Pulau Redang - A beautiful Marine Park

Redang Island or Pulau Redang is famous for its crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, and the tropical fish that inhabit the numerous reefs, many within 50 feet of the shore. With its crystal clear waters, prolific coral formations and an array of marine life, it is little wonder then that Redang has earned for itself the enviable reputation as one of the best marine parks in the world. This paradise-like island is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, jungle trekking, fishing, boating, wind surfing and canoeing.

Pulau Redang which is located 50km from the mainland and a 2 hour boat ride from the Marang Jetty, Terengganu, the island is surrounded by crystal clear waters, pearly white shores, a colorful array of spectacular marine life, a breathtaking sunset, and what could be the world's most mature coral garden. The park is arguable among the best diving spots in the world where marine life is protected and souvenir hunters are liable for prosecution.

Pulau Redang is the largest of a group of nine protected islands dotting the South China Sea off the Terengganu coast. The island offers crystal clear waters and numerous dive sites for enthusiasts. Sheltered within the Pulau Redang Marine Park, the waters here are rich in marine life. At midday when sun rays penetrate the sea, brilliant hues of coral, anemones and fish can be seen.No fishing is allowed within a 3.2km radius of the island as Pulau Redang is gazetted as a marine park. The collection of corals and other aquatic life is also strictly prohibited.

The waters around Pulau Redang also contain two historic shipwrecks: The H.M.S. Prince of Wales and H.M.S. Repulse, which sank here at the start of World War II, setting the stage for the Japanese occupation of Malaya.



Getting there: By Boat
Begin your island-hopping adventure by catching a boat at any of the jetties in Kuala Terengganu and Marang. Travelling time to Pulau Redang is one hour from Kuala Terengganu and 50 minutes from Marang.



Accomodation:
Plenty to choose from either in the form of chalets, or a luxury type.

Desaru a true place for vacation

DESARU, located on the eastern tip of the Malay Peninsula, has clean sandy white beaches and it is popular with tourists as well as locals. The 25km long stretch of unspoiled beach framed by the South China Sea on one side and lush tropical forest on the other, is home to many hotels and resorts ready to take in new guests.

Activitites in Desaru

In Desaru, activities are largely available and include golfing, horseback riding, tennis, canoeing, swimming, boating, fishing, snorkeling, jungle trekking, and you can even enjoy yourselves in the local theme park.



Snorkeling is a good option, but don't expect banks of colorful fishes and wonderful sea creatures. Scuba diving here is out of the question, although some of the resorts do arrange trips out to Johor's northern islands.


One thing you can definitely try is surfing. If wind is good, the waves are quite OK, and especially the lack of jellyfish and sharks makes it an attractive location. During December, January and first half of February (monsoon season), the waves are almost constantly high, but do expect the water to be a little cold. There is a company that rents surf boards for 20 RM/h and provides surf lessons for 100 RM. The same company rents jetskis.

Excursions to see the fireflies (api-api) in the Sungei Lebam river are very popular. While theoretically possible to arrange yourself, this would require bumping about dirt roads to find the dock and then cruising around a pitch-black jungle river, so it's much easier to join one of the hotel excursions. The best time to go is after rain on a new moon.

Getting to Desaru



By Land

Desaru Beach is easily accessible from Singapore and the northern areas by road via Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia.

Approximate distance and traveling time when driving to Desaru:

* from Johor Bahru: 100 km, 1h 30min
* from Kuala Lumpur: 436 km, 4hrs 15min
* from Singapore: 125 km, 2hrs 15min

Public transport is available from Johor Bahru, Kota Tinggi and Tanjung Belungkor to Desaru, but do check schedules as buses tend to be few and far between.

By Sea

Travel by ferry from Changi Point, Singapore to Tanjong Belungkor, Malaysia. The ferry operates four times a day and has capacity for 400 passengers and 70 cars on its car deck.


In Desaru, Johor, you don't have to worry about 'a place to stay' and 'where to eat'...as there are plenty to choose from and within your budget. So, worries not but 100% relax and enjoy.....

