Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Fun with the Perhentian Gang

About 10 years ago I went to Thailand with a couple of my college mates. They were my security blanket as that was my very first time traveling out of country on my own. We explored Bangkok and the surrounding area together for a week and had a blast visiting new places, meeting different people, drinking and partying. However, living 24/7 with each other on the road means seeing a lot of their antics, characters and demeanors which were hilarious in small dosages, suddenly became annoying and unbearable to me. I believed I had my fair share of shit driving them up the wall as well. Our differences in mindsets and approaches, which normally were complementary, were magnified like 246 times and appeared so very conflicting. No doubt we had a great time, but thereafter I prefer travel solo.

Now, 10 years later, I signed on for a long weekend getaway on Perhentian Island along the east coast with 8 of my buddies. Being older (and hopefully wiser), I ignored the previous experience; basically jumped on the boat with a simple mission to have a fantastic weekend with the people I love.

LaviYa…Ya… the Orgy-nizer of the year. How could we ever thank you enough for taking up the enormous challenge of organizing this island escapade? It was impossible to fit everyone’s schedule and budget and preference and demand but you simply took them all in and waltzed through gracefully sorting out bus ticket and boat fare and booking the chalet. On top of that, kudos for successfully fending off the constant antics and pranks from the 3 dick-heads. Anyway, we still strongly believe that you have got lesbian tendency. It’s ok, I love you no less for that.

Aulalalalala, the second target of the practical jokes from the 3 dick-heads. I was worried as you were kind of moody and quiet throughout the trip, probably due to our endless comical assaults towards you. We were trying to have a ball with you on the island. It was great finally seeing you laughed and yakked and yakked and yakked. Thank you for getting back the old you and joining in the fun. Seeing you ripping up the dance floor is such a reassurance. You go girl! Check out her website at AulaUpstair.com or AulaAngkatSikit.com

Arip a.k.a. Dick-head #1. Aside from his major contribution towards dick-headness, he was the activity director. “Today we go snorkeling.” “C’mon let’s play Frisbee.” “Who’s in for kayaking?” I must say I was trying to wiggle my way out of kayaking but it turned out to be a great 3 hours. We got 2 weeks worth of workout logged in. We found a lovely stretch of white soft sandy beach with crystal clear water. Most important of all we saved the leatherback turtles by continuing digging the nest on the beach (after a group of tourist stopped), bringing out a few more recently hatched baby leatherbacks. It was an incredible experience and that made all the sore arms and arching back worthwhile.

Roobs a.k.a Dick-head #2 and Orgy-nizer #2. He single-handedly managed the booze department and obviously did an excellent job. When he told me he would bring 2 bottles of stiff ones, I was happy. But when we got to the island, I was ecstatic as he brought along a minibar and a bartender: lemon and salt, shot glasses, cocktail mixer, tomato juice etc. Every occasion was a drinking occasion: he would be doling out shots of tequila to kick off the vacation, mixing bloody Mary to jump start the next morning, getting us beer after dinner, serving then a few more shots for capping the night. Roobs, you are the man!

Azleh the lover-man. A week before the trip he surprised me with a call telling me he’s crashing our island party, rain or shine he’ll be there. That was fantastic! He’s a good lad but we seldom get together due to different work locations. He likes partying and chic-ogling just as much. It’d be a blast. However, he was rather quiet at times and that left me wondering if he’s having a good time. Well, now that I know that he has got a chic thing over his head, that explained it all. I’m sure he’ll be able to patch things up with the hot mamasita of his very soon. Good to have you coming out with us.

JY, the official photographer for the trip a.k.a. Mr. Surprise Surprise! He initially insisted not to go into the ocean. (Surprise counter: 1) I know what you are thinking, why come to the island and not get into the sea? So, by the end of the first day he shot about 450 pictures of us goofing around. But the next day, he went for a short hike with us, sat in the ocean relaxing (Surprise counter: 2), got part of his hair wet (Surprise counter: 3), drank first Tiger and then Carlsberg over dinner (he kindly declined all our previous imbibitions) (Surprise counter: 4), danced up a storm (Surprise counter: 5), and finally the ultimate, took off his shirt and carried on dancing up a hurricane! (Surprise counter exploded!!!)

