I had wanted to visit Redang ever since I first saw the film Summer Holiday [Xia Ri De Mo Mo Cha] seven years ago. The endless days of sunshine, white powdery beaches and clear blue waters depicted in the film soon formed my pliable teenage mind’s idea of paradise.
However, the island’s distance from Singapore meant that a trip there was more cumbersome and expensive than other convenient holiday destinations. I'd choose to spend $400 traveling Bali than Redang, anytime. Redang soon lost priority on my list of to-go vacation spots, but its turn finally arrived when the girls chose Redang as our pre-school getaway. Finally, a chance to chase a disregarded teenage dream.
We thought we were prepared for the overnight bus journey to Merang Jetty, but unnecessary rest stops, jail-worthy driving and freezing air-conditioning kept us restless and awake. The ordeal finally ended just before lunchtime, and after an impatient ferry ride, we found ourselves at Laguna Redang Island Resort - the gateway to the famed “Mo Mo Tea” land.
My travel mates - Flora, Cheryl, and Daph.
As a tram transported the ferry load of tourists through the sprawling resort to the lobby check-in, the groggy murmurs grew into excited chatters as we passed by the “Mo Mo Tea Inn” – the hut where the film was shot. Despite the fact that it had been reconstructed several feet away from its original location and transformed into a gift shop, it was still amazingly surreal to have all its candy colored glory right before my very eyes. I almost expected to see Richie Ren prance out of the doors.
The resort obviously understood the commercial value of the hut and its effect on the film’s fans like myself. Upon arrival, the disconcertingly perky public relations manager proudly announced that the film was played 24/7 on the hotel’s channel. Talk about overkill! This ploy succeeded in making a fan out of Daphne though, but the girl will never publicly admit it!
Post hellish bus ride sustenance came in the form of a surprisingly good buffet lunch. Just as well; we needed the energy for the deep sea snorkel trip. No pictures here for we were too lazy to lug our cameras around.
While it is impossible to have any complaints about the crystal clear waters and abundant marine life, my only gripe was that the seas were filled with too many life vest-clad tourists and we found ourselves having to maneuver around them half the time. However, as soon as I distanced myself from the crowd, the spectacular marine life took my breath away.
The afternoon sunrays filtered through the waters, casting rippled shadows on the powdery white seabed. In the muted silence of the sea, I watched, transfixed by the underwater movie. Seemingly oblivious to the intruders, schools of angelfishes moseyed by, as did swordfish look-alikes, and lone rainbow-hued fishes that reminded me of characters from the cartoon Shark Tale. Tiny clown fishes darted in and out of the colorful coral, and slimy stone colored sea cucumbers wriggled about on the sand.
The two hours out at sea flew by and we soon found ourselves back by the resort’s pool, promptly caving in to sleep in the late afternoon sun.
At dusk, we took a leisurely stroll along the beach and succumbed to the touristy activity of posing for pictures outside the Mo Mo Tea Inn.
While the days were long in Redang, night usually fell without warning, and there was none of the picturesque sunsets I had hoped to catch. The seclusion of the island also meant that the only form of nightlife revolved around the beach bar and the live band that dished out a cheesy mix of Cantonese, Hokkien and English oldies.
Our second day was a repeat of snorkeling trips, beach bumming, and diving into waters so blue and clear that our sun-fried brains believed we were in the pool, until we saw the fishes swimming by. And of course there were the much-anticipated buffets that brought us from starving and weak to fed, full and fat.
This gives 'crystal clear' a whole new meaning.
A less-expensive Maldives?
My habitual "world from between my legs" shot, and goofing around with Cheryl.
The locals start a leisure game of pool. Ah, the life of hot boatmen.
Watch as I cosy up to Mr. More More Tea.
Smooch.
Bikinis drying in the sun, last minute packing, and one last snap of the morning sea.
The trip back. In between naps, Cheryl and I had a discussion on religion, the girls and I took shaky snaps, and of course, we sang the movie theme song, complete with hand actions.
Visiting Redang was a teenage wish come true. There was no disappointment for the island was exactly like it was depicted in the movie, and clear blue waters almost justified the arduous traveling time. While no doubt over-commercialized and overcrowded, the novelty of the film set on the Laguna Redang Island Resort sets it apart from other beach destinations, and is a refreshing change that may possibly appeal to jaded secluded beach-hunters like myself. And the trip was also an eye-opener - I already knew Flora ate and slept a lot, but I didn't know just how MUCH she could eat and sleep... and there's of course Cheryl's greedy "tan xiao pian yi" kueh dadar plate crowding side. Daph's still sane, for now. After Wednesday's heartbreak, I didn't quite think I would, but I did enjoy the trip. Alot. It's been a pleasure babes!
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