Goodbye Perhentian-Hello Langkawi

29-30th July

Eating breakfast while watching the sunrise.

Of course we both ordered eggs sunny side up.

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Last breakfast at Bintang View Chalets was a sad occasion, as we really liked this place and the people running it. Their food was always excellent and fresh, and friendly service.

So I went for my last two dives, and David stayed doing his Swedish homework, while listening to heavy metal of course. And he sneaked in an hour of sun bathing, to relieve the stress of language learning. After that David bought flights to Vietnam, and Visa on Arrival is also sorted now. Its good to plan ahead, and cheaper too.

Long Beach

(it might be hard to believe, but I've seen longer)

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We caught the last speed boat to Kual Besut, to catch a bus to Kota Bharu. Once again, the Malaysian people (well te ones that have the pleasure of dealing with tourists) tell us lies about buses, in turn making us wait for 2 hours, while the taxi drivers laugh at us, and keep waiting like vultures for us to give up, and take their taxi, for 5 times the going bus price. However, on this occasion, we gave them the middle finger, and organised a car with a family going to Kota Bharu for a better fair. Wehoo.

On the way the heavens opened, and it started raing cats and dogs. Heavy thuder and lightning showers, monsoon style. That didn' stop our driver speeding and overtaking at any given moment. Scary stuff.

On arrival to the bus station, with an hour to spare, of course we were dropped off at the wrong station, meaning we had to take a taxi again. While David was getting a taxi organised, I was being harrased by a young boy, looking at my chest. (He was very fascinated by them). While still the heavy rain poured down, and us with no rain cover. Wet wet wet.

We made it none the less, as good travellers do, with empty stomachs since lunch time and aching limbs. For food we had to resort to youghurt and banana, the youghurt however had a life of its own when opened, it nearly ran off the table, thats how alive inside it was. The overnight bus followed, with its usual freezing tempertures, resembling Swedish winter.(Hence the multi coloured socks, as they retain more heat than normal ones).

Socks ar us!

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Arrival in Alor Star, was the same as usual. Bright and early at 5.45 am, so no public transport til 7 am. We had the approach from taxi men, with usual story. (The ferry leaves at 7, you should take a taxi, bus is not reliable, blah, blah,blah). Nice guys though. NOT

Angela (sleeping) and David (watching the bags, of course)

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Surprise surprise, there was a public bus going to the jetty, and for a third of the price. So our respect for taxi scum, still the same. (It does not exist).

Fishing boats (not the ferry boats)

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So here we are on Langkawi Island, it looks bigger than we are used to, but with many things to keep us busy here, so gonna enjoy it. Its low season here, so accomodation is not a problem, unlike the Perhentians.

Angela & David

Diving in War Bay

28-29th July

Nami & Angela

Getting ready for the "Back Roll"

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The diving in Perhentian Island i recommend strongly!! (Quiver DIVE TEAM. Ask for Nami or Jimmy, They're excellent!) I ended up doing 5 dives there as it was really cheap. (12euro/120kr per dive)

We went diving at a wreck and saw some bamboo sharks, a giant star puffer, Lion Fish and lots of scorpion fish. In D'Lagoon later on that day we saw a massive Sting Ray and some really sweet cleaner shrimps.

The Day after (yesterday) we went diving at "Tg Bas'e" and the last dive was at "War bay with Nami & Tan. We had such a good time! First 30min we didn't see anything. A few minutes after Nami wrote on her little underwater writing board "NO FISH!!" & "Shark Wanted!!" they kept coming one by one. First, the cutest EVER, a yellow baby "Box Fish" then we saw Nudi branches, MATING!! And last but not least, a Black tip Shark!

Here are some pictures from D'Lagoon.

Angela

D'Lagoon here I come!

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Jimmy & Angela

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Angela

Saying hello to the "Clown Fish"

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Big Sting Ray

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Me, Nami & the other girls

(Too much Nitrogen made me forget their names :)

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I already miss the diving, and of course Nami and the other people in Quiver!!

But....I'll be back :D

Ps. David's ears are still soar, He practiced swedish while i was in the water, Tomorrow we're going to Langkawi!

Angela & David

27th July

Last night we didn't do much. Had some nice irsih made salad and went down to the beach for some hot lemon tea and internet before crawling into bed. We couldn't stop having fun speaking in knacker dub accent! So funny.
Less funny when i woke up this morning and discovered i vas COVERED in bites! They're small bumpy little bites and it lookes like it's water under them. No one knows what bit me, so if anyone had it before please let me know what it is. At breakfast this morning i counted them and i have 115 bites on my arms and legs. Very scratchy.

The Bites

Trust me, they look worse in real life! I'm a monster!

