Author:  Jennifer Cheong, MBA Office

Pulau Redang is one of the largest islands located off the east coast of Malaysia in the state of Terengganu.  The area is a conserved marine park ideal for snorkeling and scuba-diving activities.  Redang was used as the backdrop for a Hong Kong summer holiday movie – Xia Re Mo Mo Cha in 1999.  Ever since the movie was screened in Asia, the pristine warm white sandsand mesmerizing turquoise sea has beckoned many to the island.  From Singapore, the island is easily accessible via an affordable overnight coach ride.   

There is a wide range of accommodation from budget to four-star hotels. Most are located at Pasir Panjang beach and a handful at Teluk Kalong.  Only Berjaya Resort has its own private beach.  All the resorts in Redang offer all-inclusive package holidays which include boat transfers, accommodation, snorkeling or diving & meals.  These can be arranged directly with the resort of your choice.  Meals provided at the resorts are often local dishes served buffet style.  If these do not suit your taste, you can always try one of the restaurants at a neighboring resort for a western style burger or go for a more authentic taste of nasi goreng kampung (fried Malay rice with anchovies).   

Redang is a small tropical island good for a weekend getaway.  Most choose to spend their days idyllically napping away in a swaying hammock or revel under the sun for a nice golden tan.  You can also join one of the snorkeling trips organized by your resort.  However, you can also choose to just snorkel at the shallow reefs of Pasir Panjang which can already give you a glimpse of the rich ocean life of Redang.   

For the restless at heart, you can opt to try a Discover Scuba for non-divers during your trip.  This will be an instructor-guided dive where you will be introduced to the basics of diving and have a taste of the underwater world.  It is usually a short half day session and allows you a preview of the colourful tropic reefs.   

A curious clownfish

A colourful nudibranch

Those determined to add a PADI scuba-diving license on top of achieving a prestigious MBA degree  in Asia, an open-water course can be done with any of the dive centers in Redang.  The open-water course teaches you the foundations of diving with both theory and practical tests.  This can be done within 4 – 5 days at the resort dive center depending on the aptitude of the student.  Do note that an open water course (equipment rental inclusive) with full-board resort stay cost about SGD 500 – 800.   

What does the underwater world in Redang have to offer?  One can often spot reef sharks, beautiful corals, stingrays, barracudas and many fascinating ocean life in the Redang waters.  Occasionally, lucky divers may even get to spot whale sharks on their migratory routes!  Redang also has an important conservation site for turtles which include the Green Turtle and Hawksbill Turtle.  Turtle or wildlife lovers can even sign up at the conservation website to serve as a volunteer.  By the way, visit first Singapore’s world-renowned Underwater World at Sentosa too!  These two locations offer different experiences despite offering similar things!   

Meeting Nemo face to face can be an interesting encounter.  Watching a swift reef shark majestically gliding through the waters can be a humbling experience.  Weaving through a vibrant forest of corals can be a bewitching memory.  All these with just a bold plunge into a whole new world beneath the waters.  So head off to Redang in your next break and enrich your knowledge of a secret world hidden away.   

Getting There:   

Berjaya Air flies to Pulau Redang direct from Singapore.  (www.berjaya-air.com) Return airfare is   

as low as SGD 170 including taxes.  The flight takes only  1 hr 20 mins.   

For a more budget option, Konsortium and Five Star coaches can drop you at Merang Jetty (Note: not to be confused with Marang Jetty).  From the jetty, board the boat transfer arranged with the resort.  Return coach fare is as low as SGD 90.  About 12 hours ride overnight.   

For more information on Redang resorts:  http://redang.org/resorts.htm

Malacca (or Melaka) is the third smallest state in Malaysia which had Dutch, Portuguese and British influences and earned its title as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008. Just 2½ – 3 hours drive away, it’s easy to make a day trip from Singapore. Malacca is charming in her own way with her rich historical heritage and is also famous for her Baba-Nyonya food. It is a small city which can be easily explored on foot, taxis or for a more unique experience, trishaws.

Dutch Square (or Red Square) next to the Malacca River is a good starting point for visitors. The buildings around this area are painted red and especially prominent is Stadthuys & Christ Church believed to be the oldest Dutch building in the East. Visitors interested in taking trishaw rides can easily take a ride from here.

Another interest place to visit is A’Famosa Portuguese fort believed to be the oldest surviving European architecture in Asia. It was built by the Portuguese who saw Malacca as an important port in the spice route to China. The Portuguese also built St. Paul’s Church – another heritage site in Malacca. Climbing up a long flight of stairs up St. Paul’s Hill, you will be rewarded with the magnificent church ruins and a breath-taking view of the city.

