Perhentians - how to get there

And this is probably why it is still paradise... For us, it went something like this:
1) We flew down to Kuala Lumpur, had time for some Malaysian fast food lunch at the low cost terminal, before it was time for a short domestic flight up to Kota Bharu in north eastern peninsular Malaysia. There we learned that sometimes check-in closes thirty minutes before departure, not opens ... but managed to get through, arguing it was just very very little past thirty minutes.
2) Overnight in KB, including a visit to the muslim night market. No major incidents.
3) Next morning we woke up half an hour after the prearranged taxi, that was supposed to take us to the morning ferry, had arrived (of course no-one called us) and learned (remembered) there is an hour time difference between Vietnam and Malaysia. No time for breakfast - just threw in all stuff in the trunk and the kids in the back and off we went.
4) Hana's favourite rabbit got left behind in the lobby.
5) The drive to the ferry terminal took one hour and we just missed the morning boat, had to sit and wait for the next at the resort's office. Kai threw up on the floor, Hana peepeedd on the floor.
6) As it was still low season, they explained they were not yet using the regular speed boat, but would take us in a slightly smaller motor boat. No worries, just wear life jackets and sit at the back, next to the captain, the sea is a little rough today... A little rough? The swells were meter high, the only good thing there was absolutely no time to get seasick, busy as I was holding on to whatever and my kids.
- Roller coaster, screamed the cool teenage captain.
- Slower, screamed the terrified mother of two (me).
Back and forth.

7) Finally, we made it, and as good as immediately realized it was worth all the efforts! Considering the long car ride and roller coaster like boat trip, we even concluded it was good we overslept and missed breakfast. And seriously, I really dont think there was an earlier boat.

Hana's rabbit then travelled by itself and arrived/was delivered already next day. Going back was a piece of cake. Big boat, no waves.