Pulau Pangkil Island: four days, one Island, endless memories

After a few days in Singapore, we set off for a family destination wedding on Pulau Pangkil Island, a private island resort off Bintan, Indonesia.

Getting there felt like an adventure in itself. First came the ferry from Singapore to Bintan, followed by a bus ride across Bintan Island along rain-soaked dirt roads and potholes large enough to swallow the bus. It was a bumpy and tense ride. Just when we thought we’d arrived, there was still a private speedboat waiting, before transferring again into smaller boats for the final approach to the island. By the time we stepped ashore, it felt less like checking into a resort and more like we’d completed an ambitious expedition.

And then there was the social landscape.

This was never going to be an ordinary family wedding. Between the bride and groom’s families, divorces and re-partnering had created a wonderfully modern situation involving eight sets of parents and partners, all heading to the same tiny private island for four days with absolutely no possibility of quietly slipping away if things became awkward.

Somewhere along the journey we started referring to it as Gilligan’s Island and wondered whether we’d witness cohesive tropical harmony, tense social survival, or an excellent opportunity for people watching (ourselves included).

Thankfully, first impressions suggested we needn’t worry. Pulau Pangkil was beautiful. It immediately felt relaxing, welcoming and somehow removed from the outside world.

Timber villas were scattered across the tiny island which gave privacy and a very secluded feeling, all tucked into tropical gardens, with occasional open spaces, and vegetation lined walkways connecting villas and the pool. For the next few days, this little island would become home for everyone (around 40 people all up).