'''Trikora''' is the northeastern beach of Bintan, Indonesia.
Understand
Until around 2000, the only tourist activity along Bintan's east coast was at Trikora beach, a popular hang-out for local visitors from Tanjung Pinang as well as foreign back-packers. Since then, the back-packer scene has largely given way to larger developments and other tourist destinations that have popped up along the east coast (see below). For local day-trippers, Trikora remains a popular day trip though. Trikora is actually quite a long stretch of separate beaches, with beaches numbered from one to four (''satu, dua, tiga, empat'' in Indonesian). The best known is '''Trikora Beach Four''' (''Trikora Empat''), which is the northernmost bit, right next to the "border" with Bintan Resorts. The beach is huge and all along the beach are basic shelters which you can rent from the close-by food sellers. If it is windy the waves can be right strong, swimming is prohibited during monsoon.
Get in
See the main Bintan article for details on getting to Bintan from Singapore or from elsewhere.
Once on Bintan, there are two routes to Trikora, either south from the main port Tanjung Pinang or north from Bintan Resorts. As taxis in the northern zone are ''much'' more expensive, most visitors opt for Tanjung Pinang. A cab from there to Trikora should cost no more than 150,000 IDR, or if you're good, you might be able to negotiate a better price.
Alternatively, if you're going solo or the group feels like enjoying the wind in their hair, hop onto a motorbike. Negotiate with one of the many ready takers outside the ferry station and make sure you settle on an agreeable price. This could range anywhere from S$10 to S$15 for the over an hour journey to Shady Shack. The ride alone is a delight, with scenes of village life on one side and pockets of the amazing waters on another.
It is also possible to rent motorbike at the ferry terminal or elsewhere in Tanjung Pinang. Figure on around 100,000 rupiah/day.
Get around
To get around Trikora, you could bring your bicycle on the ferry - it's a 2 hour ride from either Tanjung Pinang or the Bintan resorts. For those seeking motorized transport, you can check with anyone at the harbor at Tanjung Pinang. You can arrange for a motorbike, minivan, or car, but it is essential that you negotiate your package beforehand. A motorbike should be possible for around 150,000 IDR and a car (+driver) would be anywhere between 200,000 and 400,000, depending on how long you wish to cruise around. A well-known local figure in the backpacker scene, Mr Lobo (see below), could also help arranging motorized transport.
See
The Trikora area is for beach-lovers who enjoy their sandy spots without the crowds. There are quite a number of beaches dotting the stretch, each with its own character and charm. Some of the islands dotted along the East and South East coast are beautiful, as are the native villages along the east coast (esp Tanjung Berakit at the northern tip), and the traditional fishing communities on the delightful off-the-beaten track Southern islands called Pulau Kelong and Pulau Mantang.
Any of the resorts you stay with (or, of course, Lobo) will be happy to arrange for a tour of these places, except for the Southern islands, which are currently exclusively visited by Loola's clientele.
Local people everywhere are very friendly and some speak a smattering of English, especially the younger generation.
Do
Island hopping, jungle tours, kelong tours, fishing, picnicking, and volley ball. The larger resorts can arrange sporty activities and rent watersports equipment. Kite surfing has become more popular recently with young Singaporean (expats), especially during the windy season, from November till February, but you need to bring your own equipment.
If you feel like doing a bit of spot fishing, ask Lobo (or anyone else) to see if he can arrange for a boat to take the group out on a day trip. Kelongs (Stilt mobile homes made for fishing) abound too and there's a chance you could get onto one to see firsthand how they get their catch. Local fishing boats with sail and paddles can be rented for as little as 50,000 rupiah/day from local fishermen.
If all else fails, there's always the art of climbing coconut trees to master! The locals will be happy to share some tips!
Buy
Dried fish is good and fresh fish is better! Restaurants will cook your fish that you bring in at a price and will not in the least be offended.
Eat
Seafood! There are a couple of restaurants. They are quite cheap unless you go up-market. See Yasin Bungalows below.
Drink
If you stay at the Shady Shack, Lobo will go down to town to get you beer, etc. There's a fishing village called Kawal not too far away from Shady Shack and Lobo or whoever is around will be happy to hop onto their bikes to grab some beers. However, you can always pick up duty-free from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal with its great stock of liquids. Forget about nightlife unless you want to hang out at the local karaoke joints which are at least about 45 minutes away on motorbikes from Shady Shacks. The whole idea is to chill out with your own drinks by the beach and when night falls, head to Shady Shack's version or an indoor hangout (a few basic long benches and tables) to have some group fun singing and dancing (if there's a CD player around).
