More Than a Marine Park Wonder

Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort – an ideal base to explore Tioman Island’s natural wonders.

Crystal clear turquoise waters lapping on miles of talcum powder beaches, where underwater enthusiasts skim beneath the waters and vacationers – sprawled under the sun – do nothing all. Tioman Island’s magnetism proved to be irresistible and Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort became the cover shoot location for KL Lifestyle’s wedding-themed December issue. All the talk about the looming monsoon season fizzled when we discovered the weather wasn’t at all unforgiving during our stay.

Tioman Island sets a warm tone to the ambiance of Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort and the more posh Berjaya Tioman Suites. The entire resort covers over 200 acres of private land, complemented by an 18-hole golf course and a classy spa for a quick R&R.  With a locale endowed by a long stretch of private beach lined by swaying palm trees, clear waters, rich underwater ecosystem and lush tropical forest, the Berjaya property is an ideal launch pad for a fantastic leisure and recreational activities to fill the days of any vacationer. The resort’s structural design leans heavily towards the Malay kampong architecture and the chalets are decent enough for a good night’s sleep.

This chameleon is a common find in the jungle but it takes a trained eye to spot it.

	An aerial view of Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort and Renggis Island.

There are a myriad of cosmopolitan cuisine at Berjaya Tioman to please any palate. For local and international specialties, the Sri Nelayan coffee house is the hottest dining spot and it’s perpetually abuzz during breakfast, lunch and dinner. The dinner buffet selection is extensive with delectable barbecue delights, served right off the grill completing the dining experience. Bali Hai serves Continental cuisines amid the fine dining setting and if you are craving for some Chinese, the Fortune Court restaurant serves exceptional Cantonese cuisine. Also available are Chinese fondue at the beach fronting restaurant Matahari and various bars serving snacks and cocktails. At Berjaya Tioman, you would never go to bed feeling hungry.

The resort is built whilst keeping in mind to meet the needs of the entire family. Children’s fun-filled activities at the resort doesn’t only stop at the swimming pool, where they can glide down the Sphinx-inspired slides and have a splashing good time. There’s a playground for the younger tots and the older ones will be hooked at the video games centre. The donkey rides are exciting not just for the young ones, but it promises to bring the child out of adults too. Release the inhibitions within and partake of the fun-filled activities lined up by the Berjaya Tioman resort.

	Jo, the blind turtle is at home at the TAT Turtle Sanctuary.

The options to be one with nature are endless. For divers desiring to take in the beauty of the underwater ecosystem, the PADI Dive Centre at the resort gladly offer lessons for enthusiasts, novices and professionals. The Renggis Island, located just across the resort, is a diving and snorkeling site with abundant marine life. While fish species such as the Barracuda, yellow tail, stingray, Angel, Buffalo and moray eels are commonly found here, some divers have had the opportunity to spot the harmless black tip sharks that makes and occasional appearance here. You could also view the coral reefs without getting wet by taking a ride on the glass bottom boats, but the pleasure is not as much.

There is much more to do in Tioman than just splashing about in the sea. For an island that has retained most of its primary jungle, trekking is a definite must try for the seasoned hikers or the uninitiated. There is a route that begins from the Berjaya Tioman Resort and ends at a waterfall located less than an hour away with options of an easy or a more challenging trail. While venturing out into the jungle, trekkers would be able to spot the monitor lizards, chameleon, snakes, various birds, plants with varied usage and if you are lucky, even the elusive mousedeer can be spotted in the woods sometimes. Soaking in the waterfalls at the end of the trail is definitely a sweet reward.

There are other trekking trails enroute to Kampung Juara and Kampung Tekek but most would seek the famed Asah waterfalls by trekking through Kampung Mukut. The hike is no walk in the park and the safest bet is to hire a guide who is well-versed with jungle. If the hike proves to be too taxing to do both ways, you could possibly hire a boat for the return trip but it will definitely cost an arm and a leg. Rock-climbing is fast gaining popularity in Tioman as daredevils resolve to conquer the granite peaks of this island. The more tranquil Kampung Juara, which faces the South China Sea, has been attracting some surf enthusiasts who gamely take on the waves during the monsoon season.

At the end of Kampung Juara, conservation takes a deeper meaning at the TAT Turtle Sanctuary. In partnership with the United World Colleges organization, the hatchery purchases turtle eggs – that would otherwise be sold as delicacy – ant the student volunteer that help look after the facility are involved in monitoring, collecting data and releasing the turtles after hatching into the sea. The hatchery is also home to Jo, the blind turtle that can’t possibly survive in the open sea as his impairment prevents him to fend for itself. Jo is hand-fed by the volunteers and is cared for like a little child.

While you are exploring the unspoiled coral and waters teeming with life at Tioman Island, do remember to see the sights of its other natural wonders and you stand to learn a great deal from Mother Nature.

Our stay was sponsored by Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort and flight courtesy of Berjaya Air.

Berjaya Air was incorporated in 1989 and operating from it base in Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang Airport) Kuala Lumpur. Berjaya Air owns and operates DeHavilland Dash 7 aircraft with 48 seats that are specially designed for short take-off and landing (STOL) on short runway. Currently, Berjaya Air operates scheduled flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island, Redang Island, Pangkor Island, Koh Samui in Thailand and from Singapore (Seletar Airport) to Tioman and Redang Island. The airline uses SITA Gabriel reservation system with airline code “J8” offers air tickets, holiday packages and charter flight services. Berjaya Air has recently purchased four units of new ATR 72-500 aircraft. These aircraft are in a 72-seats configuration and will be delivered starting from 1st quarter 2009. This will allow Berjaya Air to increase flight frequencies as well as expanding routes network thus further strengthen its position as a regional turboprop operator in region. Berjaya Air is a subsidiary of Berjaya Land Berhad, a division of Berjaya Corporation Berhad; a diversified conglomerate listed on the main board of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.

For more information, please visit online at www.Berjaya-Air.com .