Work Hard, Play Hard

I remember a saying that goes something like this... "When you are young, you have the time and energy but no money. When you are older, you have the money and energy but no time. When you are elderly, you have time and money but no energy". I feel like I've been through a similar situation without having to be an elderly to learn it. When I was sick, I have the time and money but no energy. When I am healthy, I have time and energy but no money. Heh!

I've not work for 6 months during my previous pregnancy and confinement period. I have some financial buffer to be used in situations like this. Alhamdulillah for that. Then, I'm feeling much and much better. I have the energy to clean the house, rearrange some things, unpack boxes that has been lying around for like a year already. I wanted to hold my financial buffer for another 2 months if possible so I can wait for training payment to be paid but I'm in the mood for house decorating. You can't decorate the house without buying things. But since we're financially tight, cleaning, rearranging and sorting things are the best options that we have. And a good thing I did that because discovered few things that can be thrown away, clearing some space for more storing. Less clutter means less headache, more positive energy and clearer mind. We bought new sofa and dining table since the condition of the old furniture warrants new one. Other than that, we invested in plants to be placed around the house. The greens certainly makes the place more inviting. On the downside, we worry about the plants not being watered whenever we have to go outstation now.

Then, it's holiday time. I've completed and submitted the report for last semester. Now I only have to focus on my thesis which I should be doing now but didn't. Not yet anyway. Play first :) Our initial plan to go to Pulau Kapas was postponed due to financial condition. But then I received some payment from my training so the holiday plan is on again. A friend piqued my curiosity with her FB status to dive in Perhentian Island but I still consider Pulau Kapas due to our initial plan. But then, a dirty toilet pics kinda put me off. Normally, you'd see nice resort or hotel photos but when you arrive at the destination, you discover those photos were probably taken when the place were new and polished. This photo certainly took my by surprise. I'm not even going to put it here and spoil my blog. I'd give it the benefit of doubt and still go to Pulau Kapas in future for the beach, the view and dive spot but I was busy doing my report to properly research the place. So in the end, we chose to go to Perhentian Island at the place my friend suggested. She's been there several times so there must be something great about the place.

I felt kinda rushed because I have training till Thursday and we're leaving early Friday morning. Anyway, managed to plan laundry and packing in advanced. We went via Cameron route, stop for the night at BIL's place in KB, then off to Kuala Besut in the morning. I went to Perhentian about 20 years ago. I can't remember much about the jetty. I thought it has been upgraded like Tioman jetty. Turned out it has been upgraded in a way, but they still use small boats and not ferry. And no ATMs nearby. Thank God I persevere and withdraw $500 at Tapah R&R despite the queue. That amount only covers our boat trips and marine park fee. We were greeted by 'minah salleh' at the chalet. Feels kinda weird being served by foreigners in our own country. I thought I had the garden chalet, turned out I had the standard room. Their garden chalet was full, their triple room was also full. OK... can't complain much since we did book at the last minute. We reached the chalet quite early, around 11 am but they managed to give us one room to put our luggage and change. Our first activity, jungle trekking. A very short trek but I was heaving and panting. Have not done much exercise. Then we had our lunch and get keys to the other 2 rooms so rest and unpack. I went for a walk in the evening while the boys play in the water. The sky was dark and cloudy. We tapau dinner at the cafe next door but their service were very slow. We only got our food after waiting for more than an hour.

The next day, we went diving at nearby dive center since they have cheaper options. Our first dive spot, Terumbu Tiga, have quite a strong current. It was quite deep, about 19 meters. I threw up after getting into the boat. I probably can't take the strong current. Really felt weak and no energy for my next dive. Returned to my room to rest and thank God felt much better afterwards. Our second dive spot at D'Lagoon was more relaxing with no current. We spotted a large stingray, a pipefish, cleaner shrimp and thumbelina nudibranch among other fishes. After lunch, we went snorkelling. We went to 3 spots. I went snorkelling for a while at the first spot than decided to play at the beach after accidently inhaled some salt water. I went snorkelling at the second spot but didn't see that many fish as in Tioman and saw many dead reefs. The boys went further and managed to capture some nice photos. The third spot is jumping from a lighthouse. I stayed in the boat. The water was choppy, the current was quite strong too. I felt dizzy and didn't really enjoy it. I think Tioman has more fish variety and better soft and hard corals.

On the last day, I played in the water for a while. Then laze at the beach, pack and rest. Our boat arrives at 4pm. We were given a room to stay before checking out, so we can rest and perform our prayers. Oh I must mention about breakfast. Our chalet is the only chalet that offers early morning breakfast. Other cafe seems to only open their door at about 8 a.m. I'm not sure when the breakfast will be ready. After second day of having Bayu Breakfast set which consists of toasted bread, scrambled egg and beef slices, I'm glad we didn't stay another night there.

From Kuala Besut, we went to a homestay in KB because hubby has a meeting on Wednesday which means we have a full day in KB. Decided to go to Jeram Linang for the day. It rained for a while when we arrived, stopped, giving me enough time to dip my feet in the water and then rained again, heavily this time. The boys played in the rain, sis and I went to a nearby hut with our things. Went to Wakaf Che Yeh after dinner, rest and pack the next day during hubby's meeting. And then off to KL. Reached home about 3am early next morning. All in all, fun and over the budget holiday hehehe...

Spent whole day yesterday and this morning editing and rearranging photos for photobook. Just realized I haven't published last year's Tioman, Cameron, Pangkor and Medan's photo in photobook also. That will take some time to do. I won't be ordering the photobook yet since I'm waiting for a better discount. Their current discount rate, at 40% is not good enough. Last year I managed to get buy 1, free 1 and even that, at a very good discount. I will upload photos later since I can't seem to upload any photos now. Don't know what's wrong with the new interface. Or it didn't work with Opera browser. I only managed this rushed entry as a personal record. Lots of work awaits.