Perhentian Islands

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The Perhentian Islands sit off the northeast coast of Malaysia and consist of the originally named Big and Small Islands. A seriously quick speed boat took us to latter (also known as Kecil), the agonising journey smashing us into wave after buttock-shattering wave. Fortunately the island was an idyllic place to unwind and soak our sore limbs, with coral reefs to snorkel and dive, warm shallow water acting like a giant bath and golden sands on which to sunbath. Unfortunately it all went a bit wrong when the three of us went snorkelling on the third day - we had a great time but my companions later suffered from bad sunburn. Having learnt that lesson before, I wore a t-shirt and escaped unscathed.

One morning I woke up in my rickety A-frame hut to find my wallet was missing. This was perplexing as I could clearly remember where I'd put it, my door was locked, and besides my camera was sitting in the same place untouched. I began to feel the beginnings of a strange new experience - panic - and all Chris could suggest was "maybe a lizzard ate it". Annoyed by his unhelpfulness I carried on searching. Eventually I found the wallet hiding on the floor some distance from where I'd left it. The cards and money were all present and correct, but the leather itself had been generously nibbled. Chris wins!

The highlight of our stay for me was undoubtedly the diving. Both dives were spectacular but utterly different. On the first, our small group spiralled round a gigantic conical pinnacle, with beautiful "black" coral (actually an eerie greenish white) and colourful soft corals new to me. The beauty of the reef was more than matched by the abundance of marine life, including a triggerfish which seemed to have an aversion to my presence. The second dive was a majestic wreck of a cargo ship. We swam into the hull, ascending into an air pocket, and swam all around the huge masts with their resident stonefish. Towards the end of the dive we were treated to the discovery of a pair of graceful cuttlefish, serenely ignoring our presence.

Chris and I left for Penang Island on the opposite coast, leaving James to nurse his sunburn a little longer. As it turns out, he was giving himself the oppurtunity to slip back to the UK, having apparently decided that the trip wasn't for him. Unexpected. If you're reading this, James, we're gonna miss you mate.

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Photos

Anenome Fish
A less gharish cousin of Nemo. Saw plenty of these marvelous fish on the first dive. The photo was taken in Langkawi's Underwater Word.

Dusk at Coral Bay
For our last night's accommodation, a ten minute stroll across the narrowest part of the island took us to Coral Bay.

A-frames
Our rather basic, but fun, accommodation on Long Beach.

Lionfish
On the second dive, one of these poisonous but beautiful fish glided about a foot beneath me.

Comments

[Chris Wareing]

coincidence or what....
I think I suffered a serious case of sunburn doing exactly the same thing on exactly the same island... Are that british coupleo with the two blonde doys still running the dive place? Mind you, the boys are probably about ten or eleven now... Glad you're enjoying it! Chris