Perhentian Trip Package

A regular reader and avid traveller (http://lifeislikethat.com/), Jam, asked in a comment how much it cost me for the package to Perhentian and Redang Islands. If he was asking, I believe, others would be asking too. Well, here is the answer.

(The quotation. Click to enlarge)

(The packaged itinerary. Click to enlarge)

(The deposit. Click to enlarge)

The owner of Fauna Holiday Sdn. Bhd. tour agency, Ong Seng Yeow, is a family friend of my Kota Bharu friend. Ong was recommended to us by my friend, who called him Ah Yeow. He has an older sister who was a classmate of my friend, hence the relationship. He can be trusted.

Although a Kelantanese, Ah Yeow operated from Kuala Besut in Terengganu, from a coffee shop called Restoran Makanan Laut Lucky which my friend said was owned by him, although Ah Yeow said it was a relative's coffee shop. The sister has a shop on the same lane.

(Ah Yeow in blue t-shirts collecting the balance of our payments in his coffee shop)

(Another scene inside the coffeeshop)

You can visit Fauna Holiday Sdn. Bhd. website for a package very similar to ours here http://www.faunaholiday.com/p_cocohut.php. Our package was customised.

In dealing with Ah Yeow, do not use the email stated on his website. He will tell you that his computer is down, etc. When we were there, I did not see any computer in the coffee shop. Call him on his handphone. A fax will be handy for the correspondence. He is the Managing Director, Office Manager, Account Clerk and Despatch Boy all rolled into one. He has no assistant to deal with the "email" at the "office" in the coffee shop, although he has a driver cum porter in Kuala Besut and tourist guides based at the chalets where he has business relations. The only time he would be at the Terminal Pelancongan in Kuala Besut was when he sent his clients off at the jetty or when he received them there.

(Ah Yeow leading the way to the jetty from his coffee shop)

If you want a good guide, ask Ah Yeow for Annuar. Annuar was based at New Cocohut Chalet & Restaurant when we were there.

(Annuar, the friendly and helpful guide in the middle)

(Annuar in a group photo with us before our departure from Perhentian Island)

The Perhentian Report - Day 5

Day 5 (6th May 2009) - Perhentian - Kuala Besut - Kota Bharu - KL

We woke up at 6:00 a.m. It was still pitch dark. At 6:30 a.m., we left our chalet for the pier. The receptionist was still asleep, so we left the key on the counter.

Today, we depart from Perhentian for KL, where we shall stay for one night before returning to Sibu. The three of us guys were at Long Beach, Perhentian Kecil. The rest of the group was at Perhentian Besar. We would meet up with them at New Cocohut Restaurant, Perhentian Besar before 8:00. a.m. We had made arrangement with Fauna Holiday and informed our guide that we would leave Perhentian Besar for Kuala Besut at 8:30 a.m.

As we left our room, we called the boatman, the one who ferried us to Long Beach from Teluk Pauh, to fetch us at 7:00 a.m. at the pier. He arrived punctually, and we left for New Cocohut Chalet, Perhentian Besar before 7:00 a.m.




On arrival at New Cocohut, we went to collect our bags which we left behind with the girls. At 8:00 a.m., everyone has gathered at New Cocohut Restaurant. The rest of the group have their breakfast, while the three of us were not entitled to it. What a shame.


At 8:30 a.m., we were at the jetty. Our Perhentian trip was coming to an end, and we have to say good-bye to these beautiful islands, our home for the last three days. We invited Annuar, our guide and the boatman, to take a group photo with us for memento. Annuar did not join us on our return trip to Kuala Besut as he has another boatload of new guests arriving later. We were soon on our way to Kuala Besut. Good-bye, beautiful Perhentian.



At Kuala Besut, we were welcomed on arrival by Mr. Ong Seng Yeow, the boss of Fauna Holiday himself.


Our bags were then carted to his office at Restoran Makanan Laut Lucky. The vans which would be transporting us back to Kota Bharu were waiting outside the restaurant. Before leaving, we gave ourselves 45 minutes to explore the little town of Kuala Besut. The three of us guys who have not eaten yet took our breakfast at the restaurant. I have a plate of fried noodle costing RM5. It's not cheap. It tasted average only.




Kuala Besut consists of just three main streets, with a number of lanes. It was small, and you could explore the town in half an hour. There were a few travel agencies opened by the Perhentian resorts and chalets.






After roaming around the town for a while, we were soon on our way to Kota Bharu. Ten minutes' drive away along the road to Kota Bharu, we stopped to buy keropok lekor at a stall recommended by Mr. Ong himself. Here, the price was cheaper.




At Kota Bharu, we visited the famous Siti Khadijah Market and the handicraft centre. We did not have much time to explore other parts of the town. Besides, the weather was very hot.



I had my lunch at the first floor. The rest did not take theirs here because the food here was all spicy. For me, spiciness was not a problem. My tongue has been numbed from eating spicy food in Sibu. The price of my lunch of a whole leg and rice = RM5.


Just as I was leaving the stall where I took my lunch, I noticed the ayam percik. I have been dying for it and have been telling my friends that I would have my ayam percik at Kota Bharu. On our visit to Medan Selera on 2 May, the strong wind and the ensuing dust practically rendered the ayam percik there too dirty for consumption. Now, I have my second chance to buy my favorite Kelantanese food, so I bought two pieces of whole legs, at RM5 a piece. I would share them with the girls whom I overheard saying that they wanted to try ayam percik too. However, they were not at this stall then.


