Ok.. the long awaited post is here. Lotsa pictures and some videos. Better be prepared.
We met up at Bugis as early as 9am in the morning. Took a bus to go thru the checkpoint. After we reach JB, we took a cab to Stephen's house to pick up his car. We drove to this big foodcourt for lunch before heading down to mersing. The drive was more than 2 hours. When we reach the port, this guy from dunno where approach us, he told us a speedboat to tioman just left a few minutes ago, but due to Ashraf's good relationship with some important people in their company, the boat actually turn back for us. Talk about VIP neh. Of course, while waiting, we took some pic.

Ashraf getting ready for the speedboat.

And here's our driver for the whole trip. Acting looney as usual.

And introducing the 3 monkeys who will entertain me for this whole trip, Matt, Step, Ash (from nearest to furthest)

"Is the boat here?"

Ashraf and Stephen on the speedboat.

And a pix of myself

A fish actually jump onto our speedboat
We reach Tioman, Salang Beach in 45mins. The port was crowded with people leaving. It was a Sunday after all. We went to choose our accomodation first. The first room we saw was really bad. There was no hot shower and we had to climb a flight of stairs. The 2nd room was better but there were stairs too. We finally decided on this room which was facing the sea. Very very good view. Has hot shower and a tv with no channels.

First thing we did was to put our bags down and lie on the bed.

Shiok
But this Stephen wanted to jump into the sea immediately.

"I'm all ready to go swimming!"

We were rather reluctant to leave our beds but we changed and went for a dip in the clear waters.

Ready guys?
I got to try the snorkel mask for the 1st time. Ash and step taught me how to breathe properly and get rid of the water in the tube. Ash den took me out further out into the sea. I saw lotsa fishes. So kewl, but halfway thru, I almost died. Haa, couldn't really float for long. I wasn't wearing flippers mind you. And I haven't been swimming for years. I kick with all my life. I choke and drank a mouthful of seawater. Ash was more pro. He only had goggles on.


Step and Ash's flippers

The house next to ours.

The beautiful resort for monkeys

Our view from the room
After having a little premier of what's going to happen for the next 2 days, we went back, took a shower and had dinner.



After dinner, we took a stroll to the port.
