Betting on the Beautiful in Belitung
JENNY TAN DID A WHIRLWIND TOUR OF THE BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS OF BELITUNG WHICH MAY BE YOUR NEXT TROPICAL RETREAT.
Belitung’s quiet allure with its bountiful beautiful beaches, crystal clear Caribbean like sea and magnificent mesmerizing cyan kaolin lakes may not be the top of mind destination in Indonesia to most travellers who tend to be more focused on the tourist mecca of Bali.
10 NEW BALIS
The Ministry of Tourism Indonesia, together with Garuda Indonesia, are determined to change that mindset. Beauty lies within Tanjung Kelayang on Belitung Island known to the locals as Indonesia’s Maldives, Seychelles and Boracay, is promoted as one of the ‘10 new Bali’ as part of the Indonesia Special Economic Zone.
Garuda Indonesia has a new route between Singapore and Belitung that flies four times weekly until demand makes it worth increasing the flights. Plans are that Singapore will be the hub for international tourists. Located off the east coast of Sumatra, Belitung is nearer to Singapore than Jakarta.
A QUICK APPROACH
I was onboard Garuda’s Bombardier CRJ1000 inaugural flight from Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 to Belitung Hanandjoeddin International Airport at Tanjong Pandan, with a flight duration of less than 60 minutes. Approaching Belitung, I was treated with a visual feast of picture-perfect natural landscapes amidst the brilliant blue sea.
After the delectable Indonesian welcome dinner at Dapur, we checked in at Fairfield by Marriott Belitung.
More than 100 islands make up the Belitung group that is unspoiled paradise. You may want to get there before it gets ‘discovered’. Gifted with stunning coastlines, wondrous architectural batholiths and crystalline turquoise sea, you step into a haven of tranquillity that will make a great many memorable and Instagramable moments. Stroll along the white sandy beaches, pose by igneous rock formations and enjoy panoramic scenery as you bask in the sun sipping refreshing cocktails on the deck of the hotel.
LEISURE LIFESTYLE ISLANDS
Swim, scuba, snorkel or kayak, paddle board and jet ski in the shimmering shades of turquoise sea, feel the fish, watch marine life and enrich your visuals with colourful corals reefs. Islands such as Leebong, Lengkuas, Garuda, Kepayang and Sand are popular idyllic islands that you can easily experience.
Leebong Private Island was conceptualized as a private paradise and eco sustainability tourism destination with tree house accommodation, dining and leisure activities. Visitors have to book in advance via its website or through travel agencies to maintain the exclusivity and number of visitors on the island each day.
PERAMUN HILLS
Board the boat at Pegatungan Harbour and explore mangrove habitat with clear water and coral. The boat meanders to Sand Island where it literally disappears at high tide. Here you are surrounded by translucent water and soft sand. Soak in the beautiful scenery.
Back to the main island we alit at the jetty and enjoyed lunch near the beach before trekking up Peramun Hills to see the boulder formations and panoramic views at various look out points. With help from park rangers, we spotted the endangered Tarsius monkey, a native of Belitung. Then we headed to Pandan House for a delicious dinner of local fish, squid, beef and tom yum soup.
TANJUNG TINGGI BEACH
The next morning, after breakfast, we arrived at Tanjung Tinggi beach, where sandy shores, transparent turquoise water and beautiful boulders beckon. Voted as best beach in Belitung and Indonesia, the popular beach is the filming location of the award-winning Indonesia box office movie hit Laskar Pelangi based on the novel by Andrea Hirata, who was born and bred in Belitung.
Start your island-hopping voyage from Tanjung Kelayang jetty, stop by Batu Berlayar, a sail shaped granite formation island and Batu Garuda, with rocks resembling the mythical Garuda bird for souvenir shots before alighting at
Lengkuas Island for fresh coconut juice, Indomie and keropok. The iconic romantic 18th century Dutch colonial Light House was built on Lengkuas Island and boasts picturesque panoramic scenery from the tower look out.
MORE ISLANDS
Renowned for its indigenous beach and massive granite boulders formation, walk through, swim beneath or snorkel in the shallow transparent water of Lengkuas Island. Visit the nearby Kepayang turtle sanctuary with diving centre to see baby Hawksbill turtles, coral reef gardens and dive into the undisturbed marine beds.
