We made the big and extreemly cheap trip from Singapore to Mersing today despite the fact that it’s monsoon season and everything we read warned against traveling to the east coast of malaysia… the thought of a deserted island paradise was just too much to pass up! We took the singapore public bus to Johor Bahru using our totally niffty pre-paid swipe cards and though we only had $0.90 left they got us all the way to the bus interchange through two customs posts. then we simply found the booth labled Mersing and bought our onward tickets. We had a Two hour wait at the bus interchange but that was no problem cause we were hungry and there was plenty to eat. Nick… if you’re reading this you be proud to know our first meal in malaysia was Mee Goreng a massive plate for less than a dollar!
when we arrived in Mersing the last ferry to Tioman Island had left so after booking tickets for out “resort” accommodation we checked out the beach (crappy) and listened to the music coming from the mosque on the top of the hill.

later Nathan ate a whole fish while it stared at him from the plate. talk about flexitarian! tomorrow… our island paradise!

Lot’s of love

Ellie

On our second day in singapore we explored the botanical gardens… the city was getting to be a bit too much.

hi dad! thanks for the comment. the turtles didn’t seem to be trained…. when we came close they did these kamakazi bellyflops back into the water… they were great!

After an amazing trip out to Litchfield where we swam (risking croc’s) walked and read. At one stage we were bathing right beside a waterfall while reading books. IN the evening we waited for the sun to set, watching it slowly sink into the earth leaving a sky of vibrant colors. It was so peaceful as we waited a small eternity (2hours), engrossed in our books on a lookout over to another waterfall.

In the cool darkness we light a fire, configured out tiny hire car to be the most comfortable possible. We were able to sleep with the doors and boot wide open, and a couple of mozzie calls burning and a tipple coating of rid - TO our pleasant surprise there were no mozzies ;). Despite all of this and the 8am snooze, I didn’t have a good sleep. This in itself would have been fine, but it was further compounded by the 3am flight to Singapore the following night. Anyhow, we have now settled into out $12 a night (each) hostel, bought some food, haggled with professional sales reps for Ellie’s new digital camera. Scoring a pretty good deal and a few extras. I’ve got the technology bug and want to buy a new ebook reader this evening with my no-money… so we will see how that pans out… time to crash… zzzz