Skut, the metrosexual intrepid traveler. He just came back from Bali Island and Pangkor Island not too long ago. What better way to maintain an enviable holiday tan than going for another island getaway? Seasoned on the road, he came prepared. He brought along endless tales from Bali (“when I was in Bali…”), 2 beautiful Balinese sarongs (with different ways of tying them), 2 different SPF sun blocks (left over from Bali trip, 1 for body and 1 for the face), packed lunch of tuna and pita bread (totally taking care of his body), mega bucks worth of snacks (in which 35 big bucks worth of them were unfortunately left behind at the bus station).

Kevin the outsider. We met this new friend on the island itself, during our snorkeling trip. This poor guy was forced to take 2 weeks off work. Lucky bastard! He was traveling alone and we were actually staying at the same chalet. He’s a cool dude, out having a good time and meeting new people. We ended up having a lot of our meals together.

Finally yours truly, Boonsky a.k.a. Dick-head #3 and Tan-Doori. Other than occasionally chipped in some dick-headness, I did nothing really. I just showed up. In the end I got a tan (as I’m called Tan-Doori now), contracted the severe laughing overload syndrome, drank myself silly and smoked like tobaccos were tax free. I was just happy to be there hanging out with my mates and had a good laugh. I'm glad I jumped on the boat.


Such is life, sometimes you just need to show up.

Mission accomplished!

P.S.: Next trip we are heading to Cyprus. Road trip anyone?

8 comments:

VerSeS said...

plus the dark choc, which amounting to 40+ big bucks and the doa selamat donation to the sea.... a big 50... :( sob sob

Boonsky said...

Sorry for quoting the wrong figure. My source giving me wrong info! It's ok dude. You are rich! :)

Anonymous said...

boon,...as I was reading this I was not only laughing so much, but also crying at the same time.Yes...crying.It all just seemed like yesterday, when 8 people just jumped on a boat and headed off into the unknown.I am sounding very sentimental now, but I am going to miss the great times, as I head off for the cold and miserable land of "yaaa....yaaaa".

I'm going to miss everybody.The chance of meeting you guys in Miri 2 years ago was definitely "heaven sent" :).I not only found laughing/makan/drinking/dancing buddies...but travel bugs as well.

Cheers to the past and Yam Seng to the future...may the Cyprus trip work out!

yours truly...bibik a.k.a orginizer

Anonymous said...

Before I forget, not ALL ladies have got lesbian tendencies.Probably in you dreams+ariff+rooban, but not in this life time :).I am prety sure Aula+women WORLDWIDE can attest to that.

always..www.bibik.com

Anonymous said...

yeap.... I agree wif Lavi a.k.a Bibik d orgy nizer...

It was the best 3 days in my whole life.. Goin on vacation wif my kewl Miri gang..

Even kena buli wif the desperate housemates but its worth it.. I love you guys haha:>

Nak gie holiday lagie...Lavi u jauh pun masih boleh orgynize kan..
Da best.. gonna miss ya!

Korang nak ikut pegi Bali!! Leh tak??

Yup I will never ever kiss another gerl or anytin lyk dat not even close... hehe... Sowy booniE..

www.aulaupstair.com

Boonsky said...

Bibik, please don't be sad. Who knows you might actually enjoy the ya... ya... life there. We are going to miss you too. I know I will. Be good. If you can't, be careful ;o)

Anonymous said...

Great Blog Tan-doori! U really summed up the fun we had on the island holiday. Just like Lavi, as i was reading it, tears ran down my cheeks... yeah right! Hahaa... didn't realize u were a blogger. Keep up the good work! I'll check in from time to time to read up what other interesting stuff u've been up to. Hopefully, we'll be able to hang out again in the near future... esp once I'm based in KL. Take care.

BON VOVAGE to LAvi a.k.a bibik/ orgynizer... although we only got to know each other on the trip, it was really great talking/ hanging out with u. Good luck for the future. Keep in touch!

Azlan

Kevin said...

Fantastic write up of the trip,dude. It was great meeting all of you on the beautiful island which was the highlight of my vacation. I really had fun hanging out with you guys. Keep me in the loop if there is a get together. I would love to catch up with everyone again :)

Cheers!