Hey guys! Been back from Tioman 2 days ago and haven't really found the time to update about it since I had to slip right back into work. Nothing much other than the trip and the never ending supply of OT. Before I talk about the trip, had a major wake up call that brought me down to earth. Lecturer's visit did not go smoothly at all. To cut the long boring story short, he's not impressed by what we have been asked to do by my IA company so far. Being in the middle I can see the reasoning from both sides but that doesn't count for anything as the grade given from my lecturer will outweigh that of the IA company. Major miscommunication and unrealistic expectations from all parties will cause such a problem.

Ok Tioman trip! 3D2N at Tioman Paya Resort @ $201. It was a super relaxing trip period. Want to thank god for the awesome weather, he made it bright and sunny when we were outdoors and sent the rain when we were resting to cool us. Managed to get a massive tan which was a little well done...skin is still hot to the touch after 2 days. Travelled with scb and what can I say...she's a great travel buddy and I really enjoyed myself. During the monsoon season which was the period we travelled the entire island is almost empty. When I signed the resort register, there were only 4 occupied rooms before us and they all checked out the very next day leaving scb & I in one chalet together with Nitin & Karthik (will talk abt them later) in another. Haha total 4 guest...the beaches were hardly populated except the odd couple of ppl here and there at random times of the day.

Day 1...
Arrived at Bugis Village Mac at 5am to have breakfast with scb...poor girl was out the whole night and did not sleep a wink! Headed down to Golden Mile Complex to check in and collect our travel vouchers. Boarded a 44 seater coach PZ1484 haha yes I remembered the coach number! Used the Woodlands checkpoint this time around, I guess its nearer to Pahang. Arrived at Tanjong Gemok ferry terminal around 11.15am and had to wait for the 12pm ferry to Tioman.

Reached Tioman Paya Resort around 2pm and checked in to find out how empty the Island is at this time of the year. Noticed losta "SHIT" on the floor on the way to the resort. Settled into the room before we decided to explore abit of the Island. Walked along the super fine sandy beaches and almost got our feet scorched by the hot sand! We faster ran to waddle into the crystal clear waters to cool off and continued walking along the beach to find a nice spot to dip! Stumbled upon this mini Island a few meters from the beach which we easily got to by walking through thigh deep waters.

Took some "souvenior" pics there and found a huge ass clam shell(about 30kg)! Then I heard a sound...scb's stomach growling! Decided to leave for a snack at Paya Beach Spa and Dive Resort beach bar...also scared the tide might come in. Ordered Islander Pizza and Chicken Wings...not bad and 2 huge cans of Heineken @RM3.50ea! Witness a showdown between a monitor lizard and a cat...no winners there. Returned back to bathe and fell asleep until dinner time!!!!...Nothing much for the rest of day 1, turned in early as we had an early day tour the next day. Oh yeah dinner sucks!


Early morning @Golden Mile Complex + Tanjong Gemok Ferry Terminal

Unhappy with our ferry seats + Paya Beach Jetty

30kg shell which I can't lift + Lizard vs Cat (look at the size)

Our accomodations...scb "chop-ed" 3 beds with her stuff

Day 2...
Had to wake up and have breakfast before 9.30am because that when the guide will meet us and take us on our snorkeling excursion. Breakfast was average, fried bee hoon and noodles with 2 sunny side-up eggs and 2 sausages. I remembered telling scb not to eat too much before going on our snorkeling trip during dinner the night before...hmmm I must have forgotten that myself. The resort prepared a packed lunch of fried rice, a chicken wing and a sausage in the morning which we had to carry along with us. The food will be cold by the time consumed!

1st stop Renggis Island! Was about a 15min boat ride from Paya beach jetty. The boat ride was fine, with the wind blowing at your face and we got to sight see along the coast. The problem started once the boat anchored just off Renggis...the waves rocked the boat and I started feeling abit sick. Worse was when I jumped off the boat with my snorkeling gear...hitting the water and bobbling up and down due to the waves against the life jacket was a very very bad idea! But the view was amazing! A myriad of colours from the sealife swarming all around you...its almost like being in another world. The guide attracted the fishes bu throwing pieces of bread into the sea...it sent the fishes into a feeding frenzy but otherwise they were harmless to us...no nibbling at us at all. Yeah so after about 15min trying to overcome feeling sick and feeling in awe of the beauty I decided to call it quits and climb back onboard and feed the fishes instead. Yeah we bought a loaf of bread before the boat ride. The boat rocked further and I was reaching my climax soon...but I controlled. Nitin & Khartik the 2 India guys I mentioned above did not swim...apparently 1 of them can't swim so they both decided to feed and take photos and videos! So instead of the allocated 1hr at Renggis, we left after about 30mins to Marine Park!

