Whats at Northwest side of Tioman? Part 1

Map of NW Tioman and our kayaking route

To us yachties at the Tioman Marina on the west side of Tioman, there is a walk up North and there is a walk down South. This year, I want to explore as far out away from the marina as possible and to do so by walking or by kayaking.

Last year, we went with Terry and Ana, walking cross country to Paya village.. but we couldnt make it back on foot… we got a ride on the water taxi back. Last month, I walked over the mountain to Juara on the East side…. and I couldnt make it back either.. Did I bite off more than I could chew… 🙂 well.. okay, lets try the easier walk north. Its mostly paved from the marina up to the Marine Park and only a small hill to climb over to ABC beach that is a concreted trail.

Low tide on ABC beach, looking over at the last resort in this bay

 

0645hrs, we are off, on foot…. to see how far we could go on foot, before it gets to daunting… we know already that a trail leads all the way to Salang, but some of it maybe to much jungle for me… or it may be too much uphill for Doug.. so we’ll see.

0725hrs, we are just passing the Marine Park pier now. Up to this point, its all a walk on the beach front paved pathway which is used by walkers, motor riders, cars and trucks. Since we start really early this am, traffic of any kind was not bad at all. .. phew! We hate it when those 2 strokes loud tinny sounding motors go by.. Those buggers have no idea how terribly irritating that it… or maybe they do and they get some joy out of irritating the tourist!

Low tide at ABC beach, looking over to the marina

0735hrs, its only a small uphill from the Marine park trail and down to ABC beach. 10 mins of light trekking, small hurdle… then we are out in the open beach walkway again. Now looking for breakfast.. The 1st place on this beach is Nazri’s place chalets and restaurant. Nice view and quite a successful setup. Prices are a little on the high side.

0810hrs, we are at the end of ABC beach and looking up at the jungle trail over another hill to the other side… hmm… maybe our footfeets are tired, or we are hungry and dun wanna walk away into the unknown forest… so we settled to have breakfast at the last eating place on ABC. Little eating places litter all over the beachfront from end to end, but they all serve the same food… mostly sama sama anyway.. btw, I didnt enjoy my breakfast pancake with bananas… but the view was beautiful and the feeling was wonderful. I would do this again!

Refraction of morning light in clear waters over pebbles at ABC beach

0900hrs, spending some time at the pebbly beach of ABC. Its really low tide and rocks exposed. Look at all those rock marked coves of skiff parking!

Check out the refraction of warm morning light into very clear waters and over the pebbles! … early risers are out and about now, and a local family were clamming! And they got some! Oh wow! I am jealous! I dunno about locals, maybe they dun like pictures… and warning, tourist and non-locals are not to fish, clam or trap in this marine park… something about fines or bribes, either way its money and vacation spoiler.

1000hrs, okie, we are outta here. 1100hrs, we are back on board! Thank God for A/C!

Singapore – Tioman by air

Our cute little Dash 7 flight to Tioman

Direct flights between Singapore Budget Air Terminal and Tioman are operated by Berjaya Air almost daily. Its only 1 flight in and 1 flight out, on a small 4 prop Dash 7 aircraft, and 48 passengers per flight… tickets are hard to get in vacation times…

Getting to the budget terminal by public is more complicated than going to the other Terminals…. anyway, I use Google map and found my options and directions.

Standing in line at the Berjaya counter, looking around at the Budget air terminal

Flight leaving SG is at 1355hrs… so I try to be at the Berjaya air checkin counter by 1230hrs.. and I was early.. 1210hrs, so I could reward myself with a cheap Mac lunch! And takeaway my leftovers to Tioman… how else would you get apple pies in Tioman!?

Boarding the cute little plane.

The budget terminal is not so posh and convenient as the other Terminals… but it does the job. And look, no covered walkway to the plane. Today, it was hot, other days it might be wet.. but I guess that travelling budget for ya.

Small cabin and I am on the last row.

 

Inside the cosy cabin.. simple and nice… try to sit at the last row 12. Its last in and 1st out.. 🙂 Advise from Doug… And I got the last row 🙂

Flight time is about 35mins, so before you can really get comfy, its time to land. Small seats dun bother me anyway..

My childhood playground.

And off we go, here is a glimpse of Punggol. Look, Coney Island is all linked up to the main island now. Following the river up to Hougang, thats where I use to live… and somewhere in the middle is where I live now.. This area was my childhood playground! It is of course much different now.

North West side of Tioman. Beautiful green waters.

And then we pass Desaru.. and many pretty islands with white beaches… but the pictures turn out too hazy.. I think its the distance and the dirty windows…

ABC beach from just above…

And now landing gear is out and here we are. Look at the fascinating green waters around Tioman. That is why we come here.

Landed in 1 min after that last pic. Was the 1st one out and cleared immigration very quickly. Doug’s waiting for me, looks happy.. 10 mins walk from the terminal to the marina and viola, I am back onboard.

From leaving the flat to arriving onboard Calliste, the total travelling time is 3.5hrs. I arrived fresh and ready to have fun rightaway. I think thats not bad at all, even tho it did cost me S$268 for the return ticket…

new look by painting

Currently, I am on work/vacation mode. 1 week in Tioman and 2 weeks back cycle. In the short 2 weeks at home, I work regular hours and if not too tired, I do a bit around the apartment.

Dirty blue room…

This weekend, my focus was painting. I moved stuff out of the rooms during the evenings prior to the weekend, checked my paint supply and lined tarps on the floor. There were some stuff, like those big cabinets that I couldnt move out, but I could push them around on the laminate floor without much damage. They were empty and light, so much less damage than if they were heavy.

All walls in this room are dirty looking light blue originally… maybe all it needed was some cleaning, but I wanted a different look. Something that is more my style.

New Sail White walls and ceiling.

I painted 2 coats white wash on the blue where I was going to paint with the very pure “Sail White” by Nippon, and on the walls that I was going to use “Harmony” blue, only 1 coat white wash. The ceiling was white to begin with, so white wash would be a waste of paint, time and energy. While waiting for the undercoats to dry, I went and had breakfast. The undercoat dries in about 2hrs. Anyway, I painted the ceiling with the Sail White, then got to the walls to be painted Sail White too, and then the Harmony blue… Finally, paint brush finishing on the edges. I think I have a pretty steady hand… 🙂

Sail White and Harmony blue.. i think its a nice combo..

Ceiling only needed 1 coat, but the walls needed 2 coats and in some areas, 3 coats, to get that creamy white look, giving the room a light airy feel. On the other side of the room are 2 walls of 2 coats Harmony blue. Deep colors too need 2 coats, otherwise its patchy … altho I think 3 coats will be much better, but I am running out of steam… 🙂

Moving furniture into place, thats were the big cabinets are going to be forever… I definately think this look works for me. .. yes, some loose junk that needs to be sorted.