The next morning, we walked over to Warung Pak Lagoi, the hotel’s main restaurant, for the buffet breakfast. It was a lovely, gentle stroll through the resort grounds — lush, quiet, and still cool from the morning breeze. Along the way, we passed by another pool, which seemed a little more grown-up in vibe, complete with a swim-up bar called Strawbella.
Warung Pak Lagoi was beautiful, styled like a traditional Indonesian warung with rustic woodwork and warm, earthy tones. As we walked up to the restaurant, we were surprised to find it nestled between paddy fields — a setting that immediately made the morning feel more relaxed and scenic than your usual hotel breakfast run.
There were all the usual family-friendly staples: pancakes, bacon, toast, and sausages—and of course, the kids made a beeline for the DIY cereal station and had fun picking out syrups and sweet condiments for their French toast. They also drank pineapple juice and warm mugs of hot chocolate, which made them feel very pleased with breakfast!
Beyond the basics, the spread was thoughtfully put together. Besides toast and pastries, fruit platters, a salad bar, and a live egg station, there were also noodle and congee stations—perfect for those who wanted something warm and comforting. And what really stood out was the generous offering of local Indonesian dishes: beef rendang, sayur lodeh, turmeric rice with different sambals, kueh-kuehs and free-flow belinjo and prawn crackers.
Eco Farm
After breakfast, we joined a packaged tour that included both Safari Lagoi and the Eco Farm, with the Eco Farm as our first stop. Oddly, we were the only ones there. But perhaps, we were too early.
We were warmly welcomed with a refreshing homemade roselle drink, served in bamboo cups that immediately set the tone. It was such a thoughtful touch, and the kids were fascinated by the novelty of sipping from a cup made of wood.
The tour began with something we’d never tried before—an introduction to stingless bees. The guide shared fun facts about these gentle bees (yes, they really don’t sting, but they do bite!), and then brought us up close to the hives where we got to taste honey straight from the source. It was surprisingly floral and tangy, and such a cool experience for the kids to see where honey actually comes from — beyond a squeeze bottle.
But let’s be honest — the kids were far more interested in the animal activities!
After the honey tasting, we were led on a walk around the Eco Farm grounds — and while it was blisteringly hot, there was still plenty to take in. As a coffee lover, I was excited to spot a coffee plant, along with roselle bushes, lime trees, and rows of herbs. The guide shared tidbits about how each plant is used, and we were encouraged to touch, smell, and learn as we went.
They got to feed fish and frogs, squealing with delight as the water splashed around them. There was even a quick lesson on black soldier flies — how they help decompose food waste and are used as feed — and while the science might have gone over their heads a little, they were still fascinated (and slightly grossed out, in a good way).
Then came the highlight: a chicken chase. The kids were set loose to run around and try to catch chickens, and to our surprise, they actually managed to catch a few — with help, of course. It was chaotic, hilarious, and honestly one of the moments they’ll probably remember for a long time.
Off to Safari Lagoi
After our sweaty but fun-filled morning at the Eco Farm, we made our way to Safari Lagoi, which is located just nearby. It’s a conservation-focused wildlife park, home to rescued animals that can no longer be released into the wild.
That said, our visit got off to a slow and slightly chaotic start — we ended up waiting nearly an hour for the buggy, likely due to the long weekend crowd. I’ll admit, the impatient Singaporean in me was starting to show, but to their credit, our guide remained calm and proactive, checking in regularly until he managed to secure a ride for us. It wasn’t the smoothest start, but his efforts really helped ease the wait.
Also, they brought out snakes (!) so our kids weren’t that bored.
Thankfully, there was a small café onsite, where we could order drinks, Indomie and fries to tide us over. The setup was rustic, and there was just one auntie manning the kitchen, moving at what could only be described as a glacial pace — even our buggy arrived before our drinks!
