Honeymoon in Perhentian

It’s been a while since our last dive trip back in July — way too long if you ask my gills! So when the long weekend in September rolled around, we packed up and escaped to Penang, Batu Ferringhi. The vibe was pure healing. Oh, and yes — I carried a 10kg snake over my shoulders. 🐍 At first, I froze. But then I realized, hey, this snake probably just had lunch. So I let it rest on me like a scaly yoga mat. Weirdly calming!

Back to Blue — Our Perhentian Escape

Fast forward to our real escape: Pulau Perhentian. This time, my partners-in-crime joined the fun — Dyan & her husband Ariff, plus our favourite chaos magnet, Jai.

As always, we arrived early at Jetty Besut. The sunrise painted the sea gold while we waited for the first boat — that quiet moment before adventure begins. That’s one of my favourite parts of any dive trip — the calm before the splash.

We promised ourselves this would be a santai trip. No pressure, no fixed schedule, just the ocean, naps, and laughter. But me being me — I couldn’t resist the call of the water. 🐠

So I grabbed my mask and fins, and Dyan tagged along to explore Flora Bay. The beach was stunning, but the water was too shallow for a proper snorkel. We waded out until my legs got a little too friendly with the corals (ouch). Mental note: come back when the tide’s higher.

That night, we had a bonfire by the beach — roasting marshmallows, laughing under the stars, with waves humming softly in the background. It’s those little moments that make me fall in love with island life again and again.

Freediving Day — Into the Blue

The next day, we started late (island time, okay?), heading out for our Rawa trip. First stop: Pulau Serenggeh, my absolute favourite site. The water was alive — shimmering schools of anchovies swirling like silver confetti. The reef there always takes my breath away — literally and figuratively. We got some killer freediving shots at this spot.

Then it was off to Pulau Tokong Burung, surrounded by crystal-clear blue water. If you’re lucky, you can even spot bird eggs — that’s how it got its name! But the real magic? Dolphins. 🐬

Right near Serenggeh, a pod of dolphins appeared, dancing across the waves like they owned the ocean. Everyone froze — even Jai started to make weird sounds (which says a lot). It was one of those perfect, unplanned moments that makes every salty hour worth it.

My husband couldn’t resist heading out for a little “ocean mission.” So he went out with Abang Man, our trusty boatman, for a little ocean adventure. He disappeared with his fins and snorkel for a while, exploring the reef’s edge where the water turns that perfect shade of blue. When he came back, he looked like he just won a friendly battle with the sea — and let’s just say dinner was extra fresh that night.

The Wreck & What’s Next

We also discovered a new shipwreck nearby — a freediver’s playground. I gave it a try but didn’t get to record my dive this time. It was dark, and I wasn’t feeling confident enough to go deep. But hey, that’s what next trips are for. You always leave a reason to come back.

Oh, and guess what? I finally upgraded my gear! 🎉 Got myself a Garmin Descent G2 — basically a freediver’s smartwatch dream. Can’t wait to test it out and see all the data on my next session. Will update soon once I get it wet!

Until the next dive — stay salty, stay curious, and always listen to the ocean. 🌊