Robinson Crusoe
Trip Start
Jun 26, 2008
1
78
101
Trip End
Jun 2009
Where I stayed
Petani beach
Puala perhentian kecil,
Malaysia
Friday, March 27, 2009
Unsurprisingly, on arrival, the taxi driver dropped us outside a travel agent. We avoided all the boat ticket touts and comments about "boat leaves in five minutes" and headed to a cafe for a drink and to gather out thoughts. Turned out the owner there was also pushy- trying to sell us alcohol and cigarettes. We managed to get UKP1 off the price of the tickets not because we wanted a discount, but because we felt really sorry for the only man trying to sell the discounted tickets. Once on our boat we were stopped by the police for a life-jacket and boat papers check.
First stop was a small picture perfect cove which turned out to be our home for the week
Petani
. We had hoped to be a later drop off so that we could see some of the other beaches from the boat, but were thrilled that we had chosen so well.After travelling for seven months and not meeting any Southern Africans we were surprised that our hosts were Debbie (a Zimbo), her Malaysian husband Hash, her son David and Bianca from Kempton park. The place was perfect with lovely bungalows just back from the beach, hammocks, sun loungers, lilos and the most perfect white beach and blue sea. Turned out that Hash was a great cook too!
One of the young female cats was having her first season in heat. She was desperately calling for a mate and even thought that the puppy would do. She would lie down for him and he just thought it was a game and would pounce and bite. Rather a strange spectacle.
We spent our days snorkeling, reading, swinging in the hammocks and catching up with Carmela. One day we took the kayaks our for a bit, but soon headed back to shore for yet another snorkeling outing. The snorkeling was fabulous and in addition to the lovely brain coral we saw black-tip sharks, barracuda, cuttlefish, rays and turtle.
On our third day we decided to undertake a jungle walk up the island to Coral bay and across to Long beach
Petani
. Both beaches were overpopulated with dodgy looking accommodation and restaurants and rather dirty after the storm of the night before. After a quick lunch we were thrilled to be on a sea taxi back to Petani, smug that we were staying on the best beach on the small island. On our trip back from the boat we saw the resorts on the big island which looked nice, but none as secluded as Petani, and the fisherman's village full of brightly coloured squid boats. On our last night Petani was full so we moved next door to Imipani. This is a resort and has less of a personal touch, but the staff were very friendly and helpful and we were still on the same perfect bay.
An idyllic week. Thanks Carms for joining us for some quality time!
