5°55'08.48" N
10w°43'19.72" E
It's true that to get away from it all, you sometimes need to go very far.
Take my journey to Long Beach, one of the many postcard-perfect beaches around Pulau Perhentian.
Getting there requires a 10-hour bus ride, a 15-minute taxi ride, a 2-hour wait, and finally, a 30-minute boat ride.
On this stretch of beach, you can truly immerse yourself in island living.
It's where clean toilets are hard to come by. And so are freshly laundered linens.
Air-conditioning, hot showers and internet connection all come at a premium.
Don't get me wrong. The facilities of the beach chalets and bungalows here aren't entirely shabby. Just basic.
In return for the lack of man-made comforts, the beach offers an unlimited supply of nature's best.
Like ultra-violet rays, powdery white sand and turquoise blue water. Which make it ideal for activities from turtle to people watching.
Dining is alfresco, and literally by the sea. Fried rices and fried noodles are the staples.
Of course, your beach vacation won't be complete without savouring the variety of BBQ seafood.
Have I also mentioned that cheese omelettes and Snickers shakes are on the menu? Signs that this beach is popular with backpackers – and it is.
So even though you're in a strict Muslim state, alcohol is readily available.
Killing time in the evening is easy too. Just head to one of the restaurants, and check out its stash of counterfeit DVDs.
But come bedtime, the squeak of the wooden flooring, the buzz of the mosquitoes and the chatter of your next door neighbours may leave your eyes wide open.
Long Beach is not perfect, yet it doesn't try too hard to be. That to me, is its biggest charm.
