The Beach... need I say more?

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Malaysia has some of the most beautiful beaches, particularly on the east coast. I've been itching to go to the beach for over a year now, so when I found out that there's a holiday this week I jumped at the chance. Monsoon season is starting already, so it's my last chance to go this year. Four days of the sea and sand sounds like a great way to relax before the end of the school year.

It's only an hour's drive from home, so I made the trip easily. I checked into my guesthouse (or chalet, as they're known here) and made my way to the beach. It was only a five minute walk! I ate some fried rice at a restaurant on the beach (the view was better than the food) and it was nice to be surrounded by palm trees and to smell the sea. I decided to return the next day for sunrise.

The next day I was up early, but probably not early enough. It was beautiful, but it wasn't dark when I arrived. I decided I'd try again on Friday.

I spent the day wandering a bit, reading a book at my chalet (on my private little porch) and just relaxing. For dinner, a few other guests and I went to a seafood place. You choose which fish you want and they prepare it how you like. I'd had this before in Kota Kinabalu and, again, it was a wonderful experience. We ordered a lovely fish, grilled, and it came with a spicy sauce and some sweet and salty ones. We also had the battered prawns (our favorite) as well as a few vegetable dishes, rice (of course), and drinks. After we stuffed ourselves, we walked down the street for a few icy cold beers. I call it a perfect day.

Friday I got up for sunrise earlier than the day before... and I was still too late. Lovely light again, though. I enjoyed breakfast on my little porch again before taking a short nap and then having lunch before heading to make a batik. The day was fairly overcast and I was worried it might rain. My new Australian friend picked Friday as his first day to finally visit the beach--I hope he wasn't disappointed!

That night we went for seafood again, followed by beers again. Really, why mess with perfection?

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Photos

First impressions
Not bad

First impressions
I could get used to this

Round about
big enough for a bicycle

Lunch
spicy vegetable soup with an egg on top and lime juice

Dinner!
battered prawns--our favorite

Dinner!
grilled fish

Who's that?
He made a ton of noise when he landed in the tree. He's a lot heavier than he looks!

Comments

[Dad]

Already??
End of the school year already? Seems like you just got there!

[sunketing]

I came in the middle of the year.

[Don Mokrauer]

Who's That Photo
I looked up the bird which Kris saw on her vacation at the beach, and it was an oriental-pied hornbill.

[sunketing]

Bird
Thanks! I was wondering what it was. I'd guessed hornbill of some form, but that's as far as I could figure.