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It was a bit of a disaster when we got off the boat from the Perhentian islands. We thought we would be able to just get a taxi to the next jetty in Merrang and get on a another boat to Redang. As we got off we was asked where was we going and we said Redang, they all looked around and started chatting in Malay and then told us there were no boats to Redang in the afternoon we would have to check into a hotel and catch the 8am ferry across in the morning. We had already paid for 2 nights accommodation and I didn't want to loose this so asked if there was any other way to get there. The taxi was really helpful and said he would take us to the jetty and see if we could get a boat when we got there. He made a few phone calls on his mobile and we spoke to someone who said it was possible to get a boat we just needed to get to the jetty in Merrang and just ask about hiring a boat - sounded simple enough! So we got to the jetty and it was like a ghost town, there were lots of stalls but all closed, it looked like it had been busy but was all shut down for the afternoon. The taxi driver stopped and spoke to someone who pointed in a direction we went, he then spoke to someone else who again pointed into a another direction, we then stopped and got out, the taxi driver asked if there were any boats to Redang, yes of course 400myr (£80), bloody hell there was no way we wanted to pay that, fortunatly we managed to negotiate with another boat company 300myr (£60). It was still a lot but i didn't want to loose the priced of the hotel, plus having to book into accommodation then a another taxi fare would have been more than £60. So as we agreed the boat man said he just had to nip off but would be back and then take us off. I wanted to go to the loo and ask where the were and was pointed to a single storey building I walked across to it and it was closed, walked back and a was pointed to some other toilets, they were closed, so I said to lady I would just cross my legs, she laughed as i made and impression of me crossing my legs and bursting for a wee, only I really was bursting. Some guy came over and pointed to the single storey building I went to first, "I have already been there, they are all locked with padlocks" he beckoned for me to follow him and I was praying that I hadn't got it wrong that they were locked. At the same time he was talking on the phone and twice I heard him say customer, as we got near the toilets the doors were all locked and the guy tried to break one of the doors in by pounding it with his shoulder - omg I thought he is breaking the door in, it's ok I said don't do that, next thing with a big kick, he kicked the door of the toilet in. Thank you I said and I went into the loo, funny thing was he broke into the gents loo, I didn't have the heart to say "actually this is the gents", and was hoping that there was a toilet and not just urinals or I would have had to go out and ask him to knock the other door down. I have got used to squat toilets, but don't quite think I could master the art of a urinal! So after all that excitement I got back outside and heard some rubbings, looked up at the sky, it didn't look a very good colour, the guy came back and said we needed to wait let the storm pass. Seemed like we was never going to get there. Anyway he then decided we could go. We stepped down onto the boat, he covered our bags with black bin liners, told us to put a life jacket on and we was ready to go. There was a lovely young cheeky looking Malay guy on the boat who helped us on, we got out from the jetty and into the sea and he started laughing as we looked over at the massive big black clouds and the rain that was comin in on us, he thought it was funny that we was going to get wet as we bounced across the waves. We saw the island if Redang in the distance, but it was almost like it was teasing us as it just seemed forever to get there. As we approached the island the sea became calmer and the weather improved. Well I thought it was beautiful on the Perhentian Islands but this was amazing, the most crystal clear waters we have ever seen and the sand was powdery white. The young lad jumped off the boat and helped carry our bags across the sand. He was soaking wet but was laughing and happy to help us.
So after all that drama we checked in and was given a complimentary upgrade to a room in the newest part of the resort. It was a bit small but lovely and clean and new, just how we liked it.
We freshened up, had a walk, dinner and then retired for the night looking forward to the next day which we was really excited about.
Tuesday 18th September:-
We woke early from the sounds of a cockerel and some little hens that were trying to copy it outside our door. We got up had breakfast (which wasn't good) and got ready to sit by the pool and read for an hour on the comfy sun beds before going off to the beach. We got some snorkels and had a wonderful time the fish in Redang were much better, although again the Coral looked very much dead which was a shame.
It was extremely hot and there was no shelter from the sun on the beach. Lee found a hammock and has a lie down in it. I still haven't got the hang of getting into one of them so gave it a miss and just sat on chair and read. We had a bit of lunch, did a bit more snorkelling then went back to the comfy loungers by the pool. Lee went off and sorted out our transfer from the island in the morning, we wanted to make sure we got it right this time.
The good thing about being in Malaysia it that it doesn't get dark till about 7.30 whereas in Thailand it's about 6.30, so we just lazed around pool, dipped into the sauna, went back out to the beach and stayed out as long as we could before it dark and before the mozzis started eating us. It was such a beautiful day we just didn't want it to end. It was so tranquil on Redang. The water so was so crystal clear and lovely and fresh and old so it could cool you down from the heat of the sun. The sand was powdery white. I think it would take a lot to beat the beauty of this beach and the wonderful snorkelling that we did. Again we sat and talked about how lucky we was that we had been given this opportunity to visit these magical places and experience the things that we had done so far.
Wednesday 19th September.
So very early start as we had to leave at 7am. Think we was up before the cockerels had a chance to crow. Just had time for a bit of toast and coffee then we was off on the ferry. We must have only been on it for about 5 minutes when we heard this strange this noise behind us coming from a
man who was stood up and was twisting his body, at first we though he was disabled and everyone was looking at him. I then realised he was having a fit and said this to Lee and that we needed to go and help him. I turned around and an English woman looked at me I said again that he was having a fit, by this time Lee had reached him and was trying to lie him down and then put him on his side. He was in a very awkward position just by the railings of the boat. When other passengers saw us helping they came to help as well. The English lady I spoke to was next to Lee and told him she was nurse but she didn't seem to know what to do - 'where's Minney when you need her'.
Eventually with a lot of struggling they managed to lie him on his side, he didn't look good and was foaming at the mouth. Lee was just brilliant he was holding his hand and trying to calm him down and soon he came out of his fit and started to breath normally. During this time another boat came along side us and we had to transfer boats. Everyone else got on but this guy was refusing to move, it was about an hour before we get him on the other boat and get on way. Lee was the HERO of the day.
We arrived at the jetty in Kuala Terengganu and walked up to the bus station and calmly got on the bus to Kuantan.
It was supposed to be a 3 hour journey but after 3 hours we stopped at a service area and everyone got off, we thought it would be for about 10 minutes but it was 40 minutes later before they all for back on. As Malaysia is a Muslim country we assumed that they must have gone to pray so we just sat patiently on the bus and arrived in Kuantan 5 hours later. Our hotel was right by the river, it was ok a bit dated, we was only here for the night so it didn't matter. We went and had a wonder around, got a sim card at last for my phone, had something to eat and retired for the night.
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Liz Great to follow your adventures on here, keep posting. See Susy & I should have come too Xx