Novotel Rayong Rim Pae Resort Review

I was invited to Rayong in by Tourism Authority of Thailand for a media trip in June. It was my first time there, even though I heard so much about it from my parents. The highlights of Rayong are their fruit orchards, the sandy beaches and the islands at the Gulf of Thailand.

Together with other media, we stayed at Novotel Rayong Rim Pae Resort. As we reached there, we were given the usual formality of Thai hospitality. We were ushered to their beautiful lobby as their service desk staffs were sorting out our rooms.

Novotel Rayong Rim Pae Resort lobby desk

Meet Sue, the friendly staff from Novotel Rayong
Credits must be given to their fast services as we got our room keys fast and they also delivered our luggage to our rooms.

Can you spot the welcome fruit platter at the small table?
The room I had was pretty decent in size. There is also a fruit platter on the table in the room. This is the small detail that really makes the customers happy. By the way, I loved the idea of the fruit platter and also the King size bed.

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Berjaya Redang Resort Review, Redang Island, Terengganu, MALAYSIA

It is one of the best resorts in Redang, no doubt about it. I’m talking about the Berjaya Redang Resort. Redang Island is one of my favourite destinations in the region apart from Bali and Phuket. I had been going there almost in yearly basis.

We reached Berjaya Redang via coach from the Redang Island airport.
My recent visit to Berjaya Redang Resort was in April for a friend’s wedding there. Together with our friends, we flew to Redang via Berjaya Air for the first time.
Upon reaching the Redang Airport, a coach was already there waiting to pick us up. Then we drove past the Redang village and reach the resort.

Then we queued up for our room check in. The lobby looks good on my first impression.

The ambience was good through it was slightly dark even though with the soft lighted chandeliers. Even from the lobby, we can see the beautiful private beach.

Then, we spotted the garden suites beside the main hall. Well, we would love to stay there but we got a cheaper room at the Redang Hillview.

The garden suites, just few steps away from the beach

Unlike the suites near the beach, the Redang Hillview is nearer to main entrance of the resort. To walk to there, it will take around 10 min. However, the resort offers small buggies round the clock to ferry their guests.

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Beautiful Poda Island of Krabi, THAILAND

The Poda Island is thethid island of the 4 islands tour in Krabi, Thailand. Krabi is located at the southern west part of Thailand and Phuket Island is within its province. The 4 island tour was inclusive of Tup Island, Chicken Island, Poda Island and Phra Nang Cave. Most of the local tour companies offer this tour. You can join any tour by street of Aonang, rates differs.

After having fun in Tup Island and Chicken Island, we sailed to Poda Island for lunch. Our tour was inclusive of lunch which is a packet of mixed rice and a bottle of mineral water. If you are wondering, everyone else was having the same lunch box.

Poda Island was hit by 2004 tsunami as well. Tsunami evacuation signs can be seen on the island.

Love the crystal clear water, everyone was having fun in the water under the hot sun

Poda Island was slightly different from the earlier 2 islands. The island was slightly bigger and has the backdrop of a small rock island.

As we walked around the island, we spotted 2 long tail boats offering food. Like the food stall, the 2 wooden boats were selling from fried chicken to Thai fried rice. It was an eye opener. They were also offering baguette and fruit shakes.

There is nothing beats a good fruit shake under the hot sun! The food and drink price in the range of 40-60 Thai Baht which is less than USD 2. Slightly expensive than the stalls in Krabi but on an island like this, it’s worth it. We spent an hour lying down under the shady coconut trees after our lunch and fruit shake.

A good spot for sunbathing and having your lunch under the shady coconut trees.

Check out the color tones of the water, lovely.

Friend Laney in front of the trademark landscape of Poda Island.

This was me waiting for my fried chicken.

How to get to Poda Island:
Go to the local tour companies (mostly speaks English) and ask for the 4 islands tour. The tour was inclusive of Tup Island, Chicken Island, Poda Island and Phra Nang Cave. The cheapest rate was around 1,200 baht (around US 40) per person. Travel by speed boat will be more expensive. The rates are based on Dec 2009.

Tup Island, Krabi – Unseen Thailand

Tup Island is the first island of the 4 islands tour in Krabi, Thailand. Krabi is on the southern west part of Thailand and Phuket Island is within its province. The tour was inclusive of Tup Island, Chicken Island, Poda Island and Phra Nang Cave. Most of the local tour companies offer this tour.

The wooden type of boat we chartered, cheap and reliable but slow.

