Gems Island Spa & Resort near Pulau Kapas ... our own paradise

Hi , and hello again to my follower .

Nowadays I am really busy , travel up and down from  Kemaman to Kuala Lumpur , and that why I don't have much time updated my blog .

Well , this time I would like to share with you on our trip and holiday at one of the most beautiful and un spoil island in Terengganu . The island name is Gems Island .  It is situated just in front of Kapas Island and off  Marang district ,  There are only one resort available known  as Gems Island and Spa Resort . It is also located in a Marine Conservation Park with a crystal clear waters . a spectacular underwater seascape of corals and marine life as some of its natural wonders .

For this trip,  I booked full board package for 2D1N .and cost us around RM1,700++  for 6 pax . Being a resort with the concept of 1 island , 1 resort ... it is very exclusive and a little bit pricey but it  is really your ultimate private island getaway ... so it is worth for money .

At Marang jetty we park our car with RM8 fee for 2 days parking ... and its really safe . The trip to the island just for 20 minutes . Once arrived , we have a warm welcome by the lady receptionist with a welcome drinks . The hospitality is really superb .

The island is small and very peaceful with a clean crystal soft white sand . We did enjoy the foods served for our dinner and  breakfast . For the room even though it's looks a little bit ageing .but it is very comfortable and clean .

Among the activities offered kayaking and snorkeling . Our family  really enjoy the activities .  We do kayaking until we reached Kapas Island and spend some time at his beautiful  beach .   You have to pay for the activities but the price is cheaper compare to the foods and drinks .

Since we stay at the Villa by the sea , the sound of the sea breeze and wave , really give us a good night experienced and make you feel like sleeping  on the water and close to nature .

One accident where my elder son stings by the sea bugs , one of the staff help him and make an effort to cure it by traditional way . Thanks to you , Krishna . We would like to extend our grateful and shake hand for the thumb up excellence services and the hospitality shown .

This Gems Island really a real paradise to us . Will come back and recommended for those who would like stay at this peaceful small island especially the honeymoon couple .








Day 1 :

On our way to Gems Island Spa & Resort

Arrived at the island . Very nice and beautiful resort

Our room ... very clean and comfortable

Our activity ... exploring the resort and snorkelling

Dinner .... Chinese foods

Day : 2

Exploring the island again plus jungle trekking

Our activity .... Kayaking and snorkelling

afternoon ... its time to say goodbye . This island is really stunning and one of the most beautiful island in Terengganu ... Its a paradise !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Le Grandeur Palm spring and Golf Resort Johor Bharu .... nice and calm holiday

Spends for 4D3N at this resort during last school holidays . This resort located at Senai , Johor and it is very near to Senai International Airport . Normally when I'm plan for holiday , I booked the hotel through Agoda.com but this time I try to browse through  the resort website and we are really lucky that they offer the special promotion for 4D3N , RM528 nett with 2 bfast , 15% discount for f&b and spa , which is almost 50% off from normal rate. So near future , we should make our "homework " before we made our final decision .

This resort is one of the best in Johor . The area is very huge and full of green with 24 holes golf course . The concept is integrated one stop center , where you can spend your holiday without leaving the resort . Other than the beautiful golf course , they offer you a sport center where you can play almost everything from bowling , dart , snooker , pool , gym , table tennis , children playground and huge swimming pool . For info we did try almost all the activities while our stayed over there .



DAY 1

Our journey from Kemaman to JB , tooks  4 hours drive via Mersing route . Arrived the resort at 1 pm .The resort is very huge . We have a friendly and warm welcome from the staff . They though we are from Indonesia , are we look like Indonesian ?? ... Apa kabar bapak ? Baik aja

Check in and have a rest in their spacious , clean and comfortable bedroom . Our room facing the swimming pool which is a really great view .

The resort  ... Le Grandeur Resort ..... check in

After some rest , we start exploring the resort area . Glance through their facilities and walking around their greens . We start planning on our activity and my wife book for a spa .
One comment their breakfast menu just so so , not many choices and almost same menu along our 4 days stayed . But the good things , they do have reminder ... take the foods for what you want to eat only .

The bedroom ... very comfortable  , the restaurant ,,,,, nice breakfast 

For dinner , we went out to our favaurite eating spot near Danga Bay . A tasteful and delicious ikan merah masak asam pedas .... hmmm nice !!

