Sauntering in Santhiya

The speedboat that I was in came to a halt. The sea was rough, with choppy waves. I staggered out of the speedboat, assisted by the responsible, friendly boatmen. I was then escorted to the resort by a Japanese who speaks fluent English and Thai, how astonishing, to find a Japanese personnel here.

At the reception, I was served with welcome drink, which is my favourite, a Thai coconut, and a cold,wet towel. It was indeed refreshing. After all registration, hotel payment was made, my husband and I were then brought to our villa.

Our villa had the most unique entrance, a 2-panel wooden door covered with a wooden roof. On each wooden door, a carving of an attractive lady clad in traditional clothing was etched on. They seemed to welcome us with open arms. After pushing the door, we walked across a short wooden bridge that led to the door to the villa.






When we opened the door to the villa, I drew in a deep deep breath. The villa is humongous. It is made up of 5 sections or rooms. The first room is the actual bedroom with a king size bed in the middle, facing the magnificent sea. Thin, semi transparent, flowy white cloth falls casually from the ceiling all around the bed, instantly adding a romantic touch to the traditional yet classic villa. Between the bedroom and the living room is a corridor flanked by a long stretch of full height window covered with simple-designed curtains. The living room is equipped with a very traditional, comfortable wooden day bed and a wooden coffee table with intricate carvings all over it. One can enjoy a lazy afternoon gazing at the calm sea by sitting on the day bed that overlooks the vast ocean.





Any villa will not be complete without a balcony. Pushing the sliding door apart, I came across one of the biggest balconies that I have ever come across. It extended from the door to the villa to the living room. The resort has provided 2 lazy man chairs, one table with 2 chairs, just perfect for sun bathing or to catch up with your reading. Of course, not to forget, the awesome scenery that you can take in from the villa.





Back into the villa, the toilet is just amazing! It is almost like a standalone room all by itself. The moment I opened the door, I was greeted by a 2-person bathtub. The designers are creative enough to have a wall with beautiful carvings of animals and items that depict the traditional lifestyle of the local Thai right beside the bathtub. What a simple yet effective way to introduce the culture of Thailand to all holiday-makers. Moving a little deeper into the bathroom, I was astonished by the size of the bathroom. The designers try to induce some traditional flavour to the bathroom too without eliminating comfort and style from it. From afar, the bathroom looks like a little shack with its worn out roof top and wooden cabinet. On a closer look, you'd realize all the intricacies of the design, the strength and the beauty of the furniture or appliances provided.







Venturing out from the villa, we headed towards the restaurant. It's time to cure our tummies. The restaurant is perched at the perfect spot, high above sea level, overlooking the vast ocean, not missing a single section. Alfresco dining is a favourite among all the patrons but unfortunately, we were advised against it as they were expecting it to rain. We reluctantly sat indoor, near a window so as to be able to peek out of it to steal glances of the beautiful scenery. We were pleasantly surprised though as there were programmes lined up for diners that night. First, there would be a duo belting out wonderful songs, only with the accompaniment of a acoustic guitar. The duo was just dynamic! She has the voice of a nightingale, strong, powerful and melodious. He had his fingers running all over the guitar, not to forget his sweet voice too. They took on songs like Besame Mucho, Country Road, etc. You get the genre. :) They sang non stop for 1 hour! She certainly has the prowess and stamina. Her voice did not crack even after singing for 1 hour. I was totally awe-stricken. After 1 hour of nostalgic songs that tugged my heart strings, we were then entertained by Thai traditional dancers for another hour.

Some views and scenery from the restaurant, called Chantara Restaurant.



Ahh....It's just paradise, facing this magnificent view, with a perfect book in your hand, leaning your back against sturdy, woody chair.



Clouds are still hovering around, not releasing its grip on this monsoon-stricken island. The clouds actually added some serenity and gloom to the otherwise cheerful, sunny sea.



One thing that we would never miss is the spa. How can you leave out spa when you're in thailand? Thailand is famed for its ubiquitous and booming spa industry. I did not manage to capture the spa menu at Santhiya but it ranges from facial treatment to body scrub, bath, steam and massage. We ended up choosing the traditional thai massage and the milk bath+aromatherapy oil massage. I picked jasmine flavor as my choice of oil whereas my husband picked lavender oil. The masseurs were very sensitive towards our needs and requirements. We could highlight areas that we want them to focus on, also areas that we want them to avoid. Not only that, we could specify if we have undergone any operation, whether we've injured any part of our body etc. The traditional Thai massage was done "outdoors", facing the sea. We were almost buoyed and lullabied to sleep by the rhythmic crashes of the waves on the rocks. The masseurs were professional and strong. I could hear all my joints and bones cracking under her forceful arms. It was like releasing all the locks clamped on all the joints over my whole body. Of course, the process was not exactly very relaxing as I chose the strong option. But, it was good to relax all my tensed muscle.



