Malaysia: Day 7 (Redang Island)

We spent our last day on Redang Island on a snorkelling tour!

After breakfast and a quick pinapple juice with ice, a van with two other girls came by and we hopped in.  We found out they were also from our hotel, and were visiting from Singapore.  We also found out they couldn't swim.

The hosts took us to five different spots.  The first three were amazing.  We saw fish and coral of all colours, a giant clam, a manta ray, black tip sharks and a dead turtle.  The fourth venue was Long Beach where Jason had walked to the day before.  We stopped off there to grab some lunch before heading to our final spot which was a marine park.  It was basically another swimming spot that was specifically for snorkelling and diving, however it was quite poluted and was fairly unexciting.

As for the girls who couldn't swim, we were all wearing life jackets in the water so as to not over exert ourselves (especially without flippers), and they were accompanied by one of the hosts who was friendly...and perhaps a bit too friendly...

After freshening up back at the hotel, we popped out to a local restaurant for a feast of seafood, vegetables and the Malaysian signature icy lemon tea.  After a creme brulee at the hotel, we packed our stuff and finalised our bill to head to our next destination. 

We were sad to leave Redang, and in regretful hindsight, we wish we would have stayed longer. 

Malaysia: Day 6 (Redang Island)

Day 6 held more adventures for Jason, and more beach time for me!

After a lazy morning of breakfast buffet, swimming and movies, we popped out to organise a snorkelling trip the next day and to get some lunch.  We settled in at a local restaurant for some cheap and delicious seafood, garlic vegetables, spicy soup and icey lemon tea.

We then parted ways.  I went swimming and sunbaking on the private beach then headed upstairs in the late afternoon for a nap and movie time.  In the meantime, Jason had ventured out for another jungle walk to Long Beach.  He arrived at his destination and had a drink with some locals.

Here are some more jungle snaps from Jason's travels...

Jason then arrived at Long Beach and had a drink with a local whom he quickly befriended.

After he got back, we went to the beachfront brasserie for some Japanese, duck and creme brulee, topped off with some ice cold mocktails.  We went walking on the beach and watched hundreds of crabs scurry.  Then we got an early night for our adventure the next day:

Snorkelling!

Malaysia: Day 5 (Redang Island)

On our first full day on Redang Island, we popped down for a late breakfast at the resort restaurant, and made a bee line for the private beach.  The tropical water was warm, and terrible elevator music emanated from the outside bar on repeat.

After getting burnt despite applying some incompetent brand of SPF suncream, we had Malaysian satay and coconut juice before heading back to our room for a nap and movies.

After feeling refreshed, we reported to the hotel reception as there was supposed to be a scheduled jungle walk, but apparently we were meant to notify them earlier.  So we made our own way through the jungle and to the next beach.  

The exotic flora and exciting wildlife kept us busy on the camera.  Colourful butterflies, squirrels and giant lizards were not always easy to catch, but here are our attempts...

We finally made it to the beach next door, which was being enjoyed by the local families and a TV casting crew which captured the interest of the children.

Every day so far in Malaysia has been horribly humid, and this day was no exception.  So after arriving back at our hotel, we went down to our beach and had another swim before tucking into some dinner at the restaurant.  The night before, Jason had ordered the buffet and ate four local slipper lobsters!  On this night, I had my turn, and gorged myself with crab and calamari.

We retired to our room after an icy cocktail and a warm beer.

Malaysia: Day 4 (Redang Island)

Day 4 was a day spent in transit between Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Terenganu and Redang Island.  It was exhausting but satisfying when we finally arrived at our amazing destination:  The Taaras Beach Resort!

Before we boarded our plane, an Air Asia check in lady was rude to Jason then mistook me for being pregnant.  When I assured her I was not, she told me I have a "beer belly" and that I should not be ashamed.  I said "quit while you're ahead", but she declined to take my advice, and continued commenting in this manner.

For your viewing pleasure, here is a picture of my apparent pregnant-looking beer belly.  I am re-enacting the day of the flight.  I am wearing the same clothes, and I am not sucking it in. 

I have sent this photo to Air Asia with a complaint, but am yet to receive a response... 

The plane took us east to a place called Kuala Terengganu.  The humidity was absolutely sweltering as we wandered for two hours, looking for food, water, suncream, and curry flavoured Twisties before disembarking on a 90 minute ferry ride to our island getaway.

Kuala Terenganu had a very different vibe.  It was even more heavily decorated with political flags, and it was entirely muslim, whereas Kuala Lumpur was more multicultural.  The locals were friendly and most said "hello" when they walked past, but the English skills were less common than in KL. 

Upon our arrival at Redang Island after a ferry ride... 

...we were whisked away to our resort on a small open air buggy, and arrived at our destination within minutes.

After settling into our new hotel room, we headed down to the private beach for a swim in the tropical water and a drink at the open air bar.

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Malaysia: Day 3 (Kuala Lumpur)

We started off with croissants and coffee for a late breakfast before hitting the shops.

Whilst I indulged in a two hour day spa treatment, Jason saw Iron Man 3 in gold class.  Unfortunately, I was too busy relaxing to take pictures of the Turkish foot-treating fish, the lavendar steam treatment, the massage or or facial and eye treatment...

After meeting back at the hotel, we headed out again for a big man shop.  Jason bought a bunch of nice shirts and a few presents.  (By the way Maureen, you're getting a nice bag!)

Dumplings for dinner followed by fruit and sago desserts and chrystanthemum tea.

We then packed for our trip the following day, and enjoyed the last of our KL views.