Pulau Lang Tengah

We have several islands (altogether 13, I supposed...some that I know are called Pulau Redang, Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Lang Tengah, Pulau Pinang...) in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia which makes the Marine Park. Only RM5 per entry into the park and I have snorkeled there once. It was my first time snorkeling but I wasn't too impressed. It was fun and interesting but really, I wasn't too impressed. I was at Pulau Redang then and it was in May, after my first year exam.

Now, 4 years after, I am back again to the East Coast. I am now in Pulau Lang Tengah. Having been to Boracay and Bali which are way commercialized for tourists, I find Pulau Redang somewhat inadequate in catering tourists at an international level. So, Pulau Lang Tengah in comparison; is no way what a tourist who are looking for bikini girls and other excitements (banana boat, para-gliding) would want. However, I find this place very relaxing. Of course, beaches always have this power over people like a magic de-stressing pill.

There are direct flights (else, you can opt for a bus trip which takes approximately 7h- it is the cheapest alternative for locals and depending on which coach you take, the ticket price is only about RM40 for a normal coach and about RM70 for a 'luxurious' coach. I'd suggest Transnational/Plusliner) into Kuala Terengganu from Kuala Lumpur and upon arrival, you'll be fetched to the respective jetty (Merang Jetty for both Pulau Redang and Pulau Lang Tengah while Besut Jetty for Pulau Perhentian). The boat trip to the islands take approximately 45mins. There are about 4 resorts here (D'coconut, Lang Sari, Redang Lang and Sari Pacifica. Sari Pacific is the higher end resort with garden chalets..pricing at approximately Rm 1500...yes...that much..) and I had made my arrangements with Pinganchorage. It is a travel agency which I got acquainted with somewhat during previous trips planning. It's quite an easy option because the price is reasonable and I could arrange my land transfers and such with them all in one go. Well, this is my short get-away trip and I just want to arrange it through several emails. I mean, yea, after I googled to check which is the better choice of resort among the 4.

At the jetty before going to the island

My room for 3 nights

We have chose D'coconut resort. We have got a deluxe low at RM315 and...well, in the city, RM315 could give you a somewhat comfortable room. Don't get me wrong, the room in D'coconut is not too bad. It is okay...cleanliness is about 3 of 5..without a TV..with coffee/tea condiments, breakfast included (bread, eggs, cereals, mee)...a plain swimming pool (clean factor:4 of 5, 5ft, medium size), small beach on the east wing (a bigger area in the west wing- which is a small path away)...

Yes, you don't need a TV for your entertainment when you could swim and sleep by the beach...and snorkel/dive in the sea but trust me, you will appreciate a connection (laptop) if your intention is like mine- that is just to sleep by the sea and swim during the time when the sun is setting.

This is no place to watch the sunrise though. I woke up at 530 this morning in hope to catch the sun rising only to find it blocked by the little 'hill' by the side of the resort. Anyways, I spent the hours sleeping on the beach until I feel the heat of the sun- at about 1130. The weather is really good and the clouds have kept the sun hidden to my advantage. I am burnt enough during my last rafting trip and at the moment, I just want my skin to recover. It's pretty shady today and I don't mind a bit of sun heat on me- with the gentle and cooling breeze on my skin...but no, my burn is bad enough that I suspected that if I don't take care of it now, I will be at a higher risk of skin cancer. (HAHA....yes.)

So, I retreat to lazying with the laptop here in the lounge. In a comfortable chair with a doable internet connection (I need to finish my data analysis this weekend and I'm positive that with this view and weather, I can definitely finish my task). I shall first do this and then by about 4pm, get my well-deserved swim in the swimming pool and then, the sea and back to the pool again for another soak before dinner.

On the other hand, Sari Pacifica has got a better view of sunrise and also clearer and much calmer water. It's located about 15mins from D'coconut on the other side of the island. If you are staying in D'coconut, you could walk over there for a swim and also to buy snacks and drinks in the resort next to Sari Pacifica. It's cheaper there (It's quite an adventure to walk there as there are rocks in between that you'll need to get through). Also, the Dive Centre there looks much active - perhaps because the price of the accommodation (Redang Lang) is on the lower side.

A lot of dead corals

Sea cucumber for dinner?

Anyways, I am rather sad with the beach's condition. It has way too much of dead sea corals being washed up the shore. The sand is fine and white but also littered with broken pieces of sea corals. You can even find a plastic bottle or two on the beach. Sighs...when can human learn to do their part for the nature?
My plan later today was to carry a plastic bag with me to collect the bottles. I only managed to help out with one can yesterday with my free hand. (The other one was occupied with shells - not many found though).

The water on the other hand, is great. Good visibility where you can see little fishes swimming, some sea cucumbers and some seaweeds (I guess that's one type of seaweed..those wavy head-shape...plant).

Hmmm...I love the weather today and I appreciate the sea that I'm looking at now. Emerald green with tinge of blue and a beach free of noisy irritating bunch of...tourists (though I'm a tourist myself but I do not litter, spit and shout halfway across the beach). One thing missing though...a hammock and one thing annoying - the amount of red ants..anywhere...

This is the captain of our boat and he drove like crazy in the sea - no thanks to the bunch of teenage girls who kept asking him to give them more boating excitement

:)