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Anyway, after breakfast we went down to the beach as the sun finally seemed to find his way back to universe! We got a few minutes on sunbathing before it was time for my 1 o'clock dive! They have brand new equipment here so that was grand! We went to a place called Batu Layar for an hours dive. Got down to 18 meters and saw some cool fish like Blue spotted stingray, Indian Walkman and a big group of barracudas. The visibility wasn't that good, but my Dive Master for today, Nami, was so much fun and great to dive with.

While i was having fun in the water David was having fun reading his book, "The girls who played with fire" (which we both recommend, a great read!)

Jimmy & Nami

My two Dive Masters for the diving in Perhentian

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Our friend, Mister Lizard

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I'm doing 2 other dives tomorrow, one at 9 o'clock which is going to be a wreck dive. That should be great fun! The boat sank in year 2000 and is 88m long!! Another one at 4 o'clock at a place called D'Lagoon. So excited!

And David, well he is going to learn some Swedish and work on his tan :D

Angela & David

Lovely Perhentians!

25th July

It was easy enough to get from Merang to Kuala Besut, where we had to get a boat to The Perhentian Islands. It was only when we arrived in Besut we started to get small problems. We bought the boat ticket, no problems. But we found out they had no bloody ATM on the island so we had to ask them to drive us to an ATM. They lied to us of course and said it was really far away and it would cost 8euro (80kr) to get there and back. After a while he said "ok, for you, special price, 4euro" His bad attitude made David go and look for another Taxi that could drive us there. But 4euro seemed to be their standard price. (He tried to trick us and get 8 euro first, but we're not that dumb) But aswell, it was only 8km there and back and only took about 15 min.
They said the speed boat was leaving at 1, then they changed their mind to 1.30, then 2 o'clock. And then we just made our own way to the ferry and found out they actually don't have a set time, they're just waiting for enough people to buy tickets so it'll save them more money. (Fuckers). We met some nice Norwegians to keep us company and do some complaining together.
When we arrived anyway, there was absolutely NOWHERE to stay, everything was fully booked and there was about another 20 people going up and down long beach looking for accommodation. The last way out for us was to take a taxi boat to another beach (A guy told us they had 2 rooms left for us) So we joined with the Norwegians and took a taxi boat to Impiani beach. And as he said, there was 2 rooms left for us, so that was nice. The price on the other hand wasn't that nice! But we got a private beach and a big nice room, so we shouldn't complain.
So today Me and one of the Norwegian girls had to come here at 8 o'clock and see if there was anyone checking out. And, FINALLY, we got a room. Room is very small with shared bathroom, but it is lovely and cosy. The food is cooked by an Irish woman from Waterford and she makes really nice, and delicious food! And we've got a stunning view from the little restaurant!
Other bad news is that David was feeling a bit soar in his ear so i told him to take the taxi boat to the clinic, to check it out. He did and the nurse said he had an ear infection in both ears and he's now on antibiotics, paracetamol and ear drops. While he's in pain i'm going to go and do some more diving tomorrow! Yeeehaaa!!

na na na.... Incy Wincy spider climbed over our bed...na na na!

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Angela & David

24th July

Today has been a great day once again.
We went snorkelling in the "Marine Park of Redang". This place is very protected, well most of the island is protected, that's why it's so bloody expensive to go there. But anyway, there was plenty of fish and nice corals in the marine park to keep me and David happy for over an hours snorkelling. Barracudas seem to love David as every time we see them they keep swimming around him. (His only wish is that girls would do the same once in a while :D hahaha.)
We also saw some Nemos and some beautiful parrot-fish and butterfly-fish. The fish in the Marine Park are so used to getting fed with bread so if you are in the water and just hold out your hands without any bread, they will still come and nibble on your hand. Sweet.

David snorkelling with te fish

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Christmas tree corals

When you hover your hand over them, they will quickly go back into their "homes"

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Angela
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While i was taking some pictures of fish, David spotted a giant fish, which i first thought was some sort of Parrotfish. So i took the camera and swam down to take some pictures. When i got up again, i looked at him and thought, he's not a parrotfish, he's a triggerfish!!!! (Triggerfish can actually attack you, if you get too close, or if they are protecting their eggs, or if they feel like it).
But luckily for us, he was more interested in what was under the rock, than us.

The bloody Trigger Fish

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First dive went very well, around the reef. Where buyoncy was good, and saw 3 triggerfish. At one stage the dive master had his knife out (just incase). Saw the usual fish suspects in the water, and back to the shore, just in time to join the other gang for the boat dive. We went out and had to do a back roll water entry, first for me. On the trip around the rock the sea current was very strong and there was no need to do any leg work as the current did it all. I saw "see through" fish, were you could actually watch his/her heart beating. And also some huge stingrays, they were cool. However, the turtles are yet to be discovered by me, they even have turtle wanted posters in all the resorts. It was a nice dive none the less, and it was very good to be back in the water again, it has been awhile since completing the course in Koh Tao.