Relax and revitalise in Langkawi Island, Malaysia

Langkawi Island

Langkawi island is an archipelago of 104 islands lying in the north western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The exact location of these tropical islands is at the site where the Straits of Malacca meets the waters of the Andaman Seas.

The largest of these islands is called Langkawi Island and is bigger than the Penang Island.The other islands in this group are Island of Pregnant Maiden (Pulau Dayang Bunting), Lion Island (Pulau Singa Besar) and Beras Basah Island.The smallest of these islands are atolls roughly the size of an ordinary house!

Langkawi is coined from the Malay words Lang and Kawi. Lang is a brown eagle and Kawi is a local manganese stone.The ancient fishermen must have seen eagles flying clutching the manganese stones! A giant monument of a brown eagle clutching the manganese stone greets all visitors to Langkawi near the Kuah Jetty.

The main tourist attractions of Langkawi Island is its virgin white sandy beaches.The beaches have very gentle continental slope and the water is crystal clear.

This island is unique in the sense that it has so many legendsand myths associated with it.Langkawi Island is therefore also called Pulau Lagenda or Legendary Island.

The most talked about legend is that of Mahsuri who is said to have laid a curse on this island for seven generations.Luckily the period of this curse is over now and Langkawi Island is fast becoming an internationally recognised tourist destination.

The government of Malaysia has declared the entire Langkawi Island as a duty free zone. Hence this island is also termed Duty Free Island.All goods sold in this island are exempted from government tax.Therefore this Legendary Island is a haven for the shoppers.You only need to stay in Langkawi for a minimum of 48 hours to take back home a reasonable amount of tax free goods.

Facts About Langkawi

* Population: 54,000
* Time Zone: Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
* Languages: Malay, English, Chinese, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai
* Currency: MYR
* Airports: Langkawi International (LGK)

Popular Activities
* Pantai Cenang
* Underwater World Langkawi
* Pulau Tuba
* Telaga Tujuh Seven Wells
* Dataran Lang
* Pulau Payar Marine Park
* Pulau Payar
* Gunung Raya
* Kuah Town
* Langkawi Coral

Top-Rated Hotels
1. Casa del Mar Langkawi
2. Tanjung Rhu Resort
3. The Datai Langkawi
4. Bon Ton Resort
5. Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa
6. Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa Langkawi
7. The Andaman
8. Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia
9. Beach Garden Resort
10. Tanjung Sanctuary Langkawi

Brimming with culture, mysteries, legends and an abundance of natural scenery, Langkawi is the perfect getaway for families or friends looking for a pleasant holiday. Visit Langkawi, you won’t regret it!

Leisurely at Pulau Besar

The natural beauty of Pulau Besar, Melaka, Malaysia

The name, Pulau Besar (formerly known as Pulau Babi Besar) is strange to many despite its idyllic beaches and stunning natural beauty. The island which is surrounded by Pulau Rawa, Pulau Sibu & Pulau Tinggi is characterized by quiet, clean beaches of powdery white sand that promises an amazingly spectacular view.Pulau Besar is fringed by crystal-clear azure waters that people can actually catch sight of the abundant reefs. To preserve the unspoiled marine life, the Government has gazetted it as a marine park to protect around 60 species of marine life from any activities that can harm their natural habitats within 2 nautical miles around the island.

Rich hues of wild vegetations are dappled throughout with the lush greens of the coconut palms and tropical jungles. There are about 7 – 8 small villages that are still populated by around 100 friendly dwellers who are mostly fishermen.Another myth was about a fisherman couple who transformed into mermaids. This legend is so popular among the local folks that they believed at one time, a pregnant fisherman’s wife was craving for a kind of seaweed, that is plentiful in the Mersing waters. After eating, she turned into a mermaid and the heartbroken husband became one too after eating the same seaweed. Until today, it is claimed that mermaids floating in couples can sometimes be spotted eating seaweed around the island. During low tide, tourists can see nibbling marks on the island rocks that proves the existence of the mammals.