We pre-arranged our tour from Malaysia. Well, we sort of regretted it as it was cheaper and very easy to book it in Krabi, not much a hassle. The tour van picked us up early in the morning and sent us to the nearby jetty.

Our boat docking at the beach side, my friend Yvonne is getting ready to get down from the boat.
From there, we boarded the wooden type boat to the beautiful Andaman sea. Though it was wooden, it was cheap and reliable, but just a little bit too slow.

Tup Island is one of the most popular islands off Krabi, Thailand and it is also known as “Unseen Thailand”. It is not just white sandy beaches with clear turquoise water.

A girl walks across the island on the beach pathway.

The highlights of the island would be the connecting beach pathway in between the island. Yes, we can walk from one side to another one through the connecting beach pathway with clear turquoise water on both sides.

The clear turquoise water near Tup Island.

The view was like from the postcards. It was beautiful. We stayed in the island for an hour before we went to the other island.

The island was packed with tourists but rest assured, there were places for sunbathing.

Wife Rachel, a friend and Yvonne enjoying the view.

We loved the island, clear sky, clear water and breathtaking view. Nothing to complain, highly recommended!
How to get to Tup Island:
Go to the local tour companies (mostly speaks English) and ask for the 4 islands tour. The tour was inclusive of Tup Island, Chicken Island, Poda Island and Phra Nang Cave. The cheapest rate was around 1,200 baht (around US 40) per person. Travel by speed boat will be more expensive. The rates are based on Dec 2009.

Beras Basah Island, Langkawi, MALAYSIA

My previous trip to Langkawi really changed my perception towards the island. It really changed so much over the past decade. From a duty free island to now a more adventurous and fun island. The island hopping tour we paid, brought to this beautiful Beras Basah Island.

A direct translation of Beras Basah means wet rice. It’s one of the popular destination in Langkawi island. And example of Beras Basah Island or Pulau Beras Basah by Tourism Malaysia.

When we docked at the jetty we were quite surprised by the white sands beach. Check out the color of the sands, the picture is not edited.

Under the shady coconut trees, we sat down and enjoy the beautiful beach. But do watch out for the falling coconuts, I’m just joking.

One of the best thing about the island, its not that busy and packed. So claiming a spot for sun bathing or chill out was easy. Ordering some cold drinks from the shop nearby was the next best thing to do.

On top of sun bathing and probably having a dip near the beach, Beras Basah Island also offers outdoor activities such as banana boat ride and para sailing.

A group of tourists having a fun time riding the banana boat ride.

Well this was us and you can see the para sailing at the background.

For more information on the outdoor activities, please check on the operator vendor on the island.

How to get to Beras Basah Island:

Do check the local tour operators in various locations in Langkawi such as hotels and airport for the island hopping tour that is inclusive of the Beras Basah Island stop-over.

Chartered your own boat at jetty or also consult the local tour operators.

Charges and fees differs depending on the boat type and boat sizes.

Sunset at Aonang , Krabi, THAILAND

A short Sunday post. My last December trip to Krabi with my friends was a memorable one. Though the company was good, but the scenery was better. Let me explain also why we picked to stay in Aonang instead of Krabi town.

Before the trip, I tried to look for images of Aonang of Krabi, nothing much was found. So then, during the trip I took quite a number of Aonang of Krabi to show it here on my blog. Aonang  is a popular hot spot and its only minutes away from the airport. The main road is usually packed with stalls and shops selling from clothes to diving equipments.

Not forgetting as well the local tour booths and a variety of restaurants and cafe of different countries.

Their small local taxi or “tut tut” will be the most convenient way to travel in Thailand. But many would prefer renting a small bike or even a car. We hired a van as there were 8 of us. The van cost us 120 Baht (US$ 35)  for 3 hours.

Another good thing about Aonang  is the amazing sunset scenery. Many would walk during evening, to talk a glimpse of the breathtaking sunset from the beach.

Not forgetting, Aonang  has the jetty to travel to nearby islands that includes Phuket and Similan Islands. This make Aonang Beach area more convenient for snorkeling and diving tourists.

We stayed in Aonang for 2 nights and we loved it. We often walked till late. During night times, the street is usually packed and windy. There are also food stalls that open till late. Reasonable price and good food as well. We really enjoyed our stay in Aonang.

How to get to Aonang, Krabi:

Get a taxi from the Krabi Airport, it is around 30 min drive. There are also a number of backpackers inns or motels around the area. Rates differs from each other.

