Trifter

A few months back I had the opportunity of visiting Pangkor Island, Malaysia (The most beautiful place in Malaysia) during the long holidays. I went there with a couple of friends.

A Ferry – Ride to Pangkor Island

We arrived by bus at Lumut (Mainland) 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.

Source: www.flickr.com/photos/raymondbphotos/3247744908/

My Stay at Pangkor Island

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 experiences 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.

Snorkeling

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 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 aspects of snorkeling we abandoned our efforts. Eddie must have been relieved for we had been hopeless students.

As we frolicked in the sea, we suddenly realized that Eddie was not among us. He had disappeared! For two hours he was not to be seen anywhere. Finally when we almost decided that ne must have gone away, he appeared from out of the water carrying a few speared fish in his hands! What an incredible swimmer. He had spent two hours in the water and as a result speared three huge fish the likes of which I had never seen before.

Barbecued Barracuda

That evening we had barbecued barracuda and grouper for dinner. I shall never forget the wonderful time we had, thanks to Eddie.

Sharing our dinner were a Japanese businessman and a school teacher and his wife. They were attracted by the sight and smell of barbecued barracuda and soon we were enjoying the fruits of Eddie’s Labor.

Hayakawa was also a Judo expert. He was a short stumpy bespectacled guy with his hair cropped close to his head. He looked the typical Japanese that we see on television and films. However he was infinitely friendly although sometimes his friendliness became hard to bear, especially when, in his joy, he give an occasional rib – breaking hug. I suppose he did not know how strong he was. I had a bout of `sumo – wrestling’ with him, at his invitation. I was thrown around like a rag doll even though I was taller and heavier than him. It was impossible to move him, let alone throw him.

Everybody has a weakness. For Hayakawa, the sea was his weakness. He could not swim. So the only way I could emerge the winner was to get him in the sea. There he was like a baby. As he was short he could not venture out too far before his head got underwater. So a couple of times I dragged him out where the water was over his head and left him there. Well, he swallowed a bit of water but he gradually learned to tread water.

The both of us had great fun together. He learned to swim a little. I learned some awesome judo locks. All in all I was very thankful to have met him. Though he could only speak a smattering of English, we could get along well and understand each other without any problems.

Precious Memories

Soon it was time to leave. We had spent five carefree days with some wonderful and unique people. Eddie who swam like a fish and Hayakawa who was as solid as a rock are people I shall always remember. There were others, like the schoolteacher, his wife, the talkative boatman, the grumpy caretaker and blank – faced shopkeeper. They all played a part in my stay at Pangkor Island.

Hayakawa had gone back to Kuala Lumpur earlier. Eddie was staying a bit longer at Pangkor. So we said our goodbyes 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.