Rising some 2,000 feet above the sea level. One of the largest islands off the coast of Mersing. Surrounded by 15 scattered islands. Several long streches of finest beaches with fine, soft white sand fringe the island carefully hidden from the outside world. A place irresistable to those who seek tranquility admidst charm of a village setting. The area houses most exotic coral reefs and underwater flora as well as numerous chalet and restaurant. Besar island is accesible by boat from Mersing town (approximately 30 minutes).

In the Mersing waters, there are at least 15 small and scattered islands and each is unique in its own way. All the while, tourists have only been accustomed to the popularity of Pulau Tioman in Pahang and Pulau Pemanggil in Johor which actually are situated within the same area.

Here, you can find many species of giant cockle that live on the ocean floor and 6 of them can only be found around Mersing waters. A number of the surrounding islands such as Pulau Aur, Pulau Pemanggil, Pulau Tinggi and Pulau Rawa have been identified as new habitats for the new generation of the giant cockles that have a lifespan of 70 years, 1-metre long shell and can weigh as much as 200 kilograms. Tourists will be able to set their eyes on these lovely shelled-creatures while snorkeling in the breathtakingly picturesque underwater.

Pulau Besar is surrounded by vistas so beautiful that even a number of foreign TV stations have flocked the island to savor the natural wonders and treasured them in films. In fact, a short time ago, a Hollywood film, Ocean Lifeguard, had chosen Pulau Besar as its main shooting location.

How the name changed
This island got its former name, Pulau Babi Besar, (directly translated as Big Boars Island) from the numerous wild boars that roamed the island before man inhabited the place. Surprisingly, there is not a single boar on the island at present and thus, the reason for the change of name to Pulau Besar.


The Legend of Pulau Besar
The largest of eight islands off the coast of Malacca, Pulau Besar covers an area of approximately 133 hectares and is said to resemble the shape of a pregnant woman. In fact, the island has long been associated with intriguing legends and myths.

The most famous of these has it that several hundred years ago, a beautiful and kind-hearted princess of the Sultanate of Malacca fell in love with a fisherman from Sumatra. When the fisherman had to return to Sumatra, he promised the princess that he would return to marry her.

A few months later, misfortune was to befall the happy couple when the boat the fisherman was on, capsized on its way to Malacca after being caught in a raging storm. The young fisherman was to go down with the ship.

All this time, the princess had been waiting patiently for the fisherman's return. She was soon to discover that she was pregnant. Hearing no news and in total desperation, she threw herself into the sea. Legend has it that her body miraculously floated to the site of her lover's capsized ship and remained there. This is said to account for the shape of the island of Pulau Besar.

Another legend is about the shrine of the seven princesses The seven maidens were said to have been on their way to Pulau Besar from India in order to deepen their mysticism. Alas, their ship was also to sink along the way. The graves of the seven princesses were buried on the island and can still be seen until today.

There is a cave called "Yunos Cave". It is believed that in ancient times, warriors came to the cave to learn the art of mysticism. It was also used for the training of the art of 'silat', a form of martial arts.

And then there is the famous Batu Belah or Split Rock. When looking at the rock, you should bear in mind the story behind it. It tells the tale of a young apprentice who did not obey the teachings of his master who told him never to misuse his power. He choose not to heed this advice. Before he could repent, his master took out his sword and sliced the rock he was sitting on. The apprentice was to fall between the cracks, after which the rock was to mysteriously rejoin, trapping the apprentice forever.

Getting there
There is an airstrip on Pulau Tioman which can be used before jumping on a private boat that can be booked through your guest house. Ferry services also run daily to Pulau Tioman, where you can get a water taxi to Pulau Besar, which again is best booked through your resort before arriving. The nearest major domestic airport is in Senai, Johor Bahru (3 hours away), where you can connect to Kuala Lumpur's international airport. Travel by road from the capital takes around 4 hours.

Place to Stay & Packages (among others are...)

• ASEANIA RESORT PULAU BESAR
• D'COCONUT ISLAND RESORT
• NIRWANA BEACH RESORT

Worth It?
Definitely worth it if you are looking for a place to relax in peace and quiet.

