Photos Of Gaya Island Resort: Day 2

Nature Walk. A couple of wild mushrooms/Mini stream/Crossroads/A species of the pandan plant (this species has fruits)

 Early morning walk. Gayana Eco Resort in the distance/Resort grounds/Mainland in the distance

 Signboard/Staircase for the Kinabalu Villa guests to the other parts of the resort/Lush pandan plants/Mini pond/Wet boardwalk/Lanterns

 Way past-sunrise

 A Bayu Villa/Deserted pool/Gym and a Kinabalu Villa

 Beach and jetty/Gazebo where I rested for a couple of minutes/Gazebo and boat/Beach

Boat ride to Tavajun Bay and the private beach at Tavajun Bay

Photos Of Gaya Island Resort: Day 1

 Leaving Kota Kinabalu behind/Mount Kinabalu in the distance from the jetty of Gaya Island Resort/A glimpse of Kinabalu Villas

 Pool/Pool Bar/Pool and sea

 Reading or relaxing rooms. There are six of them if I recall correctly, all of the same size. I stepped up closer to take the photo on the left

 The corridor leading to Feast Village, gym, Reading Room/Corridor leading to the lobby//Lobby/Corridor from below the gym and Reading Room

Room/Closet area (the straw bag is there)/Writing table and walkway leading to the bathroom, WC, two sinks and bathtub/Sink/Bathtub/Balcony

My Malaysia Day Weekend

I had earlier planned to spend the Malaysia Day weekend (3D 2N) in Kota Kinabalu and had bought the air tickets accordingly. I had also planned to go to an island but when I checked closer to the date of travel, I found that the resort was already fully booked for 16 September (I didn’t want to book earlier as my card would already be charged at the time of booking and I was – still am - a bit stretched these few months). The resort offers a residents’ package but for a minimum stay of two nights so I had no choice but to book a hotel in the city for one night and change my flight ticket to return a day later. I had to pay for the ticket reissue (RM100) and fare difference (RM6) so in that aspect, changing the return date wasn’t expensive. Having stayed at Sutera Harbour Resort a few times and twice at Hyatt Regency Kota Kinabalu, I decided to book Le Meridien this time for one night and then made booking for the resort at the island. I didn’t have much choice and had to settle for Canopy Villa.

Friday, 16 September 2016

A very early start to the day. I left after Subuh prayers and a very light breakfast. It was drizzling as I made my way to the bus stop for the bus to KL Sentral. I had to wait for a bit but the light traffic meant I arrived with plenty of time left. I didn’t want to get wet so went into Nu Sentral and navigated my way to the bus station at KL Sentral for the bus to KLIA. It rained on and off along the way.

I was so weak and hungry by the time I reached KLIA and went to hunt for food (the mug of Milo and cereal earlier was too early and too little). Alas, the Food Paradise was closed when I went to check it out (it looked like it was undergoing some renovation work) so I bought two Gardenia buns instead. I sat down to eat and finished my novel and buns simultaneously. Then I got up and head for my gate.

There was a delay in take-off due to the queue at the runway and I was surprised when I woke up from my doze to see we were still on the ground! We took off not long after and I decided to watch a movie (due to the late flight times of late, it’s been a while since I last watched an inflight movie) and finally settled on The Intern. Our brunch was served shortly after and I chose nasi dagang over chicken murtabak (I’m still cutting down on my chicken intake).

We landed at KK 20 minutes later than scheduled (due to the late take-off earlier) and I managed to get the 13:15 Airport Bus to the city. I got down at Centrepoint and browsed a bit before making my way to the hotel. As check-in is from 15:00 and there was no possibility of an early check-in as the previous occupant checked out close to noon, I decided to perform prayers first.

My room was at the 7^th floor and had a view of the sea and islands. I rested for a while, had a cuppa and went out after 16:45 to the market across the hotel. I walked around the market then continued on to the Filipino Market then the dry seafood product market before having dinner. I finished off with some durians before turning back. Before returning to the room, I ventured to Warisan Square and Centrepoint for a quick browse.

It had been a long day and I turned in just after 23:00.