The aromatherapy oil massage was totally different. This is purely for relaxation purpose. The presses done by the masseurs were not too strong. The aromatic scent of the jasmine oil still lingers in my senses till today. It was fresh, fragrant, sweet and light, just tingles your senses without weighing down on you. In fact, it was so attractive till all bugs started swarming towards me after I was done with the massage! They must have find the scent very very drawing. The soft melody that was played served very well in putting us to sleep, coupled with the soft touch of the masseurs, really paradise! I instantly felt rejuvenated after the massage. There were 5 types of oil to choose from, jasmine, lavender, rice, lemongrass and coconut. Each has different benefits on your skin. All in all, the spa was really a treat and splurge for me.

Othr than the activities above, we practically did nothing else except for walking along the beach. It is not one of the most beautiful beaches that I have encountered but it was acceptable, albeit a little dirty, with coconut husks, dog poop (what a turn-off), and gunny sacks. Some breathtaking scenery to share:













Visiting an island during monsoon season gave me a whole new concept and view. Usually beaches and island would be humid, sunny, with rowdy crowd, happening events and late night parties. However, a monsoon island is actually serene, peaceful, with a touch of melancholy but still mournfully beautiful. There was thick, heavy clouds hovering around at times. Some other time, the Sun actually showcased itself, wiping out all the glum and providing some cheer and smile. All in all, rain or shine, Santhiya certainly provides you to the maximum, meeting your every need without fail.

Come-Back

Gosh, it's been one year. What can I say? I've been slacking! I've been procrastinating! I've been lazy! The truth is, I've been so caught up with all the events that have been unfolding in my life.

First, there was the preparation to move into my new abode. Physically tiring and taxing (all the cleaning, moving, arranging), mentally harrowing and disturbing (chasing after bank, going after lawyer, begging and pleading the seller), I finally pulled through. Now, I am happily living ever after in my new home :D Geez...sounds like a fairy tale hahaha...Anyway, I'd love to share photos of my new abode. I'd be uploading some photos later.

Next, there was my wedding. Yep! I am married!!! I myself cannot believe it. Who would have thought that me, smallbook, would settle down at the tender age of 27!!! Gosh, single ladies of my age have just started partying, enjoying night life, painting the whole town red. And, there I was, tying myself down, limiting varieties in my life. It was not a full-blown wedding ceremony. I kept it simple, easy and fast. I am not a big fan of wedding ceremonies, certainly no dreams of being snow white, cinderella or any of the Disney princesses.

Thirdly, what's next after settling down? Of course busy entertaining families of both sides. Instead of attending gatherings, events of 1 family, I have to split myself to attend gatherings and events of another family. I never knew it can be so overwhelming and time-consuming. Due to this too, I have cut down tonnes of my excursions, hiking and trips.

Of course, there is the ever ubiquitous work demand; both in office and at home. Do you think moving into a new abode means I am totally housechores-free? Well, not that lucky to employ a maid to do all the dirty jobs at home. While I still enjoy cleaning and dusting away while humming and singing, I had better carry on. A few years down the road, I'd grimace at the thought of cleaning.

Well, I really hope that I'd be able to travel again. Actually, I did cover a few places, Chiling Falls (yes, again), Gunung Datuk (a new destination). I am looking forward to my next trip, to Koh Samui, nothing adventurous, nothing exciting, just a relaxing getaway with my other half, to escape for the chaos, hubbub, hectic schedule here in KL. Till then......

Stopping at Perhentian Island

It started off really bad. We were early at the Putra Bus station, all prepared to board the bus. 9.30pm came but still no sign of the bus. After questioning, we couldn't believe our ears, 12 midnight??!!! We had to wait for another 2.5 hours or more for the bus to arrive? Apparently, there was a very severe, major accident and all vehicles were stuck in a massive jam on the trunk road. To cut a long story short, not only did we wait till 12 midnight, we had to wait till 2am! When we caught sight of the bus with a huge "MAHLIGAI" word printed in front, we were practically jumping up and down ecstatically. I know we shouldn't complain as those who were stuck in the congestion suffered more as compared to us who could still have a drink or two at McDonald's or StarBucks while chit chatting.

When we arrived at Kuala Besut jetty, it was already 10am. Our boat would arrive at 10.30am to send us to Pulau Perhentian. We sneaked out for a very quick local breakfast made up of Nasi Kerabu and Nasi Lauk, the famous local delicacies. It was good, perhaps because of our grumbling tummies. In a jiffy, we were all strapped in our life jackets and on our way to the island.



