Bare-bodied, well-chiselled men sit around a flickering fire. They chant in near hypnotic states as dancers clad in mystical garb prance around in the circle like moths attracted to a flame.
Elsewhere, a singer struts animatedly in between choruses on stage. Occasionally he glances back at the musicians behind him, and wears a half-bewildered, half-cocky expression, as if pleased about the energy he wields over the crowd.
One scene beckons you to observe and be intrigued, another almost urges you to join in the activity with abandon.
The Purnama Festival at the beach and Studio 54 at Silk could not be less related, except that they are both part of Bintan Lagoon Resort's (BLR) "The Long Weekend" festivities. Add to that list Movies By The Beach, and Bollywood Night at Silk, and it is not difficult to see why a long weekend can seem short at BLR.
However, by "short" I am not implying that when boarding the ferry for home you feel a sense of déja vu, an uneasy but familiar doubt about whether you really had a holiday getaway or experienced just a brief retreat from home. Rather, the feeling of "shortness" arises from a lament about not being able to stay on longer.
Just a 55-minute ferry ride from Singapore, and a 20-minute transfer from the Bandar Bentan Telani Terminal, BLR is within easy reach and cuts back on extensive travelling time, perfect for spending an extended weekend, like over the recent local Labour Day public holiday.
The highlights are, of course, the special events they have lined up, but there is a whole other platter of activities over the resort's 300 hectares, from golf, spa treatments, water sports, and land adventures to satisfy a variety of interests.
Trips can also be organised to nearby towns, like Pasar Oleh Oleh, where Balinese crafts and delectable keropok, or prawn crackers, can be purchased
Above all, the choice to do more, or less, or nothing at all, is really yours.
If the list of possible "to-dos" seems too overwhelming, there is always the sandy beach and radiant skyline, both a stone's throw away from your room. BLR's beach stretches over four kilometres, and is perfect for long strolls or finding your own private sanctuary to watch the waves.
The wide expanse of coastline is particularly captivating at sunset, offering a panoramic sight of bright radiance transforming into subdued hues, before settling into the darkness of night. The beach is also the tranquil backdrop for wining and dining, at the Pasir Panjang Beach Bar and the Nelayan Grill.
At Neleyan, pick out your main course from the open-concept kitchen - from red snapper fillets to sirloin steaks, and savour the buffet-style selection of soups, salads, and desserts. The homemade chilli sambal and coffee ice-cream are perfect ways to start and end the candlelit meal.
The beach bar is perched on an elevated platform near the shore, and with its understated, casual atmosphere, is more than ideal for languishing in the beach breeze with a cold beer or frozen margarita.
For the Movies by the Beach event, a large screen was erected on the edge of the coastline, providing for a quaint theatre-like ambience to enjoy "A Night at the Museum" and "Memoirs of a Geisha".
When life gets too serene, the Silk Club, a hybrid of club, disco, live venue and lounge will get the hips shaking and the feet jiving with its energetic house band and guest DJs. Over the long weekend, a Bollywood Night and a retro-themed Studio 54 took centre stage, giving party-goers a chance to dress up and relive the tunes of the past.
Worthy of mention is the bar's Pinball Band, whose singers go the extra mile to invite clubbers to the dance floor or to belt out a chorus or two with them. The enthusiasm rubs off well, never seeming too intrusive and this helps put even the most reserved of visitors at ease.
In conjunction with the Balinese full moon celebrations, BLR also held, for the first time, a Purnama Festival, which combined an alfresco dinner at the beach with a riveting cultural performance.
Thirty native Balinese treated the diners to an enchanting rendition of a Kecak Ramayana dance, which reenacts the story of the victory over the demon king, Rahwana. Though the play was narrated solely in Indonesian, the synchronicity of the group's singing and chanting, coupled with the deliberate movements of the central dancers were captivating.
Long weekends at BLR, with its special nightly events, and host of recreational choices, makes for a delightful holiday.
Bintan Lagoon Resort's next long weekend special will be held over Singapore's National Day public holiday, from August 9 to 12, 2007. Watch this space, or check out www.bintanlagoon.com for updates.
Besides boasting two golf courses, the resort has 57 villas and 416 rooms. It is currently undergoing a S$20 million upgrading project over the next two years, and guests can look forward to an exciting new shopping arcade and a 'dining on the rocks' restaurant by September this year.