After buying the ayam percik, we went to the handicraft centre where my Kota Bharu friend said Kelantanese batik and Siamese craft were sold. However, most of the stalls were selling batik, except for one stall on the top floor selling handicraft.



At 1:00 p.m., we departed Kota Bharu for Sultan Ismail Petra Airport for our 3:00 p.m. flight to KL. Bye-bye Kota Bharu.

The Perhentian Report - Day 2

Day 2 (3rd May 2009) - Kota Bahru - Kuala Besut - Perhentian Besar

By 7:30 a.m., everybody was ready to go for breakfast. As most ethnic Chinese from Sibu can't take very spicy food, Kota Bharu Chinese food was preferred (though I actually prefer spicy food). So, we went to Medan Selera Satu Enam Lapan, a small Chinese eating place with 6 - 8 hawkers' stalls. My friend had pointed out the place a day earlier. It was located about 100 metres from Pelangi Mall, where we were staying. There was the usual Malaysian fare such as kolo mee, char kuay tiau, etc.

I had the simple nasi dagang, and the char kuay tiau.

The taste for both was below average. After breakfast, I strolled around the adjacent area when the anticipated call came. It was half an hour earlier. The agreed departure time to Kuala Besut was 9:00 a.m. Nevertheless, I rang up the rest to get everybody to pack and be ready for the departure.

After handing both sets of keys to one of the apartment owners, who was staying nearby, we departed in two vans, to Kuala Besut.

The vans took us straight to Restoran Makanan Laut Lucky coffee shop, HQ of Fauna Holiday Sdn. Bhd. Though it has an office at Terminal Pelancongan Besut, we were told by our Fauna guide that it was hardly occupied. Our luggage was quickly transferred to a mobile cart. At the same time, the final payment was collected and paid to Mr. Ong, the boss of Fauna Holiday Sdn. Bhd.




With Mr. Ong leading the way, we proceeded to Terminal Pelancongan Besut, the ferry terminal. It was a short walk. After we arrived at the ferry terminal, Mr. Ong went to perform some routine formality with the terminal official.


We were then allowed to enter the departure gate and boarded two speedboats to our destination, New Cocohut Chalet on Perhentian Besar.



After a bumpy 30 minutes, we arrived. To our relief, we did not have to transfer to smaller boats, which I read from blogs, was necessary because the large speedboat could not land near the shallow water. There were two jetties just in front of Tuna Bay Resort, with one having being completed on the day of our arrival. We disembarked there, and we did not have to get our feet wet or having to wade through water to the beach. Let this day, 3rd May 2009, be remembered as the date the second jetty was completed.


We were greeted at the jetty by a Fauna Holiday Sdn. Bhd guide. He led us to our accommodation, Rooms C7 to C11, on the ground floor of the double storey longhouse.


The time was around 11:00 a.m. Mr Annuar, our guide for the duration of our stay, informed us that lunch would be served at 12:00 noon and we would depart for our snorkelling trip to six points, at 1:00 p.m.


Earlier, one of my colleagues collected the snorkelling gears from our guide so that we could wash and clean them first.

Now, when you are on a snorkelling trip, be reminded that if you are prone to sea-sickness, take travel sickness tablet ½ an hour earlier. The sea will be choppy. If you stay in the boat when others are snorkelling, you shall find yourself sick very quickly. That was what happened to one of the girls who stayed behind in the boat to ensure the safety of our cameras, wallets, bags, etc. Luckily for us, Annuar was kind enough to oblige our request to send the girl back to the chalet before we went to the second snorkelling point. Our earlier request to get the girl ashore at the snorkelling point was turned down because by landing, coral by the shore would be damaged. So, be warned. As for me, I got sick easily, either in the boat or water, but fortunately for me, I could still manage the sea-sickness. I snorkelled at two points only before giving up, having swallowed and choked on sea water. Those who do not get sea sick will be able to enjoy themselves snorkelling in the crystal clear water to look for Nemo, black tip sharks, Ninja Turtle as well as large blossom of coral.




Coral does not look as pretty in the water as those you see in aquarium because of light refraction. For a first time snorkeller like me, the water looked shallow from above the water but once you put your face down into the water, the sea suddenly look so deep, because there is no light refraction.

The best part of the afternoon was the last stop at Spring Water or Air Berani at the south-west of Perhentian Besar, within Teluk Dalam Bay.

When you splash the cold spring water on girls, they will scream so loudly. The change from swimming in the warm sea water to bathing in the cold spring water will give you an amazing feeling, a great chill. The spring water is safe for drinking. For those who are sea-sick, the cold water will arouse you from your dizziness. Bring some clean bottles to collect the spring water and bring them home as souvenir or for your friends at the office. I brought an empty bottle but lost it. Though we would like to stay longer, we had to leave as it started to rain.

We were back at the chalet already before 4:00 p.m.. After taking our bath, we rested for a while. As dinner was at 7:00 p.m., we had a lot of time to kill. So, at 5:00 p.m., we took a long beach walk from New Cocohut, at one end of the beach to Teluk Keke (or Teluk KK), to the southern end of the beach. We were rewarded with rustic scenery as we passed by abandoned jetty and building, beautiful rock formation, silky smooth white beach at Teluk KK and crystal clear water.

It was an hour long walk to and back.

At night, there was nothing to do. You could watch ESPN on a large screen at New Cocohut Restaurant or chatter away lazing on the lazy chair by the beach beside the chalet.