The boat ride was rather smooth even though there were a few rough moments that required a good cushioning to absorb the shock due to choppy waves. It took us 45 minutes to arrive at Pulau Besar (Big Island) where we would put up at Coral View Resort, rated as the second best resort after Perhentian Resort that is situated beside Coral View.



The service we encountered in Coral View was a let down. Their staffs are friendly and helpful. However, they are extremely slow. Even though the check-in time is 12 noon but they told me that the rooms will only be available at 2pm as there was a lack of man power. We ended up having an early lunch in the restaurant while waiting for them to prepare our rooms. Don't expect the food to be cheap. One glass of fruit juice costs RM5-RM7 and a plate of fried rice costs around RM12. The quality is just alright. We eased ourselves and explored a bit. There are chairs and tables arranged on the sandy beach right beside the sea for those who prefer to eat alfresco style and closer to the sea.


I personally don't find the room too satisfactory. If it was due to the lack of staff this particular weekend then it can be dismissed but if it is always in this dire state, Coral View really do not deserver the second spot. We had altogether 3 rooms to accommodate all of us. Out of the 3, 2 smelt musty, wet and moist. The air-condition unit in one of the rooms was chugging along heavily trying to cool down the hot air as fast as possible. Another room has toilet covered with stains in the sink, on the floor. They could have done a better job cleaning the room. However, one of the room was satisfactory. The room was clean, cold and perfect. So, I guess it was just due to the lack of man power to clean and maintain the rooms properly.

Since everyone was still suffering from the horrendous bus ride and looking groggy, there was no activity in the afternoon. We were just lazing around by the beach staring into blank space or the vast sea ( that I am not sure ). When energy seeped back into our nerves, we started to look for a water taxi to ferry us over to Pulau Kecil, Small Island. The resort called a boat man for us who charged us RM10 one way to Pulau Kecil and double the price for one way after 7pm. Since we decided to have our dinner there, we would have to come back after 7pm hence a return journey costed us RM30 per head.

Everybody loves Long Beach on Pulau Kecil. The sand is extremely fine and smooth, the sea is crystal clear and the breeze caresses our faces as the boat docked. The girls removed the slippers and sat down on the beach whereas the guys immediately removed their t-shirts and jumped into the sea for a soak.



Strolling along Long beach was fun and relaxing. We walked aimlessly, merely hoping to cover more ground. There are lots of resorts along the beach. To name a few, there are Panorama, Matahari, Palm, Turtle Bay. All the resorts here do not allow any bookings to be placed during peak season, which is from May onwards as the crowd can get overwhelming. You can only try your luck by walking in and wait for other tourists to check out. That is why we didn't pick to put up at Pulau Kecil.



When our tummies started giving out signals and hints, we headed to Panorama Chalet. It is famous for its meals, reasonably priced yet tasty and delicious. There is a wide variety of food to choose from too, ranging from western to local dishes. We went there real early as the more crowd would come in later and we would have to wait long for the food to be served. Panorama Chalet is located right at the entrance to a short jungle trek to the other side of Pulau Kecil. A lot of tourists would trek along this path to travel between one side of Pulau Kecil to the other side. We were the first to place our orders. We ordered 2 pizzas, 2 grilled fish (barramundi and king fish), 1 vegetarian lasagne, 1 fried rice, 1 fried noodles with seafood, 1 tomyam seafood, 1 caesar salad, 1 plate of fried chicken wings and some others that i can't recall anymore. Everything was finger-licking good!! Even though they served quite slowly (again, they blamed it on the lack of man power), the quality of the food kept our mouth tightly sealed.

When we came out from the restaurant, we were awe-struck by the scenery. High above the vastness of sea and sand, there is a bright round sphere in the sky lending light to everything underneath. There is no trees, no sky-scrappers to hide the moon. It shone on proudly. Too bad I couldn't capture the beauty at the moment as I didn't have the proper equipment to do so. If you ever want to visit Pulau Perhentian, do remember to visit Long Beach at night.

The next day was spent snorkeling. We visited Shark Point, Turtle Point, Romantic Beach and some spots with beautiful corals and interesting school of fish. We were shown huge clam, sharks, and turtles. Romantic Beach was our last stop, where we showered using the freezing cold water from the mountain. It was refreshing indeed after soaking ourselves in salty sea water that left our skin sticky yet dry. Came dinner time, we tried out Water Colours Restaurant.

Sun, Sea and Sand

After scouring highlands way above sea level, my next trip is to surf the sea and bask under the sun. I am counting down to the actual day of my trip to Pulau Perhentian, deemed as one of the most beautiful island in Malaysia where it's still very pristine and natural. This is just a sneak preview of what will take place end of this week. I will definitely share the coming experience with everyone and promote Pulau Perhentian as one fabulous getaway for city dwellers. Stay tuned!