Angela

Ready to go diving

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Angela

Just LOVE it!

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Angela

Doing the sign for "i'm OK"
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David

At last he found a friend that didn't mind the way he smells

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The last supper was interesting too, as there was karaoke session near by, with some very awful and screaching sounds coming from it, which went on late into the night. Even the heavy thundery rain didn't silence the singer wannabees.
Perhentian Islands next. The weather is not looking the best, but we don't care.

Angela & David

Pulau Redang

23rd July

Holy crap. That was some long uncofortable hours on the bus.
We spent all day yesterday in the city of Mersing waiting for the bus to sweep us away to beautiful Pulau Redang. Mersing is a city FULL of nothing really. We had 10 hours before the bus arrived. We spent most of the time in an internet cafe and the rest in a restaurang eating.
The journey was horribly uncomfortable and long. It was over night and took 6 hours. It was, as always in public buses and boats, freezing!! But we survived thank god!

Arriving in Kuala Terengganu bus station we were once again hassled by taxi drivers trying to make big bucks. We were speaking to one taximan asking him the price and then told him we wanted to think about it. After 2 minutes this other madman came up and asked if we wanted to go with him. So this first taxi man came up and said that we already promised to go with him. But then The madman got angry and started shouting at the other taximan in front of us, they nearly started fighting! We ended up missing the public cheap bus to the ferry while they were shouting at each other. So the only choice we had left was to go with the madman! He's by far the most weirdest person i've ever met! It's hard to describe him, but he was one of those people that you get shivers of when they even just look at you. He kept saying he wanted to be our friend and he kept saying i was beautiful and when i laughed at him he kept saying "I mean it, I mean it!" and those words he also kept saying inbetween every sentence.
But anyway, the drive to the ferry went ok, we got on the boat and of we went to Redang.
The most clearest blue water i've ever seen. It's a beautiful island, and probably the best beach we've seen so far!!

Pulau Redang

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After freshening up, we grabbed buffet lunch and headed for the sun beds before the snorkelling trip. The snorkelling place was very disappointing, there was over 40 of us, keen snorklers. But above all, we were brought to a bad, nearly coral free, and fish free area. We did manage to find some reef life, nothing new or exciting though. Oh well, tomorrow we go to the marine park, surely they can't mess that up.

David

and the sunbed

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David (saying hello)

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Shawl of Fish
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David

doing the snorkell dance

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Angela & David

Scuba Dave

21st July

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David

Enjoying every minute of the sunset in a hammock

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Today was a special day, well for David anyway! He had decided to attempt another discover scuba dive, this time with success. He completed some of the underwater skills, and dived around the small coral reef at the front of the resort, and it was nice (he said). But above all, he dived. No pictures, as our underwater camera has been out of action due to memory card failure.

I however, spent the day snorkelling and trying to beat the crap out of the sunflies.

After he finished we had a small lunch and went on a snorkelling trip to Pulau Tulai (Coral Island). We had a private boat, and three different snorkelling locations, all which varied in beauty. First was the best, it had lettuce coral, brain coral and many colourful fish......but still no turtles. Second coral garden was more ordinary, but with very high current. We also got too close to the rocks and the seagulls were attempting to grab the snorkell tube out of the water. I suppose they are only protecting their young ones. Third spot was very deep and dark and rocky, but had the bigger fish on show, and it was nice to swim around the rocks. Still no turtles though....ah well. Maybe next place!

The Chef & David

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Miss Kitty
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For dinner we met up with Ahmad and Momo, and some of their friends. We went again to our favourite bbq and had a tasty meal, with "Me, Myself and Irene", was the night screening on the big screen. Got to bed after that pretty early, and slept the night away.

Angela and the rest of the group enjoying the shisha.

Mixed fruit flavour
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Bye Bye Tioman

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Going to Pulau Redang, tomorrow!

Angela & David

Hangover on Tioman Island

20th July

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Spider-Woman

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After waking up at around noon, the sun was high in the sky! Sweat was pouring out of every pore, and we had started to feel the Sahara mouth syndrome, the needles piercing the skull, and shear hunger pains. So it was time to get up and brave the world.

We grabbed some brunch and headed for the beach, where we snorkelled near the jetty. Nice and relaxing day, saw some huge kimodo type lizards going through the thrash and a million cats, of course!

After the snorkelling, we tried sun bathing, however the sand flies are hungry. They are so small, and suck blood pretty well, even as well as mosquitoes do. So we got the hell off the beach, and refreshed ourselves before getting ourselves some bbq. And would you believe it, they actually had potatoes. The meal was excellent, and we topped the day by watching "Into the Blue" on a big screen.

Angela & David

Pulau Tioman - Here We Come!

19th July

Pulau Tioman

Pulau Tioman here we come!!

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Tioman is a really cosy little Island on the East coast of Malaysia. But to get there you must endure a winter spell in the ferry boat from Mersing to Tioman, their air conditioning unit is set to a minus setting.

