Ling’s absolutely right about the kind of impression our Medang trip left on me. In fact, the whole experience of that island left me with a terrifically stinko feeling that immediately after that trip in June, I resolved that to properly wash off the image of a madly polluted island off my mind immediately, I had to visit a clean and pristine one.
Our decision to visit Rawa was almost an impulsive one because it was arranged rather last minute. The timing wasn’t really in our favor, since the best time to visit the East coast of Malaysia is outside Monsoon. Moreover, it was hard for our holidays to get in sync.
As it turned out, we were lucky enough to be able to properly align our work commitments in school so that we had a short window of 3 days where we were both free. As soon as our leave periods were officially cleared, we confirmed the booking with Rawa Safari – and this was just days before actual departure.
Up till this point, my only real exposure to the beach has been in and about Singapore. The beach at Rawa island on the other hand was alluringly clean with clear waters very inviting as soon we got off the speedboat. It really put to shame to kind of damage pollution has caused our own shores at the East Coast, let alone that of Pulau Medang. Unlike the Indonesian islands we saw and visited, the only sea traffic that comes in the direction of Rawa are that of tourists. There is little other passenger traffic, no fishing boats, and and certainly no fishing kampungs.
I imagine that three days two nights is about perfect for Asian visitors who already have regular exposure to sun and sand. Those staying outside Asia may want to plan for a slightly longer stay, though in terms of an actual variety of sights, there’s only so much you can do on the island if truly just lounging around isn’t your thing.
Well, that’s my introduction notes. In the next few entries over the days, I’ll write up entries about a few more aspects of our stay: our accommodation, eating and drinking on the island, our hill-side climb, and sunset / sunrise watching on the island. Our photos have been put up, so do look at it.:)
wow, nice beach! love the crystal clear waters =)
Yep – the beaches were stunning.:) That said, from what the Rawa office advised us, the time we went (early Sep) still doesn’t see the clearest water possible. That apparently only comes in the middle of September when currents change direction.
On the day we left, a whole boat load of at least two dozen what I’m guessing to be German young adult tourists got off the jetty to begin their (long?) weekend stay on Rawa. Boy, were we glad we were just about leaving too – since we got to enjoy three days where aside from the staff and three/four other families, we were the only guests on the island.:)