The visibility during my dive at Pulau Redang was so far the best I’ve experienced in Malaysia islands.  Well, not that I’ve dived a lot.  Belle and I did substrate survey at Paku Kecil where we count the hard & soft corals, sponges, Nutrients Indictor Algae (NIA) & [...]]]>

Some of the dedicated Reef Check volunteers

The visibility during my dive at Pulau Redang was so far the best I’ve experienced in Malaysia islands.  Well, not that I’ve dived a lot.  Belle and I did substrate survey at Paku Kecil where we count the hard & soft corals, sponges, Nutrients Indictor Algae (NIA) & others.  There were many NIA at this site, which is not a good sign.  Except for some Trivallis and Fuscillia, I didn’t get to see much of other fish as our heads were down most of the time doing substrate survey.  However, what I like about doing substrate is you pay more attention to the micro stuff.

Colourful nudibranch- Phyllidia varicosa

Christmas tree tube worm

One of the many amazing anemones at Pulau Redang

The second survey at Kerengga Kecil West was a more enjoyable dive.  We encountered a trigger fish but nobody got attacked.  A.B from the resort led us to the artificial reef site as we were heading back to the boat.  The site was actually quite eerie.  As corals failed to grow on the concrete blocks, they appeared more like an underwater cemetery to me.  We spotted 2 stingrays hiding underneath one of the blocks.

Underwater cemetery – unsuccessful artificial reef project

Stingray under "cemetary"

I wasn’t sure if it’s because of the ‘underwater cemetery’, our dinner topics that night was all about horror stories.  Moreover, we watched Ghost Hunters before we slept.  Oo.. scary…

We were all very eager about our first dive site on day 2, southern tip of Pulau Lima, as some divers claimed they spotted a whale shark the day before.  For your information, the Reef Check team swam with one just 2 weeks before Redang trip on their survey trip to Tioman.  I wish I were on that one!

Pulau Lima Dive Site - Just like an aquarium

All of us were on high alerts once we descended.  “Ting! Ting! Ting”, somebody hit the pointer on the tank after 10 minutes of the survey!  I was all excited but saw nothing when I turned right, then left.  I saw those about 5-6 metres in front of us were chasing after something, so I followed.  Yet, I didn’t even see a shadow.  Those in front did a flying gesture which signaled a ray.  Later, on the boat they told us it was a good sized eagle ray!  Hmm… looks like lady luck was not on my side.  Well, after the false alarm to whale shark, we continued our survey.  I kept a watchful eye at the deep blue on my left hoping to spot something.

All of a sudden, I spotted 4 squids dancing synchronically.  I got excited and abandoned my survey to chase after them with my Canon A720s in my hands.  The more I chased the further they swam away, I got frustrated and kept pressing the shutter button without focusing it first. When I finally gave up, I realised poor Belle was waiting for me to continue the survey.  Sorry Belle.  The group teased me for my ‘drop & chase’ stunt later that night.  I argued that the inverts wouldn’t swim anywhere even if I abandoned half way, I could continue where I left off.  For those uninitiated, some example of inverts we count are sea urchins & sea cucumbers.  Luckily, I got at least one pix of the squids that I can share here, even though there’re only 2 of them.

2 out of the 4 dancing squids

At the end of the dive, no whale shark for us, only a lonely Remora.

A lonely Remora - oh whale shark, whale shark, where are you?

After our tea break, we headed to Kerengga Kecil North Side for the second survey of the day.  Nothing much to see on this site as it’s quite badly damaged by storm.  However, the highlight of this dive was seeing a Remora landed on Siu’s tank as he was taking photograph.  Oh ~~~ why didn’t the Remora ride on the whale shark instead and bring it to us.

Remora on Siu’s tank

Our last survey for Redang was at Kalong’s house reef.  It was surprisingly quite an amazing site with the beautiful corals & anemones considering it’s rather near to the beach.

Amazing anemone

Another awesome anemones with Pink Anemonefish

I missed a family of 3 Bumphead Parrotfish and 1 green turtle!!!  Darn, I guess I have to lift my head up more often to see the surroundings.

It looked like people like to create artificial reef at Redang.  There is a double decker bed and some other stuff on the sandy bottom where some corals have started to grow.  This one looked like an underwater hotel room.

Underwater 5 star hotel room?

Yippee!  Survey dives were over and we still had time.  So we decided to do a leisure dive!  A.B led us to Che Isa which at the deepest would be 18m.  Kinda miss going down to that depth as the maximum depth for survey is only 12m.

We were immediately hit by the thermocline (sudden change in temperature) once we were down.  Luckily I can withstand cold.  The dive comp recorded 27-28 o C.  As we’re busy gesturing the shiver signal to each other, someone hit the tank.  This time it was a white tip shark!  Even though it’s not a whale shark, we’re still excited!  By the time I turned my camera on, that fella was disappearing into the deep blue.

Can you spot the white-tip shark?

Then we were greeted by 2 blue-spotted rays.  Another photo opportunity!

Blue spotted ray

Half way through the dive, we were circled by 1 big school of yellow tailed barracudas and followed by another school of snappers

A school of yellow tailed barracuda

Yellowtail snapper

This was amazing!

As I was shooting away, A.B suddenly signaled to me to pass my camera to him.  He was trying to tell me something but communicating underwater was never easy.  So at the end he just shot at the sea fan and showed it to me.  Ah… only then I realised that he was trying to teach me the setting.  I learnt something new about underwater photography!  I never knew that a simple compact digital can have such effect.  I am determined to do more dives to practice the new skill I’ve learnt!

