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Published: July 26th 2008
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Hi all, hope you're all well.
We're writing to you from a free Wi-Fi bar in Kho Phi Phi, Thailand. We've just had a nice breakfast and it looks like it may be sunny today....fingers crossed. Anyway, where did we leave off? I think we had just left Singapore.....
We decided we'd like to take the jungle railway up to the north east of Malaysia so we spent a day travelling up to a place called Mentakab, via KL. Upon arrival, we checked into a hotel where the owner took a bit of a shine to us and she took us in the family car to find the railway station and and train times etc. Just as well as we probably wouldn't have found it. On the way back she stopped off and bought us coffee, honey sandwiches and eggs. Rich had the coffee, which we think may have been the strongest coffee we have ever seen and I had to eat the two eggs, which were very soft boiled as Rich sensibly, and politely refused. It was a very strange evening. First thing in the morning we set off for the train station again and stepped aboard the Jungle Railway....all
9.5 hours of it. When buying the ticket we thought we might treat ourselves to first class as would have probably only cost about another 50p or something but the ticket guy just chuckled at us and said "all one class". Oh God! The Jungle railway is a single track railway that snakes its way through the Tamen Negra National Park. The train was basic to say the least with no air con, fans or many opening windows. The toilet was just a hole in the floor. Needless to say, I held it all day! All good to start with but as mid day approached and the sun was at it's hotest, we lost our enthusiasm. Only 6 hours to go though.....who's bloody idea was this? The scenery was amazing, totally unspoilt jungle and the train is a great way to see it but oif anyone's thinking about it.....either get the express train or stop off at the National Park to break it up. Last stop, Khota Bharu, thank god!
After a quick over night stop, we caught a mini bus to the jetty and with our new friend Tom in tow, we headed on a ferry to the smaller
On the ferry
approaching the Perhenthians of the Perhentian Islands. Being our first taste of beach life, we were both pretty excited to finally arrive, after two days travelling....pretty much non stop. After a slight hiccup with me choosing some dreadful accommodation, we checked into a lovely little hut, set just off the beach. Our home for nearly two weeks. Tom was also there to do his PADI Scuba Open Water so we quickly booked in for the following day and then chilled in the sea and sun for the rest of the afternoon. This is the life. The course was pretty full on for four days but am happy to report that we both passed. OUr instructor was pretty cool, Scuba Steve and we had a good time working through our various skills etc. Rich took this opportunity to do a few dives of his own and also a refresher course and then fell quite comfortably into to beach bum life....soon to be joined by me and Tom. We met another guy called Dell and the four of us spent most nights over a few drinks on the beach, talking rubbish. Lovely! After passing my open water I headed down to the shop one morning
Long Beach
Our home for 2 weeks to take a few pictures and to my horror it was being torn down by government officials (about 50 of them) who were there to tear down the bars and properties on governement land without a permit. The chainsaws could be heard until well into the day....it really didn't help the beach vibe at all and was pretty sad. It didn't stop anyone though and the bar owners were out with cool boxes that night and re-build started the next day. Apparently this happens a lot. We took a couple of days off and then me and Rich signed up for our Advanced Open Water Course, which involved 5 dives...Bouyancy, Navigation, Deep Dive (30m), Wreck Dive and a NIght Dive. We both passed with flying colours and really enjoyed the dives.....bar a slight panic incident under water when I discovered that I don't really like wrecks, they're the things that nightmares are made of. Our instructor soon distracted me by finding 4 seahorses....they were beautiful and happiness was restored.
There's not a lot we can really tell you about the islands as we didn't see too much of them and pretty much stuck to our beauitful beach. We did leave
Water Monitor lizards
one of many on the island one day on a Kayak, heading for turtle beach on the large island. After much zigzagging, frustration and yelling we made it across but the baby turtles and lovely beach was over shadowed by the thought of rowing back. With our relationship in mind, we have decided that maybe kayaking isn't for us. After two hours we dropped the kayak back off and settled back down to sunbathing.
We reluctantly left after 13 great days, feeling pretty realxed and excited about Thailand.
We miss you all loads and will try to stay ontop of our blogs from here.
Take care, love loads. Carol and Rich xx
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t and g johnson
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so we have done a bit of that
well it all sounds very boring,we have done a little bit of diveing,because somebody arrange the adventure for us to do at our age,i bet you did not break your toe! and as for going on one of the train rides ,done that,and cable car over to sensoter island.begining to think you are doing some things ma and pa have done....no it sounds great ,and wish we were as young again we would be up for it...love you lots Ma and Pa xxxx