A CORNER OF PARADISE: BAYU LESTARI RESORT, PULAU BESAR

As a team with an academic background in tourism, we know how valuable travel fairs can be and try to attend national and international events whenever possible. During our year in Kuala Lumpur, we visited the MATTA Fair, one of the region's important travel fairs, and met the owners of this charming resort there. You can read the detailed story of our island stay elsewhere; this article is a short review of Bayu Lestari Resort, where we spent four days. It reflects our 2018 visit, so confirm current facilities, seasonal opening dates and transfer arrangements directly with the resort before booking.

At the time of our stay, Bayu Lestari Resort consisted of 22 bungalows and villas of different sizes. Some were designed for couples, while others were large and well equipped enough for an extended family—or perhaps even two families.

Our room was a spacious, comfortable bungalow for two with a magnificent view of the beach. Inside was a very large double bed draped with a mosquito net, a generous built-in wardrobe and a private bathroom. The best feature was the veranda with its million-dollar view. In the late afternoon, we loved taking tea outside and watching a series there.

During our visit, bicycles and kayaks were available to guests free of charge. The weather was not suitable for kayaking, so we chose bicycles. We rode up and down the island's roughly 1.5-kilometre path, taking dozens of photographs. Sometimes we cycled to the end of the public jetty, looked back at the island and felt grateful to be there. Beautiful places have a way of making people emotional.

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WHAT CAN YOU EAT ON THE ISLAND?

There was no proper grocery shop nearby, so guests depended largely on meals provided by the island's resorts. Mr Faisal asked what we wanted at every meal and cooked for us. Had we been demanding guests, we might have requested all the Turkish dishes we missed—karnıyarık, stuffed vine leaves and peppers—but we did not want to make his life difficult, so we said we would happily eat whatever he suggested. The result was plenty of chicken and fish, always fresh sea fish. We were told that a buffet was planned once the resort was fully operational; if we return, we will report back. Meal formats may now be different, so ask what is included in the current rate.

A traditional Malay meal: chicken and rice.

The resort's common area, where breakfast and lunch were served.

Perfect for relaxing during the day.

Fried banana and tea.

WHAT CAN YOU DO AT BAYU LESTARI?

One of the leading activities was visiting other islands. It sounds funny, but on many Southeast Asian islands the biggest excursion is an island-hopping tour. Although leaving one island for another may seem unnecessary, each has its own scenery and some have only a single resort. A boat trip arranged by the property could take you toward nearby islands such as Rawa and Tengah. The resort could also help arrange a local guide for a trek toward Pulau Besar's east coast, with a boat collecting you after the walk. Sea conditions, access rules and operators change, so confirm the exact route, safety equipment and environmental rules before setting out.

When we visited, the monsoon had not fully ended and the season had not officially begun, so the resort was not yet operating at full capacity. Even so, the staff treated us like family and did everything possible to make us comfortable. Malaysians, like Turkish people, can be wonderfully hospitable and generous.

Us, setting off to explore the island.

Mr Faisal, who treated us like family.

HOW TO GET TO THE RESORT

To reach the resort, you first need to get to Mersing and arrange the island transfer with the property. After booking, the resort contacted us to schedule a boat from Mersing harbour. A small boat carried us directly to the resort's jetty in around half an hour. The ride could be wet and bumpy, so a waterproof layer and dry bag are useful. Boat times depend on weather, tides and the resort's current operations; never assume the old schedule still applies. For buses from Kuala Lumpur to Mersing, compare BusOnlineTicket or Easybook. If you are travelling from Singapore, you can cross into Malaysia and continue by bus, or search the same booking platforms for through services. Confirm your passport, entry and onward-transport requirements before departure.