If my wanderlust tattoo could light up like Frodo's sword when the orcs came closer, then it would light up every time when I'm out on the way somewhere and I get excited about traveling and the place! This time I went with my girls to Pulau Sibu in the south of Malaysia. A tiny island near to Rawa and Tioman.
We decided to stay at the Rimba Resort and I only
heard of that resort because of my lovely flight attendant friend who went there for couple of days when she had a layover here in Singapur and a convenient strike from her airline
pilots.
We left Singapore at 6am via van driven by Uncle Yee. Luckily nobdy else came with us so we had space to sleep, at least I did. Which I needed as I didn't sleep the night before as usual...
Everything was organized by the resort, after my friend and the resort manager Carly exchanged hundreds of emails. The way there via Van from Singapore to JB Malaysia up to the ferry point and then on the jetty to the island. The food was all included. Breakfast, Lunch and dinner and absolutely delicious for a package deal like that! Everything was around 400 S$ per person. Not cheap, but absolutely worth it. We arrived Saturday morning and went back to Singapore Tuesday morning.
You're staying in a Kenyan beach front chalets as they say. Which means no real closed up rooms and you sleep with a mosquito net over you. You really need that by the way! Take enough Tigerbalm and anything else against Mosquito bites! The water isn't really hot in the shower but it is durable. No AC of course but a fan and just little light to not attract your best friends mosquitos.
It is super cozy and the girls and me stayed outside sitting on the terrace talking befire heading off for the resort's BBQ dinner. I have to say that the prices of the Bar are getting close to Singapore prices (with adding the tax) but still everyone I observed was truyl enjoying themselves and having a great relaxing time. Not many backpackers but couples and families and us in between. There is a common area with cozy sitting areas and bean bags provided, like a huge living room with an attached bar (yay!). The bar also is the only place providing weak wifi, especially when lots of people are using it. Currently I am sitting here on cozy pillows wiritng this and looking out onto the sea. It has been a rainy morning but it is still warm and super peaceful. My city girl side got a bit irritated but hey, the relaxation is priceless!
The resort is run by Aussies, Kiwis, British, Irish and locals. At least the staff this season was from those places. Each of them is super friendly and they greet you with a smile whenever they see you and check up on you. During dinner time the cute diving instructor comes by to tell you about their activities and if you are interested in joining for the next day. As desperate for relaxation as I was after working 9 days straight and not sleeping the night before coming here, all I wanted was a full body massage at their 'Bamboo bliss spa'.
I got my appointment and arrived greeted with a smile by the girl who tells you to get ready. She will ask you, while she is cleaning your feet, what kind of oil you prefer and where she should go softer or harder. Then you lay down and she starts with your back. It was absolutely worth the money (RM 140 for a little longer then an hour) but unfortunately I don't even remember the last part of it as I fell asleep with the sounds of soft waves in the background and orange essence oil in the air...sigh. She woke me up saying softly that I can get dressed and that she has a ginger tea ready for me. I got up and sat down at their terrace, had my tea and a little chat with the massage girl and felt more then just relaxed.
The eating time will always be announced by a gong, three times and then everyone starts walking to the dining area. Honestely, the girls and me were not hungry even once on this trip so we always came later and it was fine. The food is a mix of Asian and Western culture. Very, very good! At the Bar you can get drinks and snacks all day long while trying to get some wifi if you really have too. But maybe rather spend your time talking to your friends and just lay down and relax, listen to music, read a book instead of trying like me to get some wifi signal in order to write this and get this blog entry done ;)
I also recommend the snorkeling trip! You're leaving after breakfast and all you need is your towel, suncream and if you have, your snorkel. Then you go off with the others to a tiny island called 'Mentiggi' and its BEAUTIFUL! I have never been snorkeling before but thanks to my girls I did and even saw some fishes, didn't drown and got super sunburned. Awesome! Go there!
I am 100% a city girl but staying in a place like this really gets you to relax and either to switch off your thoughts or bring some peace and sense into them. While here I thought, could I work here and like this on an island? I believe my answer is no but being a tourist here is a pleasant experience for me. I would do this again and surely recommend it to you guys!
K
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