Saturday, 17 September 2016

I woke up for morning prayers and before long, heard the sound of rain. It turned heavy at some point before petering out but it continued for some time. I had wanted to go for a morning walk and jog so I finally headed to the gym. But I dislike gym and I disliked the gym there with its leaking ceiling. I did some cycling and stretching then returned back to the room to shower.

It finally stopped raining while I was having breakfast. Alhamdulillah. I had planned to walk to Jesselton Point and was not prepared to fork out RM15 for a mere 1.5-km trip. I ate too much for breakfast though and had a tummy discomfort. Fortunately, it didn’t last long. I checked out at 11:10 and set off for Jesselton Point. It took only 23 minutes to get there.

I actually walked right past the resort’s office and had to ask around before I was directed to the office. I must say I wasn’t at all impressed with the small cramped office and having been to Pangkor Marina, I was disappointed that we were not given any scented cool towel or cool drink before boarding the boat.

We left slightly later than the scheduled time of 12 noon. The boat trip took less than 20 minutes and there was a small group of resort staff who were at the jetty to greet us and lead us to the lobby. We were finally handed a cool towel and a glass of drink at the lobby. Before long, I was attended to by Jason, a Filipino from Manila. He then showed us around: the pool, the Pool Bar, the six rooms where you can drop by to relax, read or have a little nap, the reading room and gym building and Feast Village where breakfast and dinner are served. Those on residents’ package can opt to have their lunch at either the Pool Bar, Feast Village or at Tavajun Bay, a private beach only for the resort guests. After comparing the menus of the Pool Bar and Feast Village, I decided to have lunch at the latter. For lunch, those on resident’s package can choose either a starter and a main course or a main course and a dessert. I chose prawn salad and pizza.

I only finished lunch at 15:35 and hurried back to the lobby. Jason was nowhere to be found though so we waited until another staff came to bring me to my room. Canopy Villas are on a higher elevation (Kinabalu Villas are even higher; one would really need to hike up to one’s villa but one is rewarded with a view of Mount Kinabalu in the distance). I must say I wasn’t best pleased when I saw my room. It didn’t have any view (except for that of some secondary forest); there was no sliding door between the bedroom and the rest of the villa; there is no outdoor pool; and I was expecting a different day bed. And the bedroom slippers were the common slippers that any three-star hotel would provide. Seriously, for the shitload I was forking out for the villa, I expected more. Maybe it wasn’t fair of me to compare it with Pangkor Laut but hey they’re both under the same company. (And yeah, I know I’m fussy).

I ran the bath tub, poured in the bath salts and unpacked a bit while waiting for the tub to fill up. I then had a soak but not as long as I liked as the tub plug didn’t plug in well and the water slowly trickled through the hole.

After prayers, I went to the Spa Village for the group meditation scheduled for 18:00. It lasted slightly over an hour and after a quick run back to the villa to apply my eye drops and use the bathroom, I went off for dinner. Unlike lunch, those on resident’s package can have a starter, a main course and dessert. The full moon was out and it was a beautiful evening.

The resort has a Movie under the stars programme at 2100 outside the lobby area if the weather permits. I stopped for a couple of minutes then decided to return to my room.

Sunday, 18 September 2016

I decided to go for a morning walk after morning prayers and when I stepped out, I found the ground wet. It drizzled lightly but not heavy at all to bother me. I wandered up to the end of Canopy Villas, turned back and walked up to the Kinabalu Villas, spotted a monkey, walked on, heard some jungle noises and took a staircase down to the Bayu Villas. The area around the Bayu Villas was somewhat swampy and there was a boardwalk that connected the Bayu Villas to the Feast Village and the rest of the resort. I also went down to the beach.

It started raining in earnest as I was at the beach and I quickly grabbed a brolly at the lobby (one thing about YTL resorts is they are thoughtful like that). I then sat out at the gazebo overlooking the jetty but got restless after a while and decided to return to my room and read a bit before breakfast. I went for breakfast at 08:00.