Dinner ...favorite  asam pedas ( not to miss when we are in JB ) , near Danga Bay , Ikan Bakar Food court

DAY 2


In the morning , we went for jogging near Hutan Bandar , just a few min drive from hotel . The location is very nice and cool . So many people have their activities here . 

After that we went back to our resort . Most of the days , we spent our times enjoying the hotel facilities . 

Healthy day ....  jogging at Hutan Bandar Putra near the Resort 

DAY 3


Continue our day by enjoying the hotel facilities . My wife have her spa appointment today . Her comment , the spa is very nice and their staff very frienldy with full of hospitality .

Our activity at the resort .... snooker , pools , bowling and dart throwing ... suitable for family gathering

Day 4

Our final day at this resort . Early of the day , we walking around the resort again and spends most of our time at swimming pool before the check out time .

As a conclusion , we really enjoyed our holiday and vacation at this wonderful resort . Recommended and looking forward for another holiday at this place near future ......

enjoy the resort surrounding .... the greens golf view and huge swimming pool

BYE       BYE

The best ikan patin and Baung restaurant at Kuala Terengganu

Nice , delicious and seasonable price Ikan Patin and Ikan Baung restaurant in Kuala Terengganu . This restaurant been appeared some many time in Television such as Terengganu Kita and Majalah Tiga .

You can find this restaurant   on the way to Jalan Kuala Berang and it is situated  at Kampung Wakaf Beruas which is near to my village , Kampung Merbau Patah .

my food with the signature dishes " ikan patin tempoyak "  only cost me RM11.00 .... very reasonable price !

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Birthday Kids

Both of my kids celebrate their birthday in the month of September  . Happy birthday , wish you successful in whatever you are undertaking and may Allah bless both of you . Amin

Happy birthday my teenager son

Happy birthday my sweetie 

LOVE FROM YOUR PARENT  >>>>>>>>>>>>> MAMA , PAPA

Best Mee rebus at Plaza Angsana in Johor Bharu

The best mee rebus in Johor Bahru and also my favourite is Hj Wahid mee rebus . Originated by Wak Baidah in 1918 . Other than Plaza Angsana , this mee rebus also operate in total of 5 branches in JB ie Pasar Larkin , Taman Rinting , Taman Sri Tebrau , Pekan Rabu and A-Mart Kempas .

It had been establish for 20 years at Plaza Angsana . The price range  is between RM4 and RM4.50 per plate . The operating hours from 11 am to 10 pm daily .

So if you are in JB , please give a shoot , you will love it !!

the best mee rebus in JB town ... Plaza Angsana branch

enjoyed the foods 

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Holiday at Saujana Janda Baik

During last weekend on the  Merdeka day .  I  have a local domestic holiday with my family . I just follow my wife proposal to spend our holiday in  Janda Baik since we never been to this place before . Make a research via website and from other blogger's experienced for the best resort to stay . Finally I choose Saujana Janda Baik for 2D1N  . Referring to Tripadvisor.com  , this place ranks #1 attraction among the B&B stayed in Janda Baik . Basically this place is more like a homestay rather than resort . We booked for Meranti Villa which cost us RM500 per night which can cater for 10 people  . But we just a group of 5 person , so we feel that the  area  really big and huge for us . By the way ,  this premises  had only 2 Villas , one is the Meranti Villa and the other is Chemperoh Villa ,which can caters for 20 people . During our trip , the other villa was not occupied . So we conquer all the compound .

What we like most , this villa situated just beside the clean river stream and surrounded with  full of greens and fruits tree . Being situated at Banjaran Titiwangsa , you can feel the coolness and freshness of this place . The caretaker , En Ramaly was very friendly and you can organised on thw addon activity which not included inside the package such as bicycle rental and jungle trekking .

Our activities ; cycling , taking bath at the cold clean river stream , free fruits plucking  ,  "airfryer"  BBQ. For info , this is also our first holidaying with the homestay concept and the result is awesome . We really enjoyed ourself especially while preparing the foods and BBQ .


Really recommend this place especially for the family days . From my opinion  , the best time to come is during Nov or Dec since the water level in the river is more in order to enjoy more adventurous activity such as water rafting . And the other offcourse during the fruits season . Will return back one day  , Insyaallah .

