Malaysia: Peninsula and Borneo - July 2006
Dear English-speaking readers, this page is an automatic translation of an article originally written in French. I apologise for any strange sentences and funny mistakes that may have resulted. If you read French, click on the French flag below to access the original, correct text:
Français
As we approach the island of Tioman (or Pulau Tioman in Malaysian), I feel that I will like the place. It is big, immense! In the sea mist of the early morning, a sloping profile emerges, covered with a dense and humid vegetation, where still cling to shreds of clouds.
There is jungle everywhere, mountains, beaches still not built too much.
Air Batang Beach (ABC Beach)
I get dropped off at the beach ofAir Batang, also called ABC Beachin the northwest of the island. It's the quiet beach for budget travelers and as soon as I take the first steps on the path along the narrow sandy strip, I'm thrilled.
It is quiet, green, charming. We are far from the overpopulation of Perhentian Kecil and its alignment of bars, restaurants and cottages.
A Malaysian, noticing my diving bag, escorts me nicely, with the usual litany of questions (Where do you come from ? How long are you staying ? etc. etc.) to the diving center located shortly after the pontoon.
A young guy is rinsing regulators (the mouthpiece that attaches to the tank and "relaxes" the air underwater, which allows you to breathe). He greets me in English with that inimitable local accent.
😂
We immediately go to French ... "It's definitely the week of the French! he told me. There's plenty of them right now." To accommodate me, he advises me the first series of bungalows, the Mawar Chalets.
I go there and put my bag without hesitation. I visit the chalet 6, which has just become available. A bargain, for only 20RM (about 4,50€), whereas I had to pay three times more on Perhentian Kecil to have the equivalent.
A basic bungalow (bed, mosquito net, fan, shower), all made of wood, facing the sea, with a small veranda, where I can hang my hammock. It's the first thing I do.
I arrived very early and I have the whole day ahead of me to explore the surroundings. I will also register for the next day's dives...