Laid-back Retreat

Tuning myself for a slower-paced holiday, I retreated to Cameron Highlands for a laid-back excursion. It was a 2D1N short trip there. I had nothing much in mind, except to bring my parents to enjoy some common and widely-known specialties of Cameron Highlands.

We met up at the famous morning market in Cameron Highlands. We headed to the popular Sungai Palas Boh Tea plantation in Brinchang. The road leading into this tea plantation is very hidden. You really have to pay attention to sign boards in the surrounding area so as not to miss it. One prominent land mark would be the Bee Farm opposite the junction to the tea plantation. Anyway, Cameron Highlands has only 1 road running through it. If you miss it just do a U-turn and try to look for it again.

I always enjoy the drive into the tea plantation due to the vastness of the tea plantation. Seas of tea plants blanket the slopes and valleys. From afar, it looks like the whole mountain is covered by green carpets. The only risk while driving is bumping into the oncoming cars as the road is extremely narrow and winding. At the winding corners, you cannot even see the oncoming cars. Therefore, as you drive along with your windows screened down, you can hear blares of car honks here and there. And, if you hear one close enough to you, it means you have got to slow down and "negotiate" your way through. If given the chance, I would enjoy walking along this winding road rather than driving. With the cool chilled wind and fresh air, it will be a joy to do so. However, not many would be up for it as it is quite a distant from the junction to the tea plantation. For those who has plenty of time to spare, do take it slow and walk in while enjoying the scenery along the way. You definitely cannot miss 2 English Colonial style houses perched on the mountain slope facing the tea plantations. If you are walking, perhaps you can even find a way to get there and share with me more stories about that place. I have no idea if it is private property or an inn or some sort of attraction.



Sungai Palas Boh Tea Plantation lives up to its name. 6 years ago when I visited, there were tables and chairs placed on the plains right beside tea plants for us to sip tea and enjoy scones. Back then, it was very pristine, quiet, relaxing and calm. Even though there were other patrons but the fact that we were practically enveloped by tea plants all around made us lower our tone and respect nature. It was paradise. Fast forward to 6 years after, Boh company has built a glass-surrounded platform extended out from the edge of a slope. This platform allows you to fall into the arms of valleys and hills of tea plantations.



Since we were visiting a tea plantation, it would only be reasonable if we ordered tea. We had the earl grey with tangerine and scone, banana carrot cake, sandwiches, butter lemon cake to go with the tea. The scone didn't taste that wonderful. I have tried better scone elsewhere in Cameron Highlands, ie in Bala's Holiday Chalet in Brinchang. However, the butter lemon cake and sandwiches were tasty. If you are interested in finding out how tea leaves are produced, you can have a quick tour at the factory. The noise can be a tad deafening though.



Accommodation in Cameron Highlands is aplenty. You never run out of choices but they do run out of rooms during peak season like school holidays, public holidays. If you are planning a trip to Cameron Highlads, do plan well. For my family of 6, we rented a bungalow that is pet-friendly. It turned out to be a huge bungalow that has been renovated to accommodate more guests for business purpose. Imagine a large bungalow sub-divided into rooms so that these rooms can be rented out. But, i do not have complaints overall. Toilets are clean, so are the rooms.

Our next stop was MARDI short for Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute, i think. MARDI is situated opposite the bungalow we rented. It is so near that we could just walk there without breaking into a sweat even though the bungalow is situated on a hill top. This park demands RM3 entrance fee for adults but students get to go in for free. The attraction over here is the beautiful landscape and also the vegetable, flower and fruit plantation. It did not awe me since I have visited my friend's own vegetable and flower plantation. The one in MARDI is very small scale since they concentrate more on research. We had a wonderful time snapping photos of the beautiful landscape though whereas my parents were so fascinated with all the flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables planted there.




Not to be missed out is the Smokehouse Hotel. We weren't the patrons of this hotel but I just have to show my parents this colonial style hotel with perfect landscaping.


Our last destination was one of the best Strawberry Farms that i have been to. It is called Big Red Strawberry Farm located very near Brinchang town. This strawberry farm has hydroponic vegetables too and they sell a wide variety of strawberry snacks like strawberry sundae, strawberry with whipped cream, strawberry with honey and yoghurt etc. Besides that, you get to purchase 3 huge lettuces for RM5, a combination of green coral and butterhead. When you're done filling your tummies, you can take a peek at the cactus valley below the strawberry farm.

We have come to an end to my Cameron Highlands excursion. The trip didn't spell lots of excitement or adventure. It was more towards enjoying the chilled and fresh air up there.