Saujana Janda Baik .... the place really awesome 

our activity .... cycling , dipping in the cold water .... etc

the surrounding area 

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Aidilfitri 2014.... the celebration !

After a month fasting during Ramadhan , it is a time to celebrate our Aidilfitri on the 1st of Syawal . We feel great since we successfully performed our  duty but yet feel sad since Ramadhan had left us . Pray to Allah so that we can still  meet at the next  Ramadhan . Amin .

For this celebration , for men , we wear our  traditional  baju melayu with sampin and songkok , and this year we choose green colors  . For ladies , normally they wear their traditional baju kurung . In Malaysia , the malays normally celebrate their Aidilfirti for one month within  Syawal , where they made an open house for the guest to visit them . And they are very happy to welcome and treats you with special dishes as well .

Among our activities :
1. Went back to our village at Kuala Terengganu which took us for 1.5 hours travelling .
2. Morning , 9 am . Solat sunat Hariraya Aidilfitri .
3. Celebrate the day by visiting our relatives houses where we ask for forgiveness and we also was treats with cookies and special traditional malay dishes .

We spends for 5D4N at our village for that celebration . We really enjoyed ourselves and feel very excited especially meeting our beloved brothers , sisters . nieces ,  nephews , unties , uncles  and many others . Most of my nephews and nieces already grown up and so do my kids .

At Kuala Terengganu :

We wish you all " Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri dan Maaf dzahir batin "

Our activity at early morning , Solat sunat Aidilfitri at the mosque together with our relatives .

Visit the eldest in our family is the must ... with my step mom , untie and uncle !

Sweet day : Wife , daughter , sons  ..... plus the gadgets !!!

various pic ... great moments with relatives !

 At Kemaman :

Back to our home . We invites relatives and friends for our open house on last friday . The turnouts was very great . My brother , sisters and other relatives come over from Kuala Terengganu . Also my kid's friends and my wife's students .

It is really a pleasure to welcome you all to our house . Thanks for coming and will meet you again in the next Syawal , Insyaallah . The kids and the students was very happy since other than the great meals , my wife also gave away some " duit raya " to them , Some of my wife's student told me that they accidencely did come across my blog and starts become a silent reader and looking forward for latest posting  . Thank you very much , keep on reading and follow my blog !

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri dan Maaf Dzahir Batin .

psst ; Don't forget to fast for another 6 days in Syawal , since the "ganjarannya"   is very great ... like you are fasting for a YEAR !!

At our home ... Aidilfitri open house

various pic ... kids , relatives and friends






Note : Some of the foreigner  asked me ,  the celebration is full of colours . Yes ! this is normal for our Malaysian tradition celebrates Aidilfitri in colourful and jovial manner either colourful dress or colourful dishes . Proud to be Malaysian .






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Selamat Hari Raya AidilFitri ... things to do

NIAT MANDI SUNAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI

Lafaz Niatnya:
نويت الغسل لعيد الفطر سنة لله تعلى
NAWAITUL GHUSLA LI I’DIL FITRI SUNNATALLILAHI TAA’LA
“Sahaja aku mandi sunat hari raya fitri kerana Allah S.W.T. Taa’la”.

Antara perkara sunat hari raya Aidilfitri adalah seperti berikut :
- Mandi Sunat Hari Raya
- Pakai pakaian yang terbaik
- Makan sedikit sebelum keluar ke masjid
- Menunaikan solat sunat Aidilfitri
- Mendengar khutbah raya
- Pergi balik masjid melalui jalan berbeza
- Mengucapkan ucapan hari raya

HUKUM MENGERJAKAN / MENUNAIKAN SOLAT HARI RAYA

Solat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri hukumnya adalah sunat Muakkad yang mana sangat-sangat dianjurkan kerana Rasulullah tetap dengan Solat Hari Raya ini selama baginda hidup.

NIAT SOLAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI

أُصَلِّي سُنَّةَ لِعِيْدِ الْفِطْرِ  رَكْعَتَيْنِ مَأْمُوْمًا لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

Usalli sunnatan liAidil Fitri rak'ataini makmuman lillahi ta'ala.

