Island Paradise? Part 1

Monks walking on the beach looking for the Sunset
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On arrival to one of Malaysia's well known beach retreats, we find ourselves in a rain storm.  This shall be the theme of our beach retreats as we will come to find out because monsoon season decided to start late this year to our unfortunate bad luck.

Before we ventured out of the ferry dock area for a taxi cab, I did have a slight reprieve as Bill insisted I have some starbucks to make up for the taxing boat ride to the island.  Though looking at the prices, I felt a bit guilty actually buying one (they weren't any worse than American prices but in a cheap country seems expensive and costs as much as dinner) but it didn't actually stop me and so I was in starbucks heaven.  I'm sure I have some readers out there who could understand because for some weird reason BILL CAN'T!

The monkey when he was still cute (before he looked like pouncing)
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Anyhow, we finally got a cab into town.  Bill wanted to walk around town and find a place to stay but the down pore of rain made him take up our cab driver's offer on suggesting places to stay.   He ended up bringing us to a little hostel that was called Rainbow Hotel (again more of a hostel).  I think hotel and inn are used very lightly in these areas and may be in the low category of a motel.  Though the price was good and it was only a 3 minute walk to the beach so we took the room.  The bonus was it had it's own bathroom, and those are not always that easy to come by.  However, we later learned that the bed was support by piles of bricks and a piece of rope keeping the frame together, and so Bill used his engineering skills to put it back together a few times not to mention his skills he gained at Fluidmaster let him fix the toilet that was leaking on to the floor as well.  Thanks Fluidmaster.

Temjung Beach (Garbage Dump??)
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Well, with all that settled, the rain finally decided to take a bit of a break and we made it to the beach.  The water wasn't as clear as we would have liked but with all the heat, it was a nice swim.  Then Bill wanted to go see the sunset, we kept walking but with all the time changes, we never know when the sun is actually going down.  So we sat there for awhile and then awhile more, and then decided to keep going and we got to the restaurant, and there was the sunset, though not as impressive as Bill would have hoped. With all the waiting, I'd already given up.

Michelle hanging out with the rabbits
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This restaurant I might add, Bill picked out.  And ended up costing more than our room did for the night as he ordered a fish not realizing how big they meant by find.  He got two pounds worth of fish and that was half of the bill.  But he did enjoy it, so it was alright.

We took it easy the next day and decided to walk around and see what the town had to offer.  Unfortunately, that wasn't much but we did find a Mexican food restaurant and a place to play pool.  The Mexican restaurant finally had the nachos I'd been craving since the first time I saw them on a menu, but they were out of avocados, the two just didn't work.  The next time, the place simply didn't have them.  So third time is a charm this time.  We played pool after and I only beat Bill because he got so happy one of his balls went in during his shot that he thought my ball going in was a mere sacrifice.  Little did he know was that it was the eight ball that went in instead.  Don't worry he gets his revenge the next night.

The rain clouds coming in over the out lying island
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And so we tried to go diving, but the friend of our hotel owner, told us to save our money as the rains made the diving less than ideal and not worth going.  So instead we rent a car hoping to see some of the other beaches this island is famous for.  We headed to the cable car first which takes you up to get a picturesque look of the island; however, did I forget to mention the fact that it was RAINING AGAIN!  This is why we rented a car instead of a motorcycle because Bill knew he would never hear the end of it if it did rain and we were on a motorcycle again.

The coast of Langkawi disapearing into the wake of the boat
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So no luck going to the top, but there was a petting zoo, so I was able to pet some rabbits and more deer.  Bill went to get some food, and the deer surrounded him.  He had to put the food behind his back to distract the deer so I could go feed the rabbits. (and he managed not to be bitten doing this)  So one we went to see these famous beaches, and yes, the rain followed.  But that actually wasn't the most disappointing part.   When we got Tanjung beach, the entire edge of the water where it hits the beach was covered in garbage.  I looked at a fancy hotel that sat on this beach which happens to be far away from any where else, and pondered why don't they clean up this beach. I'd would have been enraged if I was staying there.

Though in vain, we tried the cable car again but the rain got worse rather than better.  But along the side of the road Bill pointed out some monkeys and stopped so we could look.  A smaller monkey had a bag that was full of a drink and was trying to get it open.  A larger monkey came charging at the other monkey took the drink, stared at us, and then suddenly looked like he was going to jump in my now open window.  My first reaction was screaming at Bill, "The monkey is going to jump in the car," then I went to close the window.  The monkey in reality was just pulling apart the drink, but took a sip and discarded it.

And so deflated by the rain, we headed back to our part of the island.  We took it easy for awhile, but then decided to go get dinner.  I was happy eating at the restaurant we played pool at the night before because the menu had a caeser salad, but since we had the car, I could tell BIll wanted to explore the island to find a better place.  To make a long drive into a short story, we drove to one side found nothing worth eating, went the other direction still nothing, and then decided to go back to the pool place, Oasis, but got lost in the process as the map we had only had the major roads listed.  Eventually, we made our way back but now the gas tank was below the point when we had picked up the car, but I thought she wouldn't tell, but she did and charged us and arm and a leg for gas.  (Bill's words 33% of the price of the car, but mine sound better, I know)

So I got my caesar salad, but since everyone in the restaurant was playing cards.  I thought while we waited we would play a game. Somehow, I got three straight balls in a row in, and our dinner came.  So we went to eat, but I was itching to finish the game.  And then I asked, which one do I aim for and chose the orange not thinking I'd sink it, but I did so now that was four straight.  The streak ended and then I was down to the eight ball, and Bill still had four balls on the table.  But somehow I never got the eight ball in, and Bill had his revenge and wasn't shut out in Malaysia as he thought he would be!

Michelle (with edits from Bill)