On arrival, and after settling in our cardboard box. (our little bungalow was again, very very basic, no sink this time, just a bucket and a tap),we were then treated to a fine sunset. Then some supper, which led to a few beers. Even with "Duty Free" It's actually not that many people boozing. It's very layed back and nice.

Sunset on Salang Beach

(Could it be a better sunset than on Koh Phi Phi???? You decide!)

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Found some friends (names not included)
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Found some beer (headache included)
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All in all, it was a fine evening. Great laughter, and a good first night in Tioman.

Angela & David

Malacca City Tour

18th July
Malacca City Tour

We had a hot and sweaty tour of the city today, the sun was shining and the people were out in force for the weekend. We decided to hire a trishaw, with one condition in mind that he has to play Michael Jackson cd over the speakers, for everyone to hear. Which he didn't mind as he was getting paid. Plus this is the way the trishaw works, they are all pimped up with flowers and glitter and big base speakers. Sweet ;) So we caught the sights, and had some fun with Michael along the way. The tour lasted for 30 mins, as the city is small and everything can be reached by walking. There are a lot of museums here, and a big shopping mall, if you need some designer gear. For everything else there is the night market, where you at least can bargain for your goods.

Angela & David

Sharing the love on a Trishaw

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Angela & David

The portuguese ship

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David...

...about to get blown away
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Trishaw heaven

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Madan Noriza's Guest House

The family we were staying with

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Great day, so far, now we are gonna grab a pizza, as fried rice is off the menu for today. And to top it all off, we are going to the cinema (Whehoo). To see Transformers 2. I love Malaysia, they don't dubb their films......

Tomorrow we are on the bus early again and we are hitting the beach trail now. Off to Tioman Islands for some snorkelling, diving and the duty free boozing. Need a beer.

Arrived in Malacca

17th July-Malacca

We arrived at 5pm in Malacca, after getting 3 seperate buses from Taman Negara, over all 10 hour trip. We got picked up by Ahmad and Momo, the guys that we have met in Ireland, through Anna Bezubka (thanks Anna). Ahmad showed us the city, and we got checked into a lovely guesthouse on Melaka Raya Street. Norizah is the lady in charge there, and she made us feel at home. We played some games with their daughters, before catching up again with Ahmad and Momo for a dinner and a refreshment.

We had a nice chat, some nice food, and Ahmad told us all we needed to know about Malaysia. Well, enough to do for 3 weeks at least. We walked around Jonker Walk, which is the night market at the weekends here and took in the atmosphere, before retiring to our room for a well earned rest!

Pika & Angela

(Playing a game, very popular here)

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David, Momo & Ahmad

(Dining in style at the culture food court)
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Angela & David

Jungle Walk & Bat Cave

16th July

Ah, the amount of sweat we have lost today!!

This morning we decided to do a Jungle Walk. We walked 3km there and back and it took us 3 hours! (It felt like bloody 20km) But we had a gorgeous day. Saw some cool spiders, squirrels and a wild pig. The jungle here is amazing with massive trees and plants. We walked on an elevated rope platform, 30-40m above the ground. It was really cool but very scary.
The scented trees made it smell lovely in the jungle, and of course the sounds are something else! You can hear about 30 different sounds all the time. (Never come to the jungle for some quiet time)
On the way back we saw the coolest spider ever! He was pretty big and he was jumping his way along the trail. His Uncle must be Mister Kangaroo.

David

Uprooted tree

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David

Trying to hide behind the big roots

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Angela

swinnging on a tree branch

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Spider man

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Angela & David
On the Canope Walkway (40m above ground)
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David

On the "Rope Bridge" (Canope Walkway)

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We had a short brake with some lunch and iced coffee. An hour later we were back to the adventures as we decided to go and check out a bat cave. We were very brave going without a guide as they kept telling us that we really should go with a guide and not to go alone. But if you're looking for adventures.....We walked another 2km with sweat pouring off our bodies, passed a native settlement and more trees. Walking 1km in the jungle is not at all like walking 1km back home i tell you. Good workout!!

We reached Gua Telingi (Bat Cave), and started our exploration. It was moist, warm and smelled of bat shit! But hey, thats the selling point. We encountered slippery stones, wet streams, frankenstein frogs and some bats of course. They are pretty cute and amazing the way they just hang around, clinging to the rock face, it was awsome!! Then we made it back to base, for a nice refreshing cold shower, and some rest.

Cave Frog

(the cute one)

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Bat Men
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Angela & The Bat Men

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Angela in front of a massive tree

(the colour on the bottom of my top was the colour it was this morning before the "jungle walk" and "bat cave")

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Tomorrow at 7 am we get a bus to Melaka, so early night tonight. We shall sleep soundly after all that jungle trekking.

Angela & David