Gem Island

In September, we went to Gem Island for our friend's beach wedding.  Gem Island or Gemia Island is situated in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia’s Dungun town in the state of Terengganu.  We took the earliest 7.25am flight by MAS Airlines from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Kuala Terengganu as to meet the speed boat schedule.

Where is my crystal mosque???

We reached Kuala Terengganu Airport at 8.20am and we took a taxi to Marang Jetty in Dungun. [Tips: One important note, the jetty you are supposed to be at is Marang jetty and NOT Merang jetty (Take note of the ‘A’ and ‘E’)]. We then took a speed boat from the jetty to Gem Island. Surialink is the official boat service operator that provide speed boat service to Gem Island at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm daily.  Just a mere 15 minutes and we will have a breathtaking view of Gem island and Kapas island with crystal clear waters all the way.

There is only one resort on Gemia, the Gemia Island Resort and Spa, which is facing to the South, looking over 3 mostly empty super clean beaches of Kapas island. This private island is perfect gateway for those who wanna find some peace in mind as all other resorts on Kapas are further down the western coast.

We almost there...

Immediately upon arrival, we were greet by smiling faces along with the cool welcome drink. 

This beautiful island made the perfect first impression. 

The 3-star resort is built on the ridges of the coastline, thus preserving the hills and its natural physical formation.  It comprises of 45 rooms in total: 45 sea frontage villas, comprising of 2 suites, 4 hideaway Villas, 4 Premier Villas and 35 water villas. All villas are equipped with air conditioning and king sized beds with aside lounger. 

We took the 3D2N full board twin-sharing adults Water Chalet package for RM660/pax (exclude 6% GST). Package includes:

a) 3 days 2 Nights accommodation in Water Villa

b) 2 x breakfasts, 2 x lunch and 1 x Dinner. 

c) Return Boat transfer & marine conservation fund.

For extension night for room & breakfast: adult in villa is RM150 and child (3 to 11yrs) is RM110 per child. Upgrade to Premier Villa is an additional RM150 per villa per night; extension night is RM300 per night with breakfasts only.     

After check-in, we we just headed to our chalet for a rest after long hour travel.

 Walkway to our chalet.

The rooms are equipped with a ceiling fan, an air con and there is a large mosquito net covering the entire bed. 

There is a small toilet/shower (with hot water), a sink in the room, a small fridge, water kettle, TV(but the signal was not very good) and a sofa day bed. One have to take note that the resort’s electricity is powered by generator sets, thus there will be a break of 3 hours daily from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm.

The challet is a bit small, things are rather old and sincerely, it is lower than my expectation for a private island resort with this price. However, one nice thing i like is the small balcony with 2 chairs and 1 hanging chair. From here, we can have a nice view onto the sea and we also able to spot some fish swimming just underneath our balcony but sadly, i didn't spot the little black tip reef sharks as mentioned in other's blog.

 

Spotted a lot of bats hanging on the trees outside the chalet.

This is the only one restaurant in the island. All the meals served during our stay is buffet style and the foods served are in good quality and we even have seafood BBQ on our friend's wedding night.

Enjoy the beautiful seaview while having your meals. 

Beside the restaurant is the saltwater infinity pool. It seems that it is badly required maintenance. Maybe they should mosaic the floor of the pool? 

Beside the swimming pool is this private pool for the turtles!

The location of this resort is wonderful as we can snorkel from the 3 beaches. One at either end of the southern side of the island and a very small one on the northern side. 

If you tired of the beach, one may venture to the rocky area. It is just at the end of the walkway to our chalet, which is also an adventure in itself.

Walkway back to the chalet. The first unit is the spa.

There are also a couple of hammocks on the beach which are excellent for lazing around and reading a book.  At the main beach, close to the restaurant, one can also hire kayak, snorkelling and diving equipment. Guided snorkelling is also available upon request with minimum of 4 pax. 

Even though the rooms and facilities are a bit down the whole place need a bit of renovation but the friendly staffs and beautiful view make it well worth the visit.

Gem Island Resort & Spa

Address: Lot 2804, Pulau Gemia, Jalan Rusila,

Daerah Marang Terengganu, Marang 21600, Malaysia.

Phone Number: 03-6205 5555

One Utama : Tokyo Secret Hanjyuku Cheese Tart

Another new hot food in town: Japanese Baked Cheese Tart. I tried the Pablo cheese tart in Osaka and it is fantastic.  I bet no one can resist the crumbly outer crust with fluffy, melting and warm rich cheese filling! This time, i would like to try out the Tokyo Secret Japanese Hanjyuku Cheese Tart (Half Baked Cheese Tart) in One Utama Shopping Mall.

This is their second outlet in Malaysia after the first in Ikano Power Centre (IPC) Shopping Mall. It is easy to locate, it is just opposite Haagen Dazs, besides the excalator leading to GSC Cinema. I heard that  their 3rd outlet will be opening in Genting Highland’s Sky Avenue soon. Luckily is not a very long queue today as we reached around 10.30am, is pretty early.

Sharp yellow background with big contrast brown cloured words "TOKYO SECRET HANJYUKU CHEESE TART" successfully attract people's eyeballs.

Even though Tokyo Secret is not originated from Japan but Hong Kong, but is doesn't mean that it will not taste good. Their freshly baked cheese tart use the high quality cheese imported directly from Japan, alongside with the secret recipe from Tshim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong which makes the flavour stay close to those cheese tart in Japan.

Tray of Hanjuku Cheese Tarts were freshly baked and they look gorgeous. Look temptation, right?  In order to maintain the quality and consistency of the cheese tarts, they only make one tray at one time. Each batch take around 10-20 minutes. So, please take don't take the risk to try your luck and disappoint yourself if you are in a hurry.

