They dropped us into the water and we were coughing and splatting around on the water - would've been such a great sight for a scuba diver underneath.
bye xx
Thursday, 23 May 2013
Parasailing around Sapi Island
Passing time in KK, we took a trip to Sapi Island (just a 20 minute boat journey) for a spot of parasailing. It was hilarious(!!)
They dropped us into the water and we were coughing and splatting around on the water - would've been such a great sight for a scuba diver underneath.
They dropped us into the water and we were coughing and splatting around on the water - would've been such a great sight for a scuba diver underneath.
Monday, 20 May 2013
Wildlife-spotting in Borneo
After two weeks of fun in Western Malaysia, we really thought it was time to stop fannying around and time, to see an orangutan. Spontaneously, we booked a flight for the next day and NEEEOOWWWW: we arrived in KK. A traumatic 7-hour coach journey surrounded by vomiting and unhygienic humans left us sitting in the dark, on the side of a roundabout, in the middle of nowhere... however, at the sight of a familiar 'Wildlife' T-shirt peering out of a 4x4, we were transported to a beautiful hostel surrounded by baby turtles, lakes and monkeys jumping around in the trees; Sepilok.
On our first morning we managed to crawl out of bed at 9am and make it the Orangutan Rehab Centre by 10am. The red apes swung to the feeding block from all directions and we were able to view seven of them fighting over the biggest banana. We were, at first, a little sceptical of the Sepilok 'Rehabilitation' Centre but were pleasantly surprised by the fact that the crowds weren't so big that we could not see the animals and that it was not simply a zoo built for tourists but actually a fantastic cause! The charity rescue orphaned animals or those that have been inappropriately kept as pets. They are taught survival skills such as climbing and foraging (what an amazing job those guys have!!!) before being released into the protected forest to fend for themselves. It was wonderful to be able to see a snippet of all this up close!!!
The next step in our wildlife adventure was to head to Bilit Lodge on the river bank, where we spent two days cruising the waters in a tiny boat, spotting completely wild orangutans, the hilarious proboscis monkeys, silver monkeys, long-tailed macaques, pygmy elephants, a crocodile, a range of hornbills and some other funky birds. It was like safari on water and we got lucky(!)
Perhentian Islands
... were Beautiful. We spent a luxurious week of doing absolutely nothing. After days of diving and sunbathing, we headed for endless milkshakes and Tom Yum soups at the Cafes and Restaurants.
We filled our evenings drinking 'Monkey Juice' (essentially Banana flavored Poison) at the ever-busy Panorama bar, with a live band every night. After a few drinks we would head across to the 'Black Tip' bar to watch the fire shows and the convincing lady-boys, whilst chilling on bamboo mats in the sand. On the Saturday, they held a party for the whole island which lead us to a boogey with our beloved dive master: Crumb. It was GREAT. A night out on the town really doesn't compare to partying with the sand between your toes and sweat dripping down your face - Brilliant.
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Diving the Perhentian Islands, Malaysia
After the combination of Kuta and Kuala Lumpur, a serious craving for a relaxed atmosphere and the ocean were kicking in. The Perhentian Islands were the perfect answer.
We jumped off the boat at Long Beach on the smaller island which seems to be oh-so-creatively named...'small' and as always with our hefty backpacks stumbled to the nearest, and cheapest looking, accommodation available, 'Symphony'. Which we later found out was known for robbery and abuse from the staff - brilliant.
Perhentian Islands, we were told, are one of the cheapest places in the world to gain diving qualifications whether it be basic Open Water or your dive-master. So, after refreshing on one or two delicious lassies, we spoke to Matahari Dive Centre and managed to swing an excellent deal of around 200 pounds each to for both our Advanced Divers course and accommodation (with a power shower!!!!).
We highly recommend diving with these guys (it's the bright orange dive shop out of the many dotted along the shore). They treated us amazingly well and were all lovely! They warned us of the negative stories they'd heard about Symphony and allowed us to stay in the Staff Accommodation for a night as all the rooms were full. Although, this ended up with the entire dive centre seeing Jodie completely stark naked as we were sharing their shower room and failed to control the foreign locking system.
Adding to our wonderful stay, was the family's three year-old, adorable daughter who allowed us to attend her birthday party and was forever grabbing our hands for a dance with her. Her father gave us fruit straight from the trees and helped us to arrange our boat off the island and bus to Penang.