Just across Dutch Square is Jonker Street, the heart of Malacca’s Chinatown. Here, you can spend a leisurely afternoon shopping and indulging in the best of Malacca’s food. Along Jonker Street, you can find interesting souvenir and crafts shops and Baba-Nyonya shops selling traditional snacks such as pineapple tarts, ondeh ondeh (coconut snack) and a variety of cookies. There’s also a great selection of restaurants and eateries to tease your palate. After a hot afternoon of shopping, drop by the Geographer Café for a cold beer and relax. And when the sun sets, the street transforms into a bustling street market. Watch as the local hawkers push their carts out and display their fares to curious visitors.

So what are some good Malacca restaurants to try? One of them is Hoe Kee Hainan Chicken Rice Ball restaurant. Located at the entrance of Jonker Street, they sell steamed chicken served alongside with steamed rice mixed with sesame oil and rolled into little balls. Walk a bit further down (opposite Geographer Café) is Jonker Desserts 88. Here, enjoy some traditional Nyonya desserts such as durian chendol (side photo), ice-kachang or a hot bowl of laksa (curry noodles). Venturing out of Jonker Street, you can try a traditional Nyonya restaurant serving tempting dishes such as Ayam Ponteh (chicken in bean paste gravy), Sambal Udang Petai (chili with prawns and petai beans), Cincalok Omelette (egg with preserved shrimps) and Jenak Goreng Chili (fried fish with chili). A good place to start is Restaurant Makko (located opposite Hotel Equatorial).

If you would like to spend a night in Malacca, you can try staying in one of their boutique hotels which offers you a room filled with the splendor of their rich history. One such example is Courtyard at Hereen which is an old shop house that is converted into a small, cosy hotel.

All in all, Malacca is an interesting historical city and definitely worth a visit. It is a quaint city that engages its visitors with its history, friendly locals and exotic flavours.

Malacca is only a short drive away from Singapore and you can easily spend a short weekend here lost in its culture, history and food. So why not organize something with your class and have a fun cultural experience together? Please remember to check on your visitor visa entry requirements into Malaysia though.

Getting There:

Grassland Coaches: http://www.grassland.com.sg/ (About SGD 18 one way)

Delima Coaches: http://www.busonlineticket.com/ (About SGD 25 one way)

Various Coach Companies: http://www.easibook.com/ (About SGD 35 – 20 one way)

Author:  Jennifer Cheong, MBA Office

Bali, an Indonesian island located between Lombok and Java, is one of Asia’s popular travel destinations.  Although there are many beach retreats in Asia, this paradise island is still worth a visit with its offerings of beautiful beaches & landscapes, sumptuous yet affordable food and friendly locals.  It is ranked as one of the top 5 best islands in the world by Travel & Leisure Magazine (the only island in Asia to make it to the top 5 list) while Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel 2010 ranked Bali second place among the world’s Top Regions.  What makes Bali so unique?  From pristine beaches, lush green rice paddy fields, gorgeous romantic sunset or a mysterious peek at the volcanic Mount Agung, Bali welcomes its visitors with its very best.  You can choose to seclude yourself for a peaceful recharge, party to a beautiful sunset or just enjoy the turquoise sea and the lively greens of Bali with your family & friends.  What’s more, this luxurious yet romantic oasis can be enjoyed at an extremely affordable price.

Beaches

Bali is blessed with quite a few beautiful beaches with soft, powdery sand.  The beaches are usually popular with surfers and not all are safe for swimming with its big waves and strong currents.  Kuta beach is the most popular amongst tourists with availability of a multitude of restaurants, shops and pubs within walking distance.  However, the place can be rowdy and packed.  Sanur beach is more popular with families with children with its calmer waters.  Seminyak beach draws a more high-end crowd with its trendy shops, cafes and bars.  The beach has strong waves but is good for surfing and body-boarding.

Bali is also ideal for scuba-diving with its most popular season in August.  During this period, scuba-divers have a high chance of seeing the rare ocean sunfish or mola mola.  Macro-lovers can also enjoy Tulamben wreck and Secret Bay.  There is also spectacular wall diving at Menjangan known as one of the best diving spots in Bali.

Less adventurous travelers can head to Lovina beach for a dolphin watching cruise.