Ertinya:

Sahaja aku sembahyang sunat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri dua rakaat makmum kerana Allah Ta'ala.

Cara/Panduan Solat Hari Raya

Rakaat pertama : Takbir 7 kali (setiap kali takbir diikuti dengan bacaan subhanallah, walhamdulillah, wa la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar [ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُ ِللهِ وَلاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُُ وَاللهُ أَكْبَر] ) dan doa iftitah. Kemudian Al-Fatihah dan surah Al-Kafirun. 

Rakaat kedua : Takbir 5 kali (setiap kali takbir diikuti dengan bacaan subhanallah, walhamdulillah, wa la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar [ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُ ِللهِ وَلاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُُ وَاللهُ أَكْبَر] ) dan Al-Fatihah serta Al-Ikhlas.

Selepas dari solat diadakan khutbah.

Dalam khutbah hendaklah berisi dengan peringatan tentang zakat fitrah atau hukum qurban, haji dan hikmah-hikmahnya.

LAFAZ-LAFAZ TAKBIR

-takbir raya dalam rumi 

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar ,Allahu Akbar, La illaha il Allah , Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar walilahil Hamd , Allahu Akbaru Kabeera wal-Hamdulilahi katheera wa Subhan allahi bukratan wa aseila . La illaha il Allah sadaqa wa’dah ,wa nasara abda, wa a’azza jundahu wa hazamal-ahzaaba wahdah ,La illaha il Allah ,wa laa na’budu illa iyyah,mukhlessena lahud-deena ,walaw karehal-Kafeeroon.Allahumma salli ala sayyedna Muhammad ,wa ala aalie sayyedna Muhammad, wa ala as-haabie sayyedna Muhammad ,wa ala ansari sayyedna Muhammad , wa ala azwajie sayyedna Muhammad, wa ala dhurreyatie sayyedna Muhammad, wa sallim tasleeman katheer

Grand Bluewave Hotel Johor Bahru ... a stay to be remember

Short stayed for 3D2N at Grand Bluewave Hotel in Johor Bharu . One of the best and clean hotel situated at the center of Johor Bharu City . The location are very near to the JB terminal station , Imegresen Integrated terminal station  and City Square shopping center . The night view is very beautiful with full view of colorful JB city . At the other angle , you can see Singapore island and the causeway .


Since now we are already seasons traveller to JB , so most of our times spending , window shopping and makan -makan at our favourite eating places in JB such as Spice 7 , Singgah Selalu and Ikan Bakar / Assam Pedas Johor .

Another awesome trip . There are a lot  JB hotels of choices and cheaper too .  in which you can stayed while you are in holiday in JB or even to Singapore . Just give yourself a try .............

Grand Bluewave Hotel

Spice 7 restaurant ... love the fish head curry

view from our room

nice simple breakfast

another favourite eating places ... they served nice Assam pedas

my heroes

on way back ... dropped  by at this beautiful Pekan Mosque

Trip to Johor Bahru during Ramadhan

After 1 month semester holiday,  finally its time for my son to going back to his college in JB  for his 2nd year study . Alhamdulillah and congratulation for his  flying colors result . He got a dean list GPA ( Director's Award )  and the best student in his engineering course . Well done and keep the good job !! As a parent , my wife and I  are really proud   and as our appreciation on his success  , I bought him , S5 Samsung smartphone and he really thankful and appreciate that .

Actually this trip is in Ramadhan and I asked my nephew to join me since at least I got an accompany when I driving back to Kemaman . Our trip was 8D7N , where 5 nights we stayed at Orange Inn Hotel and another 2 nights at M Suites Hotel . Both of the hotel have their own speciality , both are very clean  . But one is budget hotel which offer free WIFI and the other is 4 star hotel but you have to pay for the WIFI !

Among our activities ,
: shopping at Aeon Bukit Indah , City Square and Plaza Angsana ,
: visit Dataran Johore
: Terawih at Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque and Masjid Jamek Bandar Baru Uda
: Iftar at Plaza Angsana foodcourt , Restaurant Ariff , Restaurant mamak , Restaurant Chilli Api ,  Arab      Restaurant .
; for sahur , we have it at the hotel ( under room package )
: bought a tools and test kits ie multimeters , pliers , cutters at Hitectrons ( Taman Sentosa )


After spends there for 8 days , I left my son at his college with a lot of positive advice ..... especially ' Jangan tinggalkan Solat kerana ia adalah tiang agama "/////////////

On the way to JB where my son is the driver . After 4 hours , we arrived JB and check in at Orange Inn hotel.

