GOASIAPLUS August 2018

TRAVEL
The coastal village of Rantau Abang in
Terengganu, Malaysia used to be leatherback
turtles’ nesting site with turtles gathering over
tens of thousands in number before extreme poaching
puts a stop to it all. Turtle eggs remained as the
area’s local delicacy to this day but thanks to many
conservation efforts, sea turtles are slowly making a
comeback in an unassuming island of Redang.
SETTING A GREAT START
As a lover of island escapades, I am taken aback with
the crystalline shores as my boat slowly rocks on its
turquoise blue waters allowing a clear view of the
ocean floor. The sight is almost unnatural considering
Redang is one of the popular island vacation choices
in Malaysia, I went with the notion of crowded and
polluted beaches. I have never been more wrong.
The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort, the best-kept
secret of the island, is enclosed in between two hills
allowing ample private beach access for their guests.
Built back in 1993, the resort has come a long way
since wooden stilts jetty days and travelling for hours
to the resort. Considering the tip-top condition of the
surroundings, The Taaras engage a hands-on public
conservation effort in the island in playing their role
for a greener environment.
Slowly, the luxury resort is known for their active
involvement in improving marine lives and nature
through coral planting and turtle projects. The present
state of the crystal-clear waters is a fruition of a
decade’s labour through reefs planting from 10 years
ago. This naturally allows fishes, corals and other
marine animals to thrive in the scene. Such as one is
the resurgence of sea turtles.
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