Blogs from Perhentian Kecil, Terengganu, Malaysia, Asia

Our arrival on Mira beach really was like being dropped on a desert island. The dude that owned the place greeted us as we jumped from the speed boat into the shallow clear water. We were so glad we'd read up on the island and it's beaches as this was a real gem. Ten huts and the most gorgeous beach we'd both ever seen, the only problem being we were unsure as to how welcome we were! It turned out those staying there were friendly with the owner and had been visiting for many years. He had one hut free it was big, meant for more people but we took it and spent the remainder of the afternoon enjoying the place. After a power cut during dinner and a great nights sleep we packed up early ... read more

Our journey to Perhentian Kecil was not quick by any means, and to think we did it the "fast" way! Let's start from the beginning, shall we? When we were planning our honeymoon, Steph had posted a status on Facebook looking for suggestions for places to see in Thailand. Our Engagement Photo Photographer responded and said that out of the many places she had travelled throughout the world, Perhentian Islands were one of her favorites. She absolutely raved about them, and after some internet investigating, we added Perhentian Kecil to our "must-do" list. Perhentian Kecil is the smaller of the two Perhentian Islands, with Perhentian Besar being the "big island". We knew it was going to be quite the journey to get to the Perhentians, either by land or by air, but after all of the ... read more

First time in what seems like forever that I can lie in as long as I want and I'm wide awake at half seven. When was the last time I had a day off? I slowly get up, pack my bag and get breakfast from the hotel restaurant. Down to the dive shop (Matahari) and get ready to set out. The Sugar Wreck is a 45 minute boat ride away. When we get there we fight a strong current to see; Coray Cat Shark, Bamboo Shark, Pick Handle Barracuda, Snappers, Parrot Fish and String Ray. We even get to navigate through the cargo hold. Back on land I take a shower to freshen up and get ready to leave the island. My four dives cost me 350 ringgit (£70). A quick lunch and a taxi boat ... read more

Alarm set for 06h00, I break my phone trying to turn it of after hitting snooze. 40 push-ups & 100 sit-ups. Annie sent me her butterfly. I should have asked for the name. The old guy in reception is asleep when I go to check out. He takes my car, opens the door and kicks me out with a plastic chair before locking up again. The minibus that collects me has one other passenger, Ben (24, Eastborne, electrician). And even though we're travelling in convoy with another minibus that's full we have our bus just to us. We talk for most of the journey except for a short nap I steal towards the end. Dropped off at the boat office and shuffled out to a motorboat. The trip to the islands is quick. Neither Ben nor ... read more

Up for banana and honey pancakes for breakfast on the beach with Katerine and Rasmus before heading to Temple of the Sea with Mee, our divemaster. The dive was very nice, full of bamboo sharks, hawksbill turtle and blue spotted stingrays. Apparently the diving at Temple had been out of this world for the previous 2 days so, inevitably, there were too many divers out there and, whilst it was obviously a good dive to do with plenty to see, it wasn't the extraordinary one that others had been lucky to have experienced in the days before. Nevermind, you can't command nature to be there for you. So back ashore for and hour and a half, finding out that it was one of the divemasters 30th birthday that day and he was having a superhero party ... read more