So Bobby has been dreaming of diving in the Perhentian Islands for months before the trip even started way back in South America. However, we had decided to go to Bali first, instead of heading straight to the islands; all the travel books said we had until early November to avoid the monsoon season. Getting to these amazing islands is pretty complicated, involving a plane, cab, and speed boat.. We took a speed boat from mainland Malaysia to Long Beach on the 'big' island of the Perhentians and arrived to unpleasant news. Although the beach was spectacular and the sky was cloudless, a typhoon in the Philippines had sped up the monsoon season and the beach was literally closing down. For example, there were two restaurants open, but by the following morning, there would only be one. When we questioned the only open dive shop, we were informed it was their last day to dive. Talk about disapointment. Soooo here we are...We are in the middle of the ocean, hours away from any airport or large town with buses and we will soon starve...Great!!!
Luckily, Bobby befriended a local man who mentioned just walking across the island to the other beach. It is only a 10 minute walk so we were unconvinced that the scene would be much different. However, upon arrival to the other side of the beach, we were greeted with smiling faces, several restaurants, and a dive shop operated by a crazy English man. Success!!! So our disappointment turned to hope.
We switched beaches and started dive classes the next day. We both finished our open water certification, then with much encouragement from our money-hungry dive teacher, we signed up for advanced open water. We went for a night dive, wreck dive, deep dive (100ft), fish identification dive, and a horrible attempt at a navigation lesson. After 5 days of 2+ dives a day and studying (yes, studying), we became advanced divers! Thanks Jamie-
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| Dinner right on the beach |
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| Bobby is messing with his waterproof camera |
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| Nat is thinking about her upcoming dive |
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| Eel |
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| Yes this is a three legged turtle |
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| Nat is doing great |
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| Our dive master |
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| We're OK!!! |
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| Bobby failing at navigating |
We planned our last day to be at the beach just relaxing. In true Griswold style, it rained constantly that day.
Goodbye island semi-paradise, hello busy streets of Thailand.
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| Bye Bye PIs-just waiting for the boat |
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