Scenery

Bali is known for its rich green paddy fields which can be a sight to behold.  Tirta Gangga in central Bali is home to some of the most beautiful rice paddies in Bali.  Around this region, enthusiastic hikers can also arrange for a hike up Mount Batur (1,771 m) – a volcanic mountain in Bali with a beautiful view of the surroundings and Lake Batur.  The hike takes about four hours round-trip.  For those who are not hiking, you can arrange a day trip with a personal driver for your group to have lunch in Tirta Gangga while soaking in the enchanting views of the rice paddy fields or enjoy a cup of coffee at a café with a view of the volcano and the lake.  The drive can also the hilly region of Batur which has a multitude of small shops selling local crafts and furniture as well as some art galleries where you can obtain a large, beautiful oil painting for about SGD 100 or less.  Most will also include Ubud as part of their destination in the day trip where you can visit the Ubud Market, Monkey Forest or even head off for white-water rafting at the Ayung River!

Relaxation

Those seeking peace and quiet can find respite in Ubud – a mountainous area in Bali which has a few resorts offering yoga retreats.  Bali is also known for its spas which one can easily find in any hotels or tourist areas.  One can choose from a simple foot, head or shoulder massage or a full body treatment that includes a body wrap or scrub, bath and massage.  A good, luxurious full body treatment typically does not cost more than SGD 120.  Those on a budget can enjoy a 1.5 hour massage for SGD 20 at Cozy Spa – a simple and basic massage center popular with locals and backpackers. But for those who wish to indulge a little, a good place to visit is the Mango Tree Spa at the Kupu Kupu Barong resort in Ubud.  It is a unique experience where you can to enjoy your treatment on top of a tree inside a cosy bamboo tree-house whilst listening to the soothing rhythms of the Ayung River.  The two-hour Mango Tree treatment cost about SGD 200.  Do note that reservations are mandatory for any kind of spa visit to avoid disappointment.

Food

Bali offers a wide variety of food options partly due to its foreign settlers from mainly Australia and a large community of Europeans.  One can choose to have a nice fine-dining experience (around SGD 80) or a rugged meal consisting of rice with mixed vegetables and meat at a local warung (eating house) for as low as SGD 2.  Some of the popular establishments with tourists are Made’s Warung (Indonesian food), Naughty Nuri’s (bbq ribs at Ubud), Ku De Ta (fusion) and Trattoria (Italian).  Made’s Warung offers mainly local Indonesian dishes among which Nasi Campur (above picture) and Nasi Goreng (fried rice) is especially popular.  Those wishing to enjoy a beautiful sunset, good western food and drinks can visit the swanky Ku De Ta which converts into a trendy club by night.

What you definitely should not miss is the sumptuous selection of fresh seafood available in Bali.  Jimbaran is an area synonymous with fresh seafood in Bali.  Here, there are many restaurants serving fresh seafood by the beach.  The setting is typically a romantic candlelit table on the beach.  Feel the soft sand on your feet while you feast on your grilled seafood.  Another place for fresh seafood is in Echo Beach, Canggu located on the south-west coast of Bali.  It’s a good idea to check with your hotel on the local sunset time before heading out.  This way, you can enjoy the sun painting the sky and the sea into a magnificent golden hue while having dinner.

Accommodation

There are a variety of accommodation options available in Bali: from backpacker’s lodges, boutique inns, hotels to villas – a vast selection for travelers to pick from.  It really depends on the travelling group size, the activities you’re planning and of course your budget.  Bear in mind that even the most luxurious option of a villa may not always be the most expensive.  If you are travelling in a group of six or more, a villa may be an extremely feasible option.  These villas are self-contained with your own living, dining area, kitchen, 2 – 4 bedrooms and even your own private pool.  Search for online deals for villas in Bali and you may pay as low as SGD 40 – 50 per person a night!

Transportation

It is fairly inexpensive to get around Bali.  One can easily rent a bike or car.  Taxis are extremely affordable.  A more popular way is to hire a driver which typically, for a group of eight, can cost about SGD 60 nett per vehicle for a full day of touring any destination of your choice.  Some resorts even offer free shuttle transport to popular tourist areas.

Getting to Bali

There are daily flights from Singapore to Bali daily.  The flight only takes 2½ hours.  Major airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Qatar Airways all fly direct to Bali.  For the cost conscious, budget airlines such as Jetstar and Air Asia flies direct from Singapore to Bali as well.  All-inclusive fares cost as low as SGD 128 for promotional fares offered by the airlines.

Remember, it’s not all about studies and gaining professional experience while in Singapore.  Take off during a long weekend and bask in the sun & sea of mythical Bali!  After all, it’s not every day one gets to earn a world-renowned MBA degree and yet have the opportunity to enjoy one of the world’s top 5 best islands at the same time.

Note: You may like to avoid the Nyepi – Balinese New Year in March to travel.  The Balinese calls this day the Day of Silence and the shops and restaurants will be closed.