Tioman Island, Malaysia
November 22nd 2006 08:30
Tioman Island, Malaysia
An invitation to attend a wedding on Tioman Island I greeted with much enthusiasm.
It would consist of five days of relaxation in all. Tioman is located in the South China Sea and is the largest of a group of 64 volcanic islands just off the east coast of Malaysia.
The following day, a detailed plan arrived. We were asked to bring copious supplies of liquor and to assemble (a party of thirty three guests travelling from Singapore) at a well known ‘coffee" house at 6am! The owners of this establishment seeing an opportunity for customers sprang into action. The brazier was loaded with coals, and the wire mat placed over the fire. Slices of bread-with the crusts cut off- were placed on the mat. When the toast was nicely browned, liberal quantities of butter and ‘kaya’ – a green coloured preserve made from coconuts, was spread on top.
Sharp tasting local coffee powder mixed with boiling water and topped with condensed milk completed a welcome breakfast.
The coach arrived and we got aboard. It was going to be a long trip across the border to Mersing in Johor, Malaysia where we would board a boat that would take us for the final part of the journey to Tioman. If you read my previous blog, you will find a reference to the boat trip that took a further one and a half hours. I smartly took up my position partly under cover on top of the cabin away from the diesel fumes.
I must admit everyone was rather tired on arrival. We were set down on the southernmost tip of Tioman near the Mukut village. Our accomodation was right in front of us. Little huts right on the beach, each with their own little veranda and a few steps up from the sand.
We were allocated our hut- luckily I had one to myself. I was prepared for the simplest facilities but was pleasantly surprised on opening the door to finding it had two clean rooms.
The entry room was the bedroom with bunk beds and a little window covered with a piece of cloth. The real find was the bathroom. One stepped down onto a concrete floor into a small room that contained a toilet at one end, and a shower on the other side. The toilet flushed well and when turned on the shower, a cascade of icy water came out. Looking forward to freshening up after the long dusty trip, I used the shower. To my surprise the water was clear, clean and sweet enough to drink! I learned afterwards that the water source was the local waterfall!
A quick change and I went outside. We had time for a quick boat trip. Throwing some swimmers and rubber sandals and towel into a bag, I joined the group on the beach.
Our journey was relatively short, the boat took us straight out to sea and dropped an anchor. The keenest divers leapt overboard and I not knowing the depth of water we were in, opted to swim around the boat! Suddenly we were all told to get back on board as we were in the wrong spot- apparently we had dropped anchor in a shark area! No second thoughts- we hurriedly climbed back on board. A bit further on, the anchor was dropped again and we continued with our sea frolics until the sun began to go down.
Back on the beach we were told we would enjoy a pre wedding dinner. That evening we found the little café area decorated in sparkling ‘trees’ made of tinsels, coloured lights and two ‘thrones’ were set up at one end. They would be used for the wedding ceremony the next evening. Several dishes arrived after each other, most quite spicy and very fragrant.
I tempted fate by trying each one even thought my capacity for curries and hot spices is not
so good! A local band entertained us, and lots of merriment made for a great evening.
I slept well in my little hut, and had a nice cold drink from the shower in the morning!
We went to the café for local breakfast- a plate of rice with a big dollop of chilli sauce on the side, a fried egg, and a few fried small fish. There was also fresh fruit- several varieties of banana including the small, sweet sugar banana, watermelon and star fruit – shaped like its name, a plain crunchy taste and texture.
Today we were to go to Mukut waterfall, a short way. A great place for rock climbers, and the end result was worth it. Set amongst dense tropical jungle type plants we heard the waterfall first, then saw the different levels of large rock pools at different levels joined by another cascade of waterfall. We had great fun sitting in the icy cold rockpools, then climbing up another level to sit under the waterfall that beat against our skin to provide a healthy back massage!…then up another level to another rock pool and so on!
As the daily temperature was quite high- around 30degrees Celsius- the waterfall afforded great relief from the heat. This apparently was the famous waterfall featured in the film ‘South Pacific’ with Mitzi Gaynor made in 1958- she was actually seen bathing under the waterfall. Tioman was the location for the ‘Bali Hai’ of the movie.
The wedding that evening was spectacular. The bride and bridegroom adorned in local custom traditional wedding attire- very colourful and shiny. Their throne chairs were decorated with flowers and more tinsel trees. The chef outdid himself with course after course of seafood, halal poultry and mutton dishes. Our liquor supply was severely dented that night!
The day after, we went out on the boat, stopping at the village on the way to purchase extra sets of snorkling gear and mad our way to a little island about a half hour away. We were told to swim to shore, then snorkle close to shore to see an assortment of bright tropical fish including parrot fish, and to look out for sea slugs or ‘cucumbers’ on the seafloor – as these are delicacies in some Asian cusines. The big fat slugs were not at all appealing to me and I made sure I didn’t step on any!
So we spent the next few days, going out in the boat to explore different sides of the island, or just dropping anchor for diving. The island of Tioman is quite small- just 23miles long and about 7 miles wide. The exchange rate to Malaysian ringgit is in your favour for most currencies. Good to visit from March to October to avoid monsoons.
