That aside, we enjoyed our getaway tremendously. 2days of relaxation, indulgence, pampering...and definitely missing Jovann. we called back very often and hubby and I spent the whole trip speaking "Jovann-innish" coz we miss him so much. During the ferry to Bintan, hubby kept going "eh-phant" (Jovann's "elephant") and "no-no" when he is playing his suduko. I think the guy sitting beside him must have thought him mad.
Banyan Tree service is excellent, indulging their guests comes naturally to them. All staffs encountered wore such a smile, and the buggy drivers go out of the way to ask you about your trip and make you feel welcome and at home. Its fun being chaffeured from villa to dinner venue by buggy, from place to place by buggy. first day, we were not familar with the layout and we actually called a buggy to pick us from the spa gallery to our villa. in the pouring rain. then we sheepishly realised our villa is 5 villas away. but the driver did not mention this hehehe, must have thought we are a couple of pampered singaporeans.
The welcoming lounge..
The welcome tea and towels. Only the lady's tray has the pretty orchid in it.
We tasted risotto for the first time there. yes yes we are quite suaku, coz never ordered that before in Singapore. We had it at The Cove.
Starters at The Cove. The small bits of thing on the toothpicks are delicious. They are actually olives grilled with fetta cheese.
Our fav was Dining of the Legends, a unique dining experience that both of us have never before encountered. It was as nice or even better than in the photos, as they added little touches which was not mentioned when I booked it. Upon approaching the canopy on the beach, our personal waiter lighted up a bonfire in welcome, then ignited a flaming heart shaped made in the sand right in front of our dining table. We laze on the huge day bed throughout the dinner, and called for him with a tinkling bell that makes a sweet sound. The food spread was delicious. Both of us kicked ourselves for eating so full a lunch earlier. I was initially worried if the food will be cold since we are in the middle of the beach, no where near any equipped kitchen. but Banyan tree amazed us by presenting each hot dish in a cute little earthenware heated individually by a tea light. even the satay has its own mini charcoal pit. When the dessert came, both of us dugged into the jackfruit icecream (in the coconut husk) with relish. We have never tasted anything so delicious!!!
Walking across the beach towards our private dining.
The starters
Mains
The desserts
Of course, how to miss the Banyan Tree spa? hehehhe! we indulged twice. first treatment, I had the most pampering 2 hour pedicure ever in my life. firstly, i have never had a 2 hour pedicure. 2ndly, most of my pedicures back home requires you to be awake as you have to alternate lifting up your feet for cleaning, cuticle treatment, buffing, painting etc etc. Perhaps coz the therapist (Yeni) know I am pregnant, or perhaps its just their way of service, but she brought a foot stool for me and my feet didn't need to move at all as she adjusted herself to accomodate me throughout the treatment. I could close my eyes, doze, day dream, enjoy the fruits and hot ginger tea. at one point, she was preparing something at the basin and overheard me muttering to myself. she asked politely was I talking to her, and I gave a sheepish "no, sorry I scared you"....then she correctly guessed that I was talking to baby heheheee.....well, she understood, coz she has 2 kids herself. :) Hubby had the Banyan Hair Indulgence, which I signed up for him and which he was shocked to find includes a hair wash besides the nice relaxing head massage (which he had in the treatment room seperately). When he came into the salon, he looks half asleep so I knew he had enjoyed the head massage hehe. When he had his hair washed, I was wondering where on earth is his therapist going to clean off the shampoo since I did not see any place for him to lie down with his head in the basin. Turns out in Banyan Tree spas, all you need to do is recline back in your seat, while they adjusted a mobile basin under your hair. Never saw that before hehee. and it was rather comfy too. :)
2nd treatment, I had the collagen facial and hubby the balinese massage. It was in the Spa Villa this time...and wow....we relived our Mandara Spa experience (minus the rain shower, steam room and flower bath soak hehehe). Had a pampering foot ritual, then the 90mins treatment, followed by the relaxation time in the lounge seats in the balcony facing the sea, with hot lemongrass tea and fruits. Lovely.
Foot soak before treatment.
Relaxing after treatment.
We wanna come back for more, and bring Jovann and his little sis with us next time....
The Villa Dining staff setting up our In Villa dining
Lazing on the pool chairs
The Cliff Pool
Dinner at The Saffrons. All lady diners are given an orchid to wear in their hair. I flaunted mine quite vainly as you can see.
Another example of Banyan Service. The shape of a heart made by the cleaning staff during a routine villa turnover.
Another lovely touch was the Intimate Moments Villa Deco, which I find worth every cent. the villa was transformed, and there were pretty purple and yellow orchids all over the floor, villa, on the bed and in the canopy.
miss J like crazy...both of us rushed to ma ma's place, go into the room to watch him sleep. But somehow he heard us. He opened his eyes, saw hubby, turned and saw me, got up and crawled sleepily towards me to hug me, laying his head on my shoulder....awwwwwww.......
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