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