Am I dreaming or not? Is this paradise of an island real? Am I really standing on this amazing, white sandy, coco palm-lined beach? Stepping forward my feet glide through the fine sand. Now I realize that this splendid islet is not fake. Excited we take pictures.

Only yesterday I boarded a bus together with some of Sarodin’s employees’ families. The bus brought us to a jetty, on Malaya’s east coast in the state of Johor. At sunrise a speedboat had picked us up near our chalets on Sibu Island.

Now we have just set our first steps on the tiny strip of beach on the side of a small, cragged islet. It is definitely the most beautiful beach I’ve ever been to. Quickly I place my bag under a palm and jump into the turquoise sea. The upper layers have just warmed up, but at depth the water is still chilly. A friend is unpacking the equipment for snorkeling. I help him and put on the goggles and adjust the snorkel.

Under the surface it is even more amazing than the beautiful setting above. Never in my life have I seen such a colorful underwater world. There are corals and fishes of all colors and shapes. Some of the corals are solid but some are spongy and waft according to the drift. Fascinated I swim further away from the beach and discover more sea inhabitants. Among them turtles and sea snakes. I alert my friends and guide them to the attractions.

In face of the island I decide to climb the only hill. On my way up to the top I walk past a calm cliffy bay. The 360°-view from the top is awesome. Even better: In this very moment the last clouds diffuse.

As I reach the beach the others ask me to pluck some coconuts. The idea is great and immediately I climb up a palm tree. Unfortunately nobody has brought along a Parang (axe). Thus we try to open the hard shells by smashing the nuts against trunks. The fresh coconut water is delicious and the fruit flesh is just as well.

Back in our chalet resort on Sibu Island we relax. While having fun with the others, playing Sepak Takraw, a traditional Malaysian ball game and chattering with Aliza and joking with my siblings I catch sight of some white tourists and greet them loudly with “Hello, Orang Putih” (Malay for “White Man”). All burst into laughing. I’m in seventh heaven.