The size of the cheese tart is slight bigger than the usual egg tarts and it is best to have it when it is still warm. Smell is awesome from the very moment it is taken out from the oven. The first bite on the crust gives you a very buttery vanilla biscuit fragrance, followed by the creamy soft rich cheese filling. If you bite too big mouth, the cream cheese might just ooze out from your mouth.

One thing i did learn about egg tarts/baked cheese tarts is to eat them FRESH OUT FROM THE OVEN! When I took another one which was not warm anymore, fair enough, no oozing flowy cheese filling but is was still soft. So, taste it when it is still warm!

Tokyo Secret do recommended some other ways to enjoy the unique taste of cheese tart: 

Today, Cold, Iced, Hot

Priced at RM 7.90 per piece, I would personally think that this is certainly an expensive tart. Fortunately they didn't set any minimum purchase quantity, so you have a flexibility to buy just one piece for the sake of trying if you want.

Another bonus point for this brand is their packaging. The paper bag design convey an eco-friendly image for the brand and their box presentation that perfectly fit 6 tarts in the customized double storey box.

For me, this Tokyo Secret and the Pablo cheese tart i took in Japan is like 2 different things, they didn't taste the same. Maybe both have their own special ingredients/ recipe or perhaps they had did some "necessary" changes in order to suit the local's taste buds. But I heard Pablo is opening soon in One Utama Shopping Mall as well. Maybe i should try that as well to give a better comparison instead : p

Tokyo Secret outlets in Malaysia (as in August 2016):

Tokyo Secret Malaysia – Japanese Hanjyuku Cheese Tart 

One Utama Shopping Mall

2nd Floor High Street, One Utama Shopping Mall (New Wing)

(opposite to Haagen Dazs,besides the excalator leading to GSC Cinema)

Opening Hour: 10am to 10pm

Tokyo Secret Malaysia 

Ikano Power Centre (IPC) Shopping Centre , 

Lot G-23, IPC, Jalan PJU 6/2, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

(next to Mac City and opposite Starbucks)

Opening Hour: 10am to 10pm

PUMA Night Run Malaysia 2016

While others waiting to support Datuk Lee Chong Wei for the final single men badminton match in Olympic Rio 2016, we are here for PUMA Night Run Malaysia at Dataran Kemerdekaan Shah Alam.

This is the the 3rd edition of PUMA night run Malaysia and it is also the 1st year in which the night run is held at Dataran Kemerdekaan Shah Alam instead of Setia Alam (in the previous years). With 10,000 slots available for registration, this is said to be the PUMA Malaysia’s biggest Night Run event to date. 

The Code, Category, Age Group, Qualifying Time and Starting Time are as followed:

CODE	CATEGORY	AGE GROUP	QUALIFYING TIME	STARTING TIME
A1-XXXX	MEN'S OPEN 10KM (1ST WAVE)	16 AND ABOVE	2 HRS	8PM
A2-XXXX	MEN'S OPEN 10KM (2ND WAVE)	16 AND ABOVE	2 HRS	8.15PM
B1-XXXX	WOMEN'S OPEN 10KM (1ST WAVE)	16 AND ABOVE	2 HRS	8PM
B2-XXXX	WOMEN'S OPEN 10KM (2ND WAVE)	16 AND ABOVE	2 HRS	8.15PM

I pay RM85 (inclusive of GST) to register for the B1 Women's Open 10km and i got all these:

1) PUMA Race Kit : We collect the race kit at Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall on 5 August 2016 (collection day: 5-8 August 2016). It comprises of a PUMA Night Run tee, one Salonpas plaster, PUMA 20% voucher and Juice work voucher.

2) PUMA towel & PUMA shoe bag (collected on race day)

3) Finisher’s medal (after I completed the race)

This is the match route:

There are 3 water station which they will provide mineral water and isotonic drink:100 plus.

The parking map prepared by the organizer:

We reach there about 1 hour early. Let's wefie first before getting ready.

This is the Start & Finish line.

Make Running A Healthy Habit

Move your body, let's Zumba before the race!

Programme:

Time	Activities
5.00pm	Opening of PUMA Race Village
5.00pm	Baggage Deposit Service Starts
5.30pm	Pre-race Entertainment
7.45pm	10KM Participants to assemble at start line
8.00pm	Flag Off – 10KM (1st wave)
8.30pm	Flag Off – 10KM (2nd wave)
9.00pm	Band Performance
10.00pm	Top Finishers – Price Presentation
10.30pm	Headliners Performance
10.45pm	Lucky Draw
11.00pm	Closing of PUMA Night Run 2016

Nice weather : )

Selfie time!

Meet my friends......

Everyone so excited!!

Pre-race entertainment.

Thousands of human bodies can produce an amazing amount of heat though. You can imagine how warm it is around all these people.

Wefie before start.

After we heard the starter go off, the crowd move forward and after a couple of hundred of metres the walk turns into a slow jog. When crossing the start line, it already passed a few minutes. At this point, the race starts for real.

Never limit your challenges, CHALLENGE YOUR LIMIT.
Let's Run!

The timing device is attached to the back of my bib. The BibTag is a single tag attached to the back of my bib number and it makes timing very easy for us. We just need to wear our bib number correctly (that is visible on the chest). At every timing point (that is at the start, splits and finish point), detection mat will be on the ground to measure our time. The BigTag timing device is disposable and we do not need to return it after the race.

I make it! This is my finisher's medal!

Another mission accomplished in 2016: PUMA Night Run 2016 - 10km. Yeah!