If you get a chance to go to Tioman- try the simple way. The huts were all you really need- the lush island and surrounds are certainly worth a visit and bathing in the waterfall pools is a must!
……………….a quick trip to New York next…
An invitation to attend a wedding on Tioman Island I greeted with much enthusiasm.
It would consist of five days of relaxation in all. Tioman is located in the South China Sea and is the largest of a group of 64 volcanic islands just off the east coast of Malaysia.
The following day, a detailed plan arrived. We were asked to bring copious supplies of liquor and to assemble (a party of thirty three guests travelling from Singapore) at a well known ‘coffee" house at 6am! The owners of this establishment seeing an opportunity for customers sprang into action. The brazier was loaded with coals, and the wire mat placed over the fire. Slices of bread-with the crusts cut off- were placed on the mat. When the toast was nicely browned, liberal quantities of butter and ‘kaya’ – a green coloured preserve made from coconuts, was spread on top.
The coach arrived and we got aboard. It was going to be a long trip across the border to Mersing in Johor, Malaysia where we would board a boat that would take us for the final part of the journey to Tioman. If you read my previous blog, you will find a reference to the boat trip that took a further one and a half hours. I smartly took up my position partly under cover on top of the cabin away from the diesel fumes.
I must admit everyone was rather tired on arrival. We were set down on the southernmost tip of Tioman near the Mukut village. Our accomodation was right in front of us. Little huts right on the beach, each with their own little veranda and a few steps up from the sand.
We were allocated our hut- luckily I had one to myself. I was prepared for the simplest facilities but was pleasantly surprised on opening the door to finding it had two clean rooms.
A quick change and I went outside. We had time for a quick boat trip. Throwing some swimmers and rubber sandals and towel into a bag, I joined the group on the beach.
Our journey was relatively short, the boat took us straight out to sea and dropped an anchor. The keenest divers leapt overboard and I not knowing the depth of water we were in, opted to swim around the boat! Suddenly we were all told to get back on board as we were in the wrong spot- apparently we had dropped anchor in a shark area! No second thoughts- we hurriedly climbed back on board. A bit further on, the anchor was dropped again and we continued with our sea frolics until the sun began to go down.
Back on the beach we were told we would enjoy a pre wedding dinner. That evening we found the little café area decorated in sparkling ‘trees’ made of tinsels, coloured lights and two ‘thrones’ were set up at one end. They would be used for the wedding ceremony the next evening. Several dishes arrived after each other, most quite spicy and very fragrant.
I tempted fate by trying each one even thought my capacity for curries and hot spices is not
so good! A local band entertained us, and lots of merriment made for a great evening.
I slept well in my little hut, and had a nice cold drink from the shower in the morning!
We went to the café for local breakfast- a plate of rice with a big dollop of chilli sauce on the side, a fried egg, and a few fried small fish. There was also fresh fruit- several varieties of banana including the small, sweet sugar banana, watermelon and star fruit – shaped like its name, a plain crunchy taste and texture.
Today we were to go to Mukut waterfall, a short way. A great place for rock climbers, and the end result was worth it. Set amongst dense tropical jungle type plants we heard the waterfall first, then saw the different levels of large rock pools at different levels joined by another cascade of waterfall. We had great fun sitting in the icy cold rockpools, then climbing up another level to sit under the waterfall that beat against our skin to provide a healthy back massage!…then up another level to another rock pool and so on!
As the daily temperature was quite high- around 30degrees Celsius- the waterfall afforded great relief from the heat. This apparently was the famous waterfall featured in the film ‘South Pacific’ with Mitzi Gaynor made in 1958- she was actually seen bathing under the waterfall. Tioman was the location for the ‘Bali Hai’ of the movie.
The wedding that evening was spectacular. The bride and bridegroom adorned in local custom traditional wedding attire- very colourful and shiny. Their throne chairs were decorated with flowers and more tinsel trees. The chef outdid himself with course after course of seafood, halal poultry and mutton dishes. Our liquor supply was severely dented that night!
The day after, we went out on the boat, stopping at the village on the way to purchase extra sets of snorkling gear and mad our way to a little island about a half hour away. We were told to swim to shore, then snorkle close to shore to see an assortment of bright tropical fish including parrot fish, and to look out for sea slugs or ‘cucumbers’ on the seafloor – as these are delicacies in some Asian cusines. The big fat slugs were not at all appealing to me and I made sure I didn’t step on any!
So we spent the next few days, going out in the boat to explore different sides of the island, or just dropping anchor for diving. The island of Tioman is quite small- just 23miles long and about 7 miles wide. The exchange rate to Malaysian ringgit is in your favour for most currencies. Good to visit from March to October to avoid monsoons.
If you get a chance to go to Tioman- try the simple way. The huts were all you really need- the lush island and surrounds are certainly worth a visit and bathing in the waterfall pools is a must!
……………….a quick trip to New York next…
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Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
Hmmmm sounds like my kind of holiday!! I like it!
Ash