Gaya Island

If there is any resort that I’ll gladly return to again and again, it would be the Gaya Island Resort. I have not been to the Cameron Highlands Resort (another of YTL’s properties in Malaysia) but my stays at Pangkor Laut Resort, Majestic Melaka, Tanjong Jara and Majestic KL had left me with great pleasure and pleasant memories.

Each of their resort has its own charm, though I still name my favourites Tanjong Jara & Gaya Island. A triumph card in GIR is its surrounding beaches; where unlike Tanjong Jara and Pangkor Laut Resort, Gaya Island is surrounded by the most alluring clean and clear waters right at its waterfront, without having to take the boat out. It is secluded and safe, plus the sand is like a soft bed just made for tanning or lazing.

The water is pristine, magically green and blue. I generally avoid swimming in the sea as it leaves me all icky but swimming in the ocean here left me invigorated and refreshed.Take a quick look of this video so you will get a better idea of the space and layout of the suite.

As usual, I took the video as soon as I checked-in (so that the suite will still be clean and orderly) so pardon the uncertainty in some parts of my narration. And of course, if swimming is not your thing, head back to your villa, for there is always this huge bathtub to soak in.

Gaya, Payar, Maya, Raya, Kaya... okay, the last one is a pandan flavoured coconut and egg jam but a letter makes a huge difference in which pulau (island) one ends up on. While many of these remote Indomalaya island destinations boast immaculate beaches and are bestowed with spectacular natural attractions, few can match the distinguishing factor that sets Pulau Gaya apart... the luxe element.

Pulau Gaya soaks up its glam-grade from a couple of 5-star luxury resorts that call it home. I got a chance to stay at Gaya Island Resort by YTL Hotels during this trip and the experience was so sublime, Juliana and I extended one more night from our initial 4D3N arrangement with the resort. Who wants to leave heaven right?

Pulau Gaya is the largest island among a group of 5 islets consisting of Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik, and Pulau Sulug. Collectively, they form the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a designated sanctuary to preserve the on-land and underwater biodiversity of the region. So expect to come into close contact with virgin forestry and unspoilt coral reefs stitched together by powdery beaches.

One of the 'dangers' of going on a holiday at an isolated resort is ending up in a place with nothing much to see or do. While doing nothing and just chill spell the allure of island escapades, having the option to be as adventurous or as laid-back as one pleases ensures that the senses are never bored.

GIR is one such place that offers something for everyone. During my stay, I got to experience almost every activity and cuisine the resort has to offer and this blog entry is an attempt to capture all that I saw, played and tasted. It is going to be a long post with lots of photos but I hope it provides an overview of what to expect, what to see, when to see it, best spots to stay, what to eat as well as not-to-be-missed activities.

For experiences that are too sumptuous for just a brief mention in this post, I've written separate blog entries with their links included on this article. You can click on them to find out more details.

Adventures & Activities

Sandwiched between the forest and sea, GIR is a nature lover's perpetual nocturnal emission. In the morning, you can eavesdrop on the conversations between birds and try to spot them while the night coax love songs out of crickets juxtaposed with the lull of surf gently caressing the beach.

As Pulau Gaya used to be joint to the other 4 islands and the mainland in an unbroken chain of the Crocker Range, the island inherited some of Borneo's exotic flora and fauna. But with the flooding of the lowlands at the end of the Ice Age, the islands were separated and some of these plants and animals were stranded. Which is a good thing as quite a number of these plant and animal species are facing extinction on the mainland and Pulau Gaya acts as a kind of stronghold to conserve the wildlife. 

Purportedly, the endangered Proboscis Monkey can be found here along with discoveries of new species of indigenous plants, insects, mammals and marine life. I am a nature buff and the rich opportunities to encounter creatures I've never seen before was a real thrill and eye-opener.

But nature spotting is only one of the many activities available at GIR. A 'Weekly Activities Menu' in every guest villa stokes a sense of adventure and enthusiasm with free activities such as Nature Walk, Gaya Snorkeling Exploration, and Tribal Games among others. Guests can also book diving trips, rent kayaks, and go on a Sunset Cruise offered by the resort.