Me,my sandal and Perhentian Island, Malaysia

Where I should start now? I admit that I'm not the typical type of blogger who will update their blog from time to time.All I knew is that, I would love to share tips and some experience I have had during my trip with my own words.

Being a city girl doesn't mean that I love living the life in the city.Not the smoke, the hustle bustle of city lives..If I have been given a chance to stay in a village or an island, I would!Work and stress sometimes make some people feel kind of 'choked'.The best way is to go and have a holiday during weekend.I know it's not a long holiday but it's good enough even for a night.

Last weekend, I decided to travel to the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia;Perhentian Island - Paradise island for scuba diving,snorkelling and nature lover. The cheapest mode to Kuala Besut Jetty is by overnight bus.
Travel time to the island took at least 9hours including 8hours journey by bus from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut Jetty,before heading to the island via boat transfer.You can buy the bus ticket at HENTIAN PUTRA BUS TERMINAL. It is just a walking distance from PUTRA Commuter Station(http://www.ktmb.com.my/) or the nearest STAR LRT (PWTC Station).

Here some tips on what you should do..
FROM KUALA LUMPUR
BEFORE going for the trip to Perhentian Island
  1. Get the exact date when are you going. Early planning is essential so that the date that you're going doesn't falls on public,state or national holiday...
  2. Check the bus company whether it is reliable or not as some of the bus companies have a bad reputation on handling baggages and also some of the bus driver aren't that friendly especially when you are a foreigner.
  3. Check on ticket availability and also on the seating in the bus (If you travel in a group,make sure you book the ticket a week or earlier before the trip)
  4. Before you pay for the bus ticket, make sure that the seating no in the bus and the travel date is correct. Normally, the ticket is non-refundable.If you are going to stay a little bit longer, just buy one way ticket BUT if you're going there for a few nights, it is preferable for you to buy the RETURN bus tickets.
  5. If you are travelling during peak season, make sure that you already book your accommodation on the island as it will be hard to find room availability if you just walk-in. (Some of the chalet prefer walk-in guest but during peak season, rooms are limited unless if you're willing to wait for hours to get the room)
  6. Bring enough cash for the trip and if possible leave all your updated gadgets.Not worth it for the gadget to get stolen on the island!
ON THE ACTUAL DAY- before departing from the Hentian Putra Bus Terminal
  1. There will always be a lot of people in the terminal itself.Be at the terminal at least and hour before the departure time stated in the bus ticket.The place is a bit stuffy with the fumes from the busses.
  2. Please check the departure time and bus no at the counter.It's ok if you ask a few times.You don't want to miss the bus.
  3. Just relax and have a good time on the bus.Not to mention that the bus will stop for a few times.
  4. In each stop,just make sure that your backpack in the compartment is still there and untouchable.**
**Tips: When you put the backpack in the compartment,make sure you stuffed it in the inner part of the bus. Some backpack went missing on the way to Kuala Besut and being reported stolen within this year.This always happened during the overnight trip to Kuala Besut. There's always bad people everywhere.Always be alert.

Cost for the bus ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut is MYR40.10 (One Way).
Below are some of the bus companies that offer route from Kuala Lumpur directly to Kuala Besut:
  • Perdana
  • Mahligai
  • Transnasional (Get the premier seat ~ sometimes they give you 42 seater bus which you have to squeeze; not comfortable enough!)
  • Mutiara(If both Mahligai & Perdana fully booked) - they always delay and bus driver is so annoying!
AT KUALA BESUT JETTY
  1. The bus will reach Kuala Besut Bus station-2 minutes walk to Kuala Besut Jetty. There will be some local people who works with travel agent/boat transfer which can help you make the booking for your stay in the island.You can pay directly at the travel agent counter for your boat transfer fee. It would be MYR60.00(Return) per person and MYR2.00 for Marine park fee where you have to pay at the gate before going for the boat ride.
  2. If you still have time while waiting for the boat, there's a few local Malay stalls that sell some local dishes which you might try.The drinks are a bit sweet but people are really friendly.
  3. There's a clean toilet for you if you have the urge after a long night.
Getting to the Island by boat
  1. Once you're in the boat,just be relax and wear the safety jackets that was given to you and enjoy the wind,sea breeze, the smell of the oceans and view of some of small islands nearby.
  2. Bare in mind that some local people hardly speak any english nor understand it. Normally,they will ask you where you'll be drop off. If you stay in Long Beach, just mention 'Long Beach'.
  3. If you're going to Long beach, there will be a water taxi waiting for you.They will ask you to pay for MYR2.00 for their services.If you have backpack,make sure it is cover!
ON THE ISLAND
  • There's a lot of cheap chalet but the famous place is either Matahari, Panorama or Mohsin Chalet.Most of the chalet operator didn't accept advance booking but you can try your luck by just walk-in.This is because some of the traveller leaves early in the morning and if you're lucky, you can easily get the accommodation. The rate for chalets that I've mentioned above is around MYR20 - MYR 150 per chalet..
  • If you love scuba diving, there's PADI certified courses available here with a cheaper rate compared to other regions.
  • It is also a snorkeling heaven as you can still see a lot of beautiful underwater creatures and corals.One thing I need to highlight is when snorkeling, just don't stand on top of the corals.They would die easily and thus will ruin the reputation on the underwater living.
  • PARTY ~ Yup,party at Long beach especially during weekends would be insane. There'll be bonne fire lid up by the local near the local bar.The most popular bar is the Black Tip Bar. They serve really awesome wicked drinks and also shisha at a reasonable price.The famous drink on the island is the Orang Utan Bucket or in short, the monkey Juice.You might lost you way back home if you get drunk or you'll loose your flip flop or thong.But that's okay, it happens..
  • Just have fun and relaxing time sun bathing under the perfect weather of the island.Predict the unpredictable weather too as rain would be possible during the day.
LAST but Not least, have fun and be safe always!

El

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