By RIZAL MOHAMAD

Malaysia's SOUTH PACIFIC

BERJAYA TIOMAN BEACH, GOLF & SPA RESORT
Tioman Island, Pahang

CATEGORY
Island beach resort

TEL & WEB CONTACT
+603 2141 0088, +2145 4107, 1 800 88 3236 (Malaysia toll-free) or bhr@hr.berjaya.com.my or
visit www.berjayahotels-resorts.com/tiomanresort.htm

SPECIALTY
Beach chalets suitable for families and groups

TIOMAN One of Malaysia's tropical gems, this lush, sun-kissed island was the location for the 1958 Hollywood classic, South Pacific (Bali Ha'i was the fictional island in the film). And you'd think that with this bit of exotic trivia, paradise would be awash with hordes of visitors. Surprisingly, and despite having an airport, Tioman has, where other island destinations have failed, hung onto its simple and undeveloped charm.

FIVE REASONS YOU SHOULD GO

1. At the quieter end of rectangular-shaped Berjaya property, about where the sun sets, is an islet called Renggis (you can snorkel its circumference in about 30 minutes), which can be reached in minutes by thumping over the sea in a speedboat from the dive nut on the main beach. Everything can be undertaken in minutes on Tioman. Try express snorkeling around Renggis, which offers an explosion of Monet-like colors and copious marine life (black-tip sharks regularly spotted) over its active reef just five-plus meters deep

2. A slow steamboat. We're not talking about a romantic mode of transport rather we're referring to the Asian way of cooking raw ingredients in a steamy broth over a tabletop gas cooker. The food and beverage staff at Berjaya have this convivial way of eating set up just right with tables located next to a sandy beach; evenings are a joy self-cooking fresh seafood, meat and vegetables, all prepared under a dazzling, star-speckled night Tioman is famous for.

3. Berjaya's 18-hole championship golf course is an electric cart ride away from your beach chalet accommodation. It's all really rather easy. And the course? Set between a coralline beach and misty rainforest its link appear like natural swaths of lowland greenery (finish up at the air-conditioned clubhouse with a shower and sauna).

4. Walk along the hilly asphalt road (aside from the airport runway this is the only stretch of pavement on the entire island) from Berjaya Tioman resort for about 15 minutes and you'll come to a welter of rustic duty-free shops (Tioman is designated as one of Malaysia's three island-wide duty-free zones) with prices to amaze the most skilled bargain hound (on your way back curious macaques may descend from the trees for a handout).

5. Berjaya resort happens to conveniently own the only airline that services the island (see 'Useful Information for visitors to Malaysia'), and its open-air shuttle bus takes mere minutes to reach the lobby (benefits aplenty for flying and staying with the same group). And flying there means you depart from the old and rather sleepy city airport in Subang, arguably more convenient than KLIA and without throngs of travelers.

IN SHORT No clubbing or trinket shopping to be found on this detached terra firma, though there is a karaoke joint at the Berjaya and a simple clutch of duty free shops near the resort-just enough sustainable commercial activity for this lovely island. Tioman is about leaving it all behind with the exception of your iPod, reading material, and family.

LEARN HOW TO DIVE The island's almost gin-clear waters beckon for those looking to get PADI certified. Complete with dive masters, gear and a variety of seaworthy boats (like everything else here), certification is convenient and easy. Too adventurous for you? Then learn how to snorkel. And before you go, educate yourself about the wonders of ocean reefs and what not to do when amongst such delicate nature. So many travelers plunge recklessly into Malaysia's fragile marine parks causing intense havoc on wildlife. And the result is a wasteland of dead coral with no fish. Remember, swim softly, don't collect seashells and coral, and don't pet the sea life especially if it's prickly, as the closest clinic is on the mainland (conservation tip: take your own small garbage bags for boat travel and beach walks if you may have things to throw away.)

DON'T FEEL LIKE GETTING WET? Venture into the island's primary jungle. Berjaya staff will lead you on trekking tours to key places of interest such as waterfalls and fetching lookout points. If you are up to it, hike over the spine of the island to Tekek village on the west and Juara village on the east, which should take a little more than two hours (don't forget to double that time for your return).

THE RESORT Berjaya Tioman bungalows are smack on the beach of the western, leeside of the island. Split-floor chalet accommodation is ideal for extended families. Rates range with standard chalets at the low-end and executive family rooms and the Renggis suite on the top-end. Berjaya has a quality Chinese restaurant (corkage fee for those with their own duty free) and other dining options throughout the property. There are several swimming pools up off the sandy beach, one with a swim-up bar serving a full range of drinks and gourmet pizza.

WHEN TO GO Tioman weather is typically that of a hot sun and gentle, cooling winds on the coast (rain conveniently falls in the mountains most of the time) so visitors can still manage to sit on the beach, swim in the sea or, head out on a boat journey if the weather acts up inland. However, be mindful, the monsoon season kicks up from November to February with a good dump of wetness even on the coast.

Courtesy of www.astro.com.my