Dear Aidan,
In the middle of May, we took a trip to Tioman Island with Aunty Li-Hsian and Uncle Srihari. We had booked this holiday a while back and we were extra excited about it for one reason: Papa and Mama would be snorkeling for the first time!
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| Yummy welcome drinks |
What's snorkeling again? Well, it's pretty much just floating about the sea with your face in the water to admire the beautiful corals and underwater creatures found in crystal-clear, clean waters. You get a snorkeling mask, of course, the kind with a tube that sticks out so you can breathe.
We got a villa after some trouble booking two separate rooms called the 'Cliff Sarangs'. Just as well.
The villa is 2 floors with an upper and lower room and it has a little pool and daybed surrounded by trees. Aunty and Uncle were nice to give us the upper room which was larger.
The walk from the jetty to our room was very leafy and covered by the shade provided by the jungle canopy.
When we arrived, you inspected the bathroom, jacuzzi as well as the balcony. Your first words, "I really like this room!" Meanwhile, Papa and Mama found Uncle and Aunty relaxing in the pool downstairs. They had arrived earlier.
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| The jetty-cum-Italian-restaurant |
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A leafy walk to our villa, the Penghulu's House
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| Lush! And you had your own Heavenly Bed too |
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| The Sauna we used only once |
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| Grand...pretty much sums up our home for 4 days |
As it was our first day, we took things slow and easy. So we brought out some snacks and chit-chatted for a bit as the sun slowly made its way to the horizon. Some monkeys came out to snoop around for free bites so we had to hide the crisps and the candies.
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| The dip was refreshing...and freezy for you |
Dinner was at the Italian eatery out on the pontoon. The breeze was great and it was really relaxing sipping on lemongrass drinks and dining on pastas, breads and pizzas.
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| Rock on, Lunch! |
On the second day, we hung around the pool area again but Papa, Uncle and Aunty went snorkeling near the beach after lunch. You and I napped and then watched 'Puss in Boots' while waiting for them to return.
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| Bottoms up, guys! |
When you woke up, you had a little fit because you wanted to go out to sea to see Papa but I didn't let you. I had to explain that you can't reach them unless you could swim.
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| Lazing about on a sunny morning |
After calming down, we put together some puzzles and when they all came back, we sat by the pool, munched on peanuts and then watched a DVD called 'SeeFood' before heading out for dinner. Dinner this night was at the Thai restaurant. You were happy eating your rice and chicken fillet. And afterwards, you tried pineapple for the first time and liked it.
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| Mama's going to hang out with some fishes |
Our last day began with a late breakfast. After that, we packed up, got our snorkeling gear and went out by boat to the dive spots on the way to Coral Island. At the first stop, our boat halted next to a white pontoon about 8 by 8 ft in size. The driver and hotel staff (James) assigned to accompany us on our trip were very lovely. James said he would watch out for you while we went into the water. And guess what, even though you're not exactly a water baby, you wanted to be on the pontoon and watch us gear up.
Best part? You didn't throw a fit or cry even though we all had to leave you on the pontoon for a good 45 minutes. I think James did a really good job making sure you didn't fall in but were entertained. You had a small bag of bread to feed the fish and that managed to keep you happy.
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| Hopefully, there are no sharks nibbling at our feet |
We made another stop after that before heading off to Coral Island for our lunch picnic. The island was secluded but the beach was pristine white while the waters were crystal green emerald! Just like in the travel magazines! A few huge monitor lizards came out trying to get a free lunch halfway. Right when you were in the middle of a fit after being scolded for kicking sand too hard and splattering our lunch as a result. In the midst of tears, you manage to warn us by pointing at them, "Mama, I don't like the lizards!" Despite stomping and loud shoos, the reptiles were brazen enough that we moved our lunch back to the boat.
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| Our fun boat |
After devouring most of our Caesar salad and fried rice, you and Papa decided to play by the shore. I think you really enjoyed yourself on this trip even though essentially, there was nothing actually
happening for you. Maybe the adventure of the advancing lizards was enough of drama.
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| Don't know about you guys but I think we're being watched by some fat lizards |
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| Hey Mama, we're having a bath, join us! |
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| I'll fill up this bottle and Papa won't sense the difference |
We returned home after that, warm and brown from sunshine and tired from snorkeling. We all napped and woke up to have a calming dip in our pool. And then before we knew it, it was our last dinner at Japamala Resort.
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| Uncle James managed to scoop you up |
Papa and Mama were a bit sad to leave. The staff at Japamala had been so nice to us - Uncle James was sweet to you, too. And our slow, languid days just catching up with each other, resting and eating good food were really pleasant. More than that, this would be our last holiday before our December break as a family. But what stood out for us on this trip, among everything else, was just what a great sport you were the day we went snorkeling. Proud of you, Cheeks!
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| Our Japamala crew |
