Friday 14th- Pualu Tiga Dreading writing this entry cause there's so much to say! 7am- went to get picked up for our transfer to the jetty. I'm used to "Sabah time", which usually means ppl will be up to ½ hr late. But after it hit 7.30, I was starting to worry. There was a group of white water rafting guides sitting having coffee and one of them approached me saying "Kristy?" Took me a while to suss out who he was- a husband of one of the teachers for the deaf and he had attended the deaf camp. Anyway, turns out he was a tour rep and asked who we were waiting for- gave him the details and he made some phone calls for us around various tour groups to find out why we had been stranded. Then another guy turned up, who I knew from taking us White water rafting. He very kindly said that we could hop on his coach and take us half way there, then get us transferred to the jetty. So we took the 1+1/2hr coach ride to the train station I had been to a couple of months ago when we went rafting. He then managed to blag us a ride in a pick up truck to take us to the jetty. The driver and his mate didn't know any English- but from what they were saying on their walkie talkies, I sussed out that the boat was gona be leaving soon and we might miss it. So his foot soon hit the floor and we were rocketing over a bumpy road, round tight corners and narrowly missing other vehicles and pedestrians in the attempt to make the boat in time. Turned out that the boat hadn't even been prepared yet, and Edward, Peter and Catherine (who were also coming by their own arrangements) hadn't even arrived yet. So there was some time to catch our breath and pop to the loo before piling into another speed boat and set off for the island. It was soo nice to have the cool breeze in our faces and feel completely chilled out. Was cool to catch up with the others cause we hadn't met up in weeks. Pualu Tiga was the island used for the reality show "Survivor"- and it really was as gorgeous as it looked on the TV. Was just like- wooow. Palm trees, hammocks, driftwood, crystal clear warm waters- the works. Was definitely a "South Island Sea Paradise" as mum put it. It was pretty nice to stay on as well. There were a few main lodges- one for meals, a really nice seating area for drinks, cool bar, room with astro tv inside and amazing air con (although we didn't use it at all) and best of all- a karaoke and pool table room- was rocking! We had our own little chalet with a shower and sit on loo- was great! In the grassy area outside the shack, there were really traditional sea saws- like just a plank of wood and wooden handles. And wooden swings- was just so cool. There were tree swings by the beach as well. There were huge monitor lizards skulking about the main lodge- loads of them, and some mini Freds as well. But best by far were the "Barking Lizards". We never actually saw them, but now and then, out of nowhere, you'd hear a noise like a Jackrussel fighting with a toy and barking. Was hilarious- I think it was a Gecko making the noise, I'm not exactly sure, but was great! There were also friggin annooying birds. First thing that came to mind when I heard them was that some one's car alarm was going off- but then I was like, wait a minute, there's no cars here! So asked the guide, and they told us it was a type of bird. I think it makes the call when it wants you out of its territory. There were also holes along the beach, and some hyuuge ones further up the beach- we soon discovered there were mahusive crabs living in them. Anyway, on arrival, we were given a briefing and a map of where everything was. The main reason we went to the island was for the mud volcano's- so we checked out the route on the map for them first. After lunch we had a little nap cause it was soo hot. Then we set out on the jungle trek to get to the mud volcano. It was quite a trek to get there- and some people did it bare foot and only wearing their bikinis! There were only about 15 people staying on the island, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. When we reached the mud baths I just peed myself- everyone was caked and swimming in mud. I mean, what else would you expect in a mud bath?! But still, it was so sooo funny! The boys and Catherine were already there and were head to toe in mud. When I got in, it was just hilarious- its impossible to sink- the mud pushes your body up, so no part of me would go under until Georgie pushed me down. It freakishly felt like being on a muddy moon! We soon covered ourselves in mud, and I found that the only way of getting from one side of the mud bath to the other, was to swim cause you can't wade- u just pop back up again. There was an additional "Thick mud pool" which was great fun. You just go "splat" and the mud was nice and cooling. I thought it would be hot cause of the volcano but it was just right. Not cold either. It bubbled though, which made highly amusing noises and there were many "Pardon you!" comments passed by all. Georgie was having a great time sticking her hand down the holes that were bubbling, which I'm sure wasn't safe!! The mud didn't smell bad at all- I thought it would be more sulphurous. It started to smell a bit when it dried but when we were in the mud, it was OK. The main pool was like swimming in melted chocolate with loadsa bits in it (there were loadsa twigs and leaves). We sussed out that loadsa people must have lost loadsa of jewelry in it so Georgie tried to feel about and find some. For a start, its pretty much impossible to put your arms down to the bottom, cause the mud pushes them back to the surface straight away- she did manage to retrieve some mouldy leaves though. Mum spent her time as the observer and camera woman. Which was fine by us cause our cameras would have been wrecked, had we tried to use them ourselves! Catherine and the boys crazily dive bombed into the pool, getting mud in every oraphace - nasty. Especially in the mouth and eyes- pretty sickening and painful. Was absolute banter though! The mud on Georgie and I began to dry as we walked back, so the jungle trek became quite a task! Was such a relief to reach the sea. We just plunged in and started rubbing the goo off. Ended up skinny dipping since we were the only ones in sight. As I said to mum, it felt so liberating. And best of all, it was nice to get the mud off . The water was soo warm. It was just like taking a bath in a huuuge tub! The mud made our skin feel so soft, our hair was a bit skanky though. For the rest of the afternoon we just chilled on the beach, Georgie lay in a hammock, mum took dip in the sea as the sun went down and the local boys were fishing of the pier- it all looked so romantic. The sunset was just stunning. After indulging in such luxurious island experiences, we headed for dinner and the heavens opened. We were comfortable having our yummy buffet, but knew that Catherine and the boys were still out on their expedition around the island- it was pitch dark and there was a full blown monsoon coming down. Although we shouldn't have bothered worrying, we still did, and were about to call a search party, when Edward turned up drenched and panting. Turned out it just took a wee while to trek when its dark when no one has a torch- fancy that. After dinner, Georgie and I headed to the Karaoke room to have a play about. But then another family came in and we thought otherwise. We wanted to practice our "Livin on a 'prayer" duet, but they didn't have it! What's the deal! They had "Bed of Roses" etc, why not "Livin on a Prayer"?! Max (the guide) tried to get us to sing but we were having none of it! We thoroughly enjoyed watching a wee 5 yr old and his dad sing some Malay songs though. There are 2 Indonesian bands Georgie and I are fast falling for- "Peter Pan" and "Radja". We started singing along but the wee boy was just too good, so we just listened to him. Off to bed- up early for our next trip.