My Desaru Trip

On 24th June 2005, my family and I left for Tanah Merah ferry terminal to catch the 12pm ferry ride to Sebana Cove. The ferry ride took abt an hour and after reaching Sebana, the ride to the hotel took another 1/2 hr (ride courtesy of the hotel of course). At 2pm, we finally reached our destination (Well, if u still haven't figured out my final destination, READ THE TITLE!!!)... Golden Desaru Beach Hotel, in Desaru, Malaysia.

(Courtesy of http://www.desaruresort.com)

Although check-in time was 3pm, we checked in straight away since the room was ready. The family room was quite decent with 2 small beds and a large bed, a fridge, a TV and coffee/tea making facilities (i.e. a boiling kettle and packets of tea, coffee, sugar and creamer)... what u see in the websites is what u get.... no tricks or gimmicks. The hotel is decent (although it is in dire need of regular maintenance) and the staff are very friendly & helpful.

Daily breakfast is included but be warned that buffets are available when there are sufficient guests...else it is ala carte... so if u are the buffet hunters, best time to go is the weekends. Well I enjoyed both the buffet and ala carte style cos I stayed from Friday to Tuesday ;p The breakfast menu is mainly the traditional food items like nasi lemak, western breakfast, roti prata, cereals, etc...However, if you are eating lunch and dinner, it is quite expensive despite of giving all guests a 20% discount coupon...duh!!! I guess the only speciality in the cafe (called Sunrise Cafe) was the nasi lemak... other than the usual items in a nasi lemak, it had 2 prawns and a chicken piece.

A short walk away, there is another restaurant called Medan Selera Desa. The prices are very decent (4 times cheaper actually) and food is quite ok as well, although the place is non-airconditioned... hey u can't have everything rite!!!

There is not much to see and do at Desaru except enjoying the sun. sand and the sea. There is a nearby town called Bandar Penawar and a few other places of interest... but not that interesting anyway. Nearby the hotel was a go-kart and all-terrain-vehicle track. Price was RM25 for 15 mins (but u can ride for 20 mins if there is no one after u) and it is quite fun and exhilarating for first timers. After a few rounds, u will get bored.. also make sure that u r not riding the track alone...that is super BORING!!! Make sure u have competitors...tat will be super FUN!!! Lucky my brother was with me so we raced each other and ultimately 'injured' ourselves as we sped around the race course and did all sort of stunts on the humps and stuffs... OUCH OUCH but super worth it!!!

In the night, it becomes pitch black in the beach.... no light whatsoever except from the nearby hotels and the main road. One more thing... there are lotsa flies where ever u go so bewarned... insect repellent will not help.

Returned home on 28th June 05'. Overall, this trip was relaxing and recharging. Do visit Desaru if u can