What to Do?
diving, swimming and snorkeling, sunbathing and hiking around the island.

Information on Viva Wyndham Dominicus beach resort

Tips on

Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach by Myka Carroll,

The Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach is an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic, a destination known for affordable and family-friendly package vacations. Viva Resorts had eight all inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico, and has an alliance with the Wyndham hotel giant: hence the "Viva Wyndham" brand.

The Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach is 17 miles from La Romana International Airport. Located along the southeastern coast on a sugar-white beach bordering national parkland, the shallow waters here are perfect for wading with little ones. The resort is also close to world-class snorkeling and diving.

Features

• Several restaurants, plus access to restaurants at the neighboring Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace for an additional fee
• Half-mile white-sand beach
• Snorkeling right at the beach
• Three freshwater pools
• Four lit tennis courts and on-site diving center
• Free group windsurfing, sailing, archery and introductory diving lessons
• Access to nearby golf course at Casa de Campo

For Families:

• Viva Wyndham Kids' Retreat for ages 4 to 12 and Juniors' Club for ages 12 to 16
• Children's areas in two of the resort's three beachfront pools
• Kids' activities include trapeze, volleyball, table tennis, archery
• Sand castle-building competitions and talent shows are held*
• Children ages 12 and under stay and eat for a nominal fee
• Boat and jeep safaris are available at the tour desk for an extra fee

Keep in Mind about the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach:

• reservations may be required for dinner; check with your restaurant of choice in advance.
• rooms for those with limited mobility are available.
• visitors remark that clientele is mainly Italian and that few staff speak English
  

Experience The Wreck Diving in Labuan, Malaysia

Diving activities in Labuan

LABUAN ECO DIVING

The marine park situated 2 kilometers off the southern coast of Labuan main island is an eco-diving and snorkeling haven. The three secluded islets are surrounded by fringing coral reefs which make it a veritable snorkellers paradise. Snorkellers can enjoy the reefs everywhere. Sign up for a course of instruction or take part in one of the park's guided snorkeling excursions. Learn about the wonderful creatures you will be visiting on your next snorkel trip.

The park boasts some of the best developed coral reefs in the South China Sea. There are more than 20 spectecular dive sites.

LABUAN WRECK DIVING
Four wrecks await exploration by diving enthusiats. The Australian Wreck lies southwest of Pulau Rusukan Besar about 23 meters from Labuan. Experienced divers will enjoy exporing the interior of this wreck.

The American Wreck lies southeast of Pulau Rusukan Kecil, 1.4 km from the Australian Wreck. It was formerly the USS Salute, a US Navy mine sweeper which went down in 1945.

The Blue Wreck is located northeast of Pulau Kuraman, 34 km from Labuan. The clear waters in which it lies provide the best visibility of all wrecks.

The Cement Wreck - This freighter was transporting cement to Brunei for the Sultan's new palace when it hit the Semarang Bank and sank. It lies east of Pulau Kuraman, 21 km from Labuan and sits on the sea bed in an up right position. The Cement Wreck has been dubbed the world's most colourful and photogenic wreck.

Information source: Labuan Development Authority

The beauty of Aur Island, Malaysia

Check out Pulau Aur (Aur Island Island) Malaysia

Offshore, 65km east of Mersing, Pulau Aur, and the three smaller islands of Pulau Dayang, Pulau Lang and Pulau Pinang, together with Pulau Pemanggil which is 15km northwest of Pulau Aur, make up the rest of the Johor Marine Park. Most of the rocky islands are well forested and have isolated coconut plantations. With deep, clear water, healthy corals and regular encounters with large pelagic species, these islands have the potential to become international diving locations.

Several underwater Pinnacles on the east side of Pulau Aur rise 30m from the sea floor to within 10m of the surface with good hard coral growth including undamaged table corals (Acropora Sp.). 'Rayner's Rock' northeast of Pulau Dayang, is a similar 33m high, submerged rock where there are impressive Boulder Corals (Porites Sp.), Whale Sharks have been seen and delightful encounters with large Manta Rays (Manta birostris) are common.

