Sah Tangkap Basah! (Sure to get Wet!)

View from Salang Village, Tioman.

I know, the weather is a scorcher, the monsoon season is yet to be over... not a good idea to go to Pulau Tioman (Island), but the company gave us six off days! So? what the hell!

The price of not doing enough research before travelling is, you'll get into at least one mishap if not more. Perhentian and Langkawi has ferries, big and small speed boats almost hourly. Tioman however only provides two ferries and six speed boats per day, one ferry trip and three speed boat trips before noon and another set in the evening. On monsoon seasons, Oct till end of Feb, be prepared to get stranded during low tides. The ferry can keep you swaying for an hour before it can reach the jetty on your way back!

The few vessels carrying people to patronise the island could be one of the reasons this place is so clean. I regret having to be here still not as a scuba diver, the snorkelling scenes cannot compare to Perhentian Island's.

We stayed in Berjaya (yeah, what a loser! Tak berjaya langsung! The service is excellent, but it's too far from the snorkelling and diving hub). The better place to stay is in Salang Village as it is near all the scuba and snorkelling paradise therefore, the water commuting charges is much cheaper.

Salang is the only place in the whole island which provides excellent yet cheap restaurant food. HEAR THIS, Salang Indah Restaurant supplies Ais Krim Asam Boi! Don't play play 30 cents each only, TTDIans will feel so at home! However, the chalets are backpackers type (if you don't mind the damp pillows, smell of stale beer and semen laden mattresses by all means go ahead). A beautiful three star place is about to open, you go figure.

In other hotels around here, you really have to rely on in-house served F&B as the town is really not a worthwhile place to visit for any kind of alternative supplies.

Salang overlooks Tulai Island, we spent half a day exploring the waters there. The things I love about Tulai Island is that the beach is filled with many types of clam shells. Tourists are just plonked in the sea to snorkel and then they'd climb back up their boats therefore everything on the shore is pretty much untouched. The boulders are moss-less and barnacle-less. You'll have so much fun climbing them and not worry about forgetting to bring the plasters and blue lotion.

For couples who want great romantic ambience, I recommend Japa Mala at Genting, Tioman. If you have visited Tamarind Hills or Tamarind Restaurant in Ampang, Japa Mala is part of the group. So expect high quality foodies and interior design. Check their tree top chalets out!

Some other things to share about M'sian Islands:
Pulau Payar of Langkawi.

What's unique: Baby sharks right up the shores. No brainer coral viewing for non swimmers.
What sucks: Sea urchins and boat rate RM80 up to RM150 to and fro Langkawi-Payar.

Pulau Perhentian Kecil of Perhentian.
What's unique: No brainer coral viewing for non swimmers too. Resident turtles, 3 black tip resident sharks, big Parrot fish can be seen by just peeping under the water from the shore! Yes! Depending where you are, watching the turtles underwater is also just a swim away. Exotic food is everywhere. Water taxis are cheap.
What sucks: Too many third world country (M'sians!) tourists, chalets are run by any Tom, Dick and Harry thus waste management is really bad. Hundreds of small boats commuting the big and small island, snorkellers who like to dunk yourselves underwater, watch out!

Tioman is a duty free island, liquor and cigarettes are worthwhile. Their electronic stuff and branded tablewares are not worth considering at all. Don't waste your luggage space.

Whatever and whichever, you're sure to get wet 4/5 of the time!