Tioman Island
My first resting stop in Malaysia was Tioman, a small Island of the East coast. Tioman has several little villages , some with little beaches, scattered across the Island, some of which are connected by “roads”, some are only reached by boat.
I stayed in Air Batang (ABC). Since Malaysia is a Muslim country there is a nice friendly sign at the pier.
No beer then. While actually there was. Mayalsia might be a Muslim country but its very towards other religions, ideals etc. So infact there were plenty of beer being sold (and drunk) by Non Muslims, and Muslims alike. Its only people who are Muslim who are prohibated by law.
The island had really great snorkelling , great swimming and OK beaches. I spent most of my time split between the above. Lazy days. A good deal of eating too, trying the local foods, Roti Canai, Sambals etc.. It turned out that the Island has a Duty Free. Cans of beer cost about Euro 0.40 each!!
One day I decided to cross the Island and cross over the middle of the Island to Juara.
Here is the route…
(click for bigger pic)
It was a 11 Mile round trip though the rain forrest. It was hot and humid, the jungle is full of lizards and monkeys (pics below), and the going was tough and steep. But it was pretty great being in the middle of rain forrest by myself.
Juara itself was a pretty little bay, but it was the journey that made it fun not the destination. When I arrived back to ABC, the locals on seeing my clothes soaked with sweat, laughed and said “Juara!!! ha! good walk! ”
I stayed on the Island for a week before heading to my next port of call on the East coast, Malacca.
Monkeys and Lizards!
June 16th, 2006 at 4:30 pm
Euroshopper beer in Superquinn - €1.15! It’s basically Heineken in disguise. The secret’s out though so the stocks run low every time Dave gets paid…