our room

Room 1508
Tanjung Jara Resort

This is the room we stayed in.
It's funny how the whole resort's concept is so much like staying in the traditional Malay's homes. The whole architecture reminds us of the "rumah kampungs".
We even had the original "Bunga Manggar" in front of our door to welcome us as the newly weds.
We thought that was really thoughtful of them to prepare such detail.

bunga manggar (palm blossom)

Apparently,these traditional bunga manggar placed just in front of the door are to mark the arrival of the newly weds to the resort and resort staff knows they must accord extra special treatment to the couples. It’s also a sure way of saying “Do Not Disturb”.

Peeping out from our room.

The rooms opens up to the beautiful South China Sea.
Waking up to the sounds and the sights of the shore is definitely one of the highlights of our escape here.

Unmistakably Malay

nelayan - private outdoor dining

Dinner by the Beach
Nelayan
Tanjung Jara Resort

Beautifully setup for a private evening over looking the mighty south China sea with the rhythmic waves collapsing one after another making the most romantic themed dinner.

To start: fresh Norwegian Salmon

Abalone and Sea Scallops Salad with Green Asparagus and sprinkled with sesame dressing

Crab Cappuccino with crispy prawn and coriander

To neutralize: Orange Sorbet

To Satisfy: Fish Duet
Pan-fried sea bass and , complimented with sauteed watercress and risotto

To Spoil: Flourless dark chocolate cake served with vanilla ice cream

To end: twilights surrounding our dinner table to wind the night up

spa village, tanjung jara

Spa Village
Tanjung Jara Resort






World's Most Innovative Spa Award

breakfast

Breakfast @ Di atas sungai
Tanjung Jara Resort

My favorite time of the day.
Having breakfast.
If you know me well enough, I do love breakfast.
All means: preparing breakfast, having breakfast, buying breakfast. Of course I do not have the luxury of doing so, but when I do have the time, I really love to have long and lazy breakkie.

'Di Atas Sungei' is Malay for 'Above The River'.
We enjoyed each of our mornings buffeting our breakfast away above this river that flows into the South China Sea.

I really like this surrounding of this area, surrounded by lush tropical greenery, and shaded by a huge Ketapang tree. I enjoyed myself thoroughly just sitting down reading the book I brought along after having the scrumptious breakkie served.

tanjung jara

I need a break

Have been working real hard for the past couple of months, pretty much like a routine; to work, home, dinner, chores, and bedtime.

I need a break terribly. Have been staring at my table calendar for the past month counting down the days when I can see sunshine, feel sunshine and see sun set.

This time round, we've have booked ourselves a good 4 day 3 nights compliments of YTL properties for hosting our wedding dinner in one of their boutique hotel in Kuala Lumpur. We enthusiastically packed our bags, and so ready for a road trip to the east coast. Being Malaysians, which I have to admit that I'm a pretty bad one, we have decided that we should visit the towns/cities that are located at the east coast. So, we booked ourselves a hotel in Kuantan, Pahang for a night before heading to Tanjung Jara, in Dungun, Terengganu.

The ride there was good, taking our time absorbing the scenery and the air of freedom, (for just a miserable 4 day out of the office/work/rat race).

Guess what, it's our first time having to go for a trip with nothing much planned out/no research done. We just needed a break, not thinking of what needs to be done during the break, but just "being" in the break. It felt really good, to just let go some times and and experience come what may.

Slipped some CDs in the side compartment of the car and off we went, cruising. I'm not so much of a cruising person, but it hit me that I should stop at some point in life and not take mother nature for granted.

We took about 4 hours to reach Kuantan, where we took an overnight stopover and visited the Kuala Cempedak coast the next morning. Growing up in Sabah, I have also loved the beach.

Breathing the sea breeze again refreshed my life (I had some time to think about growing up, friendships, love, mistakes, and really withdrawing from the pressures of this ever-changing world). I always have this nostalgic feeling every time I’m being the seaside, especially now that daddy is gone, I know I will always feel him in the wind. (My dad and I shared some of the best times in our lives by the beach back in Sabah).

Authentic in architecture and attitude, always warm and welcoming, it is an environment to let go, to relax deeply and take time to rediscover yourself, your family or your friends;

Then off we went, for another 3 hour drive into Dungun, a small town in Terengganu which is culturally untouched. We saw villages after villages and rows of coconut trees which mark the drive along the coast. It was a gorgeous sight!

And finally, we have reach to the winner of an Aga Khan Award for Architecture's Tanjung Jara Resort.

Reception area.

We were told that about the philosophy of the Resort which is based on the Malay concept of Sucimurni, which emphasises purity of spirit, health and well-being. Indeed, that was how I felt when stepped into the warm and cozy reception area; I felt like a long anticipated visitor which was very much welcomed by the locals.

When we arrived, we were welcomed by a hot towel and a glass of chilled Roselle drink, (made from the extract of Hibiscus flowers) which frankly tasted like plum juice. It was nice indeed, not really because the drink was excellent, but really, the fact that you have someone coming up to you serving you a nicely presented drink.