Sun, sand, dive! - Epilogue
Alright... After lazing around for the past few days, I think it's time to round up the series.
Looking back, I must say that the experience was fun and relaxing. Having a vacation every once in a while to escape the hectic urban life is always good. That said, I do hope I have the time and of course, money, to go for more trips in future.
With respects to the resort itself, I feel that the money was truly well spent. First of all, the service was impeccable and the staff were all very amicable and friendly. Secondly, the tranquil ambience of the resort made the stay relaxing. You won't hear rowdy kids running around or uncouth people mouthing crude words. Well, if you are looking for a place where a couple can enjoy themselves, I say Japamala Resort is the place. Other resorts may offer couple suites but do remember that they do offer rooms for families and the sort and the environment may not be that good.
Our initial choice was Panuba Inn Resort. It was kind of like a budget resort for those on a, well, tight budget. To quote Dear, "You know, for the amount of money we're paying here (Japamala), we could have stayed for many more nights at Panuba." She was saying this after seeing the pricelist for various activites that was at the front desk. Yes, I fully agree with her point. Then I countered, "But we are paying for the service and the accomodation, none of which you will get at Panuba, I'm sure of that. You think they would bother to put the dessert on your mat? (Refer to my previous post, "Sun, sand, dive! - Day 2", for details) Or do you think the room will be as good?" Upon hearing my counter-argument, she kept quiet and sulked.
I guess the service was what really left a lasting impression. Being a small resort, I think they have the benefit of being able to remember who the guests are and where they are staying. This makes the service very personalized. The resort is doing expansion works now but I do hope that this core competency of theirs would not fade away.
The accomodation was the next thing to leave a lasting impression but this time, there's both good and bad. The room was adequately furnished and the bathroom facilities were comparable to that of a typical 4/5 star hotel. The unique selling point of the resort was the proximity to the nature. That is, too, in my opinion, a disadvantage.
For instance, we got moths flying around in the room. Alright, this can be easily solved, as long as we kept the doors closed. The lizards were a little more tenacious. They can easily squeeze in through the gaps of the wooden walls and they can really make quite a din. I found some spider webs too but no spiders.
Oh yeah, when night falls, something really weird happens. For some reasons, the toilet bowl will be crawling with ants and they will disappear by the next morning. I have no plausible explanation for this but I didn't quite mind, as I see it more as a mild nuisance than a paranormal activity. I guess it's pretty OK for the creatures of the jungle to invade our accomodation. After all, we are the ones who are really encroaching on their habitat. Apart from all these, it is really fascinating to be able to be so close to nature.
OK, the things around there are on the pricey side. After all, it's mainly targeting European visitors who have the money to spare. At least, that was what I hear from the Lee chap whom we met at Mersing. Oh yeah, I flipped through the guest book and saw a few entries from Singapore. The rest were mainly from Europe. We wanted to leave an entry too but we forgot about it. :( It's OK, for I'm pretty sure I'll be going back there for another stay.
Speaking of a future trip, I think it'll be prudent of me to bring more money. The resort had a policy of requesting a deposit RM200 per night (in my case, it was RM400, as we were staying for 2 nights), which they kindly waived as we did not have enough money. The reason for this deposit is simple - everything that requires payment will be deducted from this deposit and that ranges from meals to a boat trip to the mini-bar in the room. Upon checkout, the remainder will be returned. Neat arrangment, isn't it? Oh, what if the spending exceeds the deposit? You aren't that dim to need me to spell it out, are you?
Since I did not go island-hopping or snorkeling, I cannot say how good or bad these activities are. The next time I visit Tioman, I guess I'll give them a shot too.
Looking back, I must say that the experience was fun and relaxing. Having a vacation every once in a while to escape the hectic urban life is always good. That said, I do hope I have the time and of course, money, to go for more trips in future.
With respects to the resort itself, I feel that the money was truly well spent. First of all, the service was impeccable and the staff were all very amicable and friendly. Secondly, the tranquil ambience of the resort made the stay relaxing. You won't hear rowdy kids running around or uncouth people mouthing crude words. Well, if you are looking for a place where a couple can enjoy themselves, I say Japamala Resort is the place. Other resorts may offer couple suites but do remember that they do offer rooms for families and the sort and the environment may not be that good.
Our initial choice was Panuba Inn Resort. It was kind of like a budget resort for those on a, well, tight budget. To quote Dear, "You know, for the amount of money we're paying here (Japamala), we could have stayed for many more nights at Panuba." She was saying this after seeing the pricelist for various activites that was at the front desk. Yes, I fully agree with her point. Then I countered, "But we are paying for the service and the accomodation, none of which you will get at Panuba, I'm sure of that. You think they would bother to put the dessert on your mat? (Refer to my previous post, "Sun, sand, dive! - Day 2", for details) Or do you think the room will be as good?" Upon hearing my counter-argument, she kept quiet and sulked.
I guess the service was what really left a lasting impression. Being a small resort, I think they have the benefit of being able to remember who the guests are and where they are staying. This makes the service very personalized. The resort is doing expansion works now but I do hope that this core competency of theirs would not fade away.
The accomodation was the next thing to leave a lasting impression but this time, there's both good and bad. The room was adequately furnished and the bathroom facilities were comparable to that of a typical 4/5 star hotel. The unique selling point of the resort was the proximity to the nature. That is, too, in my opinion, a disadvantage.
For instance, we got moths flying around in the room. Alright, this can be easily solved, as long as we kept the doors closed. The lizards were a little more tenacious. They can easily squeeze in through the gaps of the wooden walls and they can really make quite a din. I found some spider webs too but no spiders.
Oh yeah, when night falls, something really weird happens. For some reasons, the toilet bowl will be crawling with ants and they will disappear by the next morning. I have no plausible explanation for this but I didn't quite mind, as I see it more as a mild nuisance than a paranormal activity. I guess it's pretty OK for the creatures of the jungle to invade our accomodation. After all, we are the ones who are really encroaching on their habitat. Apart from all these, it is really fascinating to be able to be so close to nature.
OK, the things around there are on the pricey side. After all, it's mainly targeting European visitors who have the money to spare. At least, that was what I hear from the Lee chap whom we met at Mersing. Oh yeah, I flipped through the guest book and saw a few entries from Singapore. The rest were mainly from Europe. We wanted to leave an entry too but we forgot about it. :( It's OK, for I'm pretty sure I'll be going back there for another stay.
Speaking of a future trip, I think it'll be prudent of me to bring more money. The resort had a policy of requesting a deposit RM200 per night (in my case, it was RM400, as we were staying for 2 nights), which they kindly waived as we did not have enough money. The reason for this deposit is simple - everything that requires payment will be deducted from this deposit and that ranges from meals to a boat trip to the mini-bar in the room. Upon checkout, the remainder will be returned. Neat arrangment, isn't it? Oh, what if the spending exceeds the deposit? You aren't that dim to need me to spell it out, are you?
Since I did not go island-hopping or snorkeling, I cannot say how good or bad these activities are. The next time I visit Tioman, I guess I'll give them a shot too.
posted by hg @ 00:06
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