I joined the 09:00 guided nature walk and as there were about 20 of us, we were split into two groups. The trek lasted an hour and I learnt that there are no leeches in jungles near the coast. I also saw the ara trees, the tongkat ali plant, some lizards and flying lizards too. After that, I went back to the lobby to inform that I wanted to take the 13:30 boat to Tavajun Bay. Then I returned to my villa to shower and rest.

It was a hot afternoon when I emerged out and I hurried over to the jetty. There were only four of us for that boat ride and we arrive at Tavajun Bay barely five minutes later. The same two-course-for-lunch applied. I had kicked off my FitFlops and wandered to the water and then put my straw bag (provided by the resort in each room) at a beach chair. I was looking at the menu when a wild pig appeared. I had seen photos of them  but I was kinda hoping I wouldn’t bump into them (before my guided nature walk, the guide told me a guest saw a wild pig at the resort area that morning. Man, I was so glad and thankful that I didn’t bump into it especially as I was alone!). The pig went to one of the reclining beach chairs and snagged a straw basket. Luckily, some staff chased it away and I quickly went to rescue my FitFlops and straw bag. I spent lunch keeping a lookout for potential reappearance of the pig or its family member.

I took the 14:45 boat back to resort and rested in one of the rooms while waiting for the Yahai Pupuan activity at 15:30. I started reading my book but the heat and the recent lunch made me doze off a bit. I managed to get up on time for the activity. It involved stretching and breathing. I really need to work on my breathing.

After that, I returned to my villa to shower and rest. I went for dinner after 19:00. Thankfully, they changed the menu slightly. Imagine having to eat at the same restaurant for dinner every night you’re there! There are other restaurants (a Japanese restaurant close to the Canopy Villas) and Fisherman’s Cove but you’ll have to pay to dine there. Tonight’s movie was Terminator 3 and, well, thanks but no thanks. I wanted to read but was too sleepy so I turned in early.

Monday, 19 September 2016

I left the room just before 08:00 and stopped by the lobby on the way to breakfast. Each guest (including children) have to pay a conservation fee of RM32 for the first night of stay and RM22 for each night threreafter (inclusive of 6% GST) by Sabah Parks, an organisation set up as the caretaker of Tunku Abdul Rahman marine Park conservation triangle. I was hoping the fee would have already been included in my room charge but no such luck.

I had arranged to take the 09:00 ferry back to mainland and again, it set off late as we had to wait for a fellow guest/passenger. Back at Jesselton Point, we had to wait for our bags to be brought from the boat to the office. I then took a cab to the market and bought some dried seafood products and buttons for Abah’s baju Melayu. Then I walked to the bus stop across Centrepoint for the airport bus.

We took off about twenty minutes later than scheduled and I spent the whole journey up in the air reading. We landed at 15:20 and I went to perform prayers before collecting my bag. I hadn’t taken the KLIA Express since the price hike but decided to do so in the interest of time.

And so that was my trip to Gaya Island Resort. I might share some photos later (no promises though). Will I return? I doubt it. I wouldn’t mind returning to Pangkor Laut Resort though. Now that leaves with with Tanjong Jara Resort to explore next. InsyaAllah one fine day I’ll get there.

Unlikely Heroes

I must say the Paralympians, particularly our Malaysian Paralympians, have really made us all sit up and pay attention. Oh sure, we were enthralled by our Olympians too (particularly badminton, diving and cycling athletes) and don’t get me wrong: I’m not belittling their efforts and achievement at all. But while I’m enthralled by them, I must say I’m amazed and fascinated with the Paralympians because of their achievements despite of their limitations.

I think we can all learn a few lessons from the Paralympians, e.g., their grit, strength, courage and determination to overcome all odds to realise their dreams, their never-say-die attitude, their perseverance, and their determination to succeed to name just a few. It takes a lot of guts and courage to be an athlete and even more for a Paralympian. Most people born with limitations as they were would probably just give up (heck, even able-bodied people would find it easy to just give up), would have low self-esteem, would have low self-confidence and lots of self-pity, and would find it only too easy to blame others and even God for their limitations. I’m sure they didn’t have an easy childhood or adolescence (they are after all easy pickings for cowardly bullies). This is probably why I’m more in awe of them than their Olympian counterparts. Look at Abdul Latif Romly: he had already broken the world record and had already been assured of a gold medal and yet he continued to jump further and better. If these Paralympians’ efforts and determination didn’t bring tears to your eyes, well, you’re indeed a tougher person than I am.

