Mersing, Malaysia Day 7
Arrived in Mersing @ 9.30pm last night the bus trip was only 2 1/2 hours I’m sure we will be in for some much longer ones in the future!! When we hopped off the bus we were greeted by a tout for a backpackers and it just so happened to be the backpackers we had read about so Lee & I quite quickly put our bags in the trunk & hopped in. There was a Swedish couple that we also on the bus with us and they were a bit hesitate (thinking he might just drive off with their bags) but once we had a chat they threw theirs in and we all hopped in.
O’Mars was a very basic but clean little place above some shops on the main road of the town. We all grabbed a bed in the dorm (only sleeps 6) for 10RM a night….very cheap. We had another guy join us later in the evening, he and I met over some Mozzie Repellent. The Mozzies were quite bad and it got to the stage where I just couldn’t take it anymore so I fumbled around in my bag & pulled some out. Once I sprayed this guy says ‘Do you have Mozzie Spray? Can I have some?’ It was pretty dark so neither of us could see anything but at least we both got some sleep after that.
Spent the day walking around checking out the little township of Mersing, it was an old fishing village although nowadays not much fishing is done. We had lunch & a few beers at the Port Cafe with Andrew (my new found mozzie friend) and the Swedes. During the lunch Andrew friend Stef arrived from Tioman to help him out of his jam (his cards were not working and he had no money!!). She has been travelling with Andrew & his mate for about 2 months & has saved his hide on many occasions.
We stocked up on a few supplies for the trip over to Tioman Island tomorrow, then had Indian with Andrew & Stef & a new guy to O’Mars, Steven from NZ. After dinner we went back to the Port Cafe with Steven for a couple of quiet beers. Mersing was a sleepy town but it had a good feel about it.