Redang, here we come...

I still remember my first trip to Pulau Redang oh-so-fondly.

My first time trying out snorkeling, my first time on banana-boat...

and numerous missed calls from my fiance-to-be (now hubby) that became a source of teasing

The only not-so-great part of being in Pulau Redang was getting a bad sunburn and I had to meet up my then MIL-to-be right after I came back from Redang. I remember feeling quite nervous that Monday, as Mak and I went to Seremban, and together - MIL, hubby, Mak & I - went in search of a suitable engagement ring. Alhamdulillah the sunburn did not either terrify or turn both MIL & hubby off, hehehe...

Anyway, I digressed.

The main point is - we are going to Pulau Redang. We, as in the whole Hj Hassan clan. That include uncles, aunts, cousins, nephew, nieces (and helpers) plus the staff working in the family-owned company. It is for some official family/staff bonding time. You know how we have always been reminded from time to time to take some time out to do some activities together as a family, trying new things together, learn together, and get to know each other better through another perspective...

I have a feeling we are going to have loads of fun, insya Allah.

Allahyarham Hj Hassan, my late grandfather had always instilled a strong sense of unity among his children, so the children are very close to each other. And even the second echelon - the grandchildren of Hj Hassan - are pretty close knit. So yes, I think almost everybody have been looking forward to spending some sunny days together on the white sandy beach, insya Allah.

We are going by bus - three buses had been chartered to accomodate the whole Rombongan Cik Kiah mesti meriah

It's going to be Baby Haniyya's first ride on a public transport. Huzaifah and Humaidi were used to taking buses and trains when we lived in Tokyo, but this will also be their first time taking a bus ride for a long distance travel. Last time in Tokyo, we only took the bus for short distance journey, preferring the train for long distance ones. Yup, in a way, it's going to be a test. And I really hope that my boys will be on their best behaviour on the bus. And I really hope that they won't get motion sickness.

We are going to stay in Laguna Redang Resort for 3days/2 nights and spend our last day in Trengganu in Pasar Payang and Taman Tamadun Islam, insya Allah.

Among the activities listed out in the tentative are snorkeling session, some sukaneka matches (tak sah hari keluarga agaknya kalau tak ada sukaneka) and some free-and easy time.

I am not sure whether or not I'll be able to snorkel this time around - what with having the boys around, but it'll be really cool if I get to do it one more time because subhanallah, it goes beyond words to describe the wonder and marvel of being among Allah's beautiful underwater creatures. But even if I don't get to do it - just to be able to take the kids to a beautiful, almost-unspoiled beach would be a great change from the usual trip to Port Dickson.

The last time I went there it was during off-peak season. It was quite calm & peaceful since we basically had the whole resort to our own. This time around, it's school holidays, so I am not sure what it will be like. Only that what ever else it's going to be, I have a feeling it's going to be very interesting, insya Allah...