Beach bums at Pulau Sibu - Part I

1-5 Nov 2006 - Pulau Sibu, Johor east coast

‘Got my swimming gear n all set 2 go’

‘In front of d Sea Gypsy bar’

V r going on a summer holiday n wat makes it even more special dis time is dat me mates, Russell n Hana, will b tagging along. 3 dogs tanning deir thighs at a beach resort, now dat wld b a real sight! Destination Pulau Sibu was a long 5 hr drive down south-east. At 1 pit stop, v mistook d highway restrooms 4 holiday chalets n got a little excited … r v there yet, r v there yet?

Arrived at d Tanjung Lemang jetty n d operator was kind enuf 2 let us board from d main jetty as there weren’t many people around. Being our 1st time at sea, d short 15 min boat ride 2 d islands was a treat. Russell was a little tentative but soon got used 2 d bumpy ride. I was my usual cool self trying not to make a big deal out of it. Hana just preferred to sit on d floorboard … she figured dat at d speed d boat was traveling, d wind factor wld make her ears flap all over d place n slap herself silly in d process, smart lady.

'Hah dis looks like fun ... Maiden sea voyage.'


‘Speedboat ride = Flappy ears syndrome …’




‘Views from Sea Gypsy Resort on Pulau Sibu Besar’

Russell n I stayed in d backpackers Aframe which was very basic n cheap. Hana stayed in d slightly more upmarket n comfortable chalets. Didn’t really matter as v spent most of our time at d beach … clear blue waters, soft sand n fair weather, total bliss. So many things n places to sniff out, so little time.

‘D beach, d beach …’

‘Russell executing d strokes in style ... me, struggling with d prenovice doggie paddle’


‘Hana, getting a buzz from d waves’

‘Catch me if u cn’
Swimming
V were at d beach morning, noon n evening, taking only short naps in between. Hana n I werent proficient swimmers n just bout managed with d basic doggie paddle. Russell aka Aquadog was at his element doing d front crawl, d breast stroke n riding d waves with relative ease. Must b something 2 do with his big paws n pads n large floppy ears. He just swam n swam n swam … 1st in d water n last 2 get out. N he’s not too worried bout d post shriveled skin look either.

V especially enjoyed playing with d waves as dey landed onto d beach. Gv chase n was being chased as dey came n went. N dese guys never stop coming or going all day long, no breaks … groovy!

‘Bring it on dudes …’

‘Never turn ur back on any wave …’

Surfing

‘Lessons on dry land’ … ‘Get d balance right’
‘Catching d big 1…’

‘Riding d waves ... cool!’
‘Wipeout! ... not so cool’

Owners’ bodyboards doubled up as surfboards 4 us. Hana n I cld balance fairly well on d boards n managed to ride d waves for a second or 2. But d waves were too strong, so I almost always ended up being wiped out. Gallons of H2O rained down on me as I frantically doggie paddled 4 dry land. Dis sport is Xtreme, bring it on dude! Russell’s motto … ‘why surf ven u cn swim’.

Frisbee


‘Gimmee d frisbee…’


‘Gotcha!'



‘Flying JRT on Sibu Island’
‘Taking a breather’

D coolest game 2 play on d beach n Hana’s fav. I also got stuck into it n managed a number of neat takes against d back drop of d rolling waves, sweet. Russell’s motto … ‘why catch frisbees ven u cn swim’.

After continuous soaking in d salt water, my nylon frisbee appeared 2 hv shrunk somewat … needs re-stitching, but still playable.

Part II of Beach Bums, to be continued ...