Tanjong Jara

By Allan Yap & Nigel A. Skelchy

BONG!

The ringing gong resonated in the breeze.

We had just left civilisation and entered an entirely more civilised form of existence. One that would normally cost almost RM900 a night.


I'm behind the camera 


The only internal combustion engine to be heard was our V6 ticking over gently at idle. Otherwise it was birds, cicadas, and crickets all chirping. Just sufficiently loud enough that it was comforting. It was almost like Disney was "back of stage" managing the entire experience.


Allan in pool 

From the time the 4 of us arrived (YL, Mimi, A & myself) we were pampered, fed, watered, pummeled, kneaded, into a relaxed euphoria. It was almost like we hit the ground with laser like focus to relax. We kept our eye trained on our objective and worked at shedding our cares and concerns with all the intensity of prize fighters.


Watching gamelan players 

By the time we left, after the spa sessions (which were all included in the price of RM699 each) the incessant feeding at the glorious troughs, the dreamy gamelan floating on the candle lit night breeze, and the enjoyment of the kampung suites, we were well and truly ready to handle whatever the next week threw at us, before we had to focus on our upcoming CNY holiday.


Poolside at night