Blue Mountain Kelong

Unclaimed

My family enjoyed our 3D2N trip very much. Kids already asking to go back again soon! Getting there: 1hr by ferry from Harbourfront, greeted by Mr Dody (their local manager) at the Batam Centre ferry terminal, took a 30 min mini van land transfer to a local harbour to transfer to a covered speedboat, 30 min to Blue Mountain Kelong. Food: 4 meals a day! Buffet style with veg/fruits from their farm, chicken from the village that they support and seafood. Free flow coffee, tea, hot water, treated drinking water at the dining hall. Activities: went to Pulau Tunjuk white sand beach by their speedboat (they have kids & adult life vests), visited the village that they support (the Kelong funds the preschool there), visited their farm and harvested veg for our meals, went fishing (baits & rods provided, the staff helped to fry/steam our catch), snorkeling (brought our own snorkel & masks), star gazing, played Uno card games (provided there), laid in their hammock, watched their staff lower then raise their big square fishing net, and really loved the company of their 5 friendly dogs (they liked to welcome and escort us around!) Room: we stayed in a unit at the longhouse with 4 single beds. Sheltered walkway from dining hall. 2 pillows each. Bedding was clean. No blankets (but I think can request, we were fine without). No aircon, has oscillating fan above which was enough as it was breezy with the high ceilings. Attached bathroom was clean - toilet bowl, sink, shower head (no heated water but can ask staff to boil hot water to pour into pail to shower from). Balcony with 2 wooden chairs overlooked the sea. Has power plugs that we used in the nights. Dody and the other staff were very helpful and approachable. Dody was reasonably fluent in English and shared with us the background about the kelong and village. Some things to note: they are constantly maintaining their Kelong and might be replacing the roof/poles/planks. Power generator runs from 6pm-6am (otherwise will overheat) so no lights/electricity in the day (toilet was a bit dim since no window). Can buy cold coke, beer, coconut - pay host in cash (bring own snacks!). Avoid discarding toilet paper into toilet bowl in case it jams up the pipes.

We had a wonderful trip! Pre-trip adminstrative support by Jeanette was thorough and informative! During our stay, Dody & his wife (who was the chef) & the staffs working there went all out to made us comfortable. We went post school holiday so we had the whole place to ourselves. There are quite a few stuff you can do..go to the beach (by a short speed boat ride), hike around the nearby island etc..but we opt to just hang around the kelong to fish and read. Too much food! Hahahahaha. We ate like kings (diet needed now!). The kelong has 5 extremely smart and friendly dogs who somehow knew we were guests and did not once bark at us but like to follow us around and sit beside us when we fish or outside our room when we went in. Fishing quite alright, we caught needle fish & rabbit fish. School of needle fish gathered just by the water near our hut. We had alot of fun trying to catch them. Overall a fantasic stay..just the commute to the kelong was longer than i personally prefered (ok lah..if not how to have a nice & relaxing holiday :p)

A huge thank you to all the staff at Blue Mountain Kelong! Jeannette was an amazing coordinator and Dodi and the rest of the team were so hospitable. We had a great time soaking into the simplicity of life on a kelong and were also so happy to hear that this kelong also operates as a social enterprise that funds a preschool and primary school in the nearby village! Some highlights: 4 delicious homecooked meals everyday sunset swims in the sea learning how to fish (and eating the fish we caught!!) boat rides to explore the village mad hikes in the forest stargazing at night boardgames the most adorable and fiercely protective dogs who followed us everywhere and made sure we were safe (even sleeping outside our room!!) ? and not to mention the incredibly hospitable staff who always went ABOVE AND BEYOND to care for us (diving into the sea (with all his clothes) to save one of our hats, and helping me get a giant bug out of my guitar :”) Would visit again!!! and I highly recommend that you book a stay with them too ?

The host, Dodi, was very friendly and helpful. The food was also very nice and included fresh crabs. Rooms were spacious and toilets were clean and well maintained.

Great place for a getaway. Enjoyed the constant sea breeze and the sound of the waves. Seafood was great too!