Sun, Seas and Simple Pleasures
Belitung, Indonesia - 27 to 31 May 2026
Sometimes the best holidays are not about seeing more, doing more, or rushing from one attraction to another. Sometimes they are about slowing down, enjoying simple moments, and allowing yourself to move at a gentler pace.
My little getaway to Belitung with Adrian, Susan and Stephanie turned out to be exactly that.
Day 1 : Slowing Down Starts Here
Our adventure to Belitung began with an unexpected bonus. Our flight arrived ahead of schedule and had to circle in the sky before landing, giving us front-row seats to a spectacular sunrise. Sometimes the best moments happen when plans don’t go exactly according to schedule.
The H.A.S. Hanandjoeddin International Airport was small and simple, with just one lane for the elderly and families with young children, and two lanes for everyone else. Immigration and baggage collection were quick and fuss-free.
No aerobridges, no hurry - just a nostaglic walk across the tarmac and into Belitung
We were met by our hotel transfer (Hotel : BW Suites Belitung) and, after checking in, headed straight for breakfast. A holiday should start properly after all! Refreshed and changed, we spent the rest of the morning enjoying the infinity pool and a game of Triominos by the water.
View from the Infinity Pool
After a shower and a short rest, we took a stroll to the neighboring Fairfield by Marriott for lunch before returning for an afternoon nap. By evening, we had arranged for a driver (by Taxi Belitung) to take us to Nelayan Seafood Belitung for dinner. For around SGD45, the four of us enjoyed two crabs, fried calamari, vegetables and fish - a satisfying feast to kick off the trip.
Back at the hotel, we settled into the Sunset Bar with coffee in hand and a game of Phase10 while watching the day slowly fade into night.
Day 2 : Chasing Islands, Finding Sunshine
After breakfast, our driver (by Taxi Belitung) picked us up for a private island-hopping and snorkeling tour. The package (by Taxi Belitung), which included seafood lunch, cost approximately SGD128 for four people.
The islands were beautiful, the waters clear, and the snorkeling enjoyable. The only thing we underestimated was the tropical sun. By the time we returned, we returned, we looked more roasted than relaxed and promptly went searching for aloe vera gel to soothe our skin.
The evening followed familiar holiday routine: coffee at the Sunset Bar, another round of Phase10, and plenty of laughter. Dinner was a simple affair of A&W (by Grab Food), while Adrian tested himself to two-hour body massage.
Day 3 : Settling into Holiday Mode
After breakfast, it was time to pack up and move to our next hotel - Sheraton Belitung.
Using the mobile app, we completed check-in before arriving and were pleasantly surprised with an upgrade from a Garden View room to a Lagoon View room. The resort was beautiful, complete with buggy service that could take guests anywhere within the property.
Located within the Tanjung Kelayang Reserve, the resort boasts a private beach and a peaceful atmosphere that immediately encouraged us to slow down.
Feeling fully settled into holiday mode, we decided it was time to treat ourselves and enquired about spa treatments. Unfortunately, every available slot had already been booked for the entire duration of our stay. While slightly disappointed, we were not about to give up on the idea of some holiday pampering. We promptly booked massage appointments at Natureland in Changi Airport Terminal 3 for our return journey instead. If we couldn’t enjoy a spa day in Belitung, we would simply extend our holiday relaxation a little longer once were back in Singapore.
Lunch at Island Restaurant came with an unexpected lesson in customer service. A group at the neighboring table requested sturdier chairs and, without asking permission, a staff member - Zabila - began swapping our chairs with theirs while most of us were away collecting food. Only Susan remained seated and eating at the table.
Fortunately, I returned in time to witness the exchange. What bothered me wasn’t the chair swap itself, but the lack of courtesy from both the guests and staff. A simple request would have made all the difference. We later shared our feedback with the restaurant manager - Nanda.
Later in the afternoon, we spotted a giant gecko clinging to one of the resort walls. It was easily about the length of a hand - by far the largest gecko I had ever seen. While geckos are a common sight in tropical destinations, this one certainly stood out and quickly became one of the more memorable wildlife encounters of the trip.
We finally caught the sunset over the beach and it was absolutely mesmerizing. Shades of gold, orange and pink stretched across the horizon, recreating one of those moments where everyone naturally falls silent.
absolutely mesmerizing
Day 4 : The Joy of Unplanned Moments
I woke just after 6am and took a quiet walk around the resort. The beach was peaceful, the pools were still, and the sunrise painted the sky in soft colours. It was one of those mornings that reminds you why slowing down is worthwhile.
Later, we joined a complimentary honey farm tour. The buddy ride started smoothly enough until halfway through when our buggy suffered a flat tyre. Instead of being annoyed, we turned the unexpected delay into a mini photoshoot while waiting for rescue. Holidays are all about making the most of whatever happens.
At the farm, we tasted honey directly from the honeycomb. Surprisingly, it wasn’t overly sweet and carried a slight bitterness that made it taste wonderfully natural. We learnt that it takes around five months for bees to complete building the comb structure and about a month to refill and seal it with honey is broken.
Back at the resort, we squeezed in another round of Triominos before lunch, followed by what had become our favourite holiday activity - an afternoon nap.
Wake up. Eat. Rest. Repeat.
A truly successful holiday!
Day 5 : Bring the Holiday Home
Departure day arrived much too quickly.
At 3am, Adrian collected our takeaway breakfast from the front desk. Nothing fancy - mee goreng, nasi goreng, assorted breads, tea and coffee - but enough to fuel an early start.
The airport was every bit as charmingly small as when we arrived. Check-in was quick, queues were short and before long we were airborne and heading home.
Of course, our holiday wasn’t quite over yet.
Waiting for us at Changi Airport Terminal 3 was our pre-booked massage session at Natureland. Adrian, Susan and Stephanie opted for 90-minute body massages while I chose a 90-minutes foot reflexology session.
Let’s just say my right foot revealed more about my health than I was prepared to hear.
Painful?
Very!
Worth it?
Absolutely!
Reflections from Belitung
Belitung is not a destination for rushing around and ticking attractions off a list.
It is a destination for slowing down.
A place where sunsets become evening entertainment, card games become daily rituals, and afternoon naps are considered productive.
What I Loved
The absence of crowds.
Beautiful beaches and breathtaking sunsets.
The slower pace of island life.
The freedom to simply relax without feeling guilty.
What Could Be Better
Restaurant service standards were inconsistent.
Food quality and flavour could be improved
Language barriers occasionally made communication challenging.
Would I return?
Yes.
Not because there is a long list of attractions waiting to be explored, but because Belitung reminded me that sometimes doing less allows us to experience more.
“The best journeys are not measured by how far we travel, but by how present we are in each moment along the way.”