And look at how proudly they stood when Negaraku was played and how passionately they sang the national anthem with tears running down their cheeks. I can tell you of quite a few able-bodied Malaysians who complain, grumble and reluctantly stand when the national anthem is played and don’t expect them to sing along either. Why, I can tell you that some can’t even remember the lyrics to the national anthem what more to sing proudly to it! If able-bodied people don’t even have enough pride in themselves and love for their national anthem and country to sing the national anthem or at least to stand up when it’s played as a sign of respect, well, I say, fie and shame on you.

Thank you for these life lessons. Thank you for reminding us that we all have our role to play and that we should do what we love to the best of our ability. Thank you for reminding us to never give up, to chase our dreams, to not limit ourselves, to continue to challenge and better ourselves, to refuse to be a victim of our circumstances and instead rise above them despite all odds, to not succumb to excuses and self-pity, to be brave and courageous in overcoming whatever challenges life chooses to throw at us, to have belief in ourselves, to persevere, to fight on, to have guts and determination. From the bottom of my heart, I thank thee.

Pride (Not In The Name Of Love)

Two years and a fortnight on since I wrote this post and I still feel depressed at the state of Malaysia and Malaysians. Our manners and courtesy have not improved; in fact, we seem to have deteriorated. There are still an overwhelmingly many of us who have not learnt how to dispose of our rubbish thoughtfully, who lack basic courtesy and consideration to others, who think it’s OK to gorge on our fast food and leave the tray and rubbish behind because hey otherwise the workers there won’t have anything to do, right? There are those of us who think that just because we have money to shop, it’s OK to dump those items we’ve decided not to buy or check out where they don’t belong (certainly not where we took them from in the first place), reasoning that the sales assistants could return those items to right rack or shelves because surely it’s what they are paid to do. And don’t get me started on the shopping trolleys left haphazardly at the parking. There are those of us who think nothing of leaving our empty soft drink and popcorn containers behind in the theatres because after all the theatre operators hire foreign workers to do all that, right? Yes, of course they do but can’t we stop and think of how poor our manners are, how lacking in courtesy we are, how inconsiderate we are to the next customers, how badly we are behaving, and how it all reflect to how poor, rightly or wrongly, we have been raised?

We have not learnt to be more open-minded and more accepting of feedback either. We do not and cannot accept that we are in any way flawed in our thinking and behaviour. We retort back angrily when we are reminded of our civic duty and in fact demand that the person who take the trouble to remind us to mind his own business. We do not take kindly to constructive feedback – far be it for us to thank the person for trying to help us improve ourselves – because we do not consider we are in any way in need of reminders. We think we are wise enough, experienced enough, have seen enough of the world, and have done enough to be receiving advice or constructive feedback from others. We are too proud to think that we can still grow and that we can still improve as a person. We do not see it as a gift when someone decides to tell us unpleasant truths about ourselves. Well, that someone probably feels uncomfortable too but decided to be honest. It does take a lot of guts to be able to tell someone something s/he may not like to hear even if it’s the truth. We mostly listen to reply, not to understand.

We have too much pride to accord others respect. We think we are better than our elders. We look down on those who seem to have less. We judge others on their outward appearance. We aren’t happy when others have a different view – while at the same time we get annoyed if others disagree with our view. We do not realise or seem to have forgotten that pride will be our downfall and that pride has a negative aspect especially if it leads one to believe and act as if one is better, superior and more important than others, to fail to acknowledge others’ accomplishments, to fail to accept one’s faults and limitations. I’m not saying it’s wrong to have pride; for example, it is OK to have pride in one’s country, national team, athletes, and in another person (being proud of someone close’s achievement).

When did we get so arrogant and selfish and self-centred? And why did we think that being arrogant, selfish, self-centred, self-involved and narcissistic is fine?