Arrived on Tioman Island on Wednesday evening, just as the sun was setting. We have opted to stay on ABC beach as it is fairly quiet. Actually I don't think any of the island particularly does lively! ABC has one small track running through it, just wide enough to fit a small motorbike with a sidecar to carry goods and is a total of 1km long. The other beaches/villages are reached by water taxi but seem to be not much bigger than here.

We have arranged to do some diving tomorrow and it is meant to be the best available in Peninsula Malaysia. Other than that the pace if life is so slow that almost anything feels like an effort!

Monday: Our last day on the island and I've grown quite fond of the place. I had wanted to come here when I was in Malaysia over 20 years ago but it was monsoon season so I coldn't get to the East Coast. I was then a bit worried that my expectations might be too high. Although it is not the most beautiful and well kept place at first sight it really does grow on you.

Luckily the almost terminal inertia that was beginning to set in was halted by going diving. We did 4 dives over 3 days and it was lovely. It was easy diving with lots of life including blue spotted rays and a turtle that wanted to hang around for ages seemingly to be photographed. As we were in a fast boat we were back by 2.30 which has left plenty of time for sitting on the beach.

The island is actually quite full with many of the "resorts" (groups of bungalows) being full but it still doesn't feel busy. We stayed at one place for the first two nights but it was just a bit too run down and basic to feel comfortable so we have moved to the other end of the village which also has the best bit of beach. There are quite a few little restaurants but really only 2 bars, one at either end. There has been a small group of us that have met at alternative ends for happy hour to watch the sun go down each night.

Walking from one end of the beach to the other on the little path is often entertaining. As well as there being lots of monkeys on the island there are also monitor lizards. The largest we have seen is about 4 feet and although they move off when you approach they are easy to spot.

Tomorrow we head back to KL. Neil has had to apply for a visa for India from here as his first job is tehre when we get back. It has been quite a protracted process and has meant us going back to KL again. After that we will be continuing South to Singapore and is feeling like our trip is coming towards the end now.