GOASIAPLUS August 2018
Our August issue shines in Merdeka spirit with Kenny Loh's stories of Malaysians across the country. Inside, this issue explores a Malaysian favourite; durian and the turtle hotspot in Redang. We also featured the story behind a successful Malaysian start-up of Hometown Hainan Coffee
Our August issue shines in Merdeka spirit with Kenny Loh's stories of Malaysians across the country. Inside, this issue explores a Malaysian favourite; durian and the turtle hotspot in Redang. We also featured the story behind a successful Malaysian start-up of Hometown Hainan Coffee
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TRAVEL<br />
REDEEMING SEA TURTLES<br />
To support the repopulation of sea turtles in Terengganu, The<br />
Taaras has employed marine biologists to observe the natural<br />
surroundings and optimize the growth of turtles. Seatru Turtle Lab<br />
in The Taaras is a scientist’s lab with in-house academics who study<br />
the turtles hatching process. It also serves as a viewing and learning<br />
gallery for guests to engage with the biologists on-board.<br />
Lyvia and Nadhirah are both graduate research assistants who<br />
are part of the Sea Turtle Research Unit from Universiti Malaysia<br />
Terengganu. It is vital for these academics to be present as Lyvia<br />
and Nadhirah show how research can help people. As bad as I am in<br />
science, these kind souls are enthusiastically warm in helping me to<br />
understand more about the endangered turtles and their hatchingrelease<br />
process.<br />
Turtles watching point in Redang is only a 5 minutes boat ride<br />
away from The Taaras. There are many tame sea turtles like the<br />
Hawksbill and Green Turtle gathered at the area and I was lucky<br />
enough to swim and interact with turtles that is half as tall as me.<br />
The resort also houses a rescued Hawksbill with missing fins and<br />
right eye — named Nabil. It became their resident turtle because<br />
Nabil has lost its ability to navigate the waters and survive in the sea.<br />
Coincidentally, the nesting season for turtles is from April till<br />
October so once the eggs are safely hatched in lab, guests can even<br />
participate in the baby turtles release event at The Taaras’ private<br />
beach. It is rewarding and sad at the same time to see these baby sea<br />
turtles venturing out to the ocean alone knowing that they only have<br />
1% of survival rate to maturity.<br />
By doing everything they can to save these endangered turtles,<br />
The Taaras is equipped in spirit and strength to regrow sea turtles’<br />
population with their guests and revitalize Redang as a beautiful<br />
eternal home for these creatures.<br />
THE TAARAS BEACH AND SPA RESORT<br />
Kampong Ulu Redang, Terengganu, Malaysia<br />
+ 60 (9) 630 8888 | www.thetaaras.com<br />
From now onwards, The Taaras has daily flights from Subang Airport directly to<br />
Redang Airport in their private ATR aircraft.<br />
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Graduate research<br />
assistants, Nadhirah and Lyvia; Newly-hatched<br />
baby turtle making its way to the waters; Overview<br />
of the resort enclosed in between hills<br />
24 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
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