As part of our junior reporter series, we asked ten-year-old Anika to share her review of her recent family vacay in Bintan to see if it truly passed the fam-friendly test...
At HoneyKids HQ, we absolutely love hearing about hols and getting recommendations for new exotic places to try with the kids, and while we are always up for parent reviews – we’re also keen to see if it passes the kid test too because we all know: happy kids = happy parents. So, we thought we’d do just that and ask our roving junior reporters to give us their account of their family holidays, so you can find out exactly what’s in store and whether it’s officially kid-approved.
We asked ten-year-old, Anika Anand, to give us the lowdown on her trip to Nirwana Gardens in Bintan and what she thought of the resort’s fam-friendly activities. Here are her recommendations and top tips (all in her own words!)…
Junior reporter: Things to do at Nirwana Gardens, Bintan
1. Visit the beach
I enjoyed spending hours building sand castles and trenches in the sand with my sister and collecting pretty sea shells in different shapes and sizes! You can indulge in the mesmerising view of the sea while sipping on some fresh coconut juice, bury your feet in the soft, white sand and enjoy the beautiful view!
2. Water sports aplenty!
Paddleboarding, kayaking and jet skiing are just some of the water sports you can do at Nirwana Gardens. Enjoy the view as you paddle on the calm and shallow waters. Don’t miss out on the kayak trip, which glides through the water slowly and steadily, letting you take in the enchanting surroundings. Also, try out the fast and agile jet ski, which you can take far into the beautiful waters! Other water activities like the banana boat, great Mable and snorkelling are made available depending on weather and sea conditions. I highly recommend the water activities at Nirwana Gardens, and there are plenty of staff members to help and guide you along the way.
3. Horse riding and a horse carriage await
Make sure not to miss out on the horse and carriage rides. I went on the tall horse, Buyung, which took me for a walk around the beautiful pond. The horse carriage ride takes you around Nirwana Gardens and drops you off back at your resort. The 30-minute journey goes through a series of paths surrounded by the greenery of the rainforests. This was my first experience in a horse carriage, and I enjoyed it immensely!
4. Get creative at a tie-dye workshop
Why not start the day by making your own tie-dye t-shirts beachside? This was my first try at tie-dyeing, and the staff were very friendly and patient in taking me through the process. It was an amazing experience, and I highly recommend it!
5. Take a dip in the swimming pool
Feeling hot on a sunny day? Take a dip in the gorgeous pool! The infinity pool includes a baby pool, jacuzzi pools and an area to play water polo if that is your thing! Also, enjoy some refreshing drinks from the pool bar with your family. The beautifully decorated pool has shower facilities, and pool floats are available for rental.
6. Try trampoline bungee jumping
This unique trampoline at the Nirwana Resort Hotel allows you to jump really high and keeps you safe with the help of a harness. The friendly staff assist you in jumping to a height of eight to ten feet off the ground! I found the experience exhilarating!
7. Check out the NABLEZ Kids Club
Suitable for kids aged four and above, this club boasts some really fun activities while parents are off enjoying a spa session! Kids get to try their hands at balloon sculpting, face painting, horse feeding, sandcastle building, archery and air rifle shooting, among other interesting adventures!
8. And there are even more activities!
A must-try for adrenaline junkies is the flying fox. Towering 14 metres above land, this 100-metre-long zipline is only suitable for persons aged ten and above. It also gives you an amazing view of the sea! In the same vicinity are other activities, such as rock climbing, archery and archery tag.
9. and more entertainment!
Bored and want to have some fun? Head to the giant chess board at the Nirwana Resort Hotel! The tallest piece, the king, is about a metre tall. This is an activity that can be enjoyed by all ages. Are you an animal lover? Go over to the iguana cage. If you come early in the morning, you might even get a chance to pet the iguanas!
10. Where to eat near Nirwana Resort Hotel
Hungry for some yummy breakfast? Head to the coffee shop to enjoy a buffet-style breakfast with a wide selection of food. Enjoy a drink at the Dino Bistro after a dip in the pool. Their milkshakes and hot chocolate were my favourites! Dino Bistro is also a perfect place for an Italian lunch. If you are a seafood lover, why not head over to the floating restaurant, Kelong. It is a short bus ride away from the Nirwana Resort Hotel. For dinner, try out Spice restaurant in Mayang Sari resort which serves authentic Indian cuisine and is only a short bus ride away too!
About our junior reporter – Anika Anand
Anika believes that there is no such thing as too much reading time! When she is not reading her novels, she enjoys painting, singing and writing short stories. Anika has a sweet tooth and loves to team up with her look-alike little sister in exploring places that offer sweet treats in Singapore. Lastly, she loves to travel with her family, so she can add exciting stuff to her travel diary!
So there you have it, a kid-approved resort review for your next travels. Thanks, Anika! Do you have an aspiring junior reporter at home? Get in touch and let us know!