Paradise

Absolute paradise. Close your eyes and imagine a tropical place that hasn't been ruined by commercialization, oversize all-inclusive resorts and cheesy tourist attractions. Ready? 1, 2, 3...that place is called the Perhentian Islands. Located off of the northeastern coast of Malaysia, they call this small group of islands the gem of the country. Jason (part of the KL crew) and I took the overnight bus from Kuala Lumpur and the first boat to spend some detox time in the most perfect place in the world.

The water is pristine and full of life, the sands are white, the snorkeling is amazing, the weather is perfect, the people are kind, I could go on and on. When I compare these islands to other typical vacation spots, I realize just how different it really is.

When you arrive, you are not presented with your typical tourist office or concierge filled with leaflets on all the different types of activities that they have come up with and overcharge you for. Sure they have snorkeling, banana boats and scuba diving but that's about it. In fact, if you google the Perhentian Islands, the amount of information/images are far less than any other get-a-way spot.

This is a place where every restaurant is family-owned and operated, most of the seating consists of plastic chairs or wooden furniture placed on the beach, and no matter which place you choose to eat, the menus are all the same...it's that small. The only type of bars they have on the island are located in Long Beach (the other side of the island, about 10-15 minute walk from Coral Bay). Here you will find two wooden stands that in the day time one might pass by and think nothing of. At night, they stock it up with alcohol, connect it to power, play music, set up mats, candle lights and small wooden tables in the sand, and voila...it's a bar. Why? Well, bars are illegal on the islands and if authority plans to make a surprise visit, all they have to do is burn it down. Easy enough. Oh yes, and the one alcohol they drink on the island is something the locals call "monkey juice" which to me is basically cheap rum.

Snorkel or lay out on the beach during the day, enjoy some monkey juice and fire shows at night and that's about it. Simple.