Sebana Resort, Johor (5/2/2000 - 7/2/2000)
For the last 3 years, we had been out during the Chinese New Year holidays. This year was no exception. I have always wanted to visit Sebana Cove for a long time. After reading a article on the place, I called the Singapore office at (65) 333-3363 to book a 3D 2N stay in the resort, near the south-eastern of Johor. I was attended by a friendly and helpful staff. Cost was S$128 per adult and S$88 per child for one night with breakfast and one dinner. Additional night was RM330. This price was for Chinese New Year package
We boarded a ferry at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on a bright and sunny day at 12pm. Other departure times are 8am and 6pm. It is a far distance for us to come from the west to board the ferry in the east. Well, you cannot have everything, can you ? As usual, it was packed with holiday makers - couples, families with rowdy children, young people in groups, wealthy middle-aged dressed in expensive golf attires. Everybody was in good spirits. Naturally, we were on our way to holiday resort !
After about 45 minutes across the Johor Straits, we reached our destination(Sungei Santi) and were greeted by the hotel staff. There is a immgration office near the jetty where our passports were being stamped. Fortunately, the queue was not too long. If you are going to Desaru, this is also the checkpoint to alight. I saw a coach waiting there to pick visitors to Desaru.
Like most Malaysian resorts, Sebana Resort has the distinctive orange tile rooftops. With its 606-ha land area. it is bigger than the size of Tampines. There is a mooring facility for you to park your dinghy. A kind of place for the rich, I suppose. Don't worry - without dinghy, you are still welcome. The sight of all the yachts anchored in the marina was a beauty. After all the necessary check-in procedures, we began to explore the place. Behind our room, there was a big pond with overgrown mangroves. I got the feeling it was deliberately left it there so that to blend with the nature of the place. Before the resort was built, it was a oil-palm plantation. Now it has become a eco-tourist destination.
If you do not play golf, this place may be a little bored if you stay more than 2 nights. That was how I felt. Though it is near the sea, there is no nearby beach. It is also isolated in a corner where there is no nearby town or sightseeing by foot. How do we spend our time then ? It is a vast area. We rented bicycles to roam around. On another day, we booked a taxi and brought us to a small town called Penggerang. You can also reach this town by bumboat from Changi beach ferry point. As it was Chinese New year, most of the shops were closed in Penggerang. Fortunately, one seafood restaurant was open. We had a delectable lunch.
One dinner was covered for our package. I am not sure who is the boss of this resort. I guess it is a Chinese because lion dancers were invited to display their prowess during dinner time. To foreigners, lion dance was quite a sight to behold. With the drumming and sound of cymbals, it just added to the auspicious time of the holiday celebration.
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