We went with two other cars on a convoy. Set out from Woodlands at 6.30 am on a Saturday. As agreed, we have selected the other experience driver to lead us the way. He used GPS and planned where to make the stop over for resting breaks.

For ease of communication while driving, all three cars were equipped with walkie talkie. So, if there is a need for unplanned break (toilet visit / nausea), we have a quick chat and alert the other drivers that we need to make a stop over. 

Most of the time, the roads are single lane and winding. We need patience and skills to overtake slow moving vehicles. Do bear in mind, we might be exercising patience and common sense when overtaking. But there are errants drivers who did not or the oncoming vehicle moving into our lane when driving on a bend. 

In all, we stop at Kota Tinggi town for breakfast, lunch at Kuantan, several toilet breaks and finally arrive in Kuala Terengganu at 6 pm. Stayed one night in Seri Malaysia hotel (cheap accommodation), with Pizza Hut, KFC, pharmacy within 5 minutes walking distance to the hotel.

The following morning, we had a quick breakfast in the hotel, check out and headed to Merang jetty for the boat ride.

Our cars were parked besides Merang Shah Bandar  jetty open space car park. In total the car park fee cost less than RM 20 for 3.5 days.

On the day, we arrived, we brought the kids to the beach in front of the resort. In Laguna, the equipment for snorkelling and life jacket are included in the package. For hygiene purposes, we bought our own snorkelling gears. In the shallow water first, we’ve taught the kids to be comfortable in using the snorkelling equipment. To self adjust the equipment if water seeps through the lens or mouth piece. To not panic (haha over excited) when see a school of fishes attacking the piece of bread in our hands.

Once they are comfortable, we brought them to the open sea where we saw a baby black tip shark, a murray eel and plenty other fishes.

 

Above, picture of my handsome kuaci eyes son.

 

He did his first try in snorkelling. Do note we also bought shoes that allow us to walk on the sand without worrying on dead corals cutting our feet.

Here’s a picture of my girl posing for picture at the marine park. If you look carefully, majority of the corals are dead but there are still plenty of beautiful fishes swimming around.

 After we checked out from Laguna Redang (I forgot to mention from Merang jetty to Laguna Redang vice versa, it’s 2 hours boat ride), we drove back to Kuantan and stayed 2 nights before proceeding our journey back to Singapore.

Check out the batik painting experience. It only cost us RM 10 for the wax printed cloth and paints.

The place for batik painting. You can also buy batik souvenirs like bags, t-shirts from this place.

My daughter in the midst of painting.

Her final master piece