Lunch was at Kepayang Restaurant on Kepayang Island where a scrumptious seafood lunch of local crabs, shellfish, fish and sambal kangkong were served. You can enjoy the tranquillity of the golden coast, listen to the calm waves or relax with an ice cold Bintang beer. We stopped by Eco Beach Tent accommodation by Billiton, an environmentally and socially responsible development.
GLAMP IT
You can experience glamping in a nature habitat with luxury ensuite bathroom that uses coconut fibre excess as an alternative to gas or electricity to heat the water from the nearby spring. Enjoy farm to table fresh organic food or seafood caught using local fishing bubu method.
A cool sea breeze, sandy coast and sublime sunset set the mood for romantic dinners by the beach.
After our meal at Mabai Restaurant on Tanjong Tinggi beach, we lit sky lanterns, made wishes and released them into the twilight.
MON MON AND BON BON
The following day we journeyed to East Belitung for a visit to the local tourist visitor centre to learn about the history, culture and geopark habitat. We were greeted with a traditional Bangka Belitung Island Campak dance arranged by the tourism team. Inside we say hi to Mon Mon and Bon Bon - a rescued Tarsius monkey and a crocodile. Donations are welcomed to support wildlife.
We then embarked on Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Troops) Flim Tour to the site location of the elementary school of SD Laskar Pelangi school at Muhammadiyah Gantong.
We continued on to the colourful Andrea Hirata’s Museum of Words, a rainbow hued house that facilities a library, Kupi Kuli Cafe with postal service and free school with classes and workshops that doubles as an arts and music theatre.
ONLY LITERATURE MUSEUM
The old residence of a Belitung tin mining businessman was chosen to inspire literacy power, allowing visitors to walk through the windows of the world, endearing dreams and striving to achieve goals despite drawbacks, at the first and only Museum on Literature in Indonesia.
Onwards to Kampung Ahok, birthplace of a former Jakarta Governor and Daun Simpor Batik Centre for colourful native Belitung handdrawn batik, batik textile and handicrafts shopping. After lunch at Fega, a popular restaurant with the view of Manggar lake, we travelled back to Tanjong Pandan.
We were given the opportunity to see how the locals live at Rumah Panggung, a traditional wooden house on stilts, reconstructed like Ruma Gede (big house) and located next to Belitung Regent official residence. We meandered down the road to the heart of Belitung for shopping at local shops and a Javanese massage.
WARUNG WARUNG
Warung are family owned small eateries serving local food, snacks and drinks. Mie Belitung is a popular seafood noodle dish with small prawns, potatoes, tofu, cucumber, beansprouts and emping melinjo crackers over sweet shrimp broth. The most popular warung is Mie Belitung Atep, a 45-year-old noodle shop where tourists and locals enjoy the simple dish with Jeruk Kunci lime drink.
Enjoy freshly brewed traditional coffee that uses charcoal fire roasted beans at Kong Djie, a warung open since 1943. Chocolate susu ice and teh tarik are highly recommended for non-coffee drinkers and local kuehs goes well with the drinks. Relive the good old taste back home with pre-packed coffee and chocolate powder.
BANKING ON BELITUNG
The first ever international five-star hotel accommodation, together with local hotel groups and beach cottages, will open progressively. Sheraton Hotel, Sofitel Hotels & Villas by Accorhotels, Black Rocks Hotel & Golf Club will open in phrases from March 2019.
Fairfield by Marriot Belitung is a new 4-star property with pool and ocean view rooms on Tanjung Pendam Beach. It is the first International hotel brand on the island and welcomed its first guests in March 2018 with the dedicated Marriott Group hospitality.
Santika Premiere Hotel and Resort is the only beach front property on the popular Tanjong Tinggi beach. Celebrating its first anniversary in October, the Indonesian homegrown highly popular hotel group is renowned for its world class service with Indonesia touch.
ECO GLAMPING
Eco Beach Tent by Billiton offers eco glamping relaxation on Tanjong Kelayang Beach with romantic sunsets amidst beautiful batholiths in the turquoise sea.
Leebong Island treehouse villas are the results of skilful craftsmen weaving nature at its best. Stay in a three-story growing treehouse, watch sunrise, sunset and spend hours in the gazebo on the crystalline aqua coast.
Before heading to the airport for our flight back to Singapore, we made a pit stop at Kaolin Lake in Air Raya village. The mesmerizing cyan blue was formed from old mining dredges and rain water, creating an artificial crater that is popular for Instagram moments and pre-wedding photo shoots.