Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
262
prestigious Relais & Châteaux group, JapaMala has rooms that are fashionably rustic and
range from seavie w to tr eetop chalets amid ancient rainfor ests. The hotel has fiv e-star
luxe facilities, pearly white sands, and clear waters most of the y ear. Guests arriving b y
air need to transfer to the r esort via priv ate speedboat at a fee, and those arriving fr om
Mersing on the mainland can catch a fast speedboat that takes approximately 1
1
/
2
hours,
depending upon the prevailing weather.
Kampung Lanting, 86800 Pulau Tioman, Pahang.
&
09/419-7777.
Fax 09/419-7979. www.japamalaresorts.
com. RM600-RM1,700 ($174-$493/£108-£306). AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
2 restaurants; 2 bars; theater
lounge; pool; spa; snorkeling and scuba diving.
In room:
A/C, cable TV, minibar, hair dryer.
TIOMAN OUTDOORS
Tioman's beaches can be hit-or-miss. Around Tekek, much of ABC, and spots north of the
Berjaya resort, rocks spoil the beach and shallo w waters. Salang's beach, a crescent of sand
hugging a horseshoe-shaped co ve, presents the best beach on the w est side of the island.
The most ideal beach, however, is on Juara, on the east side of the island. This broad sandy
stretch is practically deser ted half the time due to its r emote location—to get there, either
hop a water taxi, take the daily ferr y, or hike o verland. The trek from Tekek to Juara cuts
across the center of the island and will take up to 2 hours to complete. Bring water and lots
of mosquito repellent, and don't try it unless you are reasonably fit.
Scuba professionals
Dive Asia
(Salang and Tekek
&
09/419-5017;
ABC
&
09/419-
1654;
www.diveasia.com.my) have been on Tioman over 30 y ears. Each day they take
divers out for two dives, one at 9:30am and one at 2:30pm (at different places each day)
for only RM170 ($49/£31), equipment included. A bargain. S norkel trips can also be
arranged at each beach destination for about RM45 ($13/£8.10), which includes boat
transfer to the best snorkeling sites plus equipment rental.
14
2
KUANTAN & CHERATING
Pahang, covering about 35,960 sq. km (14,024 sq. miles) of mostly inland forests, is the
largest state on peninsular Malaysia. Travelers come to Pahang's east-coast resorts for the
long sandy beaches, which str etch all the way up the east coast along the S outh China
Sea. Jungle forests promise adventures in tr ekking, climbing, and riv er rafting. I n fact,
much of
Taman Negara,
Malaysia's main peninsular national for est preserve, is in this
state, although most people access the for est by traveling from Kuala Lumpur (see “Side
Trips from Kuala Lumpur,” in chapter 13). K uantan, although it 's the capital, doesn 't
have the feel of a big city; ho wever, with the r ecent construction of a fe w big shopping
malls, there's more choice for entertainment, shopping, and fast food. If you're staying at
the beach at Telok Chempedak, 5km (3 miles) north of Kuantan, the atmosphere is even
more relaxed.
Cherating Village has a backpacker feel to it, but unlike those in many par ts of the
region, there isn't the bar and par ty scene. This is more laid back, with fe w bars, and it
looks a little run down these days.
ESSENTIALS
Visitor Information
A
Tourist I nformation Centr e
(
&
09/516-1007
) is located on J alan Penjara in the
center of town. The staff is exceptionally helpful and good at answering specific inquiries.
The official website for the Pahang Tourism Board is www.pahangtourism.com.my.
