Pulau Redang - one of the best places for a family holiday

 “It’s coming now! Jump up!” someone shouted. Whoosh - the gigantic wave came: it swept all six of us off our feet. 

Whoosh - Here it comes! Jump up!

I was in Pulau Redang, Terengganu, having a rollicking time with my daughter-in-law and four granddaughters. It was high tide, the waves were strong. When it comes, it raises you off your feet. If you do not jump up in time, your head will be drenched in water. What an adrenaline-pumping experience!

In July 2022, when our country Malaysia, allowed travelling post-covid, my family of nine (5 adults and 4 children) chose Pulau Redang for a family-getaway. We had a fun-filled 4day/3night’s holiday in Laguna Resort.

Laguna Resort

We took an early morning flight, arriving in Kuala Trengganu at about 10.30 am. An hour’s ride on a high-speed ferry took us to Laguna Resort. At the check-in counter, I was surprised to see a large crowd of holiday-makers, local and foreign, of all ages and races. It looked like everyone wanted a holiday after more than two years of lockdown!

The high-speed ferry

Boarding the high-speed ferry

Next, we went to the buffet hall for lunch. Everyone was masked up, as required! There was a wide array of food: noodles, nasi lemak, pancakes, chicken, lamb, prawn, fish, eggs, sausage, vegetables, soup and dessert, all cooked in a local or foreign appetizing way. We ate to our hearts’ content, famished after the long journey.

Buffet Hall

All smiles - we had a satisfactory meal

We adjourned to our three spacious and comfortable rooms. Each room had four beds, a balcony for clothes-drying and all the basic amenities.

While hubby and I rested, the rest of the family went for a snorkeling adventure. On their return, they had glowing accounts of myriads of fishes and colourful corals.  Smitten with the amazing wonders of the sea, they continued snorkeling every day that we were in Pulau Redang.

Snorkeling Adventure

Pulau Redang is an ideal place for snorkeling. The waters are clean and clear, so we could see marine animals while floating on the surface. I went for one snorkeling trip only - and was fascinated by the wide array of sea creatures particularly two fishes dancing continuously with each other.

At one site for snorkeling

My grandchildren had fun feeding fishes with bread released from a plastic bottle. At certain spots, my sons dived down to take captivating photos of corals and fishes. They even saw a big turtle swimming at close range.

Captivating corals and fishes at the bottom of the sea

That evening, we joined the Resort’s organized event where children released baby turtles - then cheered them on - in a race to the sea. This was one activity that my grandchildren will never forget! Adults were equally thrilled to touch the live baby turtles in that Conservation Project.

Registration of Turtle Release 

Participants waiting for the Turtle Release to start

                                             Participants get a closer look at the turtles

Close-up of turtles

                                                                                      

The crowd cheering the little turtles

The Turtle Race is on

There are lots to do in Redang: trekking, kayaking, paddle-boarding or shopping. We chose to swim in the sea or in the Resort’s large swimming pool. After snorkeling, my grandchildren would go straight to the pool for a dip before showering. They could not get enough of the water…it was from the sea to the pool!

Grandchildren having a dip in the swimming pool before showering

One evening, we took a walk along the beach, enjoying the soft-silky sand and the cool sea breeze. Later, we had a great time watching the sun slowing set in the horizon.

My family of 9: pausing to take a picture while we were
walking along the beach

Setting sun

                                    

At night, we listened to live bands playing hot music or relaxed in our rooms. One night, I played card games with my grandchildren, making as much noise as them in the confines of our room.

Redang is also famous as a site for a Hong Kong romantic comedy movie, “Summer Holiday”. Filmed in the year 2000, it starred Richie Jen, Sammi Cheng and our own Malaysian actor and singer, Ah Niu. The quaint More More Tea Inn that was used in the movie, is now a renovated shop selling souvenirs.

More More Tea Inn

Our holiday came to an end all too soon. Whether it is romancing with the waves, snorkeling, turtle-releasing, viewing the sunset or savouring sumptuous spreads, Pulau Redang is a great place for a getaway and family bonding.

