Spending Family Time at Club Med Bintan

Our initial plan was to go to Gold Coast. But due to my busy schedule, I hadn't the time to plan at all. So Club Med Bintan getaway was ideal. Everything was provided for and all I wanted to do was to chill out and spend time with Clem and the kids.

SETTLING VERITY
Club Med has made it easy for us. Extra room, baby cot, baby accessories such as steriliser, bottle warmer and toiletries.

For Verity's meals, I brought along a mini rice cooker and ingredients. Thankfully, their power socket was the same as Singapore's, so there was no problem using the rice cooker. I brought along rice, wolfberry, conpoy, dried silverfish, carrots and fresh fish slices. I bought the fresh slices in the morning before we departed, and packed them into 5 packs together with dry ice in a thermal cup. I packed them into smaller packs so it would be easier to take one and cook for each meal without having to thaw the whole lot. The cooler in the hotel room wasn't cold enough so we deposited them with the bar to keep in their freezer.

We would collect one pack before each meal to cook in our hotel room. Just to be sure, we used bottled mineral water to wash and cook.

Verity would have porridge every lunch and dinner. Other than that, she had milk and would be breastfed (so I tried not to drink cocktails and wines whenever I wanted to nurse her). She also snacked on bread, steamed rice and mash potatoes from our meals.

Sleep-wise, she settled for her cot the first night and during her naps (She was "upgraded" and slept with us for other nights). Other than that, she slept easily whenever she was tired, while we swam or watched night performances.

TAG TEAM
There were many sport activities at the Club but since we had the 2 kids, we couldn't participate in most of them. We could have signed Cavan up for Petit Club (for kids 2-3 years old) but we wanted family time. Maybe next time, he will go for Mini Club (for 4 years and above) should we go again.

Hence, Clem suggested we tag team. Great idea!

Since I woke up early, I went for morning swims while Clem minded the sleeping kids. In the afternoon, we took turns to mind the napping kids while Clem went for his golf game or I went suntanning. That way, we could still have time to do the things we wanted (although we would have preferred to do activities together).

CAVAN
Cavan also managed to do all the things he liked: playing at the pool, snacking, watching loads of cartoons at Cartoon Network whenever we wash up or prepared Verity's meals. Best of all, he had all the cookies and ice cream he wanted after meals.

The only regretful thing was that we might have introduced to him fear of the beach. There was a particular small pool by the beach, where sea water flowed to a fill covered by rocks. It was beautiful and we thought it could serve as a wading pool for kids. Cavan ventured in and he was sinking fast into the sand and water although the water was shallow. He was unnerved by it. But we overracted, panicked and pulled him out. Clem (carrying Verity) tried and he sank in too and had relative difficulty getting out. The sand was too soft. After this incident, Cavan refused to go to the beach although he loved playing with sand.

We didn't understand and thought he was throwing tantrums. It was only in Singapore that he revealed that he was afraid and we connected his fear to the sinking incident.

CLUB MED
We really couldn't ask for more! Great rooms, great food. There was food and drinks round the clock. The buffet spread was great though there were hits and misses. But generally good. We also drank wine and cocktails whenever we wanted.

The staff there, made up of different nationalities, were friendly. We were impressed how they doubled up as performers. We had performances during the day at the pool, at night at the theatrette and mass dances at night. These staff, including the General Manager, Sports Manager, Golf Manager and others, performed "circus acts" and dramas. They seemed to have loads of fun too!

There were also activities for families since it was family festival when we were there. Children together with parents participated in kite making and flying. And there was a parents vs children competition at one of the nightly programmes.

Generally, Club Med was packed with programmes and entertainment for anyone and everyone. Even the nights were filled with mass dances and pool parties. The atmosphere was fun and relaxing.

Will we go again? Certainly, yes!