The diving itself was pretty amazing. We were able to see small sharks, turtles, sting-rays and of course many incredibly colourful fish. We were able to experience wreck and night diving which we hadn't previously and both were seriously cool. During our safety stop on the night dive, we each turned off our torches and as we moved our arms and legs the plankton lit up luminously green! Amazing!!!!
Our navigation dive on the other hand was hilariously dire! I (Jodie) managed to forget how to control the compass leaving us well and truly lost. You know you are in trouble when there's not a reef or a single fish for company. HAHAHA very confusing.
Anyone thinking of diving, do it!!! Just go to Perhentian and become a dive master!!! (that's our plan) and say hi to Dee and Crumb from us!
Meg and Jod xxx
Perhentian Islands, we were told, are one of the cheapest places in the world to gain diving qualifications whether it be basic Open Water or your dive-master. So, after refreshing on one or two delicious lassies, we spoke to Matahari Dive Centre and managed to swing an excellent deal of around 200 pounds each to for both our Advanced Divers course and accommodation (with a power shower!!!!).
We highly recommend diving with these guys (it's the bright orange dive shop out of the many dotted along the shore). They treated us amazingly well and were all lovely! They warned us of the negative stories they'd heard about Symphony and allowed us to stay in the Staff Accommodation for a night as all the rooms were full. Although, this ended up with the entire dive centre seeing Jodie completely stark naked as we were sharing their shower room and failed to control the foreign locking system.
Adding to our wonderful stay, was the family's three year-old, adorable daughter who allowed us to attend her birthday party and was forever grabbing our hands for a dance with her. Her father gave us fruit straight from the trees and helped us to arrange our boat off the island and bus to Penang.
The diving itself was pretty amazing. We were able to see small sharks, turtles, sting-rays and of course many incredibly colourful fish. We were able to experience wreck and night diving which we hadn't previously and both were seriously cool. During our safety stop on the night dive, we each turned off our torches and as we moved our arms and legs the plankton lit up luminously green! Amazing!!!!
Our navigation dive on the other hand was hilariously dire! I (Jodie) managed to forget how to control the compass leaving us well and truly lost. You know you are in trouble when there's not a reef or a single fish for company. HAHAHA very confusing.
Anyone thinking of diving, do it!!! Just go to Perhentian and become a dive master!!! (that's our plan) and say hi to Dee and Crumb from us!
Meg and Jod xxx
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Although everyone insists that KL is a place you HAVE to stop... we are not quite sure why.
We may have missed something, or it may just be that we are island girls and panic when we cannot see the beach... but two days was defiantly more then enough to see and escape the city.
However, we did slightly over indulge in western life with a little shopping and tourist attractions.
On our first day we decided to jump on the hop-on, hop-off tourist bus, which showed us around all the attractions in KL, we pondered around museums, visited the palace and explored the aquarium, which was actually really good (we love sharks!).
We filled up on amazing street food in the streets of China Town, cooking our own tofu and broccoli in the steamy pan in front of us, then smothering it in satay and chili sauce - delicious. China Town is also the place you want to be for a bargain; a mulberry purse for three pounds? - Yes Please.
On our second day we headed to the 'Biggest Bird Park in the World' because Jodie loves the feathery creatures. From Flamingos to kingfishers, we were well and truly surrounded by lots of colourful egg laying specimens and also an entire park full of bird poo, mmmm.
We made our way to the Perinthian on the overnight bus, which was delayed 2 hours, followed by 8 hours on an wild ride through the trees, a 2 hour coach and then a speed boat- but WELL WORTH the journey.
:)
We may have missed something, or it may just be that we are island girls and panic when we cannot see the beach... but two days was defiantly more then enough to see and escape the city.
However, we did slightly over indulge in western life with a little shopping and tourist attractions.
On our first day we decided to jump on the hop-on, hop-off tourist bus, which showed us around all the attractions in KL, we pondered around museums, visited the palace and explored the aquarium, which was actually really good (we love sharks!).
We filled up on amazing street food in the streets of China Town, cooking our own tofu and broccoli in the steamy pan in front of us, then smothering it in satay and chili sauce - delicious. China Town is also the place you want to be for a bargain; a mulberry purse for three pounds? - Yes Please.
On our second day we headed to the 'Biggest Bird Park in the World' because Jodie loves the feathery creatures. From Flamingos to kingfishers, we were well and truly surrounded by lots of colourful egg laying specimens and also an entire park full of bird poo, mmmm.
We made our way to the Perinthian on the overnight bus, which was delayed 2 hours, followed by 8 hours on an wild ride through the trees, a 2 hour coach and then a speed boat- but WELL WORTH the journey.
