10 March 2016
I woke up at 6 am but lazy to go down for catching the breakfast. The aircon is really worked well so it feels comfortable in the room, there is a television too to enjoy the channel. Shortly I just doing lazy thing at the hotel before heading to the airport but I spend about 1 hour to get down to the lobby and chit chat with other guests also a good part too. In fact all of us who stay there are TSE chaser so we can exchange our TSE experience to each other. Well, we finally ready to check out. The driver picked us up at 9.30am but first we have to pick up some portions of take away Mie Atep to bring to Jakarta and also the famous steam fried filled fishpond crab (kepiting ranjungan isi). Our flight was at 12 midday the time is perfect, the airport are full of the TSE tourists who will return to their home town. So good bye Belitung, I will see you again, however, you left the burn skin on me, hikksss...hikksss....
Thus, according to my own experiences maybe I can share you some Tips and Trick to visit Belitung Islands
TIPS & TRICKS
1. Time of Visit
Pick the period that is not the busy one so AVOID THE PEAK SEASON. Yes, you will get more privacy when the beach is more quiet you can truly enjoy the earth, sun, sandy beach by your own. Virgin situation is more preferably suggested considering the nature feels and sea breeze privately catch is the best one.
Beside that, the important one is you can get the Flight and accommodation price far more cheaper than the peak season. And I think in term of the weather March - August is the best time for the visit referring to the weather forecast. However according to Wikipedia the best time to visit: Dry season (April – October) is obviously sunnier but can be very windy, resulting in choppy waters. During the rainy season (November – March) there is less wind though it does rain most afternoons. However Leebong Island is sheltered by larger islands and the main land and offers excellent waters all year round. The school holidays (June-July) are best avoided as a lot of local tourists come from elsewhere in Indonesia. Similarly weekends can be quite busy with large Indonesian tour groups visiting from Jakarta. Interesting annual cultural festivals include.
2. Getting Around
Traveling with Group consist of 4 - 6 Pax is suggested for visiting Belitung. Yes it is more cheaper to travel / getting around with the group, for example : I hired the car only for IDR.500k included Driver and Gasoline and the boat for IDR. 400k but only for two person, me and my friend it should be more expensive than if you come in a group of 4 - 6 person thus you can safe some bugs, it is more economist. But anyway if you come and explore alone is also fine it depends on your preference. Oh well, Belitung has no public transportation set up, so at this time do not think to explore that island by using the public transportation, rental car is a required one. And I am aware, some hotels / hostel offer the bike or motorbike rental too, so it is easy for getting around the city with such a fun adventure transportation.
3. Itinerary
You can either choose the local travel to help your itinerary or you can try to wrap up by yourself. For someone with an adventure style, they probably like to arrange their travel by themselves, no need to follow the group tour. This type of people will need the freedom more as it is the most enjoyable part of their trip. For myself, I like to explore more by my own, so I only need to find by myself what is the best itinerary I preferred. Belitung is just a small island so it is very easy to make our own itinerary. But the most thing must do here is an Island Hopping, Visiting East Belitung, the Rainbow Troops (Laskar Pelangi) movie tour, beaches explore, local culinary and you can elaborate the rest of the activities such as if you like diving or snorkeling it is very easy to organize through the local travel agency by yourself too..
4. Accommodation
All hotels here are not yet chain one but there are few has been built with the new and modern concept including the guest houses, do not be worry you can find a comfort one in the guest houses too. Price range per room (for two person) are between IDR. 175k - IDR. 500k in average guest houses until budget hotel price. So it is still fit within your budget right ? However if you want to spend in a resort per night can start at 600K per room or in a 4 star hotel can start at IDR. 750k per night depends on the season. The easy booking can be made through Booking.com, Agoda.com or Traveloka. Sharing economy or through Airbnb is still not yet an option for this time maybe later with the more technology and more opened minded people the sharing economy will be offered here too one day.
5. Food & Beverages
I still recommend Mie ATEP for your first local culinary explore as a start. Gangan, this is the fish soup, many kind of seafood, and the signature sambal used splash of Jeruk Kunci (Lemon Kunci) are the best for your lunch or dinner. For coffee lover, you can visit Tong Djie coffee shop for a relaxing chit chat and mingle with local but beside the coffee, the famous cold and refreshing drink is Jeruk Kunci, wow it is not a juices or a splash of orange but it is a signature lemon drink from Belitung, it is called Jeruk Kunci, you have to try it. For the late afternoon breathtaking to wait for the sunset, you can go to Bukit Berahu resort and chilling out there, very nice place to spend your time with coffee,tea, beer, some snacks or even to have lunch or dinner here, the price in bukit berahu restaurant for lunh and dinner is similar with the restaurant near the beach such as in Pantai Tanjung Binga / Tanjung Kelayang / Tanjung Tinggi. Last time I visited Bukit Berahu resort the entrance fee is IDR. 5000 / person and it is including free drink coffee, tea or mineral water.
The street eatery not so popular here only street vendor such as Martabak seller is absolutely very popular here. Sweet Martabak is delicious, you have to try one of those too.
Do not forget to bring home the Steam Fried filled fishpond Crab (kepiting ranjungan isi), it is so delicious and yummy food. However the snack shop for souvenirs not so many here but these kind of shops sell all kind of souvenirs such as tshirt, keychain, crackers, etc so it makes you easy to buy all in one place but it is a little bit expensive, btw you still have a choice to find some cheap stores along Jl. Sriwijaya.
6. The transportation Mode (How to get to Belitung and how to get from and to airport)
The last one is the transportation mode to get to Belitung. It can be reached by plane and ferries. Many flight from Jakarta operated everyday to and from Tanjung Pinang, only one hour flight from Jakarta, ticket price is also not so expensive, the premium flight such as Garuda also sell the ticket in a competitive price, it is easy to check it our through Traveloka website: www.traveloka.com. Ferries leave and arrive also from Bangka, Jakarta, Cirebon to Tanjung Pinang as for this you have to googling it for furthering information.
Well, how to reach the city from the airport ? it is very easy you can rented the car through the travel agency or from the hotel you are staying then the driver will wait for you there at the airport or drop you there. Few hotels will offer free pick up. Or other choice is ordered the airport taxi but make sure you call in advance to get your airport taxi reserved with Street Taxi. According to WIkipedia this is the cheapest taxi on the island. Street Taxi is legal and are being blocked from waiting at the airport by a group of local drivers who now where airport taxi shirts and charge double the price. They are able to do this since they are keeping out any other taxi from lining up. So book in advance. Call Street Taxi 0822 8301 5555 This will allow you a reservation and a legal taxi to wait for you at the airport using the taxi meter. Otherwise be prepared to be overcharged by the airport taxi group
Here we go, are you ready to fly there ? do not wait too long, just prepared and packing to fly here, enjoy your trip then. Travel with economical way but in a high quality. Safe travel everyone !