Sea fan

Tiny weeny blenny

~~ by Meun

Come to think of it, it was 8 years ago that I last set foot on the beautiful Pulau Redang.  I don’t think Redang needs much explanation, unlike my last Reef Check trip to Pulau Aur.

It was a very last minute trip.  The Reef Check coordinator called me [...]]]>

My favourite - Nemo the clown fish

Come to think of it, it was 8 years ago that I last set foot on the beautiful Pulau Redang.  I don’t think Redang needs much explanation, unlike my last Reef Check trip to Pulau Aur.

It was a very last minute trip.  The Reef Check coordinator called me a week before the trip and asked if I’m interested.  Of course!  That was my 1st response, but somehow after my logical mind came to work, I told her I need to check with my boss first.  Yes!  I got the green light!  So my decision to switch to a 25-day-annual-leave job was not a bad move after all!

3 of us decided to take the agonizing 8 hours bus ride to Merang jetty, where we would meet up with the rest who drove.  Despite claiming itself to be the leader of the express bus industry and provides safe, enjoyable and affordable travel, Transnasional absolutely failed to deliver. In fact it was not the first time I got disappointed with their service.  I told myself this would be my very last time using them, if I have alternatives.

The bus was late for an hour without any explanation from the bus operator.  Then we realized that we couldn’t sit according to our seat number as they crammed passengers who held ticket for 9.00pm till 11.00pm into two 69-seater jumbo coach.  So there were more than 2 people holding the tickets of the same seat number with different time.  We paid for a business class ticket but definitely didn’t get the service.

Picture taken from upper deck of Transnasional

Anyways, we arrived safely at Kuala Terengganu bus station at around 5.30am.  Thanks to McD 24-hour service, we had a light breakie before the resort van picked us up at 7.00am to Merang Jetty.

I think it was my first time going to Redang from Merang.  It’s interesting to see how the jetties are owned individually by the resort instead of having a common jetty like most places.  We waited for our boat at 10.00am.

Redang Kalong's Jetty

Boarding the ferry

So after about 11 hours and 45 minutes from the time we left KL, we finally reached our destination, Redang Kalong Resort.  It’s a very organised and well maintained resort with basic but clean and comfortable room.  They even have a chill out area with facilities like karaoke, carom, chess etc etc.  Besides, the food was abundant and tasty.  Hmm… yummy, that’s the most important right?

Redang Kalong

Redang Kalong’s Dive Centre

Redang Kalong Resort's rooms

After signing our lives away, we went to our rooms to get ready for our first dive at 11.30pm.  Oh, how I wish Keong came with me because the couples got twin shared room but the rest of us gals got a quad shared!  Not fair!  Anyways, no complaints for free dives.

by Meun

Tioman ferry will depart from the Mersing jetty. If you are traveling by bus, chances are [...]]]> Tioman ferry is probably the cheapest way to get into this tropical island paradise. I have been on the ferry a couple of times these past few months and I thought the experience (and information) would be useful to share.

Tioman ferry will depart from the Mersing jetty. If you are traveling by bus, chances are the bus will end at the Mersing bus station. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the jetty. Alternatively, you can take a taxi but expect to pay nothing more than RM10 (lets all keep it that way!).

There are two Tioman ferry service providers from Mersing. Mersing by the way is the most common departure jetty to Tioman Island. The ferry operators are:

BLUE WATER EXPRESS
Tel: 07-799 4811
Fax: 07-799 5696

FAST FERRY VENTURES
Tel: 07-798 2986
Fax: 07-798 2980

Not exactly a ferry but a speedboat that I once had to take. Very fast but can be very uncomfortable

Prices of ferry tickets are around RM35 on way. You’ll get some discounts if you are a local or you can prove that you work with one of them resorts on the island. The tickets are sold as early as 5am. The ticket sellers try to take advantage of the early passengers that arrives and they will most probably push you to purchase an ‘open’ ticket back as well. It is OKAY to get the tickets from them. The tickets sold by them are valid and costs the same. They probably get some commissions from the actual boat operators. Other ticket counters usually opens at around 630am as the first ferry is usually 7am.
If you plan to head to Tioman Island and thinking about taking the ferry, consider doing the following:

If you plan to head to Tioman Island and thinking about taking the ferry, consider doing the following:

• Call up in advance and make your booking. I have personally done my ticket booking with Fast Ferry via Fax and they actually have a record book that records all the bookings. By Malaysian standard, not bad at all I would say.
• Call up and find out what are the ferry schedules. The reason I did not display the trip schedule is that on a number of occasions, they increase/ reduce the number of ferry trips due to weather, sea conditions, peak/ low seasons etc.
• Purchase the return ticket straight away if you already know the dates that you are heading off. This way, you need not worry about where to get tickets when you are on the island.

Like the ferries that ply the Kuala Kedah – Langkawi and Kuala Perlis-Langkawi routes, the ferries used are all closed up with strong diesel engine smell inside. The air-condition is usually very cold, the seats rather narrow for my big size and in-house TV that is certain to show some pirated movies (if they show any at all).

Most of the island is still covered in thick tropical rainforest jungle Furthermore, the island’s villages are scattered and there is no proper paved roads connecting them. So, almost each village has its own ferry jetty.

One of the many stops the Tioman ferry makes

You MUST know which jetty/ village to get off. To name a few, there is Tekek, Juara, Genting, Paya, ABC and Salang. All these places are on the island itself and the ferry will stop at each village one after the other. Its kind of like a bus making stops at each bus stop to drop/ pick passengers.

NOTE: See where and how to take a bus to Mersing jetty under ‘Label’ section on the right side of the page.