The journey to Marine Park was longer about another 20mins from Renggis. Trust me...I felt like a whale was swimming in my belly! I just sat there looking as green as the sea, there were periods of comfort when I dozed off =D haha amazing isn't it! Thankfully Marine Park allowed visitors on dry land! I quickly scampered onto the Marine Park jetty and i'm beginning to feel happy! Fed somemore fishes there...the "lil" buggers are actually HUGE! They kinda look like tuna...yum! Anyway Marine Park is an enclosed area of the natural sea nearer to the coast line. The waters aren't as clear but its still clear enough to see through to the sea bed. Scb was already frolicking with the fishes and I joined her after I felt I won't show the Tioman locals our Singaporean Icon...the Merlion. Decided to forgo the flippers and lifejacket and it really made swimming easier! The weather started to take a turn for the worse...better go back to the jetty. The rains came pouring down shortly but it was just a passing coastal shower. I left my packed lunch untouched...don't want a relapse later on the boat. The 4 of us decided to take alook at Marine Park's visitor centre. Nothing much, just lotsa educational posters and historical facts about Tioman. There were some sealife specimens on display. Scb fell in love with the cats there...strange.

1pm we made out way back to the jetty for our last stop...DFS aka DUTY FREE Shopping. Spent RM49 on 1 bottle of red wine, 1 330ml bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label and a bottle opener. Yes and I lost my sis's camera battery somewhere along the way from the jetty to the DFS store...so going to get my arse kicked when I tell her. Scb bought souveniors back for her colleagues.

The boat took us back to Paya beach where we made our way back to our resort...arranged to meet the guys in 30mins to explore the rockfall. It was rather pathetic...no pictures of that so we decided not to waste our time there and go back to the beach we found the previous day. Snorkled abit more and chatted with the guys and found that they started working in Singapore for only 1.5 months at Barclays Capital @_@ nothing eventful until Khartik injured himself when he stumbled on to some barnacles...cuts on his middle finger and foot concluded our time there.

Went back to hotel...showered and slept because it rained...starving since I had no lunch I had a fitful sleep. Woke extremely hungry around 5.30pm and decided to go buy food alone since scb was sound asleep. Packed the best meal I had on Tioman back...french fries and tioman spring rolls! Scb was already awake waiting for the food when I got back hahaha...proceeded out to try to catch sunset pictures but too late! Dinner and drinks followed, poor me had to finish like 90% of the alcohol by myself. Went to bed with a heavy head HAHAHA...very nice!


Early morning @Paya Beach Jetty + Sick me

Scb getting ready to frolick with the fishys...

Impending doom from scb + Grp pic (3 guys, a girl & a Rocky boat)

I've seen better days (before being sick) + Turtle birthing process

Day 3...
Nothing much for the last day as we are heading back to Singapore. Woke up for breakfast as usual and it seemed fitting that we were greeted with possibly the best meal provided by the resort for the entire stay. Western style...eggs, sausages and toasts. Headed back out to the beach for the last few moments of photo taking. Checked out with the guys and we made our way quietly back to the jetty. It sucks to walk away from a holiday at the end cos you know whats in store back home. The ferry was 15mins late but it was well compensated because this ferry had a top deck that allowed people to go out to enjoy the sea breeze and the view instead of being cooped up in the seats. Fortunately the coach was already waiting for us at the other side and wasted no time in heading back home...reached Singapore close to 8pm and that concludes 3D2N of my Tioman trip.


Washing feet...+ Looking cool

Back to back + Giant shit-like objects littered all over Tioman


Scb discovers she's not "Alone" + Piggy-backing Pigs

Due to my busy working schedule and lazy bones, I apologise for taking almost 3 days to type out this entry. The date stamp is when I started out and only finished it today...hahaha

See you guys! OT beckons over the coming few weekends...