Trikora is normally crowded on weekends or long holidays. Little raised shelters are built on the waterfront where groups and families can sit down and picnic, protected from the blazing sun while enjoying the view and the fresh sea breeze. There are also clusters of coconut trees, heavy with fruit ready to be cut for thirsty tourists impatiently waiting to slake their thirst with fresh coconut water.
Located east of Bintan island in the Riau archipelago, is a long stretch of white beach, scattered with picturesque huge boulders, called Trikora Beach. This is the popular seaside playground for locals but also for those coming from Singapore and Malaysia.
From here, not far out to sea you will
see rows of " kelongs" or fish traps, houses on boats, under
which fishermen hang out their nets to catch small fry, or ikan bilis,
for which Bintan is so well known. But from the beach are now also
built boardwalks with kelongs attached on either side, which are rented
out to tourists. These are usually filled with avid anglers from
Singapore and Malaysia to set out to sea at night or before the crack
of dawn in order to catch the larger fish.
It takes about 45 minutes to reach Trikora Beach by car from the city of
Tanjung Pinang , and around half an hour from your hotel at Bintan
Resorts. But distance-wise, these are quite wide apart so that you should travel by car or tour coach. In fact, Trikora is usually included in a day tour of the island of Bintan that covers Trikora, Tanjung Pinang city and the historic island of Penyengat that faces the city. So that for sightseeing , Bintan highlights can be explored within a one full day package tour.
along this stretch across the road you will find the Grotto of the Virgin Mary - known as Grotto Santa Maria, which
is said to have been built originally by Vietnamese refugees. The path
along the Stations of the Cross leads to the grotto, where the statue of
Mary is placed. The cave is beautifully protected from behind by a
large tree with overhangingbranches where colorful bougainvillea climb
and bloom.
Along this hot beach-front, this grotto
offers a cool and respiteful environment for those who wish to pray or
peacefully meditate. Nearby is a picturesque little white church, its
walls decorated with red bricks, where the faithful attend mass on
Sundays.
A little more to the south is an island called Nikoi,
where a more upmarket, secluded boutique resort has been developed for
those who love to dwell among pristine nature, - Robinson Crusoe-like,
- but with a dash of comfort and luxury. The resort is built to
conserve the beauty of nature and is kept unspoilt “as is”, and yet
located close to busy and modern Singapore.
This 15 hectares island in the South China Sea, is surrounded by beautiful underwater life, great for diving and snorkeling.
Nikoi only has 15 beach-front houses
with 21 rooms. A maximum 42 to 60 guests can be accommodated at one
time. So book early if you are interested.
For more information on a Nikoi holiday you can log on to : www.nikoi.com
The Culture and Tourism Office of the
Regency of Bintan has also been moved here to Trikora Beach, and is
housed in the colorful former headquarters built for the Qur’an
Scripture Reading competition known as MTQ.
