Tell us about your most interesting travel experience
It was aboard a ship called MV Grace for a diving safari holiday in the east coast of the peninsula. Dive sites include Pulau Redang, Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Lang Tengah and Pulau Tioman. Diving during the day and making merry in the evening. Sleeping under the stars and breathing clean, fresh air. That’s enjoying life.
Have you ever had a really bad experience?
On one occasion, my family and I checked into an island resort at Pulau Lang Tengah. Our room had a leak and it came from the toilet on the floor above. The hotel’s maintenance couldn’t fix the leak. We were offered another room but it turned out that this room was booked by another family. Obviously, they wanted it. This really spoilt our holiday.
How best do you unwind on your holiday?
Scuba diving, of course, and snorkelling, swimming, sun tanning and reading a good book... plus watching the sunset.
Who do you usually go holiday with?
My family or scuba-diving buddies.
What can’t you leave home without when you travel?
Swimming goggles and sun block.
Which is your favourite holiday destination in Malaysia?
Does it also give you the best holiday memories?
Pulau Tioman. I remember one diving trip where we had the opportunity to make new friends at Tioman Dive Centre, Ramzie and Safaga from Palestine and Andrew and Rosary from the UK. We decided to cook our own meals at the beach and watch the sun set. The girls did some shopping at the local mini market in Tekek while the rest of us gathered twigs from the beach to build a fire. Ramzie volunteered to cook the famous Palestinian Garlic-Lemon Potato Chicken with grilled tomatoes and tuna as side dishes. We all did our bit and timed it to perfection so that we could have our dinner when the sun was setting. The experience was priceless!
What’s the best hotel you’ve stayed in so far? Why?
D’coconut Lagoon (West Wing) on Pulau Lang Tengah, off the coast of Terengganu. It’s remote and not crowded at all. It caters to all my needs, which include the option to scuba dive sites the island has to offer. | Where next would you like to go?
Pulau Lang Tengah again.
Where would you recommend your friends to go?
If they’re looking for a holiday to chill out, I’d definitely recommend checking into any one of the many island resorts in the east coast of the peninsula. Leisure divers, in particular, must experience the islands of Layang-Layang and Sipadan, off Sabah’s coast.
What was the best thing you bought on your travel and where?
As most of my holidays are on islands, I will usually buy dive T-shirts to commemorate the place I’ve dived at. I don’t encourage the purchase of seashells or souvenirs from the sea. When the buying stops, so will the killing of the marine life.
What was the best food you ever tasted during your travel and where?
It’s definitely in Malaysia. Nowhere else in the world do you find such a wide variety of food. I’m spoilt for choice on what to eat here so that’s a tough question.
Are you a compulsive traveller or do you follow your budget and itinerary carefully?
I’m a budget and itinerary-conscious traveller. But there are occasions when I indulge myself and get adventurous.
Any advice or tips for travellers?
Always be prepared for the unexpected. I usually travel with my number one "emergency pouch" that contains indigestion tablets, antibiotics, anti-diarrhoea tablets and cream to treat insect bites.
Any comment on Malaysian tourism: places of interest, services, etc?
Travelling in Malaysia is convenient and affordable. Malaysia is blessed with some of the world's finest beaches. But more can be done to improve safety and pollution. Some of the transport modes used to ferry holiday-makers, whether on land or at sea, need to be inspected for their worthiness and to check their impact on air pollution. More must be done to protect our coral reefs and beaches. Malaysians litter beaches without a thought. Many foreign visitors can only wish that their country had beaches like ours. We must protect and conserve our environment for future generations to enjoy. |