The journey from Kedah to Mersing, Johor, was long, but sleep? Not happening. I was too caught up in a mix of excitement, nervousness, and a little bit of anxiety. Every time I tried to doze off, I’d wake up again, thinking about what was waiting for me.

My internship at TIC | Tengah Island Conservation was about to start, and to make it even more special, it was also the first day of Ramadan in 2025. As I waited for the speedboat, I noticed other parents sending off their kids, probably my soon-to-be teammates. It felt surreal.

Then, came the tough part of saying goodbye.Seeing my mum’s tears as she waved at me made my heart sink. This was it. The final stretch of my degree requirement, the last thing I needed to do before graduating. With a deep breath, I took a step forward, ready to embark on this new adventure.

From the left—Ain, Azwa, me, and Auni. How did I know their names? Well, of course, we introduced ourselves and had a little chit-chat to get to know each other before reaching our destination. Nothing beats bonding over shared excitement and nervousness!

The speedboat ride was a quick 15 minutes and thank goodness the sea decided to play nice with no wild waves or surprise splashes. But the real show? It was the water. I swear it felt like we were cruising through a real-life filter transformation. One moment it was all ‘teh ais’ brown vibes near the jetty and then boom, the water started turning into this stunning crystal-clear blue that looked like it came straight out of a travel brochure. That’s when it hit us. We were officially at Tengah Island. And wow, it was love at first sight.

Psst… if you’ve never been here before, let me tell you, that first glimpse is always breathtaking. No matter how many pictures you’ve seen, nothing prepares you for the real thing!

The first week was all about settling in and getting to know the place. We spent time exploring the island, learning our way around, and meeting the amazing people who call this place home. It was such a fun and refreshing experience because literally everything around us felt like something out of a dream.

We were just getting back to work after the patrol when suddenly there was a turtle track alert! A fresh trail was spotted at Long Beach near the Sunset Bar, and we were hyped. It was our first real chance to handle a nest that could be home to our future baby turtle squad.

We rushed over and did all the steps like pros—measuring tracks, ID-ing the species, and jotting down coordinates. Then came the moment... we poked around and brrruuufff the sand caved in. Nest chamber found! We started digging, following everything we learned from our training, and then... boom! We got around 30 yellow "ping pong balls."

We were screaming, "BINGO!" until... surprise! It was a prank nest by Emanjis. We all stood there, faces frozen, then burst out laughing. Hands down, the funniest day ever!

Jetty jumping? Another hands down —the best feeling ever! There’s nothing quite like climbing up to the top, feeling the breeze, and then taking the leap into the cool, refreshing water below. The rush of the jump, followed by the splash, always left us laughing and wanting to do it all over again.

I also had the chance to kayak around the island, and it was a truly unforgettable experience. Gliding through the calm, crystal-clear waters, surrounded by the beauty of the ocean, felt like a dream. Every moment spent floating out there, taking in the breathtaking views, is something I’ll always cherish.

But this is just the beginning! I’m beyond excited to continue my journey here at Tengah Island Conservation, especially with the dive surveys ahead. There’s so much more to explore, learn, and experience, and I can’t wait to dive deeper into this adventure. Stay tuned for more as I continue to discover the wonders of this place!

Nature, Conservation & Adventure: My Pulau Tengah Experience - SYAD, APR 2025

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