Jan 7, 2011

Japamala - love at first sight

2011 already almost a week, and in couple of days I’ll be another year older. A year that passed was a fulfilling one, sometimes I couldn’t believe myself I’m (already) approaching late 20s league :) well, forget the ageing thingy and let's start off 2011 entry with our wonderful experience in Tioman Island last month..hehe..

The trip actually a wedding gift from husband’s friend, which his syarat the place must be LOCAL. Among first being shortlisted was Rawa Island; unfortunately clashes with office deadlines & wedding jobs had postponed the trip earliest by December where boat operation being risky to rely to since most local islands will be on monsoon. Our search continued with Tioman which accessible by flight and found this beautiful site of
Japamala, a boutique resort housing 12 villas (they called it Sarang) altogether with own private beach. Pictures in TripAdvisor not that interesting and far from any YTL’s luxurious resorts to be compared to, but reviews were telling otherwise made us evenmore tempted to check out the place. And true, we never regret since.



The good about traveling during monsoon, most will offer you huge discount for room. Japamala had this Low Season Package (available in their website) starting RM1.2k+ for couple, including 2N accommodation, airport (boat) transfer, massage etc. For short 3D2N escape, we rather ticked off all outdoors & spend more intimate time for each other...so all we need was nice room! ;) We booked the Seaview Sarang, apparently the one and only there and the most lavish villa they have for couple..kata sponsor kan...

Took Berjaya’s morning flight from Subang Airport. Upon arrival, paid RM5 marine conservation fees and two hotel staffs already standby for our next boat transfer to Japamala. Jay the staff handed us cool towels and lemongrass welcome drink (one of Japamala’s signature) during trip – very refreshing, especially after 55 mins (unpleasant) flight experience. By the way, the speedboat not a tiny we used to imagine, it’s cabined type with twin motors which pretty luxurious by our standard. Mind you, return boat trip will cost RM300+ per couple if you not taking the package.






Finally reached Japamala’s very own jetty, the water beneath so clear that we could see colorful fishes swimming in it. The jetty also serves as one of their dining place, Mandi Mandi Restaurant where you can dine under the sky, or better, stars if you’re lucky! we then brought to reception area; no counter or whatsoever frills found in usual grandeur hotel lobbies…only one low table with laptop and two round-wooden seats for us. Loved the effort-less designs they have here, it brings more rustic feeling to the resort.








Belle the staff walked us to our Sarang. Not that we know we had to climb (long) wooden staircase all the way to our room; thought the room was Seaview..shouldn’t it be closest to ground or pantai as possible? Hehe. Along the way, we were greeted with ‘Good Afternoon’ and warm smiles from each Japalama staff, made us felt so welcomed. The moment Belle opened the door we had to agree the Sarang worth all the climb & wait! It was uber hugeee, about triple size of their smallest villa and very secluded to offer us utmost privacy.


From info we read, very minimal trees being chopped during construction of this resort and to not disturb the natural landscape, you’ll find each and every villa is rather designed to fit their original location. One obvious example seen in our Sarang, the big rock was not moved but instead made a nice, natural hide for our small plunge pool :) Guess the pictures do better talking..

tengok pun dah berpeluh!


our huge nest ;)


same seat found at lobby *wink


with sky & jungle view..check out the showerhead!

(very) small hot tub..

from homegrown Samadhi Spa

walkway to our pool, where MONKEYS usually found in the morning..no joking! :)


the 'rock' pool ;)

First thing we did was changed & spent hours in our private pool until we turned blue! We later learnt the water was from nearby bukit, no wonder the ‘sejuk’ was different so a sip of hot chocs was nice to warm us out after a long soak. Hubby then went back to reception (since no phone or even mobile coverage in room) to get some DVDs. I was already dozed off by then, and it was almost 7pm when we woke up and me being cliché, rushed to balcony konon to check out the sunset. Haha. It was a little cloudy, so sadly no sunset for us! Regardless, the view still...a breathtaking.. *smile*

candid him


Took quick shower, then head to Mandi Mandi Restaurant for our first dinner. Setting of jetty restaurant itself is unbeatable; it was built up on stilts above the sea with meters away from beachfront. For the first time, actual looked a lot better than pictures especially after the places all been lit up...now I know the TA reviewers were speaking truth hehe. BBQ was cancelled unfortunately, so we had everything ordered. They served Italian/ western cuisine and we’ve been told to fork out at least rm100/couple per meal. Not that friendly to pocket, but I guess fair considering its remote location.





chef at work!

waiting for our table

The bed already made up when we got back. Iced waters replenished, cleaned the used glasses, room was lit up our room scented candles and not to forget, little surprise left on our bed every night – chocolates! :) This is routine & among special touches you'll find in Japamala. The advantage of handling smaller guests at one time made them aware each and every guest whereabouts so they'll come to tidy up each time we left the room. Clearly, “Please Make Up Room” sign is not needed here.

yums!


