island time

We decided that we needed to give ourselves a bit of a break from all this incessant driving and have some time out actually sitting on a beach!! So, we took our leave of Kuala Selangore without much regret and once again sallied forth. Easy and flat country through more endless oil palm plantations but with one difference in one area - very big rice paddies - in one place almost as far as the eye could see.

We were heading for Lumut which is the ferry terminus for Pangkor Is. We had read about Pangkor and it sounded a pleasant place to visit especially as it would be an anchorage for us on the boat. Lumut is a very bustling upmarket sort of place - sort of overblown Paihia! We were accosted almost immediately by an agent of the accommodation venues on the island but he was pleasant and gave us a number of places to choose from. We chose the Puteri Bay Resort which, though somewhat old, was reasonably priced and we weren't disappointed. We parked the car in one of several carparks for visitors to the island. The ferry ride was about 30 minutes by fast ferry - all inside and air conditioned - don't know how we would all have exited in an emergency! The ferry wharf is on the eastern side of the island so it was a 5 minute taxi ride to the resort on the western side. Easy walking distance from a small touristy village and right on the beach. Had a look at the beach and the shops and found a very good Chinese restaurant for tonight. You might be forgiven for thinking that food was something of an obsession with us!!

After a bit of a siesta during which we watched a very old film "Anna and the King of Siam" (forerunner of "The King and I") we went out once more and had an excellent meal at the restaurant. Chatted to the owner and his wife for a while and thence to bed.

15/11

First thing about 7 we went for a swim in the Andaman Sea. Nothing like here; the water was like warm silk and a great way to wake up. As things turned out this was to be the only swim we had in Malaysia so it was memorable. Didn't want to get out but we had things to see and do so after another filling buffet breakfast we strolled down to the village again to go on the net to book our Penang and Langkawi accommodations. That took about 2 hours!! We then enquired about hiring a motor scooter! Took Jim back to his days on Rarotonga in 1968!! We must have made a comical picture as we wobbled unsteadily off - first back to the ferry wharf to get some fuel as they hire them empty. A good ploy - they must make a bit on unused tanks filled up by visitors. Then further up the western side of the island. Over one steepish hill into the next bay. Not sure which was worse - going up wondering if the overworked little engine was going to get us to the top or down the other side wondering whether the brakes were going to hold out. Anyway we made it to Daddy's Cafe again right in the sand on the beach and soothed our nerves with a Tiger beer! We had been advised not to attempt a complete circumnavigation as the road was apparently quite rugged (more so than the one we had been on already) so we decided discretion was the better part of valour and after a not bad lunch we wobbled back to town.

Another siesta and then back into town for another Chinese meal. This time the place was bursting at the seams with large family groups at large round tables. The general hubbub made conversation difficult. Another good meal then we said goodbye to the owners who had been flat out. But they do it without any fuss or panic.  

Another long day so early to bed as we have to be up early for the ferry and the drive to Georgetown, Penang.