perhentian

we arrived in the perhentian islands about four days ago. i say “about” because it’s hard to keep track of time in a place like this. culture shocked after our fourteen hour overnight train ride from the bustling sewer-scented kuala lumpur, we accepted a ride from a local to kuala besut. the woman who sold us our boat tickets to the islands unnecessarily apologized for the weather (which was, and has been, perfect) as it’s the off season. we waited amidst smiling locals, hopped on the boat, and were taken here.

the most memorable words spoken as we walked down the dock were “this place would kick most postcards’ ass”.

it’s just what you imagine when you hear the word “paradise”; a sickly sweet but thoroughly incredible cliche of white sands, palm trees, grinning locals, delicious food and affordable, comfortable accommodation. minutes from our room is a beach with, just offshore, a teeming world of fish and coral straight out of a nature program. for just $10 each, we went on a half-day snorkeling tour and saw massive turtles, black-tipped sharks, and every colour of fish imaginable. watching them crowd together in front of our faces, fighting for cracker crumbs we crumpled under the surface, was like nothing i’ve ever experienced.

we’ll be working for maybe a week or two for food and accommodation at shangri-la, the resort where we’re staying. next we push on, up through thailand.