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Showing posts with label Travel Adventure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel Adventure. Show all posts

Sunday, June 29, 2025

Protecting Paradise: Our Family’s Turtle-Friendly Trip to Satang Besar Island Day 3 - Post 3 of 4

 

🌊 Day 3: Farewell to Satang — A Scenic Send-Off by Sea and Sky

Our final morning on Satang Besar Island arrived like the last page of a cherished storybook — beautiful, quiet, and just a little hard to close. After two days of unforgettable wildlife encounters and beachside bonding, it was time to say goodbye.

The kids were up early, still full of wonder from yesterday's sea turtle conservation experience and beach cleanup mission. As we packed our bags and tidied up the ranger station, the gentle rhythm of the waves seemed to echo our thoughts: "Do we really have to leave?"

With the sky painted in soft blues and the sun casting gold across the sand, we boarded our little boat, life jackets on, hearts full.








🚤 Bonus Adventure: A Boat Ride Around Satang Besar Island

But just as we were preparing to head straight back to the mainland — our ever-thoughtful boatman turned to us with a smile and said,
“Want to go around the island first?”

Yes! A full 360° boat tour around Satang Besar itself.

What a treat that was. As the boat slowly circled the island, we were treated to views you’d never get from the beach:

  • Towering rock cliffs, jagged and wind-worn

  • Dense coastal forest, clinging to the slopes like a green waterfall

  • Hidden coves and tiny pockets of sand

  • The occasional sea eagle soaring overhead

We passed by the far end of the island, where the rock formations looked like something out of a pirate movie. It was a rare perspective — seeing the entire island wrapped in the blue silk of the sea.

The kids leaned over the edge, pointing at tiny crabs sunning on coastal rocks and fish darting through the shallows. For a moment, it felt like we were explorers discovering new shores.












🐦 Nature’s Finale at Tokong Ara — The Bird Island

As we bid farewell to Satang Besar, another surprise awaited us. The boat veered slightly — toward a rugged, rocky islet not far off the coast.

Tokong Ara Island.

We didn’t plan for it. But this small, dramatic island — blanketed in lush greenery and swarming with migratory seabirds — became the unexpected highlight of our trip.

Our boatman, once again going the extra mile, circled us slowly around the island, letting us soak in this real-life National Geographic scene.

  • Birds swooping, diving, and calling overhead

  • Whitewashed nesting cliffs peppered with bird poop (lots of it — nature’s graffiti!)

  • Old nesting boards still clinging to the rocks, remnants of research past

  • My son giggling and striking a pose, pointing dramatically at the cliffs like a mini wildlife host

It was wild, loud, chaotic… and absolutely mesmerizing.

If Satang taught us about conservation, Tokong Ara reminded us about coexistence — nature doing its thing, unfiltered and untouched.

💬 Reflections on the Final Day

Our boat finally turned its nose toward the mainland, the islands shrinking behind us, the kids still buzzing with stories to tell.

This was more than a vacation.
It was an adventure packed with wonder — the kind that’s hard to describe and impossible to forget.

We came for the turtles.
We stayed for the birds.
And we left with full hearts and sandy shoes.

Would we come again?
In a heartbeat.


🔖Read the Full Stoy here 🌐


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Saturday, June 28, 2025

Protecting Paradise: Our Family’s Turtle-Friendly Trip to Satang Besar Island Day 2 - Post 2 of 4

 

🐢 Day 2 – Guardians of the Island: A Day with Turtles, Tidepools & Tenacity










The second day on Satang Besar began long before sunrise.

At 5:30 a.m., while the island was still cloaked in silence, I was gently woken by the ranger’s voice. Two turtles had come ashore during the night. Still groggy, I grabbed my flashlight—and my two curious kids—and made our way to the beach.

There they were.

Two majestic sea turtles, illuminated by the soft beam of torchlight, performing one of nature’s oldest rituals—laying their eggs. My wife, daughter, and son watched in silent reverence, witnessing a moment that no documentary could ever replicate. As the sun began to rise, we saw the turtles slowly crawl back to the sea, their paths marked by deep tracks in the sand.

And just like that, they were gone. But the morning wonder wasn’t over yet.

Around 7:30 a.m., the ranger returned to collect the eggs. He gently uncovered the nest and began counting—over 50 little turtle eggs! That’s when I nudged my kids and said, “Come on, time to help.” One by one, my son and daughter carefully lifted the eggs and placed them into a bucket. They were so focused, you’d think they were handling dragon eggs from a fantasy movie!

It was a proud parent moment. Watching them assist in real conservation work, right there with sandy fingers and serious expressions—it was more than just a holiday activity. It was a hands-on biology lesson, a lesson in empathy, and a memory they’ll carry for life.







🏝️ Tidepool Explorers and Saltwater Splashes

After a quick breakfast, we headed out for a morning of discovery. The tide was low, revealing a hidden world of rocky outcrops, tidepools, and little crabs scuttling between coral chunks. The kids transformed into island explorers—climbing, splashing, and pointing at every sea creature they could spot.

Later, we returned to our favourite pastime: swimming in crystal-clear water. The beach belonged to us alone. It was peaceful, calm... until the sandflies returned for Round Two—this time targeting my back like heat-seeking missiles. I’ll admit, I lost that battle.

But even the bites couldn’t dampen the joy of watching my children laugh in the waves, or the way the afternoon sun turned the ocean into shimmering glass.






♻️ Little Hands, Big Impact: Beach Cleanup Mission

After lunch, while walking along the shoreline, we noticed bits of plastic tangled in the driftwood and buried in the sand. Without hesitation, my two kids sprang into action.

