"Hey babe, wanna go to an island with me?"
When my best friend since high school Laila asked me this, I just went, "Huh?"
The thing is, I'm not really fond of travelling - because I prefer spend my money on items than travelling, plus I'm saving money for flight tickets to visit my bf in Europe (once the Covid-19 pandemic subsided and the travel ban removed of course). Then Laila said the magic sentence, "It's free, you don't need to spend anything" - I'm terrible I know haha!
Apparently Laila had won 3 days and 2 nights couple package to Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu for two (literally Stopping Island - Terengganu really many places with questionable names). Her mother and brother were her first two options but they couldn't make it. She apologized for having me as her third option, but hey, at least I'm in her option! Not to mentioned this is my first trip after my diagnosis and hospital visits.
Originally I wore my new ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) but due to the enormous size it nearly destroyed by orthopedic sandals (and I don't have many either!) >< Eventually I ended up with my typical patella brace and compression knee length stocking.
Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS): A Long Bus Ride
To be honest I had been to this place many times but I haven't ride any buses from here. I usually come here either to pick up my brother's fiancé or meet up friends. I'm quite amuse the waiting area is similar to airport. Damn I am actually missing flying.
I had never ride double decker so I was excited when Laila told me we will be taking double decker express buss and asked which position to sit. I actually told her anywhere as long not at the back. To my surprise Laila actually bought the most front seat!
OMG! I become like a small kid excited to watch the journey - tho my journey ended up becoming dreaded when the bus driver driving like mad and use the small back roads instead of highway!
I mean seriously, he tried to overtake many times even where there's incoming vehicles and being flashes many times by the angering drivers! The driver is also aloof and rude! I'm not going to ride Queen Express anymore. In my opinion they're very unprofessional.
Kaula Besut: The Little Seaside Town
Based on the crazy driving there's no surprise we ended up arriving one hour early at 5am, tho it could be all express busses procedure to set ETA one hour early.
I couldn't sleep during the 8 hours journey due to the stress (and some personal issues) and now I'm very sleepy. Luckily we managed to find the 24 hours laundry and I managed to take 1 hour sleep before we head for breakfast.
Pulau Perhentian Besar: The Quiet Big Island
Finally at 8am the travel agency opened and we are set to Perhentian Besar (Greater Perhentian)! Apparently we all required to pay Rm5 to access the sea for snorkeling.
According to Laila Perhentian Kecil (Lesser Perhentian) is more happening, but she had chosen Perhentian Besar as she wanted a more quiet and peaceful retreat.
Arriving to the island I am surprised to see the sea is as blue as the ones I've seen in photos
Passing by several resorts to reach ours, Samudra (Sanskrit term for "ocean"). Upon arriving we have our lunch as part of our itinerary.
I'm quite glad I still have another leg to feel the sand haha (ok that's dramatic since I still have my another leg except it's advisable to always wear the compression stocking).
"I don't like sand. It's all coarse, and rough, and irritating. And it gets everywhere"
Long Beach Island: The Happening Little Island
Upon arriving we were recommended to visit the Long Beach at Perhentian Kecil. We were exited to watch the fire dance performance but being told we are required to return before 6pm if we did not want to miss our dinner. Awww man.
The short 20 mins boat ride is pretty rough, but fun
Arriving to the jetty and apparently next to it is one of the snorkeling points
Finally I'm seeing angmohs (Westerners!). According to Laila, some foreigners who got stuck in Malaysia due to Covid-19 choose to stay on Perhentian Kecil because they're allowed to live on the beach for free, as long they have tents. There's a several sites that provide the space for tents. Some even provide tent renting. So it's no surprise to see business seems to flourish quite well here.
Laila and I use the opportunity of the tranquil evening to sat at the beach, chatting and reflect many things happened in our lives lately.
I must say I like Perhentian Kecil more than Besar. If I'm going to come again - solo or with my bf I would choose Long Beach. Too bad we had to leave by 6pm, it's obvious the party and life starts at night.
Aaaah so many nice summer dresses and I couldn't choose! BF didn't help either as he said I already have many and didn't choose for me >:( - ended up buying none
As we walking to the jetty I saw a small shop setup. A crystal shop! Of course I ended up buying something hahaha - after all I'm a sucker for natural crystals.
Feel free to check their IG: https://www.instagram.com/_naturalmystik/
Arwana: The Semi Luxury Hotel
I'm not a morning person so I'm pretty annoyed I had to wake up early haha. But luckily the beautiful view and the tranquil of the sea made it up.
Until our snorkeling trips, we have a short walk to the one of the semi luxury resorts
I think my family might prefer Perhentian Besar's quiet and tranquility as well as this resort. Will recommended this to them next time.
Snorkelling: Enjoying Beneath the Sea
Finally our snorkeling trips begin at 9.30 am. It's been awhile since I went snorkeling; the last time was at Tioman Island (Pahang) few years ago with my brother. However for some unknow reason, now I no longer have the fear not having my legs reaching the ground - but now I have panic attacks to have my head into the water....
