Private Island Bliss

I recently stayed again on pulau pangkil kecil at the kind invitation of a friend.

Pulau Pangkil Kecil is a tiny little island southeast of Bintan which I have been told, belongs to the Marden family of Wheelock Marden fame. Bought initially as a private family resort, it was developed by an American very successfully. It consists of 6 chalets each with their own bathrooms and even a treehouse, and another open treehouse area near the swimming pool.

As one rents the entire island at a time, privacy is guaranteed other than the little army of staff there to cook and clean and maintain the place. They have their own quarters and are remarkably discreet. Best of all, they're great cooks and I especially love their freshly baked bread every morning. I believe they have a baking machine. The bread tastes rather brioche like and is a buttery yellow in colour and very slightly sweet. One is fed to the gills while there with mid morning and tea time snacks and a fully stocked bar with bar snacks as well available all the time.

I was lucky enough to go there a few years ago and again very recently at the invitation of a friend who's family is in the shipping line and have business connections with one of the Marden companies. Hence I got in at a fraction of the cost. Normally it would cost approx S$700 per head for a weekend from Friday to Sun with all meals included.

Private islands are not all that expensive, contrary to popular belief . At least not in the Riau archipelago where the cost of buying an island is low. However developing it is expensive as getting the materials and labour over to the island can be costly.

Needless to say I enjoyed my time there hugely. The first time around it was a very small group staying there but the second time around, we were fully packed in so I ended up sleeping in the large chalet with the fabulously huge bathroom but sadly no enormous hammock beneath the chalet. The hammock is my favourite spot as it's so big it can take easily 2 adults at a time. And I arrived with two books and spent much time reading quietly in the shade of the chalet.

I also spent much time either in the beach or in the pool. The waters around are beautifully clear and there is even some coral that is still alive particularly near the area around the swimming pool. However swimming there without fins was a bit tricky as there was a moderate current and the rocks around there were sharp, so we rapidly retreated after excitedly pointing out to each other the more vivid colours of the corals and fish around that area. However I have to admit that if one really wants to see something more spectacular, it would be better to take the fishing boat out a little deeper and snorkel or dive from there. However for scaredy cats like me, I tend to stick very close in to shore.