On Monday last (19 June), we left Thailand to head for Malaysia. Once again ( ahem, taking the road less travelled by backpackers), we availed of the services of an airline and flew to Kota Bahru on the northeastern side of peninsular Malaysia (see map in "Where we are now"). From here, we made our way by boat to the smaller of the Perhentian islands, where we basked in the sunshine and blue, blue waters. It's high season on this side of the peninsula as it's not really their rainy season (though it doesn't stop the rain coming down in buckets!).
(Pic left: Long Beach)
Anyway, we hopped off the little speedboat, straight into the water, backpacks in tow and set off on the beach to find suitable accomodation. Now you can imagine our standards following our stint at 5 star level! Sufficit to say "chalet" usually conjures up images of some sophistication, or at least decent loo facilities. But not really the case in this instance for us. A chalet, a bed and a mosquito net is what you get for a steep 65 ringits per night (high season! some people end up sleeping on the beach on night one!!). So we landed ourselves in Panorama Chalets right in the middle of Long Beach on Pulau Kecil. Over the coming days, we snorkelled, tanned and I (Sancha) decided to sign up for a diving course. Kind of scarey at first getting used to breathing only through your mouth, taking your mask off underwater and then having to clear it - you know - that kind of thing! Anyway, it was all worth it in the end cos I got to see lots of Nemos and some other cool aquatic life such as Hawksbill turtles, stingray, small sharks, zillions of very colourful fish, brightly coloured corals etc . (Pic: Sancha found Nemo!)
So while I was off scaring, testing but ultimately feeling very proud of myself, Michelle was keeping the local sun-umbrella-supplier in business. Roles will reverse when we get to New Zealand: Michelle will be skiing while I'll be nursing a hot toddy "apres ski". Those of you who know Sancha well will know of my terrible state of balance and history of accidents resulting from same ;o) so it's safe to assume Michelle will be whizzing down the slopes without me!
Oh yeah. The mozzies got really acquainted...sigh.....
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