Snorkeling stop 1; Nemo Point. The fishes just everywhere! And they're not afraid with the present of humans! Since I'm having panic to slowly dive in, I decided to do several jumps and they're worth is, all the time I literally surrounded by fishes while underwater.
Snorkeling stop 2; Turtle Point. Well, it's pretty obvious, it's a turtle area. Unlike the fishes, the turtles keeps moving around and we had to continue to do some chasings. We are also lucky to be able to see some turtles come to the surface.
Finally last Snorkeling stop 3; Shark Point. I forgot the itinerary and was panicking when I learnt we are literally going to dive into the shark area. I've been told they're the docile and gentle black-tip sharks. But still, sharks!
Regardless I made the dice and we found many sharks swimming around us. One of the guide brought along a bait and feed the sharks and they gladly swims around us. What an experience! Me swimming with sharks omg. Originally I thought it was the nurse sharks. According to the guides, nurse sharks are indeed docile and loves human companions but they unfortunately didn't understand their strength and tends to accidentally bruising humans when trying to snuggle or play with them (the more you know).
Lata Air Berani: A Fresh Spring by the Sea
Finally we were taken to have quick rinse of the famous spring Lata air Berani (literally Brave Spring). The spring is unique to be a fresh water despite located right nest to the sea.
Some myths say, if bathing here, most likely to meet mate. Laila was "annoyed" she only realised this later (haha) tho I said she ight meet her mate later (fingers crossed).
I'm still amazed how clear and the blue the sea of this particular area. It's breathtaking!
Kayaking: Observing the Corals Beneath
Finally we're done with our snorkeling and we have no plan to return to our room. Laila been suggesting to do kayaking and when we saw the transparent kayak we couldn't resist!
Again it's been awhile since I've do kayaking - again the last time was with my brother, but this is the first time I'm on a transparent one. It's Rm10 expensive but worth it! The Twin Brothers operation however...was very cold, and unhelpful. I mean they actually made us carry the kayak ourselves. Not that we're mind but later we saw other operators carried kayaks to the sea for their customers and very friendly. Should had gone to another operators...not to mentioned they're also slightly cheaper!
Laila too many social media worthy photos and I'm damn happy haha
The sea so clear and beautiful - with the coral views beneath us are just memorable
Samudra Beach: An Evening for Photoshoot
Finally we decided to do more social media worthy photoshoots, especially with the island currently empty and quiet. We don't think we might have this kind of chances in the future.
Ignore my fat face but Laila is damn adorable and cute here~
Seriously I'm pretty picky when it comes to my photos taken and not many people managed to get what I wanted. Laila however had taken many photos better than my expectations. I'm loving each of them! Really! I can't really choose any of them!
And Laila couldn't be happier to get coconut drink haha - I just have milo thank you XD Laila also try to create illusion photo with her touching the moon but I failed her miserably
Just look how gleeful she is~
Zen by Arwana: The Massage Experience
Upon arriving to our resort, I noticed the spa poster. Laila originally was not interested with the spa but changed her mind later XD I couldn't be more exited since it's been awhile since I've been to one and I think I really need one right now (especially after whole day of actives under the sun haha).
Originally we wanted to go to the spa on the first day but it closed early due to unseen circumstances. So I ended up making an appointment for the next day. To be honest I'm now glad we missed the first day and ended up doing on second day after our activities.
My two OOTD (Outfit of the Day) to the spa haha
They even have a cat ahahaha. The spa is as beautiful as I expected on the island
Noticed the poor cat fallen at the window haha XD
We took the couple massage to save money and was taken to the couple massage room. I would love to do the Twilight for Two as I really wanted to have body scrub but the price however...I initially thought it was for two people due to the title ^~^;
The one hour massage was great and Laila even dozed off several times XD
Return to KL: A Better Express Buss Experience
Soon the great time had to come to an end. In the early morning we have a quick stop to the Fisherman Village (Kampung Nelayan).
Many fisherman boats getting ready to do second round fishing
Finally reached Kuala Besut jetty. Aaah back to the land
Again Laila got the front seat on the double decker! And they even give everyone Tropicana Apple juice! The driver is very polite and kind and make announcement through speakers
The journey is more pleasant as the driver drive slower and use highway all the way. He even make a stop at the start of the journey despite it's not part of the travel route. Later he told me because there won't be any stops in the next 2 hours. Halfway tho I really need to pee and asked him if he could stop at the next R&R (R&R – for Rest & Relaxation, or the Malay term (Kawasan) Rehat Dan Rawat – they have become an integral aspect of the Malaysian road trip experience). The driver was sympathetic and told mehe could stop but that's mean he will skip the original stop. Didn't want to trouble him since he had made announcement earlier - I told him I can hold it on - and luckily the next stop will be in 40 mins ^~^;
Again we arrived 1 hour early at 8.30pm. I really believe it's the bus express operations to give 1 hour early ETA as they include all factors during the journey. I truly enjoyed my ride back to KL and would love to use their services again - Moroza Express have my seal of approval haha :)
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