Tioman Island and Tunamaya Resort and Spa

Hello, friends!  Hope your week has been good so far.

On travel segment this time, I'd like to share some overdue shots from our trip to Tioman Island in Malaysia back in August this year.  The last time I was there prior to this trip was way back in 1994, back-packer style with a bunch of friends, staying in a budget chalet, went snorkeling from morning to late afternoon.. it was a blast! This time we took the boys with us, I figured since they know so little about their birth land besides Kuala Lumpur, it would be nice for them to see the other side of Malaysia, the secluded untouched island. 

Tioman Island was once voted by Time Magazine as one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Facing the South China Sea and barely touched by massive development, it is secluded and a favorite among  snorkelers and divers for its beautiful marine life.  There are not too many resorts on Tioman and most of them are budget chalets.  The upscale resorts are few, 3 to be exact and Tunamaya Resort and Spa is one  of them.

There's only 2 ways to get to Tioman - by land to Mersing, a small fisherman's village on the south-east of Peninsular Malaysia and later a 2 hours boat ride or by air in this small Dash 7 aircraft run by Berjaya Air.  It was a smooth ride but I cannot help but laugh at the look of anxiety on the boys' faces all the way to Tioman and later relieved when we landed!

From the airport, we took a half hour boat ride in Tunamaya's speed boat to the resort.  The view all the way was spectacular! The blue ocean with the green backdrop was really something.

The view of the resort as we approach by sea

Tunamaya is located on a private beach, accessible only by boat.  It has 52 individual chalets with the view of the sea and the rain forest, which is the back drop of the resort.

The beach chalet has 2 entrances - facing the sea and the forest

Pool deck, very popular during low tide

The beach during high tide

Tioman's Twin Peak, backdrop of Tunamaya Resort

The restaurant serving theme buffet and ala-carte meals .  It was nice to dine outside on the deck on the non windy night

We did a bit of a hiking half way up the peak.  Being city boys, the nature was a bit strange for the twins.  45 minutes up and another 45 down was enough to kill a few hundred calories and it was fun too!  Lets just say we truly deserved our big dinner that night.

The view from above

There's another hike that leads to the Mukut waterfall

The water looks dark and deep and very very fresh and clean.

If you are looking for a different type of vacation from the usual massive hotels on city beaches or love the secluded out of this world feel far from the hustle and bustle of the city and the fuss of everyday life in general, I would recommend Tioman and if you want to feel pampered at the same time, try out Tunamaya Resort and Spa.  Mr Mohan the resort manager and his team will do their best to ensure your best and memorable stay!