SIMPLY (t)RAVELLING

Enchanting Redang

 

17 Sept 2011.

We were doing another round of island hopping and snorkeling, around the Redang Marine Parks. The park comprises of 9 islands, with Redang as the biggest. Unlike  its neighbouring Perhentian, Redang is less known to the world but it is famous among divers.

 

Our first visit of the day was the marine park at Pulau Pinang (not the other Penang, although the name is the same), and seemed that we were not there early enough. The place was already littered with snorkelers, and the big boat that ferried them of which our boatman referred to as like “a boat of illegal immigrants”.

 

Snorkeling was a bit difficult; the park seemed too small for us that it was difficult to enjoy the underwater view without constantly bumping into each other.

 

Sensing our problem, our boatman brought us a bit further to the where a shipwreck lies, a more than 100 years of age. He said that it is much worth the visit compared to the previous site. And it was less occupied too.

 

A peeked over the boat into the water and I guessed he’s right!

 

Jumping into the water and we were welcomed by our colorful hosts.

 

We swam to the shipwreck and it was fully inhabited with corals and colorful fishes, which made the place as their playing ground.

 

The fish playing inside the wreck. It was like peeking into a big aquarium.

 

The corals.

  

Another angle of the shipwreck. Despite the amazingly breathtaking view, being near to something that is old, lonely and might had claimed a few souls sent shivers down my spine (perhaps I was just being a coward). So I quickly swam back to the comfort of our small chugging boat and waited for the others. DH on the other hand, followed our daring boatman, looking for the huge moray eel which hides inside the wreck.

 

Our expert boatman calling and capturing a fish with bare hands (to be used as a bait in order to lure the eel out from its hiding).

 

Moray eels coming out from hiding. According to our boatman, moray eel is actually blind, hence it will hunt its prey based on smell (in this case a fish blood). Thank god I wasn’t around cause I’m terrified over anything of 3s – slimy, slippery and snaky. Pheeww!

 

While DH and the others were busy looking for moray eel, me and my kids were enjoying the above-the-water scenary.

 

Our boatman then brought us to a few other locations and islands, more secluded, private and untouch. In fact we found ourselves quite alone, and had the whole place for ourselves. The following are some of the photos of the underwater beauty that we able to capture. I can’t really remember which photo refers to which location cause they all look the same to me. But there’s this place, the last one in our itinerary that I found it enchantingly beautiful – the most beautiful of all. When I said ‘enchantingly beautiful’ I really meant it – have you ever seen something so beautiful and breathtaking that it really creeps you out? Yup, that’s the place to me. It is so out of the world, and being alone at such place really gave me a chill (I was so enthralled with its beauty that I hadn’t realized I had wandered too far and got separated from the others). Unfortunately the camera was with DH so I didn’t managed to snap any pictures as proofs. Seemed that I was the only person who had been granted ‘the view’ as the others went to the other side and according to DH they didn’t get to see anything cause the water was a bit murky due to strong current. I didn’t want to give a wrong message but I felt like I was being ‘watched over’ when I swam around the said area, although there’s nobody around. Ain’t that creepy! (Again, ignore me cause these are just some lunatic words of a coward!)

 

 Redang underwater paradise.

 

 A school of Silver Pomfrets (or commonly known as Ikan Bawal in Malay). Goreng pun sodap!

 

The corals here are in a much more preserved state compared to the touristy marine park of Pinang island. The best thing is, we got the whole view for ourselves.

 

It was much more beautiful in reality compared to what was only captured by my camera (and my lousy skill). Praise to god; the grand master of all creations!

 

 

Cute little blue and yellow fish. Somehow Dory’s favourite song started humming in my brain like forever. ”Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming…”. Okay, that’s enuf.

 

 

 

 

The garden of the underwater world in all hues.

 

At first I thought these were a type of coral or anemone, but on later research I discovered that they were actually a species of a worm, known as the Christmas Tree. Euw! Nevertheless I have to admit that they are the cutest worm that I’d ever seen!

 

 

  

Some corals at Pulau Lima.

 

We were so engulfed with the underwater beauty that time seemed to be passing by without notice. It was almost 2.00pm that we realized that lunch was overdue, so our boatman took us to the Redang Long Beach for lunch.

 

We had our lunch at Redang Lagoon, the only decent accomodation available at Long Beach surrounded by posh resorts and hotels. While waiting for food to be served,me being  typical myself ventured around the area for some photo hunting.

 

Lying in the hammock under the cool shade of the coconut tree, lazying around all day with the gentle sea breeze touching your face softly - is total bliss. I immediately fell in love with the place. Definitely will come back again for some retreat.

 

Adjacent to Redang Lagoon is the posh Redang Beach Resort.

 

 

 

 

  

Deep blue sky, pristine turquoise water and a long stretch of white sands – Redang is really a paradise on earth.

 

You could either opt to sit back and relax like these bunch of people,

 

Or play with the fish at the shore. Note the crystal clear water. Being idle has never been so much fun.

 

Later. After some rendezvous at Redang, we were back at sweet Perhentian. Night beckoned, and we were served with the most charming sunset.

 

But the most unforgettable of all, is having the fried Snickers for the first time!

 

End of Day 2.