29 APR 09 21:43 Bamboo Hill Chalet, Pulao Tioman, Malaysia
1 Wonderful Island of Tioman
It is hard for me to describe today in words. It was absolutely a perfect day if there ever was one. I set out on an old fishermans boat…a wooden one…for some island hopping and snorkeling. The view alone from the boat was phenomenal. There is probably nothing more beautiful than this small island I am on. A small beach and immediately jungle. Lots of jungle. Inhabited by monkeys, mouse deer, lizards, goats and several species of insects. At night, you can literally hear the sounds of the jungle and fall asleep listening to the calls of the wild.
2 Lizard chilling out
So I spent the day snorkeling. For hours. I really feel like I’m picking up this whole water thing quite well. Today I learned how to dive into water for the first time and I rather fancied it. I also learned how to dive underwater with my snorkel mask. It was really nice to be able to go deeper into the water and see coral up close. I’ve never done anything like it before. I was also told today that I swim like a dolphin. Instead of that weird kicking and helicopter arm thing most people do, I simply use my legs like one big tail and bobble in and out of the water. Its fun!
This was probably the best snorkeling experience I’ve ever had. I saw a sea turtle, lots of clown fish, hundreds of fish swimming together in schools around me, sea cucumbers, giant clams and best of all…BLACK TIP REEF SHARKS!
After all the snorkeling we cruised back to shore and I chilled out on the beach watching the sun go down.
This island is quite brilliant actually. I am staying in a Chalet on the top of this crazy hill in the jungle. Here are some pics of things I am experiencing here on this island:
3 My chalet is the one on top
4 I wash my knickers in the sink and hang them to dry in the sun
5 Gotta love the sign in my room
6 This is where you can shower in fresh spring water 
7 Super fun tire swing. Guess what the first thing I did on the island was
8 Beach life always includes a hammock!
And because I haven’t posted them yet…here are some pics from Kuala Lumpur J Please enjoy!
9 Dancing woman
10 Sweaty Dancers
11 Batu Caves Entrance
12 Batu Caves
13 Inside Batu Caves
14 Dude stole my water
It is unfortunate that there is never quite a perfect ending for a perfect day when you lead the life I do. Still, as my dad says: “can’t complain, doesn’t do any good.” I am thankful for the life I’ve been given. I have seen so much. It is sad to think about how many people have never seen this place. I wish I could teleport everyone here so they could experience the amazingness of this planet. So people could know that life exists outside of malls, cubicles and other day to day monotony.
Leaver Life exists here…I don’t recall a time I’ve felt so…calm. If it weren’t for a lack of partner, friends, family, I reckon I could live here and be completely content.
Oh and by the way, my Malay is coming along quite nicely. I have the basics down pat. I can count to 5, say good morning, how are you, ask for the toilet and ask for another beverage. Life is good.
Final Thought: I got my first official ‘bad sunburn’ today. And yes, I did put sunscreen on. And yes, I did reapply. I guess Mexicans can burn after all.
15Yeah, I’m the definition of HOT
