The entire Borneo Backpackers is on stilts and whilst the Malaysian adults go to prayer, the kids provide us with a bouncy castle experience at 5am. We opt in for 1 more fun dive and head to Stingray city. An easy wall dive with a fun drift towards the end. Spot a large friendly Broadclub Cuttlefish which I happily watch change colours for awhile. Lunch is served at 10:30am. A bonus after my bread and noodles. Ben is happy as the only dish worth eating appears, sweet and sour chicken.
The hostel has inherited a mascot. A scrawny cat called Scabby that appeared a few weeks ago. I can't blame it seeking sanctuary as it's a tasty little snack for a monitor lizard.
I watch the lizards from the beach. Craig goes to photo a large one on the beach. I see one go in the water and under the hostel beams. An eagle swoops onto a nearby beam in pursuit.
We have 2 new prison inmates, Nick, a New Zealander and Kristian,a young English lad about to start his PADI open water.
Nick comes with us to go snorkeling on the other side of the island. He's off travelling for a year and is a similar age. There are a number of nicer places to stay at this side and we navigate the shallow water passing a minefield of sea urchins.
Once out, there are a variety of larger reef fish here, which gets better the more we weave in and out of the piers with resorts on top. We spot a large sea snake and watch it trying to feed. Boxes and artificial objects have been placed for new divers which is a boon for lion fish, nudibranches and many fish avoiding predators. On our way back Craig decides to walk but I reckon its quicker swimming. I almost bump into another sea snake. Unlikely to bite but enough to make me jump being 50cm away.
Ben and Marcelo are not diving tomorrow so take the opportunity to have a good few drinks. The military police make their nightly call. Once the rum is finished we walk with Ben and Luana through the village maze to find the rum smuggler. Pitch black, dogs barking and only a few lights on, a local lady who seems to know Ben joins us and leads the way. On a mildly wider roads she announces "Welcome to Hollywood", which signifies the centre. At the only hut with lights on, a few bottles are bought for £4 each. Not bad for a Muslim country. On return, whilst talking to Nick and Kristian I turn to see a rather drunken Ben with an M16 in his hands, Kevlar vest on and tin helmet on his head. Obviously I take a photo. We chat with the police and the weapons are from the Vietnam War. Jackets loaded with bullets and only bullet proof from the back. After humouring us for awhile we leave them with a rum. As tempting as it is to stay up, I call it a night so that I am ready for the dives tomorrow.