More than 2 months after my holiday before I get down to sort out my photos and blog about this short getaway for the then birthday boy. Desaru usually isn't the first destination anyone would think of for a short beach holiday, some may even wonder - what's there to do at ulu Desaru. Well, read on to find out!
Took an early ferry, which takes about 45 minutes to Desaru.
You can book your ferry tickets from Limbungan Maju's website (http://tanjungbelungkor.com), call them at 6535 8686 or email them at lm_enquiries@marinaisland.com
My experience with them have been...weird. I attempted to call them to book, just to be reassured that I am booking the right ferry to the right place, yes I am insecure like that. The lady whom I spoke too told me to just buy at the ferry terminal, confirm have seats. So they don't even bother securing the ticket business with me. So I emailed them to double confirm that there will definitely be available tickets on the day of travel and they assured me. One thing to take note, boarding terminal is at Changi Ferry Terminal. Not Changi Point Ferry Terminal, Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal or what not. The cab driver was confused and he made me confused too cos there are a few different terminals around the same area. Initially I assumed that the terminal is the same as the one to Pulau Ubin, so I was confident to be able to draw some last minute cash plus have a breakfast in the morning before boarding. But I was totally wrong! Changi Terminal is super duper ulu and basically, seems like a terminal solely to Desaru. No food stalls in sight, and definitely no ATM machine. I worried for a moment cos I realised I only changed about 200 SGD dollars to ringgit and I basically have about another 20 bucks left after paying for the cab fare. Ferry tickets cost $38 per pax for two ways. Thankfully, the ticket counter lady helped me out, a BIG lot which inconvenience her a lot, just to make the start of my trip a good one.
So here's me on the ferry!
It was overall a comfortable ride. An option to sit at the top deck where the sea breeze blows against your face and you get to whiff in the smell of salty water. The smell of a beach holiday!
decked in TheClutterBugShop's Vorace Necklace!
From the ferry terminal, I booked the resort's land transfer for a fuss free trip to the resort. Totally advisable because this trip is approx another 30 mins where you pass by uneven grounds and plantations after plantations. I booked my stay through Groupon at Pulai Beach Resort. Charges are at RM46 per adult and RM26 per child, minimum for 2 pax.
Pulai Resorts is next to Lotus Desaru, popularly seen in Groupon. I thought Pulai looked nicer and newer from the photos online, hence my choice for this trip.
Here's our spacious room!
Besides the big comfy bed, there's a mini study area, dressing table, wardrobe and big toilet!
Another photo with the balcony.
I'm super happy and satisfied about the room! Almost bought a deal from Groupon, but it got sold out! Luckily, Agoda has available rooms which were a teeny bit cheaper. In all, I paid about SGD$155 (USD$125) for 3D2N. Cheap eh!
True to online photos, decent and spacious as well. If I wanna nitpick, the only downside is the non-carpeted floor, which will become sandy after coming back from the beach. Threw leftover fruits and cup noodles in the bin and a trail of ants followed the next morning. BUT... it's really fine la.
First thing - settle our rumbling tummies with some food! This is about 12 noon on a saturday and the resort's cafe has no one in sight.
Ordered a pizza to share.
and a banana split for dessert!
Total damage of 50RM.
It was early and we decided to start on our excursions! First stop - Desaru Fruit Farm! This is many Singaporeans' favourite stopover for a wide variety of fresh fruits.
Paid a small amount for an educational fruit farm tour. We got on a open lorry and set off!
First stop, we visited a mini dragonfruit plantation. Like an ignorant girl living in a concrete jungle, I finally know how a dragonfruit plant looks like now. It is actually part of the cactus family and there's a way to differentiate the white from the red flesh fruit. But... I can't remember already.
Natural shade from the scorching sun. These are not just some random creepers and vines, there are fruits growing on them too!
Pomegranate!
I've seen a normal banana tree with the huge purple flower. But something as long as this? First encounter.
This 180 acres fruit farm has many plantations with a wide variety of tropical fruits. They also have a mini petting zoo for animal lovers.
Jackfruits sprawled all over the floor... as food for the goats. None look interested to have fruits in their diets. Does not look very hygienic as well.
A not-so-happy goat.
Fluffy white rabbits. Pay to feed them!
And some not so white and fluffy ducks.
You can see ostrich here too! No need to go to Ostrich Farm if you have no time.
We booked a cab for a few hours to save time. Cost us 160RM for half a day. Next stop to the crocodile farm!
Ferocious snapping creatures.
It was a very quiet place with most of the crocodiles compartmentalised according to their age. They have up to 160 years old gramp crocs!
Most of the crocs are very calm and stationary unless provoked. So.. to make our trip more exciting, a worker will come along with us to use a long pole to poke them and make them snap. Scared the hell out of me sometimes. haha.
Baby croc born without a tail.
Another with an odd looking face.
D hugging a baby croc... I wouldn't dare.
My best shot with this little croc.
Birthday boy wanted seafood dinner and he got his wish! Took a stroll towards Lotus Resort which is just a stone's throw away from Pulai. Unlike Pulai which is more peaceful, Lotus seems more like a family beach resort with families and kids running and screaming around.
This seafood restaurant is at Lotus and situated just beside the beach!
The lovely view from our dinner table.
D loves seafood and I'm sure he had is fill that day.
The star of the day. - big and juicy cheese lobster! D ate most of it so I believe it's yummy. The fries were a miss though.
Next in line, crabs! A little messy handling it but all the more finger licking good.
Squids and sambal kang kong as supporting dishes.
We were such gluttons. All these for just 2 of us!
Seafood is always welcoming, good but nothing amazing here. Cost me a little over a 100 bucks in SGD. What more can you ask? Would have cost a bomb indulging all these locally.
Took a stroll back to our resort after a filling meal.
Rested awhile before our next destination - Fireflies Tour!
Booked another taxi to bring us to this "floating" restaurant for the tour which commence at 8pm. Cab ride of 60RM, firefly tour for 2 pax for 80RM. There are a few time slots, but basically the sky has to be completely dark in order to experience the fireflies!
This picture shows how it really looked like out in the water - total darkness out there except for the ferry itself. It was my first time seeing fireflies and I was in awe. How can it be that these little bugs have buttocks that shine?
As the ferry set off into the darkness, lights on the ferry were switched off too, and all of us sat quietly on stools in a row facing the thick bushes out at sea. As water was used to splash on the bushes, many little bright lights started to appear and danced around like a happy song in play.
Our curiosity to see them upclose got our hands stretched out to reach for them. D managed to catch one and we examined it upclose before setting it free. The butt really lit up brightly!
Glad to have made the trip here to see the fireflies, they were really God's wonderful creation!
No comments:
Post a Comment