dropby early to enjoy those drink before you procede to do your spa.

I highly recommend to do your spa in the pavillion. It is the most wonderful experience i ever have. You are having your massage while all you hear is the sound of the waves splashing and the coconut leaves rustling. The sea breeze adds in to the relaxing environment and in minutes, i have dozed off while the lady wrapped me up with indonesia spice masque.

The flower bath is great for couple, the bath is made up of aromatic oil with loads and loads of flower. It is just beside the pavillion therefore it will be best that you end your spa session with a warm, relaxing flower bath with your partner.

Asmara - ancient Malay for heavenly love, is a wonderful place to unwind from your built up stresses. The spa is located in the Indra Maya Villas but we booked from our Hotel and had free pick-up and drop-off in our spa package. We got a massage (as a couple) and then a fragrant floral bath afterwards. They also threw in our choice of refreshing drink which you can take while relaxing in the hammocks provided.

More Informatin about Asmara Spa http://www.asmaraspas.com/

 

This regency has the potential in tourism, industries, fishery, and mining. In tourism, its climate and exotic nature are the main attraction points for foreign tourists. For example, having a beautiful oceanic and beach view, Lagoi area has attracted more than 40,000 foreign tourists. On its 23,000 ha wide area, Bintan has 7 international hotels, 2 resorts and 2 international golf courses with 36 holes.

  In order to attract more investors, local government has allocated 500 ha area in Kijang and 100 ha area in West Bintan for industrial forestry area and beach construction. The tourism development is conducted in cooperation with Singapore to develop North Bintan district.

In industrial sector, this regency has the industrial area in Lobam as one of the outcomes from the economic cooperation of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. There is 4000 ha area being used by 18 electronic companies, 14 garment companies, etc.

The fishery industry holds essential role in this regency, along with the fact that 95% of its terriotorial is waters. Investors are suggested to develop this sector in the eastern district which is in Tambelan region with its 54 islands.  This region is suitable for fishery, and coral reef cultivation in its 117,480 ha area. Nautical tourism is very appropriate for this area due to its white sands and clean beaches.

Location
Bintan Resorts is a short trip from Singapore- 45 minutes to be exact. The resort-destination spreads across the northern shores of Bintan and faces the South China Sea. It comprises a wide range of good-class hotels and chalets to suit the budgets and needs of all holiday- makers.

Climate
Bintan is pleasantly warm and sunny all year round. Day temperatures range between 21 and 32 dgrees centigrade, and hovers at 26 degrees on average. The humidity levels very from 61 to 96 per cent. From October to March, the weather tums refreshingly cool. Commonly known as the monsoon season, day like these see more rainfall and stronger winds.

Time Difference
Just set your watch one hour behind Singapore time. Another way is to add seven hours to the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Or, we suggest you forget the time altogether while on the island !

Language
Bahasa Indonesia is the national language but English is widely used.

Currency
Have ready notes and coins in Indonesian rupiah (Rp). However, you can also pay for your room, food and purchases in Singapore dollars (S$). All hotels accept credit card payments, so don't forget to bring along your trusty Visa, MasterCard or American Express Card.

Travel Documents
You should be able to breeze through the checkpoint if your international passport is valid for six months from the date of arrival and you have proof of onward or return passage.

Visa upon arrival to Bintan

• Passport with minimum 6 (six) months' validity
• Arrival/departure card
• Return or onwards journey ticket

Tentatively, Visa on arrival charges are as follows

• USD 10 valid for 7 days
• USD 25 valid for 8 to 30 days
• Overstay USD 20 per day
• Please pay in exact amount (USD) upon arrival

Two-way transfers between the hotel and ferry terminal will be provided by your hotel. Alternatively, Indorent (a car rental company) provides bus and mini-bus shuttle services which can take you from the ferry terminal to the various hotels within the Resorts. The price for a return journey ranges from Rp 8,400 to Rp 20,000. Indorent also provides land transfers to other parts of the island, namely Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Uban, Lobam and Trikora.

Bintan From Singapore and Malaysia

BINTAN ISLAND
Indonesian name: Negeri Segantang Lada.
Areal: 1,900 square kilometers
Popultation: Less then 234 000 habitans.
Cities: Tanjung Pinang ( 150 000 ), Tanjung Uban and Kijang.
Communication: Ferry to Singapore and Batam

Bintan is a island of contrasts. The deep green grass against the deep blue ocean. The backdrop of sculpted mountains against the tropical blue sky. The stark, black lava slicing through the tropical rainforest. The Pearl White Beach sand covered by the light-green waters. The red, hot lava pouring into the boiling sea. Beauty.

Bintan is covered with tropical forest and beautiful white beaches. The highest mountain on the island, Bintan Besar. The mountain is the remains of an old volcano, and it's near 400 meters high, the absolute highest point on the Riau province. It’s a unknown pearl for tourist who wants to feel the untouched Indonesian wildlife.

Adventure looms large in this vast and steamy islands of Bintan, where the best of southeast Asia's spicy melange simmers tantalisingly. Heady scents, vivid colours, dramatic vistas and diverse cultures spin and multiply, their potent brew leaving your senses reeling.

 Tanjungpinang are in a constant state of urban evolution, where dense populations, technology and construction live in hectic symbiosis. But most of the Bintan's Island territory remains unexplored, concealing a wealth of cultures and a myriad of landscapes.

Bintan is the largest of 3,200 islands in the Riau Archipelago, and is located less than 40 kilometers from the metropol Singapore. From Singapore you can see the green tropical island Bintan, its just across the Singapore Strait.

It don't take more than a hour fast boat trip from the urban Singapore. To you arrive a fantastic paradise. Bintan Island is the perfect target in Indonesia. Not more then a hour boat trip from Singapore, you get Visa On Arrival at Tanjungpinang Ferry Terminal So why wait, book a tour today.

Almost every hour departure a boat from Tanah Merah Ferry terminal at Changi Airport in Singapore. And under two hours from Johor Bahru Ferry Terminal in Malaysia.

The bigest city on Bintan Island and the adminstration center of Riau provice is Tanjungpinang.

Please Come Here and Get the best view, and enjoy your body and soul in Bintan Island. Trikora beach the waves breacke many meters high, and are a perfect palace for amateurs and proffetionals. There is some great surf at Bintan; though there are some numbers of accessible breaks. It is optional for surfers whether to base themselves at resorts and taking a short boat trip to the nearby breaks or taking a live-aboard safari cruise to the less accessible area.Either way, arranging in advance with the reputable surf travel operator is advised as Bintan is not such a place that surfers can just turn up spontaneously. The period of the south-west monsoon (May to November) generated the best waves and the best breaks occur on the outer reefs on the south-east sides of the Bintan where only the gap in the reefs allow the waves to wrap around. All of the recognized and reliable breaks in the

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