A few years back I had the
opportunity of visiting pangkor Island during the long holidays. I went there
with a couple of friends.
We arrived by bus at Lumut on one
fine Monday morning. Then we got onto one of the ferries that took us to
pangkor Island. The journey by boat was very pleasurable. I was lucky enough to
spot a giant tortoise swimming slowly beside our boat. A few flying-fish took
off at the approach of our boat.
We checked into one of the cheaper
chalets on the island. The area we were in was quiet deserted except for a few
other holiday makers.
On the very first evening of our
stay there, we met a Vietnam war veteran. We were singing at that time and
Eddie, that was his name, was attracted by
the songs we sang. Soon he joined in and we had a wonderful singing
session together . Later on he told us many stories about his experience in
Vietnam.
We gathered that he had been a
diving instructor in Vietnam. After the war he decided to just travel around
the world and see things before going home to the U.S. A.
Eddie invited us to go snorkeling
with him. He had a set of diving equipment and a spear-gun. None of us had done
any snorkeling before and we were thrilled at the chance.
So the next morning we hired a boat
that took us over to the beautiful Emerald Bay where Eddie attempted to teach
us the fine art of snorkeling. Well, he attempted to but we were a trio of
fumbling fools who had no idea of how to even put on the face-mask. Swimming
with flippers was definitely impossible. I realized then how a duck must have
felt.
Anyway after some hilarious moments
of trying to learn the elementary aspect of snorkeling we abandoned our
efforts. Eddie musthave been relieved for we had been hopeless student.
As we frolicked in the sea, we
suddenly realized that Eddie was not among us. He had dissapered for two our.
He was not to be seen anywhere. For a few minute he appeared from out of the
water carrying a few speared fish in his hand.
That evening we had barbecued
barracuda and grouper for dinner. I shall never forget the wonderful time we
had. Sharing our dinner were a Japanese businessman and a school teacher and
his wife.The both of us had great fun
together.
Soon it was time to leave. We had
spent five carefree days with some wonderful and unique people. Eddie was
staying a bit longer at Pangkor. So we said our goodbye and stepped onto the
boat that took us back to Lumut and the ordinary world of people. I carried
with me my belongings and precious
memories of the wonderful people I had met on holiday. That my holiday experience
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