Yasin Bungalows (km 38) has a good standard bar and restaurant for this area where generally it's hard to find anything very much, and it's not expensive.
For something upscale, you may wanna stop over at Bintan Agro Beach Resort in the afternoon. There's a nice restaurant sitting on the water that serves food and drinks in a very pleasant setting.
Sleep
Budget
Most backpacker hangouts can be found on beaches three and four.
''' Pondok Wisata Susy''', [http://www.pondoksusy.com/]. (tel +62 813 728 76 196) 42km mark from Tanjung Pinang. Owned by Mr. Solarto and his wife 'Ms. Annie'. It's right beside Shady Shack and of similar style: Basic wooden huts, some with A/C, on one of the nicest beaches of the island, Pantai Trikora. White sand, crystal clear blue water, coconut-trees and a quiet and relaxing atmosphere to switch off your everyday life. Ms. Annie is providing delicious Indonesian food including snacks, seafood or just a sip out of the coconut. Spend your time hanging out on the beach or with Mr. Solarto and his family and learn more about the indonesian culture and lifestyle. Rooms from Rp110K (S$17) incl. breakfast.
'''Shady Shack''', Trikora 3 (''41 km''), tel. +''62'' 813 645 15 223, [http://www.lobo.kinemotion.de ]. 41km mark from Tanjung Pinang. Owned by Lobo, this is affordable and rustic, although quite basic. Some rooms have fans and an attached bathroom. Don't expect anything upscale - everything here is basic but that's the beauty of this place. One magical thing it has going for it is the 'private' beach that is all yours. Walk about 50 metres away from the site and there is this gentle sloping beach that stretches out with clear waters with shades of blue, gin-clear and emerald green. Should try skinny dipping when no one is around - pure bliss! When there's enough of a crowd, Lobo and gang are more than happy to do up a bonfire when the sun settles. You can't beat the stunning combination of sitting under a brilliantly star-studded sky lisening to some of the locals sing their melodious tunes. Sleep to the sounds of gentle waves washing up the shore and get up to glorious mornings just perfect for a dip in the warm waters after (free) breakfast. Rooms from Rp165K per night(S$25) for 2.
'''Yasin Bungalows''', tel. ''62'' 811 699 220, [http://www.yasin-bungalow.com]. 38km mark from Tanjung Pinang. Owned by Bintan Agro Beach Resort, and is their rustic budget alternative to their more expensive upmarket resort 2km away. This place is a real gem, more organized and upmarket than Shady Shack, but at a similar price. A nice rustic 2 person bungalow built over the water just S$25 per night. Plus they have a bar and restaurant with good food, etc... at very reasonable prices (eg, great nasi goreng 12,500 INR).
Note: Lobo can help arrange for your accomodation to any of the trikora beach lodges, he can arrange taxi services as well but usually doubles his price to get commission. It is best to call the lodge numbers direct.
Mid-range
'''Agro Beach Resort''', [http://www.agrobeach.com]. A classy yet affordable hotel with a local feel, which offers some beach activities, kayaking and motor-propelled water-activities.
'''LooLa Adventure Resort''', [http://www.loola.net]. Rustic kelong style bungalows on an isolated lagoon. There are a great number of activities on offer, including climbing, sailing, kayaking, boat expeditions with boom-netting, archery, beach games, obstacle course, raft building, marine expeditions, hill treks etc etc, as well as free child care. Activities are usually included in packages. Popular for school trips and corporate team-building exercises.
'''Ocean Bay''', tel. ''62'' 813 721 30 313 [http://www.oceanbaybintan.com ]. Basic kelong style bungalows, built around a huge netted sea area where visitors can fish. There are some kayaks as well, and a (sometimes very) good sea-food restaurant. Run by Mr. Singi.
Splurge
Bintan's East coast most expensive resorts have their own islands.
'''Nikoi Island''', [http://www.nikoi.com/]. 15 houses on the beach. From S$300.
'''Pangkil Island''', [http://www.pangkil.com/]. Private island with freshwater pool and an assortment of lodgings, available for rental for only one group (max. 30 people) at a time. Low-season weekday rates start from S$2,500 (1 to 10 people, all-inclusive).
Get out
Bintan Resorts, the Singaporean resort enclave, is just north of Trikora, but Tanjung Pinang is equally far, and both have ferries back to Singapore. Ferries to other destinations in Indonesia often leave from Kijang. Simply enquire with the place you stay with.