The next step in my plans was to go to Tioman Island, a small island on the east coast of Malaysia. But as it turned out, it’s still monsoon season there and there aren’t any direct busses from Singapore to Mersing (from where the ferry to Tioman Island departures) and it wasn’t even clear if the ferry was operating during this time of the year and how many accommodation options there would me, as many resorts are closed during the monsoon season and open mid February or March.So I almost gave up and already looked for alternatives, like going to Kuala Lumpur, when I read somewhere, that there is a public transport bus going to Mersing from Johor Bharu, the city right on the boarder from Singapore to Malaysia. So I said to myself: no risk, no fun and looked up, on how to get to Johor Bharu. I wanted to go really early, as I didn’t know when the ferry would leave in Mersing, if at all, and I didn’t want to stay in Mersing for the night.

I set my alarm clock to 7 am and went to bed. I guess I was nervous, because I already woke up at 6 and couldn’t sleep anymore. So I packed my back and left for the bus station. As it was a public bus it took me 90 minutes to get to Johor Bharu, also it’s not very far, but for 0,90€ you can’t complain. Clearing the customs was quick and easy and I arrived at the bus terminal in Malaysia at around 10 o’clock. The moment the door opened, about 3-4 guys were yelling all kinds of destinations, like Kuala Lumpur, Lumpur and a lot more I didn’t understand, because they were talking like lightning fast (like if you see an auction in TV and you can’t understand a word of what the auctioneer is saying, because he’s talking sooo fast). When I said I wanted to go to Mersing, one of the guys said I should follow him. He brought me to one of the counters of like 20 different bus tour operators and arranged everything. About 3 minutes later I got a ticked for Johor Bharu – Mersing for 11,40 Malaysian Ringi (that’s about 2,xx€ for a 2,5h bus drive!). At first I was the only western guy sitting there, but a bit later Ralph and his girlfriend (as it turned out, Germans too) arrived and also wanted to go to Mersing / Tioman Island. As the bus arrived, we couldn’t believe it. You were sitting better like in the business class in a plain, as there were only three seats per row, and each seat with foot rest and a good sleeping position etc. Just a TV was missing….

For about 2,5h the bus drove through the Malaysian countryside, which was basically one palm plantations after the other. When we arrived in Mersing, the bus driver pointed us to on elderly women, which would sell us the ferry tickets to Tioman. These were about 7€ for one way. She said we were lucky, because normally the ferry would have left at 13:00 (we arrived at 13:45), but the ferry would be running late because of the tide would be leaving now at 14:30. Man, was I relieved, that this all worked out so good!!!

The way to the island was another good 2h bumpy ride with a speed boat. I was getting very tired, as I didn’t get much sleep that night, so I just wanted it to be over, so I could check in to lay down and rest a bit.

While approaching the coast I had to decide at which beach I wanted to alight, as the ferry would be stopping at like 6 or 7 different beaches. I took a look at my travel guide and decided to get off at the Air Batang Beach (ABC), as most of the budget resorts were there. Ralph and his girlfriend went off at a different beach, but as the island isn’t that big, I hope I´ll see them again. As I arrived at the beach I started to walk along the small way to take a look at all the options, when I saw some monkeys right there on one of the little huts. Welcome to the jungle:

In ended up checking into “My friend place” and got a small little hut about 20m from the beach. It’s a very basis small bungalow with 3 beds in it, a toilet and a shower. All I need, and that for 6€/night. Perfect. So if you’re coming with two friends you could stay here for as little as 2€/night. It doesn’t get any cheaper than that!!!

I put down my bag, jumped into my beach pants and went to the beach. Welcome to paradise!!! It’s just AMAZING here. Picture a tropical Island in your head, and you get Tioman Island. I just wish my friends would be here to enjoy this with me…

I stayed at the beach until the sun went down and just relaxed and took some pictures…

Don’t you wish, you would be here right now?

Later I went to a little beach restaurant not far from my hut and got some great fish sambal with rice and a fresh made iced lemon tee for a little over 2€. I just love this place. You end up being in paradise and get stay were in a little hut with 2 meals a day and something to drink for around 10€/day!!!

Greetings to you guys sitting at work right now and looking at these pictures.  Hoollla!

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