Tioman & KL Trip (21-25 May 2006)

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.

We spot fishes circling near the port. Step ran back to the shops to buy some bread to feed them.



We bought poker cards and settle ourselves down at the only pub at this salang beach to play daidee. I had 1 cup of volka lime. Shiok. The seats were really comfy too.



DAY 2



We woke up around 10 plus.




It was low tide.

We had our brunch at the main cafe.






Ash feeling sleepy?


Alright, we'll relax for a while before heading out to sea


With permission, we took the mangoes that have drop on the floor


The mangoes were really sweet

And here's a little demostration of how to peal the mango skin with a scissors.

Taking a nap?


Applying sunblock lotion

We went to rent lifejacket, flippers and mask for me and matt. We den swam swam sawm to the nearby rocks. Feed the fishes, and took silly pictures in the water. (I'll upload those pic when I go pick up the photos from the photoshop)


We picked some blue dead coral.


My bed.


My laundry


More flippers!!


Crazy hairstyle after shower


A cat came along and saw our equipments for snorkeling


"I wanna go for a swim too"

Enjoying a little massage from Matt


"I want massage too!"

We had dinner at the cafe at night. The kampung fried rice we had that day was HUGH. We also had satay and vege and prawns. We were all so shag after dinner we went back to take a nap. It was decided that we can't just waste the night away sleeping so after 45mins, we drag ourselves up. Den it was poker time again at the club.

DAY 3

We are going diving today! I mean, step and ash is going diving today.

Food for the fishes


All packed up


The current was abit strong


Nevertheless, we head down to meet the Dive Master




A fly in the bottle


Fishing boat







And here's ash trying to get into his wetsuit.

After being out at sea for the whole day, we snorkel again. It was freaking tiring and I couldn't swim anymore. So I float on the lifejacket while step drag me around to feed the fishes. I wore ash's glove and grab the fishes. I even hold a sea cucumber. Shiok!


The sunset that day was exceptionally beautiful




I'm burnt!

After dinner, we had the usual poker and drinks. We head back for bed much earlier and slept. Woke up next morning at 7am to catch the 930 ferry back to mersing.


"dun take my photo when I dun have enough sleep!"


We had roti canai for breakfast at mersing before heading down to KL and meet up with aug and sheena.

We met up with aug on the road. Aug was 20km in front of us and we had to chase them. Instructions for aug was to drive slowly but I think he was going 100km/h

We finally caught up with him. It wasn't really diff to spot his car.


That's him behind us

We finally reach KL after 2 hours journey. Check in to Capitol Hotel and prepared ourselves for a little shopping.




The view from our room


They happen to wear the same tshirt




Our mode of transport


Step bought us to this place where they sell all the spicy seafood. Very nice but very hot.

After walking around, we need to head back to the hotel. We took the train. It was rather tricky.


The map

After going back to the hotel, we took a shower and plan to go clubbing. Unfortunately! Step's car battery was low and he couldn't start his car. Sheena, Ash and Matt went for foot massage, Me and Aug had a drink at a nearby pub while we wait for the battery replacement to come.

We drank 1 bottle of Chivas that night. It was a miracle all of us went back to the hotel in one piece.

The next morning,

We checked out, pick up our photos that we took using the underwater camera, had lunch, went swensen for ice-cream before heading back to JB

Had dinner at JB before heading back home!