Scones & Scuba Diving

After adequately gorging myself on the delights of Georgetown cuisine it was about time to move on. I headed up to the Cameron Highlands which is up in the mountains and famous for its strawberry farms, tea plantations and afternoon tea and scones. I was fearing for my life on the drive up there- but arrived safely and in time to head up to the tea plantations for a quick tour and a leisurely cuppa. There was a fairly strange atmosphere- curry houses next to tea houses and a hostel which resembled your grandmas house. Suzi and I spent the evening in Granny's lounge, drinking tea, eating biscuits and watching a dodgy horror film.

It was about time to head back to the beach so we caught a bus and boat over to the Perhenthian Islands on the east coast of Malaysia. On arriving I realised that although the place is 'paradise', there really is very little to do but be a beach-bum. So... on a bit of a whim I signed up on a PADI Open Water course. Best decision I have ever made. Had a cracking three days swimming with sharks, sting-rays, boxfish and all sorts of funky looking creatures. I passed yesterday which now means I can dive independently, with a buddy- which is actually a little worrying.

The island itself is a really strange but beautiful place. We lived up in the jungle in wooden huts, electricity is limited, giant lizards roam around, 6 Inch spiders hang out and you are eaten alive by mosquitos. Doesn't sound like paradise but if you have a look at the pictures you will see the appeal...

I leave in four hours, headed back over to the west coast for Langkawi and from there- who knows...