Still all about the paradise

Was really hoping to blog alot more but I must admit , things got quite busy out here and I have had an amazing time throughout . Life is still all about the island , it's been a while since I saw a car and I move around in boats everyday . It is a big change in scene but most definitely , a very pretty sight daily

Heading home in my RIDE

To summarise a few , couple of weeks ago , we had a wonderful oppurtunity of working with the students from Alice Smith International School from Kuala Lumpur . We had a bunch of 10 who were out here doing their part with conservation and community development as well as completing their respective dive courses .

Winning the hearts and minds

It all started off with a presentation and briefing at Tuna Bay Resort which went awesome as we had the attention of almost the entire resort at dinner time . The message was quite clear and people did get pretty shocked with some of the statistics we laid out in front of them regarding the decline of turtles in Malaysia and around the world

The walk of fame

While the students were at it , we did a massive beach clean up at one of the most visited beaches on the island . The beach is called KK Beach in Perhentian Besar and many corporate companies use this beach for teambuilding and weekend events

Getting right to heart of it all

One thing they fail to hold up to is the fact that this beach is fuckin' dirty thanks to litters from the hundreds who turn up every week . How disappointing ..
It was however brilliant to see the campers watch us pick up their litter . They must have felt a little bit of guilt right there . Epic !

The gorgeous sunset with the Ecoteer team

It's amazing how people throw away something in our beautiful beaches and expect it to disappear magically , wake up and smell the shit people !

The TEAM

The final part of the event with Alice Smith ended with a bang when they donated funds that was then channeled towards making up a classroom into a marine theme .



The boys cleaning off the walls

This was a great day out for the students , the volunteers as well as the local kids as we worked together in making this a success . Part of the funds will also go towards our Turtle Needs Trees Club held at the school every Friday as well as improving the village in many ways . 

The artists at work watched on by curious kids

It did take alot of work to make this an awesome event but the end result was great . Nothing could beat the smile the kids displayed as they walked in the next morning . 

The class started taking a turn

It's amazing how we have so much interest from great people from abroad . It however does make me think of the level of contribution we as locals sometime pump back into the system . We can't blame politics for every shit that happens in our life and perhaps we can start pointing a finger back at ourselves this once and ask yourself when was the last time we thought of others ? More can be done for the little communities that surround us here in Malaysia , what we need is a layout .. a follow through and implementation .
However , please be warned of fuckin' big corporations that claim to be charity based . They use more than half of the charity to pay off their staff wages . If you wanna get something done , get some people together and DO IT YOURSELF !

A very happy group . Well done !

We may be behind some western countries but there is no point floating around in the present as we are indeed a growing community . Make a difference by being the first to lead the rest . You don't need to be a follower for life . Start off by lending a helping hand to another that needs it . We will achieve unity by hook or fuckin' crook :)

 

Life on the islands

An eye opener , simplicity and amazing sincerity . These are the 3 main things I have come in terms with since my arrival here at the village . I have been able to mingle with the locals pretty much the way I'd like to and they are beginning to open up to me 

A photo taken during my evening dip

I am starting to adopt myself to the relaxed and mellow way of life . Although slightly difficult in the beginning as you start getting restless at times , you will gradually get used to being one with nature and living at ease thus being happy with what you have

I have done a bit of work with my new house , organising the things as well as repairing leaks and holes around the place . It is really starting to look good , I reckon in times to come , this house is gonna stand out !

BEFORE

My workspace AFTER

To those who are in a daze about what I am going on about . I am working with an International Conservation company called Ecoteer . I am currently positioned on an island in the middle of the South China Sea , approximately 60 km's from the South of Thailand . My mission is to mingle with the local villagers ( 1000 inhabitants ) , working closely with the kids of the village spreading messages of conservation as well as finding ways in improving the living standards and the local economy for the people .

Well , that just sounded so formal but life in the end of the day is all about doing what you love and enjoy what you are doing . The last week has been pretty awesome , I could boldly say that I know most of the people here and the sense of satisfaction I get from this internship is nothing but amazing .
Ecoteer , founded in Plymouth , UK and making a difference in the deep corners of our country . When are we gonna grow up and learn to take control of our actions ? It is indeed time to watch , observe , learn and imitate .

This reminds me of a song .. The chorus of Knife Party at the Niko when Chino sings :
I can float here forever ...

Regards x

Pack and Paddle

Months of the normal city life later , I decided to pack my bags and head out in search of a new scene . I have left in order to seek something more in life , I must admit I got sick of the fuckin' routine that we all obey and commit to . Someplace where you can make a difference and share whatever it is that you are good at .



The view from the classroom . Seriously !

It was rather hard saying goodbye to my family as it is not a norm for us to find time to be together very so often . Saying goodbye to my friends was a little easier as I know they may just well pack up and hunt me down !

As we fled through the purity of mother nature

My journey took 9 hours by bus .. I was not anticipating this as I hate being in one small confined space for too long . Plus , you gotta be really vary about not wanting to pee too much or running them loose as I learnt the hard way - never drink beer before a bus journey as the passengers won't be too amused when you make the driver stop for you too many times . Burp !

My new home far away from the world

I arrived at my destination quite early and I had decided in advance that I was gonna hitch hike my way to the next place . To my delight , the bus I needed to catch was just on the other side of the road . It was a pretty smooth journey I must say .. there was this girl who sat next to me , offered to share her peanuts with me and played lovey dovey Malay tunes on her mobile almost throughout the entire journey . It was amusing cause it really made me smile :)


Dan doing some measurements

 Got to the island after an hour boat ride and met up with my mate Daniel Quilter ( founder of Ecoteer ) who then proceded to show me around the fishing village and my new found home . It was a completely different world altogether .. people seemed much more relaxed and they were smiling almost everywhere we went . The surroundings are beautiful .. a much needed fix for someone like me . The water is sooo clear and you could literally see the fishes feeding right next to the jetty .

There is also an awesome hill standing right behind my house screaming come on Pavin .. Yeah , made plans to summit the hill this coming weekend with Mike , a researcher from Portsmouth , UK with whom I will be living with for the next months to come . It is all falling in place .. The house we currently stay in , is more than a luxury to me . It has everything a house will need and I have already mind mapped a list of things I wanna do to make this place even more of a haven ..

This one was taken to TEASE you

 Went for a dip at a secluded spot yesterday and had one of the best swims ever . Nothing beats jumping in crystal clear waters after a long long journey . Floating like a feather amongst the green hills and the blue blue sea . At that moment - I could not think about nothing but Amirthan , Shanty and my bru Robo being there with me , you guys would have fuckin' DIED in awe !



Let the snap speak for itself

Our humble home is situated quite strategically so we get quite alot of kids coming around and playing board games or just swinging on the hammock in our home . It feels awesome how well behaved and respectful these kids are .. Made a short visit to the local school and to sum it all up , it was all just awesome . There is so much we can give to the community out here and I think we have got the right people for the job . Let's get in action guys .. let's fuckin' do this !


Mike learning the local card game

There is a list of things that need doing this week with the local school , the house and also got some wikid activities planned for the kids . Will keep you guys posted . Laters x