Flying on the Cessna C208B Grand Caravan from Senai airport to Tioman Island

We reached the Senai International Airport before dawn, because need to group with others before our departure...

The arrangement was perfect by the Tunamaya staffs, the check-in process for taking the private chartered flight from Senai airport to Tioman airport was smooth. Once the baggage check, we walked through the private lane way to the plane.

It was my first time flying on this Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, the plane had change and refurbished into a luxury seats and facility. We can rotate the seat for 180 degrees which convenience for discussion among the passengers.

Cessna 208B Grand Caravan

The view inside the plane

The cockpit of the Cessna 208B

Mineral waters, tibits and snacks were ready for us in the plane. All of us happily wearing the orchid garland presented by the airport. The inaugural flight from Senai to Tioman, we ready to take off!

The weather of that day was good and the take-off was comfort.
This was my first time enjoying chatting with my friend and browse through the social media app in the plane...
Let me show you the breathtaking view along the way...

cotton puffs of cloud

The background was the mystery Linggiu dam...it was also the where the Srivijaya Empire started more than thousand years ago...as the legend said.

Beautiful green lake in the middle of the jungle...

I wondered this might be some kind of plantations...(photos above)

About 30 minutes later (around 8.35am), we were approaching Mersing town...

The coastal of Mersing town

Leaving Mersing and towards South China sea...

The plane took around 15 minutes to cross the ocean, noticed from the GPS device in the cockpit...

After the plane flew through the clouds, the island appeared from the windows...the first scene was the 'legendary twin peaks' of Tioman Island. Yes, it is the landmark of Tioman.

The mythical twin peaks of Tioman Island

Followed by the lush canopy of greenery and the blue water...

One of the resort at Tioman island

Approaching the Tioman island (Tekek town in the background)

It took around 45 minutes from Senai to Tioman island.
Once we touched down in Tioman island, the Tunamaya's staff was at the airport to help us ferry our luggage to the Tekek jetty.

At Tioman airport, Tekek town

It was a pleasant flight and different experience compare with the commercial flight, we enjoyed very much!

The weather in Tioman island was hot and humid, as we walked to the jetty, our luggage already stand-by before us...

Our journey to Tunamaya Beach and Spa Resort continue on the next post...

Related post :-
*  3 days 2 nights exclusive trip to Tunamaya Beach and Spa Resort in Tioman Island

Location map of Tioman Airport in Tekek Town

3 days 2 nights exclusive trip to Tunamaya Beach and Spa Resort in Tioman Island

Tioman island is one of the beautiful and nature island which is closer to Johor state at the east side of Pennisular Malaysia. This is one of the island which I won't get boring despite how many times I visit, beside the crystal clear water, the island also has many jungle trekking and hiking trails.

I was invited for the 3 days 2 nights trip to Tunamaya Beach and Spa Resort (N2.72072 E104.15162) on last month November 2014, it was a all-in exclusive package and total relax trip offered by the resort. We were the privileged few to experience the new package which officially launch on 20th December 2014. The package included the 45 minutes private chartered flight (Cessna 208B Grand Caravan) from Sultan Ismail International Airport Senai to Tekek Airport Tioman Island, that made us excited because it was a inaugural flight from Senai to Tioman. (90 minutes flight from Subang to Tioman island)

Cessna 208B Grand Caravan

Our itinerary for the 3 days 2 nights trip for Tunamaya Beach and Spa Resort, Tioman Island.
Day 1
*  Depart from Senai Airport to Tekek Airport Tioman by private chartered plane.
*  30 minutes ferry ride from Tekek to Tunamaya Beach and Spa Resort.
*  Check-into Tunamaya resort and breakfast at the restaurant.
*  Free and easy around the resort.
*  Dinner at the restaurant

Day 2
*  Breakfast
*  Jungle trekking activity
*  Lunch
*  Free and easy
*  Tekek town duty free shopping
*  Dinner at resort in conjunction with the first annual dinner and dance of Tunamaya Resort
*  Party time

Day 3
*  Breakfast
*  Check out and bye to Tunamaya Beach and Spa Resort
*  Ferry ride to Tekek town, private chartered plane ride from Tioman island back to Senai airport.

Aerial photograph of Tunamaya Beach and Spa Resort

The trip was excellent, all of us enjoyed very much!
The resort was clean with lush of greenery surrounded, employees were really helpful and friendly, all the basic facilities available within the resort and a 'bearable' speed of wireless internet service accessible around the reception area. Mr Paul Cheah, the Resort Manager of Tunamaya said, please feel free to enjoy the facilities and relax in the fantasy island, don't always check or look into the smart phone and Ipad...that's the reason of the 'bearable' speed of internet access in the resort. Well, we AGREE!

Mr Paul Cheah - Resort Manager of Tunamaya (right)

We had a chat with the friendly resort owner - Mr Gan after the dinner. Understand that Tunamaya was built from scratch 2 years ago, the partners of resort chose the piece of land because of the mystical 'Twin peaks' as a backdrop of the resort.
As the 'Tunamaya' was named by the reason of one of the partner owned another 'Tunabay' resort in Perhentian island, and the followed by the word 'Maya' means mystical in the national language of Malaysia.

Mr Gan - owner of Tunamaya Resort

The Exclusive package is included the private chartered plane from Senai or Subang to Tioman island, all meals and coffee break, activities within the resort and Spa therapy. Please check on their Facebook page (below) for the latest promotion.

