Thusday 6th Sept 2012
We arrive at the lakeside, by taxi (there are no buses to this area) and are greeted by a local boat-man, offering to take us to 'Kenyir Sanctuary Resort'. We haven't really done our homework very well for this area, as it isn't in the Loney Planet, but it should be really nice. It's a very large man-made lake with various attractions, waterfalls and resorts dotted on the 100's of islands.
We tell him we need to go to the 'Tourist Information' shop, (that is just behind us) to have a look at the options.
We enter the 'Tourist Info' shop, there is no-one about and information is looking very thin on the ground! I eventually pop my head out the back of the shop to see if we can get some help on choosing a bed for the night. A very reluctant girl comes out (of hiding), she speaks almost as much English, as we speak Thai!
There are no leaflets on any accommodation at all, so not a lot of comparing to be done. We did look on the internet and a lot of the resorts were very expensive, so we reluctantly opt for the one and only budget choice, that is a 5 minute boat ride way.
We arrive at the island at midday, it is very hot and there are a lot of steps to go up! It is a lovely looking resort, cabins on the hill-side with lake views.
When we get to reception, the young man eventually puts his phone(s) down, and asks us which room we want. There are 4 choices, ranging from budget (room with a fan) to superior suite!
Matt soon realises that there is no-one else here! He asks 'Jojo' if we are the only guests, 'Yes',- we have an island to ourselves!! (Being an ex hotel manager, I quickly ask for an upgrade! He reluctantly agrees, we get an air-con room!).
When he shows us the room, I ask what the 'mess' is on the balcony, 'bat-pooh', comes the reply! It goes down hill from here really!
The beds and towels are clean, the rest of the room is dusty, but we are getting used to that now! (We were a little concerned about the hole in the floor by the bathroom door, but we didn't think it would give way overnight!). Must just tell you about the kettle, - a tray with no cups or tea etc, but I did think I could boil some water for teeth cleaning later. Now, where do I plug it in? If I wanted to boil it, I would have to stand and hold the kettle, as the socket is head-height on the wall, on the other side of the room!
We thought we would hire a canoe, so ask Jojo, "the canoes are there, the paddles are there and the life jackets are under the reception building", he say's pointing in various directions. Heavens forbid, he should have to leave his desk (and phones) and actually do something! We decide it is to hot to canoe anyway!
We ask if we could get some drinks, he say's we can have drinks, but not food, as his 'chef' was not there, she was on the mainland sorting out her passport (she is Thai), Matt was slightly worried by this and asks if she will be back for dinner,(we haven't eaten since breakfast), 'yes' he assures us!
We get our drinks (soft only - Muslins own the island!!) and proceed to get eaten by giant ants!
The island could have been the paradise we have been looking for, but it was so unkempt. There were once walk ways, which are now all overgrown, the footpaths needed weeding and in general it was just 'unloved'! The owner lived in the city and the manager just didn't care.
On the positive, we did see a large monitor lizard and two otters! Oh, and the wild boar that lived on the island, that Jojo was terrified of!
Seven o'clock comes, no chef....8 o'clock, no chef, we are starting to think we might start eating the giant ants. We ask Jojo when we can eat, "Choose off the menu, I will get the chef to bring a take-a-way back with her, when she comes"! Well, we are gob-smacked! I choose something vegetarian (anything vegetarian, will do) and Matt orders a chicken dish. At 9.20 pm chef and take-a-way appear. There is a crashing of plates in the kitchen (it would seem that the chef didn't get her passport sorted and she will be leaving in the morning) and our food appears, my 'chicken, prawn and veg' and Matts chicken! I am not happy, but very hungry, I tell Jojo and he says "well, I asked her to bring vegetarian"! I pick the meat and prawns out and eat the rest. (Good job I'm not a true veggie!).
Breakfast - We arrive for breakfast at 8.30. Jojo told us last night they could do eggs for breakfast. (I told him, if he'd told me earlier, I could have made eggs for our supper!!). As soon as we sit, 2 boiled eggs appear, (omelette would have been nice!), I can't say 'hard' boiled, because they weren't. The white wasn't set! I ask 'the chef' to cook them more, a few minutes later they reappear, 'eggactly' the same! We ask Jojo if he would eat it, 'of course,' that's how they eat eggs in Malaysia! and is there any toast? 'No, bread's not arrived yet'. I loose my cool, a little! We have both done very well so far, I think. I tell him they shouldn't be open and accepting guest etc.etc.etc. He shrugs, sort of apologies and tells us that he is taking his 'chef' to the mainland and our boat will be here in 10 minutes and leaves! He asks for no money, thank God, we were ready to do battle over that!
We are left totally alone on an island paradise!! Unfortunately, the boat did arrive for us!
(Apologies for bad spelling, grammar etc....)