Pulau Redang is a great place for family bonding

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This article was published in the Star (Malaysian newspaper) 

on 28th April 2023. More photos are added here.

Many thanks to my two sons who took most of the photos. 

KL:Heritage Walkabout with my OGA

Members of OGA, in front of Masjid Negara
Marie is in the front row in white shirt

Do you know KL city well? I thought I did! But a well organized day trip there opened my eyes to what KL offers.

On 6.5.23, 42 Convent OGA (Old Girls Association) went on a historical and culinary adventure in KL (Kuala Lumpur).

We started off from Klang at 7.30 am, with Marie Geradine Teo (Class of 1974) as our licensed tour guide. In the bus, Marie gave engrossing historical facts about KL, spiced with secrets, scandals and stories of ghosts. What a wonderful way to learn history!

1.    Masjid Negara (National Mosque)

Our first stop was Masjid Negara. This Mosque is unique. It has no dome but an open umbrella roof and a slim minaret. The group photo above shows the minaret in the background.

From Masjid Negara Marie pointed out Malaysia’s newest and tallest building, the Merdeka 118 tower. Its needle-like feature symbolizes Tungku’s raised arm, as he proclaimed Merdeka  7 times. It will be the world’s second tallest building, after Burj Khalifa when it opens. At a height of 678.9m, it has the highest observation deck in Southeast Asia. Wow! 

 

Merdeka 118

 

2.     Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square)

Next, we went to Dataran Merdeka – a historic area. Here, Marie pointed out the spot where Tungku declared independence. I found it surreal to be standing right there, a place I had never been before. I had only watched the annual Independence Day Parade there, on television.

 

Merdeka Square 

Marie called our attention to some historic buildings around the Square: the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the grand old colonial Railway Building, the old Chartered Bank, with its very unusual wooden dome, the white and black Tudor Royal Selangor Club, the old St Mary’s Cathedral, the 95-metre flagpole and the Clock Tower. Marie gave detailed historical facts about every building but here I will just show the photos.

        

Part of the Railway Building

Sultan Abdul Samad Building

Old Chartered Bank

 

The Clock Tower in the background 

The 95-metre flagpole, one of the tallest in the world

3.     Heritage Walk – Chinatown

Our next stop was 4 Point Sheraton Hotel, Petaling Street. After a briefing, we left for the Heritage Walk. This covered (i) the Chinese migrant miners who helped establish KL and (ii) the Diversity of the area in the Colonial Era.

 

4 Point Sheraton Hotel

Marie reminded us to listen attentively as she would be giving us a quiz at the end of the tour, with attractive prizes.

One of the prizes

First we passed the Flea Market (Pasar Karat). Then we headed to Lorong Petaling, and finally passed an illegal brothel (which was closed down by a recent raid).

 

Flea Market

Lorong Petaling 

Along the way, we had a breakfast of the signature chee cheong fun and porridge.

Enjoying chee cheong fun, porridge and apam balik

 

 

chee cheong fun

porridge

 

After breakfast, we passed the area of migrant occupations - now what were left over were the pastry and flower shops. Marie pointed out the colonial architecture of Lee Rubber Building. We continued walking; stopping to view a Chinese Temple, followed by an Indian Temple.

 

Lee Rubber Building

 Chinese Quan Di Temple - clan buildings to offer support to migrants

 

The highlight of the Heritage Walk was the Kwai Chai Hong (Little Ghost Lane). We spent some time taking pictures with the murals on the walls there. 

 

Kwai Chai Hong

Lover's Bridge - Mural on the wall

Mural above a flight of stairs

Then we passed through Madras Lane, with its famous curry laksa and yong taufoo. Along the way, some members bought lo po pang and lo kong pang (wife and husband biscuits), durian puff and egg tarts.

 

Wife (W) and Husband (H) biscuits

 

Durian puff

     

Yong Taufoo

Curry laksa

 

We ended up at the car park which used to be the Madras Theatre. There Marie told us some hair-raising ghost stories.

