Palau Tioman

Tioman Island is a nice little place off the coast of the Malaysian Peninsula. It has a nice little beach and some good scuba diving and snorkeling locations.

First day my and a mate went to check out Salang, which is the village to the north of Air Batang where we were staying. We figured we'd do it on the cheap and just walk it and save the 25 ringits it would cost for a water taxi. We figured it would be a nice paved walkway like it was between Air Batang and Tekek. It ended up being a 3 hour mission through thick jungle on a path that was barely visible. At one point we couldn't even see the path and went wandering through some bog. The only thing that got us on track was to follow some power lines.

Then when we were finally on the home stretch to Salang I heard a monkey jumping around in a tree. So I stopped... and the monkey jumped down onto a branch maybe 3 meters away. "Cool a monkey"... So I get out the camera to snap a few photos. Now usually the monkeys are pretty timid, but this one wasn't afraid of me at all... just sitting there yawning (this should have been a clue). So I take a picture. The flash gets him pretty annoyed. Actually maybe a bit angry. "aw well monkeys are cool... I'll take another photo." That monkey came from one the other end of the branch right at me... baring its teeth...

I remember hearing once that you're supposed to stand your ground with monkeys. Show to them you aren't afraid and they just leave you alone. Whoever said that must've never had a crazed monkey running straight for them... piss on that, we ran like hell.

In the end we conquered the jungles of Tioman. But we took the boat back to Air Batang. Got back just in time for Happy Hour.

There weren't many bars on Tioman, Malaysia being a Muslim country and all. But there was a cool little place called Sunset Corner. 5pm to 7pm are Happy Hours... three beers for 10 Ringit. Of course it would always be the same crew there. 4:30pm all sitting at the bar waiting. "All you guys here everyday just waiting for Happy Hour!" Anita the owner.

Did a couple of dives. Saw a Moray Eel, which I've never seen before, so it was pretty good.

Went to a birthday party for one of the locals. He insisted on bringing us some food. "Don't worry about it, its your birthday... sit down and relax." "No I'll get you some food... its the least I can do, you've come from so far..."

Wish it didn't rain so much... but had a good time anyway.

Evil Monkey!!!


Giant Lizards everywhere

Fisheys!

Fish Highway

Cool looking stingray

A friendly turtle



Moray Eel

Colourful Coral

Nemo!


A rare moment of sounshine

Anita

Getting some fish from the boat

Happy hour crew