Sleeping most of the way through our 14 hour jungle train expedition, we arrived at a place called Kuala Besut, a small Malay town, ready to board a speed boat to our new found destination. As the Islands have no ATMs and the night before at the train station we had a mini drama trying 4 times to withdraw cash, we were desperate for some relaxation rather than the panic occured only hours before. However, now with cash in hand (via a fifth transaction attempt) we indulged in conversation with a very nice guy from London whom had been to the Islands before and recommended the smaller Island of Kecil as the livelier of the two and the best one to stay on.
Once safely deposited on Kecil via a second smaller boat in order not to damage its beautiful coral surrounding the bays, we set out to find some suitable accommodation for our stay. Something we didn't think would be a problem considering you couldn't pre-book anything before hand and that the islands were a stopping off point for many travellers before. How wrong could we be? Although the Island was possibly the best yet and lined with stunning palm tree coves, luxurious white sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters, the paradise setting severely lacked anything of any standard to stay in. I mean obviously we don't ask for much but a cleanish room, with 4 walls and no holes would be nice. Viewing four separate properties on the Island we failed to receive any of these so called 'luxuries'. Hot and slightly bothered we stopped for a light snack, also of no great note, then proceeded to get another expensive taxi boat to the larger inhabited Island of Besar.
Arriving there thinking a place to stay would be easier to come by was another mistake as after lunch most people had already arrived at their preferred destination and the first two options we tried were fully booked, in the end having to settle for a half decent yet overly priced room at New Cocohut Bungalows. At least we had a good view of the beach as the sea almost came in through our front door!
Never the less, as with many of the things on this trip we dealt with the situation and soldiered on, dropping of our stuff in the room and marching on down to beach to catch the last of the days rays! Moving on two days later to a higher quality and lower value establishment with a bargainous room at the greatly named 'Abduls' we were shortly enjoying better times. Meeting a really nice Canadian couple (Steve & Tracey) who lived next door, we managed to thoroughly make the most of our remaining 4 days here.
Without much to actually do on the Island apart from busk in their beauty and explore the remarkably fantastic coral and aquamarine waters with snorkels, we ended up venturing around the island on foot, hoping over to Kecil and playing far too much Uno. The food on the Island wasn't great either, mainly western options with some relatively nice Asian dishes but then again they did do a damn good milkshake!
However, even with my constant moaning, when your on Islands like these food and accommodation really don't matter- (Neither did the apparent lack of cheap alcohol) as we actually loved our time here. Even going as far to say it was an amazing experience and if you are listening Kayleigh & Paul, booking into one of the great resorts on offer here, this place would make for the ideal honeymoon destination! Shame our budget wouldn't allow!
Anyway, sick to death of my ramblings, up next is the amazing Penang where after days of beaching around with nothing much to do we were looking forward to being busy again taking in all the cultural delights on offer.....
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