Thursday, June 24, 2010
Before I forgot about my awesome little graduation trip whereby I am the only person who is actually graduating, shall blog about it and let the wonderful memories be penned down as much as I possibly can. Even though I must say, the beauty can only be experienced for oneself and not told by others.
I went on the trip with Lu Jing (hwa chong senior), Siting (chinese course senior) and Jun Da (Siting's friend). It is a weird combination and so is the reason which I was asked along: so that there are 4 person and we can play mahjong at night when there are no activities. :p But I am not complaining as most of the details for the trip are arranged by my 2 dear seniors and I just have to pay plus be there in person. Spent less than 600RMB in all for the 3 days 2 nights Pulau Redang trip with food (breakfast, lunch, tea & dinner buffet-style) and accommodation provided plus 3 snorkelling trips, definitely a good bargain.
On 19th July (Sat), we headed towards Golden Mile Complex to board our overnight bus by Konsortium (might not have spelt it correctly but it sounds like that) at 10pm. But it turns out that the bus has been delayed and we are the only group who somehow was not informed thus we spent 2 hours at a coffeeshop area located within the complex. Even though it was not really a good way to start the trip, I was rather enjoying the hours by observing the sleazy karaoke pub nearby where those hostess dressed so glamorously in extravagrant and sexy-looking gowns sat outside waiting for some customer I believe. It is really interesting to find such a sight still present in one corner of Singapore when you thought they only exist in drama serials.
Finally at 12mn, we managed to board our bus finally and there are a lot of Chinese Nationals. So much so that we were discussing and trying to rationalise the phenomenom; on a bus of about 30 passengers, they occupy more than half of that and as per usual make their presence known with their conversations across the bus. We took the bus to the Tuas Checkpoint, my first time going into Malaysia via that path! I must say I prefer the Woodlands one more. :p After the checkpoint, we were transfered to another bus with those more comfortable seats for overnight rides so that people can sleep. As the 4 of us went up the bus last, we were separated and I was sitting right at the front just diagonal from the bus driver. It was a little scary as you see vehicles in opposite direction rushing you by, indicating how fast the bus is travelling at.
We did stopover at a few places for people to go toilet and buy things to eat. As I do not want to feel terrible having to hold my bladder, I restrained my urge to drink water. Being the first time travelling overnight on bus, I did not wear the appropriate attire and was practically freezing if not for the scarf that Mei Ling gave me (save my life once again!) And finally after 10hours, we reached the Merang Jetty in Kuala Terengganu at last! After alighting from the bus, I could literally feel the sun and decided I must get a sun hat as the normal hat I brought is not going to offer the necessary shade. There were many shops at the jetty area so I bought one at 14RMB & immediately started wearing.
After waiting for some time, we finally boarded the small motor boat that brought us to Pulau Redang from the jetty. And it was a super exciting experience as we braved the rather large waves from the ocean and the boat was bumping on the waves with the sea water splashing on us. SHIOK TO THE MAXIMUM. This may sound a little freaky but I was literally smiling throughout the almost 30 minutes boat journey to the island as I was enjoying the sea wind, sea water & majestic sea view. It is like we are moving, and yet we are not moving as the sea in the distance looks stagnant. Brings a sense of peace and calmness which feels just great.
When we finally reach our destination, the view that greeted my eye simply melted me from deep inside. The white sand, the blue sky, the clear sea, the beautiful landscape... How I wish I never have to leave the place and I was loving the trip from that moment on despite the hot scorching sun. We proceeded to check into our rather small private semi-villa, unpacked a little and had lunch before renting equipments needed for our snorkeling trips during our stay. And not long after it is time for our 1st snorkeling trip where all the tourists packed ourselves onto a huge old-looking motor boat, those that you will associate with illegal immigrants via sea. :p The journey out to sea was a little uncomfortable but the process was totally worth it when we reach our destination.
OMG... OMG... OMG... The beautiful corals, the colourful fishes, the clarity of everything you can see just by floating on the water. It was so awesome I think there were a few times when I forgot to breathe, and I understood why some of my friends love diving instantenously. The subsequent 2 snorkeling trips were just as awesome if not even more as we managed to loan those underwater camera and brought crackers to feed the fishes such that they come so close right in front of your googles and you can just touch them!!! There is something which I must say here to everyone who intend to go on such trips: Please do not hold the food in your hand while feeding as the fishes do bite, not suckle like those plain water fishes you experience in Singapore. I have evidence on my hand and finger, booo. :p
Besides snorkeling, we are basically left on our own to spend time in whatever ways we want. So on both day nights, the 4 of us walked around the area to explore other resorts and mahjong-ed as per planned for initially. And on 2nd day after snorkeling, we decided to rent 2 kayaks out to brave the waves out in the sea! It was another exciting and fun experience as we really kayak all the way out to another island to venture, trying with whatever skills we have not to be capsized by the strong waves hitting us which we succeeded! Then we decided to raise the stakes by challenging each other to race to another island before heading back, with loser treating winner alcoholic drinks. I was with Siting & we won! We even sang Cai Hong Ling and put our paddles together in a L-shape (stands for Loser) to show Lu Jing & Jun Da.
When we were close to being back on island, the other pair decided to try capsizing their kayak to learn how to handle if it happens for real. The kayak was upright but Lu Jing & Jun Da fell out, do not ask me how it happened as until now I am curious still, lol. Jun Da climb back on and Lu Jing managed to after much effort and just before she settled down properly the whole kayak capsize for real as Jun Da was not able to keep the balance. I tell you, it has been a really long time since I laughed that hard. After the 2nd time, Siting & I decided to join forces to prevent capsize again and succeeded! Then we decided to just sit on the kayak and let the waves do the job of bringing us up the shore which it did! Shiok ah!
Then the 4 of us tried to carry the kayak back, without emptying the water as we have no idea, resulting in ultimate failure & stupidity. It was pure enjoyment. After dinner we went drinking at a pub, then Siting and myself had our hardest laugh I believe as the other pair who are both weak drinkers start talking and acting funny from the pub back to our semi-villa. LOL. I so miss the laughter man. ;) Hahaha, it was shiok drinking again after quite some time. Love it! Heh heh heh. If you want to chill out someday, jio me along as you can be drunk and I will be sane enough to bring you home. :p
Whenever we have free time with no activities planned, I will be the first one to head out to sea and just stay in there. Be it swimming about, diving in the water, watching out for small fishes (caught sight of a large fish that most probably have been separated from his school by the waves), floating on water looking at the sky, and jumping whenever a large wave hits me to avoid sinking beneath. I just love the feeling of being in the sea, pure absolute love. And I have since been missing the feeling, oh well. And so ends my Redang trip as the return journey was not quite enjoyable and with nothing much to talk about as we are all tired from sleeping early on the last night in order to catch the sun-rise which we caught a few glimpses of. :))) Tioman, I am so going there!!!
9:10 PM
