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Palau Perhentian, Malaysia »
August 22, 2010
I decided to skip more diving and leave the island. I didn't even go snorkeling. If you don't dive, life on the island can be pretty boring. Paradise - sure. People tell those working there, in dive shops, that they work in a Paradise. The two main things people do on those beautiful full of palm trees, white sand and blue water islands - dive and party at night. Of course ,you can also bake yourself to death on the beach. I don't. So, if I don't dive, don't go to a bar, and don't fancy endless hours of lying in a sun, the island life can get boring. All the diving places I have been to so far are pretty much similar - it's party central. Don't take me wrong - of course it's fun and that's one of the reasons the young go there. That's what they want - drinking and diving.
So, I booked a boat to pick me up tomorrow at noon. I will go back to Kuala Besut, stay there for a couple nights and then go to Kota Bahru.
By the way, diving was 80 Ringgit. 25 minutes by boat to the site. Maximum depth was 19 meters, so it was a shallow dive. I am pretty good with air, and while the other people were almost empty, I still had 90 bars left - which is more than half the tank. I can do two shallow dives on one tank - I should get one free dive or a discount! haha
Feeling better, at night, I had the 15 Ringgit buffet (salad, one choice of fish or chicken, dessert, juice). Not that much to choose from, and a bit expensive, but everything is more expensive on the island. Comparing this one it to another one on the beach, for 18, it was actually a good value for the money. Later, at night, I joined a group of people I met for a night out on the other side of the island - the Long Beach.
We went to a place (all of them are on the beach) called Black Tip. That's from black tip baby sharks which you can see when snorkeling. Everyone was talking about 'monkey juice'. Pretty funny, considering there are monkeys here. Made me feel like I am in the jungle. I knew what 'Jesus juice' is, thanks to the late King of Pop. It turned out that monkey juice comes from the same shelf. It's arak called Orang Utan, and has a drawing of 'the monkey' on the bottle. They sell it on the island for 20 Ringgit for a small mickey bottle - pretty expensive. But considering a price of a small can of local beer for 10 Ringgit, everyone goes for the monkey juice and sprite. It's not strong, 25%, so mixed with sprite it's like wine. People drink lots of it though, they spend lots of money. It's a muslim country and alcohol is expensive here. Is sold mainly by the Chinese. The government taxes alcohol very high so the prices are high. But even this didn't stop the huge crowd of monkey juice fans at the beach turn the place to a jungle. People dancing, shouting for more juice. After a few hours the beach becomes like an ants nest - very busy. All thanks to the monkey juice. Plenty of it. Magic.
There was a live band. Actually a guy with guitar and another one drumming, and they were really good. I did some dancing, but it's mostly a young peoples party. I felt too old for this, and I know I am. I just ejoyed sitting most of the time and absorbing the atmosphere - wow, a party on a tropical paradise island! haha When in a jungle, you gotta obey the jungle law, which is you have to have some monkey juice. It was actually good, smooth as they say. I thought it tasted a bit like maple sirup, and it turned out it is caramel. Some people don't like it that much though, they prefer vodka. Drank the same way, with sprite, and sold in the same size bottles as the monkey juice, but for 25 Ringgit. Oh well, it has 40% of alcohol, not 25. Justified. And the funny thing is this locally made fine liqueur has a big sign 'Polska' on it's label! I wonder what's the story behind it. maybe one day I will investigate.
So, tomorrow back to the mainland. Many things to see, many to discover. A day can start as boring, but end exciting. Life will be good, as long as I will keep my senses open to spotting the chances.
Photo: Palau Perhentian, Malaysia. Monkey juice.
Palau Perhentian, Malaysia »
August 21, 2010
Diving day. So how did it go? Good and bad. I went to the Sugar Wreck. I thought it was a bamboo ship but I mixed it up with Vietnamese Wreck site I think. This one was a ship made from steel. It sank 20 years ago and it is very well preserved. I bet the load of sugar made life a bit sweeter for the fish that day. Why not. We all need a break now and then.
This dive spot has currents, and the visibility was quite poor - disappointed. Equalization went without a problem - happy. Massive headache at the end and after the dive - bummer. Yes, I think my sinuses might not be clear yet, so the pressure changes gave me this huge headache. I don't get sea sick easily, but I also wasn't feeling well on the boat. After arriving I went straight to bed for a few hours.
Photo: Palau Perhentian, Malaysia. Monkey juice.
So, overall it wasn't an as enjoyable as it should have been. I booked another dive for two days later. Just in case I will feel up to it.
My life has always been about freedom and I shall continue to walk this path.
Safe travels ! ........... Stan
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stan@ancientnomad.com
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