Towards IKM for the  2nd year registration 

Iftar ...  Plaza Angsana food court , Restoren Afiq and others

for 6th and 7th night stayed at M Suites Hotel

leisure time ... visit Dataran Johor

Solat Terawih , Friday at Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque ( near Johor Bharu ZOO ) and Bandar Baru Uda . 

have some shopping at Aeon Bukit Indah and City Square .

Selamat Berpuasa dan beribadah di bulan Ramadhan yang mulia ini .



>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BYE

Great domestic trips .. Terengganu , Pahang , Selangor , Penang and Johor Bahru

It is a mid term school holiday . We have some schedule what we called a " great domestic holidays " ... travelling from east to west and north to south of peninsular Malaysia . By the way it is also due to some small gathering at my brother in law house in Penang .

Selangor 

We start the day by driving thru LPT highway heading to Penang . But due to my health condition , we stopped at the small budget hotel at Batang Kali for a good night rest .

Penang

Morning we start our journey back to Penang by following Kuala Kubu road and then proceed towards the PLUS highway . As usual the journey was very smooth and after 2 hours we already reached Penang . Before heading to my brother in law house at Bukit Mertajam , we have a chance drove through the new second bridge to Penang Island . This is one of the new "year mark" in Penang and very good for motorist since its offer second alternative link and thus reduce the traffics . After that , we put a night and enjoyed our stayed at my in law house . Thanks for your hospitality !


Cameron Highland

The next morning , we drove to Cameron Highlands for a short break ie 2D1N  at this calm and cool highland . We stayed at Capthorne Hotel which is situated at Brinchang peak and closed to many tourist attraction such as markets , strawberry farms and many others . But the negative side , the hotel quiet ageing and its a time for them to get major refurbishment especially their furniture . By the way , we really enjoyed during our stayed there especially the very first time visited , The Time Tunnel Meseum , and our favourite steam boat restaurant for our dinner , Glory Restaurant , which is situated at Tanah Rata . Other than that , we did also enjoyed sipping the hot tea and taste a nice scorne at the Boh Cameron Cafe , plus viewing the awesome view of the green tea plantation .


Johor Bahru

On the next day , we check out and drove towards Johor Bahru where we spend for 3D2N at the Orange Inn hotel off Jln Tun Razak . This is a small budget hotel but very clean and offer complimentary breakfast with a  fast free WIFI . One of our activities , we do a small shopping at the Johor Premium Outlet and for me there is nothing much to offer since according to my wife , the clothes style available over here  is not really up to date . But the most important point actually we fetched our second son since he will be on holiday for a month semester break .


Pahang

Finally it is time to say good bye to JB and going back to  our home town  ,  where we used Kota Tinggi , Mersing , Endau Rompin , Pekan route ... which took us 4 hours journey ie the shortest route to our place !!....... BYE BYE

>>> BATANG KALI , SELANGOR

Put a night at Batang Kali ( Selangor )  budget hotel

the brothers enjoying the comfortable bedroom

>>>>>>>  PENANG , BUKIT MERTAJAM

took tour at Penang Island second bridge then back to Bukit Mertajam

son with his uncle and his cousin ( Penang )

with a new born baby ... a nephew

>>>>>>>>>  PAHANG , CAMERON HIGHLAND

welcome a fresh and cooling Cameron Highland ( Pahang )

temperature shows 18 degree C

Its raining at the highlands .. check in at this hotel

an exciting n interesting  experience at this Time Tunnel Museum

enjoying teas and scorne at this Cameron Alley Cafe

interested ? pls contact them !

have a nice steamboat dinner over here

a really awesome morning view from our hotel room

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   JOHOR , JOHOR BAHRU

otw to JB .. have a rest at this RnR

spends some money shopping at this JPO ( Johor Bahru )

reflex our muscles after heavy shopping

meet  second son in JB 

stay at this hotel .. one of my favaourite in JB

stop by at this Endau  Mosque for Friday prayer on the way back home

>>>>>     END OF THE TRIP