It is surprising to see extraordinarily large numbers of juvenile fish this far offshore, many are so different in shape and markings from their adults that they can be mistaken for different species.

When fish are ready to breed, many strategies have evolved to ensure that only the strongest males and females mate. In some species, the presence of Alpha (larger) females prevent smaller fish becoming females. With many other species males fight to establish domination. With so many fish of similar shapes living in close proximity on crowded reefs it would be a waste of energy if adults picked unnecessary fights with juveniles. One way to avoid this happening is for juveniles to be a completely different colour, pattern or shape from mature adults.

ATTRACTIONS:

Beaches:
- Batu Kembar, Pulau Aur
- Pasir Putih, Pulau Dayang
- Teluk Ba'ai, Pulau Aur
- Teluk Berhala, Pulau Aur

Resorts:
- Dayang Blues Resort, Pulau Dayang
- Diver's Lodge, Pulau Aur
- Bluewater Resort, Pulau Aur
- Atlantis Bay Resort, Pulau Aur

Island trails:
- Batu Berhala
- Teluk Ba'ai to Teluk Sebukang

Getting there

From Singapore Via Public Transport
There are a few buses that run to Mersing from Singapore on a daily basis. The easiest way is Transnasional direct from Singapore to Mersing: departure from the junction of Kallang Bahru and Lavender Street at 9am, 10am and 10pm.

From Singapore Via Private Transport
Drive through Johor Bahru until you reach Kota Tinggi, approximately an hour from JB. Mersing's jetty is located at Mersing town, an hour's drive further from Kota Tinggi. You may park your car at a secure parking space at Mersing Town. There are lots of road signs along the way that will help you get to Mersing, and past complaints about the quality of the roads have been addressed with the resurfacing and widening of the highway

From Kuala Lumpur Via Public Transport
You can get to the town of Mersing from KL by bus. Catch a Transnasional bus from Puduraya bus station. They leave Puduraya bus station three times per day, at 11.00 am, 10.30 pm and 11.00 pm. Travel time is approximately 5 hours.

From Kuala Lumpur Via Private Transport
Take the north/south highway from KL, and exit at Air Hitam, about two hours' drive away. From there, drive to Kluang, then Kahang, and finally to Mersing Town, a journey that should take about an hour and a half. You can park your car at a secure parking space at Mersing Town.

A must visit especially for divers

Another place to visit

Destination State / Sabah / Malaysia's Sipadan Island

The late Jacques Cousteau, the world-renowned oceanographer, described Sipadan Island as ‘an untouched piece of art’, while divers around the world voted it as one of the top five dive sites in the world.

Malaysia’s only oceanic island, it is very small – only 12ha. in size. A 25-minute walk is all that is required to circle the island on foot. As an oceanic island, it rises about 700 metres from the sea floor, attracting diverse marine life from the blackness of the open sea. Surrounded by crystal clear waters, this crown jewel is a treasure trove of some of the most amazing marine animals.

Declared a bird sanctuary in 1933 by the Colonial Government of North Borneo and re-gazetted in 1963 by the Malaysian Government, the dense vegetation on Sipadan Island supports a large variety of tropical birds which include sea eagles, kingfishers, sunbirds, starlings and wood pigeons. Exotic crustaceans including the amazing coconut crab roam the beaches and scurry among the undergrowth.

When diving here, encounters with turtles, resident schools of jacks, bumphead parrotfish and barracudas are almost assured around the tiny coral island.

Key Tips
Try to be part of an early-morning dive to Sipadan at the famous Barracuda Point. In the early hours of the morning, you are most likely to swim amongst big schools of swirling barracuda...

How to get there
By Air
The jump off point to Sipadan Island is Kota Kinabalu or Tawau.

By Car
Continue the journey by a 1-hour drive to Semporna town.

By Sea
A 30-minute speedboat will take you to Mabul, which is the jump off point for Sipadan Island explorations.

