Weekend Trip to Kelong Kawal, Bintan on 25-26 June 2011

Took at 2 hours ferry from Singapore Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to reach Tanjong Pinang (Malaysia, Bintan area).

Ferry from Singapore to Tanjong Pinang

Walk out of Tanjong Pinang Ferry Terminal

Notice the house with drawn windows instead of real ones.



After clearing the long queue at Tanjong Pinang Ferry Terminal, we spotted a driver came holding a torn out cardboard with a few names scribbed in ink on it. Spotted our names, and boarded his van together with a few other Singaporeans. Warm and stuffy 1 hour van ride (no air conditioning, except for the same gap in the side windows of the van), we've finally reached our destination, Kawal Kelong..... It was a long long walk from the beach, across pranks (probably about 400m walk) to the Kelong.... The pranks were so stable that motorbikes are able to ride across too! Impressive!

A shed beside along the coast, before the walkway to the kelong

Beach before crossing the bridge to kelong



 

Starting point of the bridge, from beach to kelong

Halfway towards the kelong

Concrete bedrooms

Hot freshly cooked lunch awaits us when we've reached the Kelong.... yummy seafood spreaded across our tables... already portioned out for 4 of us too.... Food was portioned out for each group of tourists, from groups of 2 to groups as big as 10.... Drinks were free flow, upon request, for free, throughout the day too. It ranges from Malaysian tea (black tea with rose flavour), chinese tea, coffee and milo. Coke, Spirit, beers are chargeable though at Singapore dollars (max S$2.30).

Drinks booth. Just order and pick up your drinks, anytime of the day!

Other drinks that one can pay for.

Dining place at the kelong

Lunch on Sat

 

Dinner on Sat, including the fried fish that we caught!

Lunch on Sun

Keys to our rooms were provided to our rooms during lunch. Double rooms with individual toilets (sink, toilet bowl with manual flushing and showers which is from a "tank/pail"). Bathing towels and bar soap is provided. We've gotten the room with air-con, which was very noisy, with window view towards the inside of the Kelong. If I were to return, I'd choose the room without air-con, since all rooms come with fan, plus non air-con rooms are facing the sea (sea breeze plus better views)!

Twin sharing bedroom with aircon and fan

Another view of twin sharing bedroom.

Toilet with shower curtains as door. Concrete flooring. "Bathtub" showers with manual flushing toilet bowl.

Bring your own fishing rods / equipments, and the friendly uncle will provide free sotong (cut up) for free, plus pails for your "catch"! However, maybe this kelong is too "posh" as compared to those dormintory styled, wooden flooring, small kelongs, the majority of the guests here are family and not serious about fishing.

Balcony with benches at the perimeters of the kelong, for those who wish to fish or catch some sea breeze.

Another perimeter of the kelong.

Another view of the balconies surrounding the kelong.



In the afternoon, upon request, otherwise uncle will jio the guests for a ride on their speedboat (can sit up to 8 guests plus the driver). Be prepared for water splashing on your face and bumper ride as the boat rides along the waves! For the more adventurous, they can go for the banana boat which can sit about 3 as well.

2 types of speedboat, the one in front (white) is the 8passengers with 1 driver, that i took.

The banana boat for those who're more adventurous.

Slide into the private pool, in the middle of the kelong!

Kelong is in a square shape, where the center portion is a "private" pool!

Life Boays available for swimming

Concrete made eage overlooking the private pool.

One of the many pets living in the kelong..... From dogs to monkey....

Doggy on the floats beside the speedboat, unable to get onto the kelong.

A "mad" caged up monkey that occasionally shakes his body and head.

Many of the caged up dogs.

There's 2 large billard tables, mahjong tables with tiles, chess boards, darting board, books and magazines (don't expect recent issues) for all to relax and enjoy. There's also a airconditioned "KTV" room, which one can either sing or watch DVD in.

Karaoke room or Movie room

2 sets of darting boards on the floor.

2 billard tables and mahjong tables.

Kids games area

One of the many quiet and private corners in the kelong.

There's also the airgun shooting, which you can try your hand at shooting the cans (hanging from a "laundry line" in the water).... Either my eyesight / aiming is poor, or the airgun has not been "zero-ed in", I missed all shots!

Cans hanging on the "laundry line" for airgun shooting.

All meals (lunch and dinner) are sumptuous seafood. Snacks around 3pm (goreng pisang, and other fried stuffs) and 9pm (barley, green bean and durian soup and finger food) are served too.... We had so much food that our chips and crackers are left untouched!

The owner even had contacts for masseur to come to the kelong for massage, at S$18/hr rate. Heard the lady masseur is very good. Kueh lapis original favour at S$25 each (about 20cm x 20 cm x 5cm) to be picked up when you return to Tanah Pinang ferry terminal, while favoured ones are S$27 each (durian, pruns, chocolate, etc). Ikan pilis, dried shrimps are sold are very cheap rates at the kelong too (just inform auntie and she'll get someone to bring it to the kelong).

Order book for masages, keuh lapis, ikan pilis and dried shrimp



Each only pays S$170 / pax for twin sharing rooms for 2 days 1 night, including all meals, return ferry and return land transfer. For aircon rooms, it's S$180 / pax instead.

Truely a cheap and relaxing getaway with friendly service for a weekend!