East coast of Tioman island

It is a hassle free, relax vacation compare with other rushing tour. Relax yourself and choose each activity within the island as you wish, rather than rushing from places to places with limited time from early morning and exhausted-ly back to hotel in the late evening, some of my friends wisely said...

I will definitely visit Tunamaya again!

*  All the detail itinerary will be update soon! Stay tune!

Tunamaya Beach and Spa Resort, Tioman Island.

Lot 20 & 21, Kampung Mukut, Pulau Tioman 

86800 Pahang, Malaysia.

Tel : +607-798 8108

Email : info@tunamayaresort.com

Website : www.tunamayaresort.com

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/TunamayaResortTioman

Location map of Tunamaya Beach and Spa Resort, Tioman Island.

Water Cress Valley Restaurant at Brinchang, Cameron Highlands

Before we leave Cameron Highlands on the last day, we drop by this Water Cress Valley - Chiew Garden Cafe (N4.50811 E101.41643) for lunch, the garden cafe is truly unique that located in the middle of the Water Cress farm.

Water Cress Valley - Chiew Garden Cafe

The entrance of the Garden Cafe

Before we reach the cafe, we passed by the water cress seeding area...

The design of the cafe entrance is some kind of similar to Taiwanese restaurant...

Water Cress Valley Garden Cafe

Once step into the dining area, it was a breathtaking view of the water cress farm...cooling and nice! Very relaxing too...

 

 The cafe dining area...

I was fall in love at the first sight for this cafe...

Let me show you the scenic view from the cafe...

The Water Cress Farm

Beside water cress, they also planted some other vegetables and fruits...

View from the cafe...

The friendly lady boss took our order and she recommended their special drink - water cress juice! It had a unique taste and special! Not bad.

Water Cress Juice

Our lunch:-
*  Fried rice.
*  Recommended Special Ramen (signature dish)
*  Stir fried water cress
*  Recommended Special sauce Chicken (signature dish)

Fried rice

The Special Ramen - Signature dish

The Special sauce chicken - signature dish

Stir Fried water cress

The fried rice was nice! The Special Ramen taste good but the noodle not springy enough. The chicken was really special and we all like it! The water cress was definitely fresh and good! Overall, satisfied with the meals!

The Damage : RM52.00 for 2 adults and 1 child included the water cress juice. Reasonable price with the cool environment and the scenic view!

The Cafe just started about 6 months ago, but the farm has been through 5 generations of the family. The cafe open daily without off day during the school holiday season.

We spent almost 2 hours there to enjoy the view and we will visit it again!

The staff harvest the fresh water cress

Related post :-
*  My Cameron Highlands 3 days 2 nights trip on November 2012

Water Cress Valley Sdn Bhd

Lee & Chiew Cafe

Jalan Besar, Batu 44, Tringkap

39100 Cameron Highlands

Tel : +605-4961071

Email : watercressvalley@yahoo.com

Business hour : 10am - 10pm

Location map of Water Cress Valley Restaurant at Brinchang, Cameron Highlands.

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Photos sharing - Sam Poh Temple (三宝万佛寺) at Brinchang, Cameron Highlands

After breakfast at the hotel, before we check out from the hotel, we visited this Famous Buddhist Temple at Brinchang - Sam Poh Temple (N4.48878 E101.39056).

"Sam Poh Buddhist Temple located in Brinchang. It built high on a hill overlooking Brinchang town. Due to its location, the temple has a good view of Brinchang town and the houses that dot the little hills surrounding Brinchang. Sam Poh Temple built in 1972, is is the 4th largest Buddhist temple in the country. Amongst others, it houses a large statue of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The temple is quite pretty and has been well maintained by residents and monks. Surrounded by a bright yellow wall, the temple is serene and peaceful. Inside are lots of different statues, both Buddhist and Chinese, and incense burning in the background in memory of those passed on. Remove your shoes before entering the temple halls. But be careful, the marbled floor is so chilly to the feet without wearing a pair of socks." Source from here.

Beside of praying, there are many rooms beside the temple. According to friends, those Buddhism can stay at the temple for RM80 per day, for praying, chanting and meditation. But I couldn't find any other information about it...especially the contact person...

Let me share some photos of the temple here....

The main hall once entering the temple

The Deity in the main hall...

Both side of the Deity are the 'Four Heavenly Kings' (四大天王)...

'Four Heavenly Kings' (四大天王)

On the second hall...

Proceed to second hall...

The deities in the second hall

The third hall...

The thrid hall of Sam Poh Temple

On the right of the three halls...there was another small praying area...

There are many deities here which I cannot recognize them....
On the right of the deity above...

Left...

We were walking around the temple for about an hour and enjoyed the peacefulness of the area...there were some monks around doing the cleaning and some tourists and locals who came for praying...

The outlook of the temple on 1946 (below)...just wondering, it's this temple related to 'Cheng Ho'? Because of the name - Sam Poh which is similar with the Cheng Ho well at Malacca...

Sam Poh Temple during year 1946

Once we left the temple, it was almost the time we say bye-bye to Cameron Highlands....proceed to check out from the Rosa Passadena Hotel...

Related post :-
*  My Cameron Highlands 3 days 2 nights trip on November 2012

Location map of Sam Poh Buddhist Temple at Brinchang, Cameroon Highlands

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