Escape to beach paradise
Trip Start
Feb 17, 2008
1
33
43
Trip End
Aug 17, 2008
Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Terengganu, Malaysia
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
We have officially arrived in Malaysia, our first Muslim country. Most of the women are wearing head scarves, almost everyone wears pants, so Francis & I stood out with our shorts and short sleeve shirts. So what did we decide to do? Head to the beach so we could wear as little clothing as possible! We headed to paradise - I mean Pulau Perhentian Kecil. This is the smaller of the two Perhentian islands, on the northern coast of Malaysia, near the Thailand border on the South China Sea. It took us 7 hours by bus to cross over to the small town opposite the island (anyone that's been reading this blogs knows that we like to do things the hard and long way), and then we had to wait the night before catching the first boat of the morning to head 21 km out to the island
View from our Hovels
. It was worth it!Upon arrival, we found the cheapest place to stay on the beach - 25 ringgitt, or about $7 at the Rock Garden Chalets (What a joke of a word!). Well we definitely got what we paid for! Our hovel...I mean "chalet" was not exactly spectacular. All day and night long, flying squirrels used our roof as a take off and landing pad. During our first night, lizards and mice decided to investigate our bags next to our bed, keeping us up all night. We slept with the bags on the bed the next night. Thank god for the mosquito net that Francis convinced the guys to put a new one in our hut. Our very dark hut - there wasn't even a light! All night long the local wildlife was perusing the pile of trash about 15 meters away from our wooden enclosure, which lent a creepy atmosphere to the sleepless nights. Yes...family and friends....we are sleeping in the fanciest places that the world has to offer.
Despite all of that, Perhentian Kecil is the best beach either Francis and I have ever been to. All of the other visitors we talked to said that it was more beautiful, quieter and calmer than any of the southern Thailand beaches. In fact it was a little two quiet for two Brits that we met, Rob and James. They complained they couldn't find enough ladies to schmooze at night
Our beach
! The white sand is very soft (though nothing beats the sand in the Whitsundays, Australia!), the water is super clear, and the waves are light, as the beach is fairly shallow - you can easily walk out 40 meters. One of the things we liked the most was not having people try to sell us stuff on the beach. This area still isn't very developed, so you can really enjoy, but in 5 years we expect it will be transformed by tourists (like us!)...Yes damn tourists....they come and destroy the beauty of a place.Matt spent most of his time tanning, hopelessly trying to emulate Francis' Coco-butter chocolate-soft skin! The fruit shakes are especially good here, we gorged ourselves on Mango and Pineapple! As for the rice, well lets just say it isn't nearly as good as Thai or Japanese rice! If you do come here, please pre-plan and bring enough cash. Rob and James had to cut their visit short because they ran out. There is no ATM in Besut, the town where buses drop you off to head out to the islands, nor on either of the islands....yep people this place is that under developed.
We are coming to realize that there is a big difference between being a 20 year old traveler and a 27 year old one (that's Matt talking here...Francis is getting better with time just like wine) We are appreciating this adventure in a different way than many of the younger European travelers who are traveling before starting 'Uni' or right afterwards. A more sober way at least!
Much love to our families, particularly to Chris, who we are looking forward to seeing in a few days in China....once again that's Matt talking!!! I'm just kidding Chris I love you too!!! I need a place to stay therefore I will be nice!!
