Paradise in our own backyard

The best holidays are right here at home.

OVER the past few years I've noticed that more people spend their Hari Raya break out of the country. The rising trend seems to be to spend the first day of Hari Raya at home receiving guests or visiting relatives nearby, then take off the next day to a foreign destination not too far away.

I heard this year, half of KL's who's who, especially the politicians, chose to vacation in Bangkok, Thailand. (I'm sure it has nothing to do with rumours that a certain national leader would be taking his Raya break there too, thereby presenting an opportunity for those who want to lobby him for anything).

Another popular destination is Phuket, Thailand, which boasts some of the best ultra luxury resorts in the region, if not the world. But it's rainy season there this time of the year so it's not the best time to go unless you plan to stay indoors most of the time.

The other favourite choice is exotic Bali, Indonesia, with its myriad of high-end seaside resorts and villas along the sprawling beachfront.

Living in this part of the world, we are spoiled for choice. All these destinations are great, but why is the top of mind destination for a lot of Malaysia's elite is always somewhere out of the country? If we are going to a South-East Asian destination, do we not have vacation destinations of equal quality and beauty within our own borders?

I decided to find out if I can have just as good an escape within Malaysia as I would abroad, and opted to hop over to Redang island off the coast of Terengganu.

I've heard a lot about the island and was quite looking forward to experiencing the Taaras resort, an award-winning reincarnation of the former Berjaya Redang resort. But even before we got to the hotel, the magic of the island had already swept over me. I was in a relaxed holiday mode as our airplane made its final descent.

The azure and turquoise waters off Redang just took my breath away, and I almost felt like jumping off the plane straight into the inviting sea.

When we disembarked, the Taaras people were already waiting at the arrival area of the airstrip, with eager smiles and firm handshakes, ready to whisk us off.

They looked excited and happy to have us there, as though they couldn't wait to share the delicious little secret that is their resort.

The name 'Taaras', comes from the Sanskrit word taara meaning 'star' or 'apple of my eye' and also 'goddess of the sea', and indeed it's quite a fitting name for such divine accommodations.

A short drive from the airstrip and we were already on the driveway leading up to the luxurious five-bedroom villa that would be our home for the next few days.

The villa exuded an exquisite blend of tastefulness and simplicity – an imposing bamboo-panelled feature wall in the high-ceiling living room gave an immediate sense of space and relaxation as we stepped into the house.

On the ground floor, floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors showcase a sweeping vista of the entire mesmerising emerald laguna where the Taaras is situated. And as you step on to the lanai, you are greeted by a calming infinity-edge pool with a deck featuring luxurious wicker lounges and settees. You could just sit back here to take it all in and relax in the majesty of Redang's tranquil beauty.

I was shown the master bedroom that was as big as an apartment, complete with a walk-in wardrobe that could store a car. The view one wakes up to in that room made me felt like forgetting everything back in KL and just staying on this isle forever.

But that was just the begining of our Taaras experience.

In the afternoon, we decided to go snorkelling and scuba diving. A golf buggy took us from the villa straight to our awaiting private tender where a dive master, and five other hotel staff were waiting for us, prepared with diving and snorkeling equipments, drinks and also light bites.

The diving and snorkelling experience around Redang island is a story by itself, with its thousand and one creatures and colours bursting with life just below the water's surface. It was certainly made better for us by the thoroughness of the Taaras crew in their preparation, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable dive at every turn.

Coming back to the villa exhausted but contented, I thought the next thing to look forward to was dinner.

How pleasantly surprised I was, to find that the butler had anticipated my exhaustion and had ordered a refreshing massage right in my bedroom.

As the professional therapist kneaded away the day's weariness, I began to really wonder if I'd taken a wrong (or right) turn somewhere and ended up in paradise.

Then it was dinnertime, and our meal had been set up by the poolside. It wasn't just dinner though, it was a candlelit Thai dinner fit for a prince. Candles and lanterns added to the ambience as we sat down on Thai floor mats and cushions, and dug into an unforgettable four-course dinner.

This was one of the thirteen themed dinner experiences that the hotel staff are happy to put together for their distinguished guests.

Over the next few days, we savoured delicious meals from different cuisines. One of the most memorable meals is the succulent pistachio-crusted lamb. I don't know if it was the holiday mood, or the sheer indulgent feeling of being in the Taaras villa, but everything they served us seemed extra delicious, even the roti canai and nasi lemak for breakfast. I'm pretty sure I piled on the pounds, but let's not go there.

The few days in Redang, shuttling between the open sea and our cliff-edge villa were some of the most relaxing and rejuvenating times I've had in a long time, anywhere.

If you don't dive or snorkel, you can while away the hours with various activities, from having marine fish literally eat out of your hands in the knee-deep water of the hotel's private beach, to jungle trekking. Or you could opt to play tennis or hit the gym. The villa has its own gym by the way, so you don't even need to leave the luxurious premises to get a workout.

I didn't use the gym, but again, let's not go there.

All in all, Redang was just amazing. It was sad to leave the island paradise and head back to the grind in KL.

The private helicopter that flew us home helped alleviate the sadness a little, but it still meant the end of a wonderful holiday.

I vowed to return to Redang and to Taaras. And I vowed to share the magical experience, which is why I'm writing about it.

We go on vacations overseas and rave about how wonderful those places are, without realising that right here at home are some of the best holiday destinations money can buy.

I singled out Redang because I was just there, but I know that there are other islands and resorts that boast extraordinary comfort, luxury and service.

Perhaps its time we look closer to home before we decide where to go next to get away from it all. Malaysia's just as good as any holiday destination, if not better.

■ Snobama is always patriotic, but a bit more so this Merdeka Month.

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