Club Med Bintan Island

I'm going to be joining Ria Bintan as a G.O. soon, and I have a couple of random questions I don't want to bother my recruiter with. If you guys could answer any, I'd really appreciate it.

I was a G.O. in the North American Zone three years ago. Most of the villages I worked at, each G.O. had an individual bedroom, but shared a bathroom. Do you guys know what the setup is for the G.O. rooms in Bintan?

Do people play a lot of volleyball there?

I know it's a family village, but how's the social scene? Pretty fun; some single people?

How's the weather been when you guys have visited there? Is there much of a rainy season there, and where is it?

Anyways, I appreciate any information you could give me....or just any stories or suggestions for when I go there...

thanks

Hi Huck

Bintan? Lucky you. From what I hear, GO rooms in Bintan are the type that you are used to - 2 individual rooms sharing a common bathroom.

Volleyball - I think I've only seen them play beach volleyball. But I don't think that volleyball's on top of the sports list.

Social scene - depends on who's there at that time, and whether it's school holidays in Singapore or neighbouring countries.

Weather - it's subject to the monsoon seasons, and I think at the end of the year (Nov-Feb/March), you would expect to have rain and rough seas (and no water sports for the most part). Otherwise, plenty of sunshine and lots of fun!

Which service will you be attached to in Bintan?

Yrs truly
Maukitten

Yes, Maukitten is right.

We play beach volleyball in the afternoon.

Nov to Mar are rainy season. Sometimes, there is stormy rain at noon.
We have "Indoor pool game" and "Indoor sun dance".

Maukitten, Ric - thanks.

I'm going to be a Mini-Club G.O. Do you guys know how long their shifts are? Again, at most villages, we would only work for 4 hours in the morning or afternoon, but at a couple of villages they had us working longer. I guess I'm just curious about the differences between the North American Club Meds and the Asian ones.

So, have you guys gone there much? Did you enjoy Ria Bintan?

I've only been twice - once for New Year's and another time in March, both this year. Bintan is actually quite nice - it's newer, the scenery around the club is beautiful, and almost everything is located in one central building. I'd definitely go again. Actually, it's one of my favourite clubs (but then again, I say that about all the Club Meds anyway). :-)

It's near enough to Singapore to go on your day off, so you won't feel so cut off from civilisation ...

I'm sure you'll have fun, and I'll look out for you if I go to Bintan this season.

:-)
Maukitten

Huck,

Look forward to seeing you around the village this year, I will be at Bintan for the first time from 26th September for 7 nights.

Dear huck,

I had been to Bintan twice.
12 Sep 2003 to 20 Sep 2003
27 Mar 2004 to 02 Apr 2004

Bintan is not a large village. It is beautiful and I enjoy the holiday very much.

Again, thanks for the info. I'll be getting there around the second week of August. It'd be great if you guys would look for me once you get there. I'll be the new mini-club G.O., still glowing from my new tan and from the excitement of being there... All the beer and wine at dinner is on me! :)

One quick question :)....I get bored so I click on people's profiles. Oceanmagic...yours says that you're 13, but I got the impression that you were a bit more mature than that....Maybe you're just a really mature 13 year old... :) I was just curious...thanks

Hi Huck,

Well I wish I was 13 again!! (hmmm actually maybe not) the info on my profile is incorrect, I put the right day but didn't change the month or year. I'm actually 25 (DOB 09/02/79), so that should now make my maturity level just about right :oP

Will make sure I look out for the recently sun-drenched GO, which country are you from?

I'm from the US. After Club Med, I decided to get a "real" job, and I went to work for an advertising agency. Then I got restless, came to South Korea to teach English, and then since I re-approached Club Med at their office in Seoul, I got hired as an Asian (Korean) contract, which means I can work in this area of the world. :) yay...usually, it's kindof tough for a North American G.O. to leave the N.A. sector, unless the chief of village brings you along, or you've put in your time.

Bintan is a beautiful village. I worked there as GO and it is very special. every GO who goes there finds there is something magical about it. Always a good team. Mini Club GOs in Asia generally work 7-9 hour per day. Morning or afternoon and dinner, or all day and no dinner shift.... Bintan is nice as only lots of kids on weekends generally and singaporean holidays. Make sure to take all the clothes you need though - dress codes, as there is not many shops there apart from going over to singapore on your day off..... Have fun...

Sib - Thanks...That's about the same schedule I worked before. Which service were you in at Bintan?