Island Hopping 2011

It was raining when we got up but slowly the sky’s cleared and by the time we got on the bus that was to take us to our boat, it had stopped.  We seemed to be waiting and waiting, then 10 minutes late a Chinese couple sauntered up and got on the bus.  We still din’t move,and then 10 minutes later still an Indian chap and small son sauntered up as if they had all the time in the world.  They didn’t get on as his wife still hadn't arrived and the driver got fed up and drove off.  We spotted a fat Indian woman walking towards the pick up point and I said to Claire I thought it was her.

We arrived at the boat point and waited some more.  Eventually the Indian chap and the kid along with the fat Indian woman turned up in a taxi and we could go.  I wouldn’t call it badly organized because there was a total lack of it.  Guess who came and sat at the front of the boat next to me?

I was surprised with the speed that the boat took off, it really had some power.  It must have surprised our little brown friends as well as they hurried back into the main cabin.  No sooner had we finally got going and the boat pulled up sharply and headed back towards the dock.  Someone had dropped their lifejacket in the sea.  No prizes for those who guessed who dropped it.  Its a shame it wasn’t his whinging kid.

The boat fas real fast and we found out on the way that we had the fastest of all of them.  It must have has a strong hull as it took some pounding as we crashed into the waves like a power boat.  We passed lots of islands but settled for one with lots of monkeys that seemed to attack everyone when they got off the boat, especially if they were carrying a plastic bag.  Although it was really hot and humid, Claire put on and zipped up her raincoat before she dare get off.

It was a very steep, long climb, first up then down again until it opened up into a huge freshwater lake in the middle of the island.  It was like that one that we visited a few years ago where we had to swim through the cave to get to the middle.  These are limestone islands that have been thrust up and over older rock and then weathered over time.  A huge cave must have formed inside the island getting bigger until it could no longer support the weight of rock above.  Over more time this hole filled up with rain water until today it is around 14 meters deep.  This Island is called Pulau Dayang Bunting.  Even though the centre collapsed the island is still twice as high as the Petronas towers.

I loved the very cool peddle boats with solar panels to save you peddling so hard.  Some people were sitting with their feet in the lake and large catfish were nibbling at the dry skin on their feet.  I felt like lowering my bum in but thought better of it.  Our hour up we headed back to the boat along with every other couple and family except for one that we had to wait for again.

All finally aboard we headed off to another island where there were dozens of large eagles feeding from fish in the sea.  It was amazing, but we were soon off to our last island for another hours beach stop.  This one was called Beras Basah Island.  This one had yet more naughty monkeys and also a little kiosk where people were buying drinks and snacks.  I was surprised to see Tiger beer being sold and even more surprised at the 80p a can that they charged.  Claire was happy and so was I.

There were little shells with crabs inside them dragging themselves along the beach.  A couple of beers later we were off back to the port to catch our minibus back home.  What a great 4 hour trip; not bad for a fiver!

We are just feeling our feet here on Langkawi and I am beginning to wish that we had a few extra days to explore further but sadly we are off on the fast boat to Penang tomorrow.  Claire has booked a really nice hotel there so lets hope that wont cost me as much as last time.

I kept meaning to take a picture of the boats by the side of our hotel and finally took one tonight.  They have all little home maid wooden walkways out into the jetty.

For our last night in Langkawi we had a quick drink at our favorite Yellow bar where we met Adam on his first night.  He was born on the island but has lived for some time in KL.  He was joined by our favorite Packy Iqbal.  Strangely, Adam is Muslim and Iqbal is Christian.  For our last meal we visited the Irish bar where Claire sampled the cheeseburger and she said that it was the best one that she had outside the USA.  I tried the fish and chips and it was the best one that I had outside the UK.  And the beers good too.

When we got back our carpark was full of cars; not normal as there has been only one other room occupied since we got here.  We walked to our room and there was a big party going on with all other rooms occupied.  No idea what it was all about but they had lots of lanterns and children.  It was held outside that large building with the huge patio that I mentioned last night that we thought would make a great breakfast bar.