Looking for Nemo in the Perhentians!
To while away a few free days, we took an hour's flight to Kota Bharu, a taxi to Besut and then a speedboat ferry to the island of Kecil on the Perhentians. This is one of 2 islands on the north east coast of Malaysia famed for their fantastic snorkelling and diving as they are surrounded by coral. We chose the less developed of the 2 islands with plenty of backpackers and simple accommodation. Initial impressions weren't great as the gorgeous sandy beach and turquoise waters were chock a block with divers, dive boats, backpackers and rundown shacks but we soon got into the laid back vibe. Our hotel chalet was fine although the hotel communal areas were scruffy and the breakfasts the worst we have had in Asia. However, we scrambled down to the hotel's beach and between a few boulders we found our own little bit of paradise. Perfect sand, a large tree and the clear waters a couple of metres from our sun loungers and no room for anyone else except on the last day when a Dutch family nearly sat on top of us!!!! As soon as you put your face below the water, it was like 'Finding Nemo'. Shoals of brightly coloured fish everywhere you looked. As my children know, I am the world's worst snorkeler as l don't like the feeling of claustrophobia. However, I persevered this time and really enjoyed it as it was so magical. Still, won't ever become a diver!!!
Experienced 2 heavy tropical storms while we were there with lightening forks, heavy claps of thunder and torrential rain. One occurred just as we got back to our room after dinner. Felt very sorry for the many people still sitting on the beach waiting for their barbecued fish. This was a highlight of the island! You wandered down to the beach shacks and chose which fish you wanted cooked. The downside was the 90 minute wait but this was helped along by the illicit beers for sale from cool boxes. Terengganu is a dry state but the police turn a blind eye most of the time to the tourist destinations. However, from time to time the resorts are raided and the cool boxes and the half bottles of whiskey and rum disappear for a few days. One hazard to try and avoid on the way back in the dark were the lethal metal boat anchors half embedded in the sand!!! The rain also brought out the monitor lizards. I spotted one the size of a large dog with very short legs disappearing between chalets. Didn't know they could grow that large!!! Not something l would like to encounter in the dark.
We were staying on Coral Beach but we could take a footpath up and down through the jungle to the beach on the other side. It was only a 15 min hike so could chose to eat on either side. Long Beach was more spread out so more families stayed on this side. There was entertainment with fire pit performers and lots of lounging with shisha pipes but everyone was asleep and quiet by midnight. This isn't a party place but still very popular with young Aussies and Europeans.
So after a very relaxing few days, we are back in Penang waiting for Kevin's brother and wife to join us for a Malaysian road trip. First, we will show them the sights of Penang which is great at this time of year. It is the Hungry Ghost festival so all the Chinese are burning paper money, effigies, etc to keep the dead spirits happy. Everyday there is a new place in the street to watch what is going on which includes Chinese Opera and puppet shows. Georgetown also has a cultural festival running this month so there are lots of cultural shows, exhibitions etc... Later in the month, we have tickets for an Indian tale told in Chinese Opera. Should be interesting.... The sight of the week goes to our favourite dim sum place, Tai Tong on Cintra Street which has festooned its ceiling with children's lanterns. Yesterday we sat under brightly coloured Hello Kittys and Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles as the dim sum trollies rolled past.
Til the next blog and love hearing from you all Xx