Perhentian Kecil.

Ok first & foremost, a big apology to Clare & Eurig for running out on them. I had another terrible night at Ideal. Was laying on the bed reading and had small insects crawling across the page! Consequently spent a sleepless night scratching myself stupid! As soon as owners were up, booked a taxi & boat ticket & got out of there. Did knock your door guys (not very loudly, I must admit) to say goodbye but didn't want to wake you. So, Sorry guys!

24/05/08

So I've just had one of the better nights sleep I've had on this trip. I'm staying at D'Lagoon http://www.geocities.com/d_lagoon_my on the Northeast tip of Perhentian Kecil. It's a great place here - beach is small but only D'lagoon use it. Better than that is the coral, fish & black tipped reef sharks that you can snorkel with just in front of that little beach. I saw 7 of them yesterday. Dorm beds are 15RM, room in a longhouse are 30RM with either a double or two singles, room with three singles is 40RM or semi detached chalet with attached bathroom are 60RM. There's also a tree house for 20RM - unfortunately it's fully booked! There's also two other beaches within a 15 minute walk that are isolated & unoccupied. All in all, a great place. Turtles lay eggs on the beach here and there should be some hatchlings in about a months time.

25/05/08

More snorkeling today. Saw some huge lumphead Parrot fish and a spotted porcupine fish - wicked - the underwater world is amazing. Suddenly you realize just how true to life "Finding Nemo" really was. While sitting eating in the restaurant tonight a Civet came down looking for food - who needs Taman Negara?

26/05/08

Well I've been feeling a little under the weather for the last day or so and travellers diarrhoea has well & truly settled in today. I'm shaking, hot & cold shivers, sweating, aching all over, light headed and obviously toilet visits every two hours even through the night. Birthday wasn't too bad though. Sam & Christina had already left the Island but had left a beer behind for me - how nice was that? Thanks guys. Ben & Saskia also ensured I wasn't alone and we had a couple of beers together - they are leaving on the 8 o'clock boat in the morning. Had a great little group there for a few days - safe travels to you all.

27/05/08

Still dog rough! The owner of D'Lagoon has just given me a sachet of something to sort out my tummy. Let's hope it works as I'm running low on funds but can't travel to Kota Bharu like this - a bit of a dilemma!

29/05/08

Last night was another strange one although after my midnight dash to the loo I was OK till 1PM today - I'm on the mend. Stomach cramps have stopped and bowel movements are less frequent although still not quite right. I've also just been told that Sam & Christina have prepaid the turtle snorkelling trip for me as a birthday present. I'd known them for about 4 days - I'm actually blown away by their kindness & generosity. That was a real nice thing to do guys, I'll not forget turning 36. Thank you very much. You are still a card cheat though Sam!!

I went to Turtle beach a couple of nights back to watch a turtle laying eggs. I was disgusted with the behaviour of mainly the Malays but other nationalities too, who couldn't follow the rules about keeping their distance. They had to touch the turtle and pose for photo's - shocking! Only four of us from a group of 25 kept away. I wish I hadn't witnessed the whole saga.

30/05/08

Last night was a massive storm. The entire longhouse shook like it was an earthquake with each clap of thunder. The sky was completely illuminated with sheet lightening. It was like someone was turning on a huge floodlight - awesome! Today I went on the turtle trip. I swam with those huge, graceful creatures. Another once in a lifetime moment!

01/05/08

This morning I had a great surprise. A turtle on the beach right in front of my very eyes. See the pictures above. Also there is the bay during daylight and a sunrise shot. I left the island at 8am and am now back in Kota Bharu. This time I am at Zecks travellers inn ztravellers_inn@hotmail.com zecktravellers@yahoo.com where the beds are cleaner and the mattresses thicker. This place was highly recommended by several people on the Island and so far it looks good. Zeck & his wife Marianne are very friendly folks. Should be a decent nights sleep. Right, I'm off to the night market for some Malay grub, hmmmm you lot don't know what you're missing!