We started of our journey at midnight, travelling to Terengganu can be an experience for us simply because we’ve not travelled there before. Even though we live here in Malaysia, it’s really wonderful to have this little device called the GPS because it definitely leads us all the way. So anyhow before we embarked on our journey we had supper first like all Malaysians do at the mamak store before we headed out.
I took the first half of the journey driving, quite surprising to find lots of cars and people travelling that night. We were all very excited, we talked, slept, talk and slept again. Not for me and my dad though, we were both taking turns to drive! Whereas, my sister, mom and szu li – well they did just all of that – SLEEP, TALK & more SLEEPING!
Anyways without knowing where we were headed, okay we knew our destination but the journey to the destination was unknown. It took us approximately 7 hours to arrive at the jetty in Merang. Thank God we didn’t get lost, we arrived in Merang at 7 am. We made a stop at a petrol station to brush our teeth and freshen up and then we had some breakfast. Heads up for anyone of you planning to go to Terengganu, food can be a little more expensive there comparing even to Kuala Lumpur itself, by the way we’re from Selangor. Generally things can be slightly more expensive here – this part of Malaysia.
Oh yeah if I’ve not told you we were heading, – It’s to the beautiful island of Lang Tengah. Asmaller island in between Redang and Perhentian. To continue on, well we headed to the jetty, at first we ended up at the wrong jetty, ours was located slightly away from the first jetty that we came across. Our resort named Redang Lang Resort had their jetty somewhere else. So we proceeded to that jetty thank God for good kind citizens who gave us directions there.
When we arrived at the jetty, we saw a small signboard saying Redang Lang Resort and a small house, some cars and people standing around. The jetty felt and looked as if it might collapse anytime. So feeling a little lost I went to inquire on where we should park, how much and etc. I had to go to the small house and asked the mak cik there and she said “oh park there, RM 30 for 3 days and 2 nights”. By the way it was all in Bahasa Malaysia.
So I figured this out, this land here by the swamp must be government owned or maybe the lady of the house owns it, so someone decided to built a jetty there and gave this mak cik some side income collecting parking fees, just my guess, nothing concrete. Anyway we parked our car, and paid the parking and I asked the mak cik for a receipt, and guess what to my surprised they do give receipts. Then we unloaded and waited, the boat was to arrive at 10 am to take us to the island.
Then later, the sea patrol that came by and asked us to pay up for the Marine Park fees, RM 5.00,there was a little confusion but all was well because we knew about it before hand it’s just that when I was making the bookings for this resort I had the impression that we only needed to pay that once we’re on the island and not on the jetty. So do take note, and you can feel a little lost because nobody seems to be there (from the resort) to receive or to guide the guest, only later that a man who works with the resort guided us around. Tips for the resort, placed someone there especially when you are expecting people to come.
Then came another guy who said maybe some of us might need to be transferred to another jetty 20 minutes away, fearing that the boat that is to come might be late. So a bus came and we boarded it, almost drove off then we were told to get off again and to board the boat that has arrive, such confusion. Anyhow we were then well on our way to the island. The boat ride is about 45 minutes to an hour. A well shaded and take care boat I would say.
Redang Lang Island Resort
A beautiful island, crystal clear waters, white long sandy beach wow amazing, we were mesmerise that such islands can also be found in Malaysia. After unloading our bags we then had a briefing given by the person in charge or should I call him the camp warden. Basically it’s almost like a camp or boot camp some would say, snorkelling is at this time, food serve at a certain time, you miss it no food, etc etc. Don’t worry there was no curfew or penalties for staying up or not joining any of their activities.
We then checked in to our rooms, simple, nothing elegant just the basic, bed, cupboard, pillow, blanket, bed sheet, and toilet. No television, electric kettle or stove or anything else and we’re practically fine with it. The food was good, home cooked Chinese food, all Halal though they weren’t quite on time in serving them. We too had some Malay and Indian food, one thing though if you were to go on a weekend or holiday season do expect lots of people and long lines for the food, buffet style.
The activities that we did were snorkelling and more snorkelling. There was a jungle tracking but we chose not to go with that simply because we wanted to maximise our time at the beach. By the way this package that we took was the snorkelling package at RM 420 which includes 2 snorkelling session, food, lodging, jungle tracking and all boat transfers. We enjoyed the snorkelling trips though we were feeling that the resort should have brief us on what can or cannot be done while we snorkelling and ways or conserving the corals etc.
In conclusion, we had lots of fun, well done Redang Lang Resort, the food, the accommodation and activities well done. If you’re looking for a place where their focus is snorkelling, diving and the beach this would be it, nothing posh, simple and clean. For us we’re rating it 8/10 the 2 points lost was for the late food and the waiting period we had and the feeling of being lost at the jetty, other than that thumbs up!!
Take note, do take care of the corals and the beaches there, although majority of the corals at the front of the resort has been destroyed there was still life, lots of fishes and some fragments of life corals that we spotted when we snorkelled on our own at the beach. Give it another five years and with everyone doing their part there will be lots of corals to see soon enough even at the shallow end of the beaches. Peace out !!
