Hi everyone! Isn't it strange how life often tends to take us in the complete opposite direction to where we thought we were going? This is exactly what happened to me this summer 2019.

My daughter suggested that we should take a trip to a nearby Singapore Island called Bintan.

After spending April in Singapore and May in Marbella I found myself back here in Singapore for the entire summer.

Why you might ask? Well, that's the question. I'm not sure really, all I can say is that when I arrived back in London from Marbella the weather was so horrid that jumped on a plane and took off. Lol

I guess writing gives me the luxury and freedom to be wherever I want, and, as you already know, my daughter lives here in Singapore so it is also another luxury that I have, to be able to can come here whenever I want.

I am a lucky girl and I am so grateful to have Singapore as my second home –It really has become exactly that for me in the last few years.

Anyway, as soon as I arrived back to Singapore my daughter suggested that we should take a trip to a nearby Island called Bintan.

I have never been there despite it being so close to Singapore, albeit Indonesia. One hour on the road, forty minutes on the ferry and you are in an Island Paradise with white sandy beaches and a luscious jungle full of life.

We booked into Banyan Tree Bintan which was truly outstanding. You can click on the link and see my video on Youtube. 

From the second we arrived the service was impeccable. Such warm friendly people going out of their way to make your stay so special.

The first time I walked down to the beach I was wowed.

Then, we had a room right on the rocks overlooking the sea. The jungle backdrop came almost to our door and the piercing sound of the crickets was ever-present which turned out to be a very relaxing and almost hypnotic sound.

The first time I walked down to the beach I was wowed, Not a lot wows me these days but this place OMG, you can see for yourself.

Every morning I woke in a luscious dreamy four-poster bed, draped in white net curtains.

Then, in the evening the bed would be turned down to perfection with rose petals and cute little animals made from the towels as an extra special little touch. Simply five stars all the way.

Coming out from the breakfast room to my surprise I came across a massive Lizard just chilling on the path, I was assured they are totally harmless, but to me, it was like a monster. (You can see him in the video).

We had a room right on the rocks overlooking the sea

Apparently, as the staff told me, that one was a baby and that their bodies without a tail can be up to one meter. Trust me I would definitely not like to bump into that one, especially at night. Hahaha

Anywhere we wanted to go we were escorted by the staff in golf buggies. A perfect means of transport on those hot humid Indonesian days and we could also walk along the pathway from our villa to greet a golf buggy, which would take us for a late afternoon massage.

Although we are fully robed, we had been daring enough to have zero underwear underneath.

Taking our ride in the buggy, we giggle like naughty schoolgirls as the friendly staff takes us up to the top of the resort to the massive, massage huts. By the way, did I mention the view from up there? No words.

As we pull up in the buggy we are greeted by our masseuse's. –Still, with no underwear, I might add, in case you forgot. Lol

Wow, the massages were insane, like wow is the only word to describe them. I have had some great ones in Bali but this was out of this world.

I was in Heaven literally in heaven and would recommend the Banyan Tree Bintan to anyone as an amazing experience. I am so grateful to make these beautiful memories with my daughter, I feel blessed.

It was a few days of complete relaxation and I realized that I have not yet seen so many places here in Asia.

The massages were insane, like "wow" is the only word to describe them.

Moving forward I can say that Singapore is a great hub for travelling Asia and I intend to do a lot more exploring in the future.

Anyhow, I’m not sure when I will be back in Europe but hope you are all having the best summer ever.

I am watching the Marbella summer and all that is going on, on FB and IG I Love it and feel a million miles away right now.

So many of my stories in my books are derived from my own experiences so perhaps you should give my books a read. The perfect summer is reading by the pool or on the beach while the sun and the wind do their jobs.

About Karina Miller

Karina Miller is a blogger, writer, and author of the books ‘SINGLE IN MARBS’ and ‘MARBELLA GIRLS.’ based in Marbella, Spain. Both books are available right now on Amazon and will shortly be available in BOOKWORLD Puerto Banus, Marbella.

Get her book!

• SINGLE IN MARBS: SINGLE IN MARBELLA
• MARBELLA GIRLS: ONE FOR THE GIRLS

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