Perhentian Islands

I wasn't sure what sort of boat to expect for the crossing to the Perhentian Islands from Kota Bharu. Surely, s.th big and solid for a trip lasting about one hour? Alas, the boat that materialised was somewhat smaller than the picture I had in mind, and as it was finding its ways through a landrat's perception of rather choppy waters I began to wonder whether it may just break into two after crashing down from the next wave. With us on board were two Malaysian mothers with their kids. The little ones were mortified, curled up in their mothers' arms, who - like me - seemed to wonder whether the trip was such a good idea after all.

After an exchange of encouraging looks between us, Ian's manly efforts to calm down women and children with a cheery smile, and a quick reminder that I am a good swimmer, the crossing started to be fun and I was almost disappointed when the boat stopped at Petani Beach on the South-west coast of Perhentian Kecil, the smaller of the two Perhentian islands. The disappointment did not last long. We unloaded our backpacks from the 'big' into a small boat to cross the last 100 meters or so to a picture book tropical beach with about seven wooden huts. A little oasis run by a South African/Malay/Thai team; basic but perfect.

Ian's eyes lit when he saw the hammock, tasted the food, and encoutered four kittens who hardly left his side during our stay (ok Ian, I know this is an exaggeration). I indulged in a Padi scuba diving course run from the neighbouring beach. The first day of the course was spent in a classroom; I was picked up by boat at 8am, in rain so heavy that I decided the best strategy was to go in a swimsuit and to wrap a T-shirt and towel into a heavy plastic bag. Theory and test were completed by 6.30pm and I was ready to live the Padi life: "GO PLACES, MEET PEOPLE, DO THINGS UNDER WATER". The next two days were mainly spend under water with great instructor Matt who could even show Ian new insights into the meaning and practice of 'mellowness'. The aquatic life was quite stunning, sting rays, turtles, all sorts of small colourful fish whose names I shall not pretend to know (yet). The shark encouter, however, was Ian's privilege - more of that later.