Leisurely Days Under The Sun...Tioman Island

The beauty of Malaysian Island....Tioman Island

About 36 nautical mile off Malaysia's east coast lies Pulau Tioman, or Tioman Island a tear-shape paradise. An enduring and tranquil island, Tioman Island boasts miles and miles of white sandy beaches and swaying palm trees, charming villages and friendly people. Its crystal clear water promise spectacular marine life and colourful coral gardens. The striking profile of the twin peaks of Gunung Nenek Semukut provides a markable landmark to this beautiful island reputed to be one of the most beautiful and idyllic islands in the world.

This island is an idyllic spot for leisurely days under the sun. Swim in its emerald waters, enjoy a stroll by the beach or be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves. There are several villages scattered around the coastline, the larger ones being Salang, Tekek, Genting, Paya and Juara.

Each village offers a different and unique atmosphere. Tioman's verdant greenery is home to a splendid variety of plants and small animals, including butterflies, monitor lizards, deer and monkeys. Its flora and fauna have been featured in National Geographic's documentaries.

The island's granite formations make for excellent rock-climbing expeditions. The more adventurous can attempt to scale the sheer cliff face of the legendary Gunung Nenek Semukut or Dragons Horns. Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort offers a luxurious stay amidst a backdrop of rolling hills and scenic views.

Key Tips
If you like hiking, you should try the beautiful cross-island hike from the village of Tekek on the west to Juara on the east. It can be done in an easy day and takes in both jungle and beach views of both sides of Tioman.

Getting there...

By Road
Access the Tebrau Highway from Johor Bahru and go to Mersing via Kota Tinggi. Access the Karak Highway from Kuala Lumpur through Temerloh, Kuantan, Pekan, Kuala Rompin,Tanjung Gemuk to Mersing. Alternatively take the PLUS Highway from Kuala Lumpur via Seremban, Bahau, Muadzam Shah, Kuala Rompin, Tanjung Gemuk to Mersing.

By Public Transport
Express buses are available from Singapore at Newton Circus Court and Jalan Sultan Bus Station. From Kuala Lumpur, buses and taxis are available at Puduraya Bus Station. Buses leave at noon and 11.30 pm while taxis leave at any time. Estimated travel time 5-6 hours.

By Sea
Tioman is accessible by boat from Tanjung Gemok in Pahang and Mersing in Johor. Journey time is approximately 1.5 hours. It can also be reached by a 4-hour ferry ride from the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore.

By Air
Berjaya Air operates daily direct 45-minute flights to Tioman from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Wonders of India's Taj Mahal

A must see...India's Taj Mahal

It is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.It is a wonderful combination of many artistic styles.Further it is a very popular symbol of love.The surroundings around Taj Mahal attracts us.The river side behind it is significant among them.

Great Wall Of China

See wonders the Great Wall of China

This is one of the seven wonders in the world.To the Great Wall of China,it’s not a problem what is the season.It brings a timeless joy to the visitors.In the spring when the wall is surrounded by lush vegetation,it givesa very very fresh scene to the tourists.In the summer when the colourful flowers and leaves cover the mountains,the Great Wall entertains us by having the look of a long silver snake.When the fall comes,it seems to be the best season to visit the Great Wall.The weather is so pleasant and the surroundings are so colourful.In winter the air is frozently cold and everything cover themselves with snow offering us a very attractive snowy scene.

Petra

Place to look for - Jordan's Petra

This wonderful place once you know as rose-red city half as old as time is one of the Seven Wonders of the world.This is the south Jordan’s most popular place.The shining red solid buildings in Petra catch your eyes at once.It’s one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage.

Here in the side bar of this page,there are few links through which you will get free/cheap vacation opportunities to enjoy these and many other interesting places around the world.

Machu Picchu

Visit The Wonders of Machu Picchu

This attractive historical place is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru.Most of people believe that this is the lost city of the Incas.This is a UNESCO World Heritage site.In 2007,Machu Picchu was voted as one of New Open World Corporation’s New Seven Wonders of the World.You can stay hours enjoying the divinelyness of the place.Because the place is located at 2,430 metres (8,000 ft) above the sea level,you can enjoy a lovely scenery of the surroundings.