After a nice break from the school kids we still had one volunteer with us Rachel. I knew I had a day off the next day so thought I'd check out long beach tonight. Rachel also had a day off tomorrow so asked if she wanted to go. Of course she did, she was 18 and off to University in September, long beach is the party beach of the islands. I was skeptical about bringing a volunteer to long beach but she talked big and she was leaving Sunday, she paid a lot to be here lost her luggage so a night out was definitely needed for her. As we were leaving Melissa (another Intern) mentioned how she thought it might rain but I said it would be fine. A third of the way down the path the heavens opened luckily there was a conveniently placed shelter we hid in and waited for the rain to pass. We were there for a good 15 minutes until the rain died down, further down the path to long beach got quite sketchy. When we eventually arrived it was about 10:30 and rocked up at the first bar we found, they had a list of cocktails for 17 RM. Both of us went for Mojitos, it was so nice to chill away from the village and have a drink. After finishing our drinks we headed down the beach to check out what else was about. We walked past the area where they have fire poy dancers and a few bars.
It was near here we stopped off at one bar called Abba's bar, behind the bar was two Malay men who were very smiley. We ordered some drinks I had a couple of beers and Rachel had a vodka and lemonade. Around the bar I was hearing so many different nationalities it was awesome, most people who come to these islands are back packers just passing through. They come for the diving and snorkeling and chance to see a turtle. I got chatting to this Dutch guy called Juule, he had been here for a few days and had done a lot of diving and was on a tour of south east Asia. His girlfriend was already in bed as they had been drinking for 6 hours, we chatted longer and I told him that I worked on the islands in the village for the turtle project and he was fascinated. Juule wanted to buy me and Rachel a drink as he enjoyed talking to us, which of course you don't say no too. He ordered three long beach specials, I was watching the barmen make this drink, it consisted of a shot of vodka, monkey juice (still not sure what exactly it is like a weak whiskey but still 25%), with lemonade and orange juice and because Juule had been at the bar a while he made it spicy which meant putting a bit of tequila on top. One of these was only 10 RM and it was actually really good. What I hadn't realised was the volunteer was already tipsy so this drink made her very drunk. I kept an eye on Rachel she was happy perched at the bar dancing with the barmen, while I chatted to others around the bar. I met six Belgians, they straight away asked me if I knew what the capital of Belgium was I said Brussels. They were shocked, apparently they had asked 8 other English people and they all didn't know. We then spent the rest of the time talking football and they asked what team I supported, so told them Aston Villa and we talked about Benteke. While at this bar I also met a German woman who was travelling with a friend on holiday and a American girl who had been in china teaching English and was on her way to London after her stay on these islands to visit some friends. I could see Rachel needed to go home as she was falling asleep at the bar. I asked the Barmen if he could sort us a boat taxi and he said he'll take us at 1 which was fine. I watched the fire dancers and chatted to the other barmen. He turned out to be Abba and it was great talking to him, it was interesting as he said how apart from his friend and family he doesn't like Malaysian people. He said how he feels judged and hated because he wants people/tourists to have fun at his bar. People getting drunk doesn't bother him and he said it wasn't about the money he just enjoys the party vibe. Obviously the money is always a factor but he seemed genuine, he talked about when he found wallets, keys etc and how he always tries to return them to people that he meets that come to his bar. I saw him do this with an English guy who stupidly left his wallet, he could have taken it and the guy wouldn't have been the wiser but instead shouted to this guy and gave it back. I had to help push the barmen's boat out to the sea as it was low tide and we headed back to the village. I really enjoyed long beach and will definitely visit again.
It was near here we stopped off at one bar called Abba's bar, behind the bar was two Malay men who were very smiley. We ordered some drinks I had a couple of beers and Rachel had a vodka and lemonade. Around the bar I was hearing so many different nationalities it was awesome, most people who come to these islands are back packers just passing through. They come for the diving and snorkeling and chance to see a turtle. I got chatting to this Dutch guy called Juule, he had been here for a few days and had done a lot of diving and was on a tour of south east Asia. His girlfriend was already in bed as they had been drinking for 6 hours, we chatted longer and I told him that I worked on the islands in the village for the turtle project and he was fascinated. Juule wanted to buy me and Rachel a drink as he enjoyed talking to us, which of course you don't say no too. He ordered three long beach specials, I was watching the barmen make this drink, it consisted of a shot of vodka, monkey juice (still not sure what exactly it is like a weak whiskey but still 25%), with lemonade and orange juice and because Juule had been at the bar a while he made it spicy which meant putting a bit of tequila on top. One of these was only 10 RM and it was actually really good. What I hadn't realised was the volunteer was already tipsy so this drink made her very drunk. I kept an eye on Rachel she was happy perched at the bar dancing with the barmen, while I chatted to others around the bar. I met six Belgians, they straight away asked me if I knew what the capital of Belgium was I said Brussels. They were shocked, apparently they had asked 8 other English people and they all didn't know. We then spent the rest of the time talking football and they asked what team I supported, so told them Aston Villa and we talked about Benteke. While at this bar I also met a German woman who was travelling with a friend on holiday and a American girl who had been in china teaching English and was on her way to London after her stay on these islands to visit some friends. I could see Rachel needed to go home as she was falling asleep at the bar. I asked the Barmen if he could sort us a boat taxi and he said he'll take us at 1 which was fine. I watched the fire dancers and chatted to the other barmen. He turned out to be Abba and it was great talking to him, it was interesting as he said how apart from his friend and family he doesn't like Malaysian people. He said how he feels judged and hated because he wants people/tourists to have fun at his bar. People getting drunk doesn't bother him and he said it wasn't about the money he just enjoys the party vibe. Obviously the money is always a factor but he seemed genuine, he talked about when he found wallets, keys etc and how he always tries to return them to people that he meets that come to his bar. I saw him do this with an English guy who stupidly left his wallet, he could have taken it and the guy wouldn't have been the wiser but instead shouted to this guy and gave it back. I had to help push the barmen's boat out to the sea as it was low tide and we headed back to the village. I really enjoyed long beach and will definitely visit again.
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