The Other Side Of Our Journey

Its was almost noon of Maundy Thursday when we reached Perhentian and was able to booked a place to stay for the rest of our holidays in the Island when we decided to go straight away to the beach to save time. Without rest, we enjoyed the heat of the sun which was started to shine that time. It wasn't hot that a mademoiselle from France told me that she was a bit disappointed about the weather. She was told by a friend that it was great to visit the island because of the warm place. Well for most of Asians like me... the weather was enough not to darker our skin more since we have no plan to sun bathe.

After a few minutes, I decided to swim on the clear sea water. My friends didn't join me and just satisfied themselves laying on the sand. There are some people who are already there, some surfing enthusiast who waits for the right waves and some who are already swimming. I paddle for a couple of minutes... playing and swimming along and against the waves. I really enjoy the moment. Swimming is one of my outlets to distress and being in a great beach like Perhentian adds up on me being more relaxed.

Roughly 20 minutes after, I felt tired but ignored the urge to take a rest. I still continue paddling when I noticed that I can't move forward. Waves becoming bigger and they take me farther. I tried to use breast stroke so that I can see if I can make it near the shore, nothing happens. I tried to do free style but I felt the pressure on my legs and arms. I take a rest and float for a while and try again. I'm worrying already that I can't really make it. I wasn't on hysterical yet but my mind tells me that I really need help... Then I made a decision....

I let my self sink first and push my body up to breathe some air before I cried for attention... I battled on the sound of waves to call for help. It was on my 4th or 5th call when a group of people notice me. And before another wave hit my body... I saw them move urgently nearer to save me. When I make sure that help is coming, I float again and wait for them to grab me. The first word I said to them when they came is... "Sorry".

"Are you with someone?" they ask.
"No, my friends are at shore", I replied.

I kept my body relaxed while my mind works and think how stupid I am to be in that situation... nearly drowned.

When we finally got in to the shallow part of the sea, I stand and give my never-ending thanks to them. I return back to my friends who don't have any idea on what happen. I don't want to scare them and spoiled their vacation. I lie on my back and close my eyes to relax... and there I found that I am really tired... I fell asleep for a couple of minutes and rethink on what happen when I woke up. I saw the group who help me and ask for their contact info... (I learn that they are from Czech Republic) Take some of their pictures and gave thanks again for helping me...

The Journey

Long travel is quite tiring, specially on road trips. Thats why we decided to take a flight when we took an off to relax.

With my three friends, we decided to spend our Holy Week to an island not yet spoiled by tourist... Perhentian. Unlike Langkawi, where a direct flight will take you to the island through Air Asia, Perhentian has a bit tricky ways to reach. The island can be reached either from Kota Bahru (46Km) or Kuala Terengganu (109 Km). As for us first timer, who didn't research enough, we took the latter way.. traveling a long way from Kuala Terengganu...

Anyway, our flight to K.T was 20 minutes delayed. Originally scheduled at 2005h, the plane departed at 2025h, reaching Sultan Mahmud Airport quite late. As a normal tourist act (as I know it is), we took some pictures of their Domestic Airport which is much better than LCCT which hold both, Domestic and International flight from different cheap carriers. Much better in my Country's "Diosdado Macapagal Airport" in Clark too!..in my opinion.

We look around to ask a simplest way to reach Kuala Besut except from taxi where we will spend the night before we continue our journey to Perhentian Island early the next morning. Upon knowing that the last bus from KT going to the place might already left, we decided to spend the night to the nearest hotel nearer to the bus terminal.

We checked-in at Hotel Indah around 2030h after a 15 to 20 minutes taxi ride from the airport. Cheapest as you can get (as per the helpful airport taxi counter staff), we got our room for 80 bucks, with two king size beds, air-con, TV with local channels and attached bathroom with water heater. My only problem is their lack of bathroom rags, other than that, everything seems to be fine.

We then hang around and checked for the earliest bus departure schedule to Kuala Besut after taking a quick shower. We learned that the first bus to KB is sched to depart at 0900h, with roughly 3 hours travel time... a total waste of time if we will reached the place at noontime. We then decided to try our luck to grab a cheaper taxi the next morning. We went to the nearest 711 store to buy some water and coffee before we head back to our hotel. Some chitchat about the plan for the following day and bed set up before we decided to sleep.

The next morning, Maundy Thursday, I woke up early and proceed to the terminal again to check if the the stalls are open to confirm the schedule we got the other night. Everything is still the same as we left the place. All the stalls are close, except from some taxis lined up at the road. Without luck I went back to the Hotel and persuade the group to get up, take a bath and leave early.

We check-out around 0715h full of enthusiasm about our next road trip. We rent a taxi van which we got for Rm80, a cheap price for an hour and half journey to KB. The journey went good.. I really love the view, specially the mangroves that I saw on the road time by time. We reached our destination earlier than expected. Our driver sent us to the traveler's agent office (MD Tours) where we bought our jetty ticket scheduled to leave at 1000h. Having more time, we spend the rest of the hour eating at the nearest Chinese restaurant at the place. I really enjoyed their "Nasi Goreng Ayam". And yeah, I didn't forget to inform the owner/cook that my taste buds are well satisfied...

The Jetty station is not far from where we bought our ticket. Together with few Westerners, we head to the boat station. The day is a bit cloudy and windy which add to the already bigger sea waves. Most of the passengers are shouting when our boat started to take off... the highest boat jump we experience is about 1 to 1.5 meters. We reached the first drop off after 30 to 35 minutes.. our destination.. the island of Perhential Kecil or what they call "The Small Island".

The boat operator informed us that we need to walk for about 10minutes to reach the long beach where we decided to stay. The boat is not going to the place since the waves are much bigger there. Wet and almost exhausted due to the long journey, we track the way through the jungle. Then finally, after a great patience.. we reached the place. We tried to look for a Chalet to stay on for the rest of our days there. Unfortunately finding a place to stay is difficult. We even experience how some of the receptionist discriminate us and choose the people who they want to entertained.

After more than an hour of searching, we finally got at room at "Mohsin Chalet", one of the cheapest place to stay at the long island. And there, the great long beach experience on the beach started.

It went on...

Better..

As We planned..

Almost...