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.