We began a spontaneous beach cleanup, picking up every plastic wrapper, bottle cap, and piece of litter we could find. It wasn’t part of any organised activity—it was just a shared moment of purpose. Small hands reaching for big change.

My daughter collected bottle caps like treasures; my son proudly held up each new item like a victory. It was heartwarming to see them care, to see that even at their young age, they understood the importance of keeping the island clean—not just for us, but for the turtles too.

We left that beach with lighter hearts and a heavier bag of trash.

🦎 Afternoon Calm, Island Quiet

As the heat of midday set in, we retreated to our simple wooden hut—a modest shelter with just beds and a ceiling fan. Caretaker Letty, ever so kind, offered us chilled drinks and stories about her decades on the island.

The kids took a short nap while my wife and I watched the breeze dance through the coconut trees. There was no Wi-Fi, no distractions—just time. And that, I realised, was the real luxury of this island.






🌙 Nightfall with Heroes in Headlamps

That night, I had the privilege of joining two park rangers as they carried out conservation work under a blanket of stars. It wasn’t glamorous—it was sweaty, sandy, and swarming with sandflies—but it was inspiring beyond words.

We followed the tracks of another nesting turtle. Once she laid her eggs and began to cover the nest, the rangers sprang into action with practiced precision:

  • They cleared barnacles from her shell.

  • Measured her length and width.

  • Attached metal tags to both flippers—each with a serial number for tracking.

  • Dug up and carefully relocated the eggs to a protected hatchery site.

They moved quickly and methodically—despite the relentless sandfly bites. Not once did they flinch or complain. Their focus was absolute. Their mission, clear.

I was in awe.

It wasn’t just data collection. It was legacy work. They were giving the next generation of sea turtles a better chance at survival. And I got to be a small part of that story.

📝 Reflection

As I rinsed off the sand and salt under a bucket of collected rainwater, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. Day 2 wasn’t just another day on a beach. It was a lesson in dedication, in wonder, and in responsibility—from the rangers, and from my own children.

They came here for fun and sun—but left with something far more lasting: a connection to the Earth.

And that night, as the waves hummed their lullaby and the stars blinked above, we slept with hearts full of memories and mosquito bites.


🔖Read the Full Stoy here 🌐


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Location: Sarawak, Malaysia

Friday, June 27, 2025

Protecting Paradise: Our Family’s Turtle-Friendly Trip to Satang Besar Island Day 1 - Post 1 of 4

 

🐢 Day 1: Our Wild Welcome to Satang Besar — Sand, Sea, and Surprise Turtles

After months of planning (and several “Are we going to an island yet, Daddy?” interrogations), the day finally arrived. We kicked off our 3-day, 2-night family escape to Satang Besar Island, off the coast of Kuching. For my wife and kids, this was their very first island trip. For me? A return to paradise — plus, I now had two curious kids and one brave wife in tow.





🚤 From Jetty to Jungle Paradise

Our journey began with a boat ride that had just the right amount of "are we gonna tip?" to keep things exciting. As we zipped across the sea, Mount Santubong loomed in the distance, and the turquoise waters sparkled beneath us. It was straight out of a tourism brochure—minus the part where my son asked if the boat had Wi-Fi. 😅

When we finally arrived at Satang Besar, the soft golden sands welcomed us ashore. And so did Letty, this lady is the island's resident caretaker — a quiet legend who’s seen more turtle births than a maternity ward nurse.

🛖 Rustic Charm, Island-Style

Our accommodation? A simple wooden house—no aircon, no TV, no distractions. Just beds, a fan, and the sweet soundtrack of waves and birdsong. It was a refreshing change from city living... at least until the sandflies declared war on my ankles.




🐢 Hands-On with Baby Turtles

The real highlight of the afternoon was visiting the sea turtle hatchery. My daughter Sophia and son Gareth were enchanted. Sophia delicately picked up a hatchling like it was a crown jewel. Gareth tried to name every single one. I tried to look cool while photographing them like a National Geographic intern.

It was their first time seeing baby turtles, and the smiles on their faces were worth every bite from the sandflies.




🪁 Kites, Clear Water & Collected Showers

Next, we embraced island life. We swam in crystal-clear waters, flew kites on the open beach, and played pretend with driftwood spears and treasure hunts. Just when things seemed perfect, it started to rain. And by rain, I mean a full-blown tropical soak.

Most families would hide indoors. We became island survivalists.

The kids giggled their way through puddles, collecting rainwater in bottles for “jungle showers.” My wife took it to the next level, channeling her inner Bear Grylls by catching water with a giant leaf. Who needs plumbing when you have banana trees?





🌙 Night Patrol: Mission Turtle

Now, here’s where the story takes a National Geographic turn.

As the evening drizzled on, we almost called it a night—until Letty gave us “the look”. The “she’s-coming” look.

Rain or not, we grabbed our flashlights and headed to the dark beach. And there, glistening under moonlight and raindrops, was a sea turtle emerging from the surf.

My children were mesmerized. We kept our distance as she dug a nest, laid her eggs, and then rested, tired but graceful. And then—slowly—she turned back toward the sea, dragging herself into the waves, her ancient silhouette disappearing into the dark.

We stood in silence.

Even the sandflies gave us a break.

🦟 Honorable Mention: The Sandflies

A special shoutout to the unofficial welcome committee of Satang Besar—the sandflies. Persistent. Unrelenting. Unapologetic. They came. They bit. They conquered. Next trip, I’m bringing repellent, long pants, and possibly a flame-thrower.


🔖Read the Full Stoy here 🌐


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Location: Sarawak, Malaysia
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