We took a short cut through Beryl Chocolate Factory, then back to Sheraton Hotel.  Beside the hotel Marie stopped to talk about the earliest Sikh Temple (or Gurdwara Sahib).

 

 Beryl Chocolate Outlet (Malaysia's own brand)

 

Gurdwara Sahib

In front of 4 Point Sheraton Hotel - jubilation after the long walk

 

4.     Hi-tea at Kontiti Restaurant, Federal Hotel

After the walkabout, we were glad to be in Kontiti Restaurant for high-tea. Everone was all smiles in the cool and pleasant environment. We were spoiled for choice: satay, lamb, chicken, beef, prawns, seabass, briyani, kurma, gado-gado, yummy desserts and many more.

 

A wide selection  

Yummy dessert

We spent 2 leisurely hours there, eating and chatting away. Many took the 

opportunity to snap memorable photos.

 

A group photo in front of the dining area

 

With the trishaw and mural outside the dining area:

 

In front of Totem poles

At the dining table

                                             

Interestingly, there was another alumni group having hi-tea there - about 20 OBA members from Malacca High School - having their annual meet-up after Covid. They gave us a copy of their alumni book and invited us to visit them in Malacca.

Some members with President of OBA Malacca High School

5.     City tour - Tugu Negara (National Monument)

We continued our city tour after a satisfying high-tea. We passed through Twin Towers and other landmarks.

We stopped at Tugu Negara, following Marie as fast as we could and trying hard to absorb what she said.

Tugu Negara is a bronze sculpture that commemorates those who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom. 

 

Emblem at the entrance

The First Memorial: WW1, WW2 and the Emergency

Tugu Negara

 

6. ASEAN Sculpture Garden

Our next stop at the ASEAN Sculpture Garden was eye-catching. It is a landscaped garden with a collection of prize-winning sculptures in wood, marble, iron and bamboo. Marie pointed out each country’s special plot and their characteristic sculptures:

 

Malaysia - steps show progress

Philippines - multicoloured roof and wood platform 

                             

Brunei

Thailand-stainless steel

Singapore - stone sculptures

 

7.      Bamboo Hills

Our next stop was Bamboo Hills, with no hills in sight! It is a site that houses multiple restaurants with landscaped gardens! It is a favourite place for wedding couples.

A thundering waterfall greeted us. We were lucky to see 2 Malay wedding couples having their photo shoot. The environment was truly marvelous for photos.

The entrance

The thundering waterfall

 

Bamboo trees galore

A lovely setting 

Our group charmed by the geometric pattern 

The 3 stars

8.      Bukit Jalil Pavilion

Our last stop was at Pavilion Bukit Jalil. We had 2 hours to browse, shop or dine. While many went shopping and dinner, 3 of us visited Tokio Street and the huge and elegant Tsutaya Book Shop.

 

Unique Tsutaya Bookshop

The overall decoration in Pavilion was Japanese themed - it was like being transported to Japan! Members enjoyed taking pictures at Tokio Street:

Hold that pose!

Beautiful lanterns

Pretty in kimono

My favourite kimono

 Home Sweet Home

I arrived home at 10 pm, exhausted and bone-tired. I checked my pedometre watch – I had walked 12,150 steps. What a day! It was a long and tiring trip but it gave me a better insight of KL.

Everyone had a good time, whether it was the history, the food, shopping or getting together and taking photos.

We are very appreciative of Marie Teo, who made the tour memorable with historical details and anecdotes of scandals and ghost stories.

Marie, with her impeccable knowledge of KL, enthralled us at every site. She rattled off facts and figures easily - she is a tour guide par excellence. Anyone who wants to learn more about KL and Chinatown, can check out: 

 www.freewalkkualalumpurunscripted.com

 A big “Thank you” to Marie and all OGA organizers. 

Marie: our outstanding tour guide

Our Convent OGA committee members

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Some of the photos here are contributed by great photographers on the trip. Thank you OGA members for sharing your photos.