Then came the feeding frenzy—and the kids were all in. We started off gently, offering food to rabbits, tortoises, and goats, which were all eager and friendly. But things escalated quickly: they were soon tossing chicken parts to a crocodile, dropping bananas into the trunk of a solitary elephant, and scattering feed for fish in a large pond. We also got up close to some striking birds — cassowaries, peacocks, hornbills and even ostriches.
Actually the experience was just okay for us adults. It felt a little sad seeing all these animals in small enclosures, and we felt a little trapped by the need to hire a buggy and pay for quite a lot of animal feed. But well, the kids had fun.
Little Notes
about Safari Lagoi
Mozzie alert! We made the rookie mistake of wearing shorts. Even with repellent, it was no match for the formidable Bintan mosquitoes. We got bitten badly. Interestingly, we didn’t get a single bite during the mangrove boat ride — and we’re pretty sure that’s because we wore long pants. So yes, cover up where you can, even if it’s hot!
Timing tip: We originally thought we’d start with Eco Farm first, then head to Safari Lagoi so the kids could spend more time there. But with the long weekend crowd, arriving later meant we were bumped way down the queue for the buggy. In hindsight, we would’ve gone to Safari Lagoi bright and early, and left the farm fun for later.
Rent the buggy, buy the animal feed: It costs extra to rent a buggy (about S$40) and buy a bag of animal feed (around S$27), and while technically optional, we felt like we had no real choice — walking is possible, but with no map, no signs, uneven slopes and the midday heat, it just wasn’t enjoyable, so the buggy made everything easier (and quicker), and unless your kids are okay just looking at animals, the feed really makes it more fun for them.
Spa day, swim time!
We returned to the hotel hot, sticky and ready to unwind — the kids, of course, jumped straight back into the pool like they hadn’t already spent hours in it.
While they splashed away, we adults took turns sneaking off to the resort spa, Sunjivva Spa. The staff were incredibly attentive, and we were so glad we’d made reservations in advance— we later saw several walk-in guests being turned away because all the slots were full. Despite that, it always felt like we had the place to ourselves, with barely a sound beyond soft spa music and the occasional breeze.
We opted for the 60-minute hot stone massage, and at just approx S$50 per session, it felt like a steal. We loved it so much, we kept begging them to schedule 1-2 more slots for us if there were cancellations.
Buffet dinner at Warung Pak Lagoi
We returned to Warung Pak Lagoi for dinner, mostly because breakfast had been decent — and we were too tired to venture far. To our surprise, they had a dedicated kids’ buffet, which our little ones immediately took full advantage of. Their first picks? gummies, marshmallows and fruit skewers. But with a bit of gentle negotiation, we managed to put together more balanced plates with mac and cheese, chicken and broccoli — so all in all, a win. I was so glad I didn’t have to think about what to feed them with.
While the kids zeroed in on the sweets, we turned our attention to the seafood buffet, which was decent in terms of quality and variety. There were the familiar live noodle and egg stations carried over from breakfast, a good mix of Asian and Western mains like rendang and lamb wellington, and a colourful spread of kueh-kueh for dessert.
But what really stood out were two little food kiosks styled like traditional gerobak (Indonesian pushcarts) serving up dishes like bakso and tahu telor with a live band playing in the yard outside. The flavours were bold, comforting and honestly very on point — a nice little nod to local street food that elevated the whole experience.
After dinner, we took a short stroll around the resort, chatting and winding down from the day. Then, to wrap up the night, J was treated to her birthday surprise — a kids’ spa session at Sunjivva Spa, which has a dedicated kids’ menu. She chose a Mini Facial and Mini Massage, and thoroughly enjoyed the relaxing experience.
Can you believe they gave us this room for just a kid’s spa session?
Everything was new to her — from the cold towel and tea at the waiting area to the calming music to the moment they gently placed chilled cucumber slices on her face, which made her giggle at first before settling into quiet delight. Such a lovely, memorable way to end a full and happy day!’
This Little Season 