My trip to Bangka, an island east of Sumatra, has been one of the most surprising of all my various trips. It surpassed my already-high expectation of the island. The highlight of the trip was the thousand beaches that I visited! Literally, there are no mountains on this island, just beaches. That’s why Bangka Island is the perfect spot for your winter getaway.

“Parai“ is the most popular beach on the island. It offers great blue sky and magnificent white sand beach. I initially went to the Parai Beach Resort and Spa to arrange for my accommodation. However, due to the popularity of the beach, I was not able to secure any rooms at all! Just a little tip for travelers, if you want to stay at this resort, make sure to book a room before your intended trip.

Another highlight of my trip was when I visited a local seaside market. This market is stocked with fresh seafood and bustling with fishermen’s activities. The surrounding environment is different from any other places on the island. For me, Bangka Island is the perfect spot to relax because of its slow pace of life.