Had our breakfast the next day at Tamarind Terrace (serving Indo-Chinese & a sister restaurant to Tamarind Spring, so you can expect the taste). With small occupants, they only prepared small buffet with basics like bread, fruits, cereals etc and we’re allowed to order (as many we want) from their menu – another personal touch :) Be it everywhere, Mango Lassi (or any yogurt drink I guess!) is something you shouldn’t miss including here in Japamala. Their homemade chicken porridge was fabulous, had to tapau some food cos hubby overly ordered – good thing, jimat our lunch! Hehe.




check out the bowl. old and rustic! ;)

Belle came to remind our complimentary Thai massage appoinment. Unfortunately one of their therapist was on leave so we had to forego any couple treatment offered. Massage took at one of the hut upside overlooking the sea, with breezy waves as background. Done by a skillful lady from Bali…the pressure was damn good, unbeliavably backpain I’ve been suffering has now gone!

one of massage hut (another climbing!)

I went to checkout the resort while hubby doing his massage and took as much pictures of Japamala. Rooms were all nested within the jungle and only accessible through their wooden walkways. Not that friendly to physically unfit or even kids, as some not even with hand railings. The resort constantly fully booked, mainly with honeymooners seeking for total privacy but locals rarely seen here according to Aruni the resident manager. Visited other villas, their next best with budget friendly option is Seacliff rooms, 3 units altogether – request for room 16, it offers best seaview & privacy! :) Met Mike, one of the staff on the way back (with warm smile of course) and interestingly, he asked how was my massage going. Goodness, we just met? The fact I still remember their names tells a lot about the staff (and Japamala itself) i guess..The warmth & bonding very unlikely to be found in other places :)
the seacliff rooms






We didn’t get to celebrate husband’s birthday earlier due to my brother’s wedding held on same date, so our final night at Japamala would be perfect time to make up with just the two of us :) Mike setup simple private dinner for us by the beach, at one of their beach hut. Funny that we start off having nasi and all sort for a supposed-romantic dinner hehehe..what to do their western jetty restaurant was closed due to heavy wind :p




I only arranged them that 3pm and left all the creativity to Mike and amazingly, they manage to pull out a cake for husband’s belated birthday! The taste? Think Haagen Daaz Belgian Choc, better version! And the best of all – it’s FREE. Husband was completely touched (Who doesnt? You got surprise cake on remote island okay) and never expect it as I was busy with weddings of lates. No nice card, only simple birthday note written on Japamala letterhead..lousy, i know!! :p


26th ;)


The final morning, we requested for in-room breakfast with everything ordered prior night. Nothing spectacular, except you dont have to rush & can dine with only bathrobe on hehehe. We then packed our thing with our most heavy heart knowing we’ll leave this paradise soon. We left some note in their guestbook before we checked out, and planning for similar fair review for Tripadvisor soon.

Overall, Japamala was our best stay so far and thank you again to husband’s friend for this wonderful trip. Time never a rush here, fully recommended especially for couples who wants to absolutely do nothing, like Japamala’s selling line DO NOTHING AT ALL, LET THE SURROUNDING DO IT FOR YOU.. All in all, being local, I have to agree with one note written by previous guest staying in similar room – never knew Malaysia had this..... :) :)

28 comments:

Richard Stafursky said...

All these developments harm the natural landscape.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_landscape
It does not matter what the developer/builder says.

The Spasmodic Scribbler said...

Hey, I dulu selalu gila bukak Trip Advisor and check Japamala punya review. Hahahaha. It's definitely one of the places that I plan to visit locally!! Tamarind restaurant is the best I tell you. The branch in KL sedap!! :))

gaun putih said...

dear : definitely falling in love too! thanks for d review. nak tanya u amek pakej dgn travel agent ke camane? wish to go there for honeymoon. :)

Umie a'iesya said...

asylla!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ting tong ting tong!!
:_)

aurinh said...

wow.. kat malaysia ke ni... tapi harga... berdeyum jugak rasanya..
takper lah... tgh simpan duit nak pergi negara orang... nanti dah tua kalau duit berkepuk2 mampu kut nak gi japamala hehehe... bila dah tua... nak dok cuti2 msia jer kut

Moose said...

this is definitely heaven on earth!

hana said...

the price of Rm1200, that 1 is per person or per couple? coz i googled and they satted per person..which travel agent that ur fren took ye?