*Written by Wilson Ng*

A beach holiday would be a perfect remedy now. However, our next beach holiday won’t happened until March. I had been going thru a lot of stress lately. I’m yet to get all my stuffs done for Argentina. Still left a few things for it. Will be rushing to complete my work and getting my preparations done before next week, I hope.

For now imagine.

Just imagine a very sunny day.

Under the clear blue sky, the best possible place for sunbathing. The soothing air blowing from the ocean, with fine beach sands at the tip of your toes.

Well, it wasn’t really a dream but one of our beach holiday we did last year. Our second getaway trip to Cherating. It was a short trip, destress trip.

After a good old 5 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur by using Karak highway (then North East highway), destination Cherating was a quiet place for holiday. We stayed at The Legend Hotel Cherating. Will do a quick review on the hotel later on.

Cherating is a quiet place that many mistaken that it is  in Trengganu instead of Pahang. There are quite a few of seafood restaurants in Cherating, most of them are operated by Muslims. The nearest town from Cherating will be Chukai, its around 15 min drive from Cherating. Kuantan will be an hour drive.

Rachel thought Cherating was slightly bored for her. I will stay neutral on this. Regardless, the beach was well maintain looking towards the beautiful South China Sea.

Cherating would be a quiet getaway with sunny sandy beaches.

*Written by Rachel Ting*

We had never travel to Pak Meng beach of Trang, Thailand. Trang is a town located in the south of Krabi and north of Hadyai and the southern part of Thailand are mainly populated by Muslims.

Pak Meng beach is one of the popular beaches in Trang. If you noticed the 2 sign boards above, the sign reads Tsunami Evacuation center. Sadly, Pak Meng beach was also one of the effected area of the Tsunami back then.

During high tides, the sandy beach area will be covered by sea water. And the tiny little black mark you see that are scattered around here are actually lil crabs! (Alot huh?..)

The long streach of Pak Meng beach overlooks few of other smaller islands off Trang with clear blue sky above. Don’t this resemble a postcard?

Stools along the beach area of Pak Meng beach where people can come over during evening, chill by the beach with pina coladas maybe?

We stayed in Pak Meng beach area when we were in Trang. Advantage about staying in Pak Meng beach is, it is near to the jetty, therefore island hopping tours as well as the snorkeling tours are available. We spend our Christmas there and it was pretty quiet, perhaps it is not a big celebration for the locals and Trang is still not known by alot of people. Perhaps if you are looking for a scenery like this and a quiet getaway, this is an ideal place for you.

Pak Meng beach can be reached approx. 2 hours drive from Krabi airport.

Post Tsunami Pictures at Patong Beach, Phuket, THAILAND

(Jan ’05) – Recently I wa backing up a lot of my old pictures to my new laptop. I would like to share some of the interesting pictures I took a few years ago.

This was taken in January 2005 at Patong Beach, Phuket Island. Well, the stories goes like this:

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake. The resulting tsunami itself is given various names, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Asian Tsunami, Indonesian Tsunami, and Boxing Day Tsunami. -Wikipedia

Phuket Thailand was the places that was hit by the tsunami. I was invited back then for a media trip to the affected areas of tsunami in Jan 2005, app. one month after the tsunami. The media trip includes tour agencies representatives and reporters.

We were greeted graciously by the local governor and we were explained the details of the damages caused by tsunami. We were told, the locals had started rebuilding the affected areas days after the incident. By 1 – 2 weeks, most beaches were cleaned up. Many would not believe such claims.

For that, we were then brought to areas that were affected by tsunami such as Patong beach.

Its hard to believe this the beach that has been affected by tsunami weeks ago.

More than hundreds of people died on this beach a few weeks ago during our visit. Unbelievable.

If you could see the uneven sand area throughout the beach were caused by the devastating tsunami.

At one of the nights, there was a huge memorial of tsunami victims at Patong Beach. Each light on the beach indicated a single life that was taken by the disaster. We were joined by medias from around the world during the memorial.

It was one of the most unforgettable trip I had. Phuket remained one of my favourite destinations up to date. I’ve been there 3 times.

May be the grass is greener on the other side…

I realized that the beaches in Bali were spectacular. This pictures were taken at Nusa Dua beach side of the Grand Mirage Hotel.

The beach where the pricey hotels and resorts were…

Beach area of Grand Mirage Hotel, Nusa Dua

Most of the 5 stars resorts and hotels stretched along this beach. One of the expensive places to stay in Bali.