:)
Monday, 13 May 2013
Goodbye Bali
For our last days in beloved Bali we headed back to Kuta for a final night out in Sky Garden, HOWEVER, this was not until after our travelling day back from the Gili's of EIGHT HOURS, we decided to save about 3 pounds each and take the public bus... huge mistake, we ended up surrounded by buskers, moving sweet shops, pot noodle counters and endless sales pitches, hilarious to say the least! But if you have the option; take the fast boat, it cuts 7 hours off your journey!
Of course we headed back to Sky Garden for our final night out; we simply cannot get over FREE DRINKS for two hours....... its brilliant.
After a month of travelling Bali, we still only managed to see about 2 thirds, we weren't able to squeeze in the entire North-West of the island, surely an excuse to head back with more friends in tow?
Goodbye Bali, we love you
Next stop Malaysia....
Of course we headed back to Sky Garden for our final night out; we simply cannot get over FREE DRINKS for two hours....... its brilliant.
After a month of travelling Bali, we still only managed to see about 2 thirds, we weren't able to squeeze in the entire North-West of the island, surely an excuse to head back with more friends in tow?
Goodbye Bali, we love you
Next stop Malaysia....
Friday, 3 May 2013
Island Hopping the Gili's
Our last week in Bali!!!!! :(
We jumped on a fast boat from Ubud and headed to the sweet honeymoon island that is Gili Meno.
Imagine paradise and you are in the Gili's; white sand, crystal blue water and a mountainy lombok for a screen-saver worthy view.
Our first Island of the 3 was Meno. We spent our days enjoying the beach, or exploring the island in a tiny one hour walk, aswell as diving.... the most INCREDIBLE diving! With 20m visibility and 24 degree ocean we swam around with Sea Turtles aswell as Bumphead fish (a shawl of 23!!!!!!)... simply incredible. In the evenings we played cards with the locals whilst they sang a very Indonesian version of Jason Mraz with the guitar and bobbed their crazy afros.
We stayed in a cute lile shack... showering in sea salt in the back of the cow field was rather smelly.... to say the least.
View at breakfast! ^
The 2nd island we visited was Trawangan; the party island! Each bar/club/crazy pool resort has a day of the week that they host a party, we arrived on Monday just in time for Blue Marlin night. THE best party location, the sea, a pool, the bar and two great dancefloors! Locals showed off their impressive moves whilst drunken westerners danced on the bars... brilliant. However, the rest of T wasn't as untouched as Meno, with lines of shops and bars and never ending shouting of 'TRANSPORT!' - but this time on a horse! Its safe to say that we loved the party in Trawangan, but Meno is not worth missing for the chilled atmosphere and incredible landscape.
The 3rd and final island we visited was Gili Air, snorkelling on a reef just 50m from the shore with turtles was not something to be missed! We also played tourists and got hair wraps, ice creams did a little shopping for various sarongs etc. In the evening we went to an open air projecter in the beach and watched a movie for the first time in 2 months...... cute.
WE LOVE MENO
bye bye, Malaysia tomorrow xxxxxxxxx
We jumped on a fast boat from Ubud and headed to the sweet honeymoon island that is Gili Meno.
Imagine paradise and you are in the Gili's; white sand, crystal blue water and a mountainy lombok for a screen-saver worthy view.
Our first Island of the 3 was Meno. We spent our days enjoying the beach, or exploring the island in a tiny one hour walk, aswell as diving.... the most INCREDIBLE diving! With 20m visibility and 24 degree ocean we swam around with Sea Turtles aswell as Bumphead fish (a shawl of 23!!!!!!)... simply incredible. In the evenings we played cards with the locals whilst they sang a very Indonesian version of Jason Mraz with the guitar and bobbed their crazy afros.
We stayed in a cute lile shack... showering in sea salt in the back of the cow field was rather smelly.... to say the least.
The 2nd island we visited was Trawangan; the party island! Each bar/club/crazy pool resort has a day of the week that they host a party, we arrived on Monday just in time for Blue Marlin night. THE best party location, the sea, a pool, the bar and two great dancefloors! Locals showed off their impressive moves whilst drunken westerners danced on the bars... brilliant. However, the rest of T wasn't as untouched as Meno, with lines of shops and bars and never ending shouting of 'TRANSPORT!' - but this time on a horse! Its safe to say that we loved the party in Trawangan, but Meno is not worth missing for the chilled atmosphere and incredible landscape.
The bluest of seas.
WE LOVE MENO
bye bye, Malaysia tomorrow xxxxxxxxx
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