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A kelong stay...
A stay way away!
About 50km's down the highway after bridge one you'll come across bridge five. This we think, is the nicest setting along the highway stretch. Elevated enough to get a good view west towards Sumatra and east towards a lovely little bay with a button of an island in the middle. Somehow its just charming and made more so as there is a lack of human evidence. Well except for, a few small buildings around the rim of the bay. One of these is Kelong Almira.
By rough definition, a Kelong is a stilted fish trap where the fishermen built their homes above the trap and saved the early morning commute! Kelongs are popular fishing arrangements throughout Southeast Asia. But in this case, the only fishing going on is the kind that you might wish to do. There's a couple of floating platforms so you can go out there and fish all you like. Chances of striking something are very very high as the sea is teaming with fish that are attracted to the shade of the stilts!
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The rooms are arranged off a 'long house' verandah. This is a communal area although each room on the seaward side has it's on lounge setting immediately in front of the room.
The rooms with the mangrove view have a private balcony. (Our preference is, the seaward side).
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Thankfully the lady owner of the resort has good taste in furnishing so while it's not 5-star grande, it is nice.
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This is a simple resort but it does have a charming setting and the best thing to do is... Not a lot! Sit and enjoy the quiet as there is no real ambient noise.
Room rates will hardly bust the bank.
Non air-con IDR 500,000 (about $50)
Air-con IDR 700,000 (about $75)
The Kelong is built with authentic materials in an authentic fashion and that's what makes it unique. Rooms are available in two configurations, air-con and no air-con.
Electricity is by generator and will run from 6pm - 6am. You can arrange to have it run for longer but the surcharge will only make it feasible if you book a few rooms and spread the cost.
Located on the rim of the bay, you have choice of going diving, for a paddle, fish or just read a good book.
Incidentally, there are no decent book shops in Batam, so bring your own.
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Pre-order your meals and you will be treated to some good and fresh seafood. Otherwise its eat noodles in the kitchen...
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Other things to try...
Just offshore by about 3nms is Pulau Panjang. Take a small boat out here and you'll be able to see a nice island with a fishing that is little changed for ages! Except for the plastic trash that is!
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Or, take the ferry over to Tanjong Pinang near Bintan island... Of course you need 5 Suzuki outboard motors!
What else to do... I like the book reading bit while lounging and gazing out over the water. The resort is small (12 rooms) so it doesn't get to crowded but it does get booked on public holidays. My preference is to paddle the kayak around the button island. Tidal streams here are very strong so getting around the island can be a challenge in its own right. I keep my own kayak at Mirota Beach which is about 2nm's away. Head out under the bridge, keep land on your left and you'll find nice stretches of white sand beaches. - Ed.
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