Anonymous said...

Oh,just the kind of getaway i'm looking for this year.dlm msia n VIP services at affirdable prices..thanxomuch for the detail review..! Definitely i'm in love too

Liyana SCR said...

Almost pegi sane for honeymoon. lol. But considering hujan and all that. we changed to Bali. haha. Good review Ashylla. Boleh g ni later. ^_^

hidden.wing said...

Richard, they've made their effort to minimize the impact, at least :)

http://www.wildasia.org/main.cfm/RT/Japamala_Resort

hidden.wing said...

Gaun Putih/ Hana/ Hanehassan :

Dont go travel agent, they'll charge u almost double =( Just book through their website, go to :

Rates & Reservation > Low Season Package

Package price ni per couple, starting RM1250 (treetop room)and available for Nov-Jan je. Rainy season memang murah, drawback u kena spend for flight (return rm200+/px). Monsoon actually not bad, my trip aritu hujan malam je =)

Peak season boleh save naik boat, but room mahal gile. and takde package =( Personally, not worth it as for similar amount, u can get better value at other famous asian islands.. =)

If you're planning for >3N honeymoon, go bali/phuket/krabi..they have many pantais to choose from & plenty stuffs to do. japamala best, but your activities will limit within resort je hehe...

Happy planning! :D

hidden.wing said...

Farah, i first found Japamala actually in TA! Sbb tak puas hati why bukan Berjaya 1st ranked for Tioman..now i know!! hehehehe ;)

Umie : NANAAAAAA!!!

Aurinh : Betul babe, i pun merasa sebab org sponsor hee ;)

Moose & SCR :
Wey..cepatla review Bali! Orang nak buat itinerary niii..haha :p

dialicious said...

besnyeee..where exactly is this place?nape pic hubby je?org nak tgk dia la jgkkk..hehehe

hidden.wing said...

diah, kat tioman..kena naik another boat from tekek jetty tu..alaaa...dah gemuk gile, kalah org preggy tu yang malas upload pic hahaha

4weddingku Blog said...

OMG! u went here instead the place i reviewed is it? i think wise choice as this is more suitable for honeymooning!!

Perhaps can be one of my destinations -to die for 2011.

Thanks!

hidden.wing said...

mya, no...not this place hehe. will review next month after our visit! :D

dialicious said...

ooo tioman..ok tq 4d info.mandi mandi pon owned by tamarind jgk kt kde tu.hopefully i could go one day after baby dh besar skit.uhuhu
(selalu org conceive after blk beach/resort tau;p)

hani hanani said...

hi there...
im new here..the place very nice i think i wanna go for honeymoon... ;)
do read mine oso..
but im new in dunia blogging..
;) http://velvetpreciousmoment.blogspot.com/

hidden.wing said...

diah, staff kat sana can babysit jugak ;D hahaha...so yours conceived kat pangkor kan..kan :p doctor suruh i kurus sikit baru start conceive aiyaaa...

hi hanani, welcome & selamat pengantin baru :D

Liyana SCR said...

Ashylla, bali review done la. hehe

hidden.wing said...

Dah baca mmo..seawalker tu cam best ah! ;)

Are'in Zawjah Asyraf said...

wow...amazing...really fall in love wif ur story... mmg kebetulan yang sangat baik.. arein ngah mencari tempat yg lain dr yg lain tuk honeymoon dan we love nature.. so mcm nak pegi jgk... dah la kita sebaya.. dan kebetulan kami akan berkawin one week b4 birthday my future husband.. so mcm kebetulan la plak.. nak buat same cam u buat la.. hihi suprise clbrte bday + private dinner... wow..best tu... really love it n thanks for sharing..

putrinorashiqin said...

hye dear nak tanya...tempat nih cantik sgt tapi byk nyamuk tak sebab nanti boleh jadi allergic biler dah gigit kene byk sgt =__(

hidden.wing said...

are-in, go surprise your hubby! ;)

putri, luckily no nyamuk during my trip despite the rainy season. they do standby ubat nyamuk in your room if u need one, so no worries :)

era said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
era said...

its so cantik kan :) looking at this place for my honeymoon in dec this year insyaallah.. any recommendations to go about the package / booking? Thanks!

Reen Tart Nenas said...

falling in love! since i dont have proper honeymoon lagi, rasanyer need to spare some money for the trip to Japamala nie :) thx for the reveiw dear!

*baru baca blog nie

Fredrik N said...

Me and my whife are going there (seaview sarang, Japamala) in march 2012. After reading this I don't know how I can stand the wait.
Great pictures!