Bachwig travellers: Singapore and Tioman

Wendy and Craig are living in Singapore and love having people to visit. So we decided to go and visit them...and avoid the rainy NZ July holidays.

Day 1 - Departure Day

Singapore

Sunday, 17 July 2011
Well Saturday was busy getting ready...we had Alex to stay, so Bruce took him to the Airport while I recovered Michael's glasses from the optometrists and spent some vouchers at JB Hifi to add some more music to the collection.
We were both tired last night so didn't finish packing...finished off this morning; then off to the Airport. Left the car at Aeroparks ...then the Airport. luckily the lounge let us through..technically Bruce is only allowed one guest. Michael is finding the flight long. He's going to find the return even worse as it is completely day time.
Singapore Airlines...awesome as usual. Decor and layout...pretty dated ( and I think it is newish...) but service outstanding. Ok...one wine order got forgotten but the crew are more than attentive and the Singapore Slings are to die for! Entertainment not quite up to Air New Zealand but them Air NZ are the market leader for a reason.
We breezed through Singapore Airport. It is an easy airport to deal with and customs was a breeze..not at all concerned about our 6 bottles of wine. Wendy texted us...they were dropping mum at the Airport at a different terminal and it was taking longer than expected. They had intended to eat dinner between dropping her and picking up us but hadn't had time. Michael was coping Ok with the late hour so we went to little India and to The Banana Leaf Apolo. It was Sunday and the area was packed with Indian men...just hanging out. Wendy and Craig explained that most of them are construction workers and Sunday is their day off...so they come and hang out. They were gathered everywhere...in the streets and parks, just sitting and talking. And of course there was heaps of room in the Banana Lead because we were more the target market .I.e. Too expensive. We valet parked...and Michael was freaking out when a man took the car away with all our luggage. But it's Singapore...and safe! The food was great. They bring your rice around in a big bowl and it has fetes thorugh it, and it is served with side vege dishes which are very tasty.
Michael was more than ready for bed. Wendy and Craig had design work to do for their church so he went to bed in their bed and he was fine. we all slept well...ready for day two!

Michael eating his banana leaf
[Map]

Day 2 - Bumboats, Asian Civilisations...and Shopping

Monday, 18 July 2011
A lovely leisurely start to the day. Coffee, breakfast, then a swim. Wendy is really social she was off back to bed! She's now read this and complained...so I need to be clearer. She's been really unwell and needs to rest. Plus her routine is..get up, make coffee and return back to bed with the paper. We went out late morning to explore Singapore. We decided to go for a Bum Boat Tour and caught the MRT to Clarkes Quay. This is a very fashionable bar and restaurant area. After a wander around we found where the boat leaves from, then chose a place for a lunch by the river. Many places weren't open at 12.00. one of the disadvatanges of Singaporeans working so hard and long is that they types of places really only do well in evening trade. We went to the NAME which was outstanding. I had the $15.00 special ( which is one of the things they are doing to try and increase lunchtime business) and the clam chowder and Sea Bass were outstanding. Bruce had flash fish 'n chips and Michael a kids menu which was grilled fish on chips and a smoothie. Then we went on the bum boat ride. Michael giggles every time we say those words..isn't it great when kids 'enjoy' ' bad' words so much! The bumboats nearly left the Singapore River in a clean up in the 80's but were revived by the Singapore River Cruises. They are electric now...very Eco! It was a lovely Informative trip and I really recommend it. We learnt all about the buildings and areas along the river bank. We passed Boat Quay where I remember going drinking with Philip...but it was so crowded we never noticed the picturesque shop houses that make up Boat Quay.
We then walked along the riverbank to the Asian Civilisations Museoum which was pretty awesome and I think both me and Bruce would have spent more time there if we didn't have Michael with us. That is not to mean it's not child friendly..you just always want to spend more time when you don't have kids with you.
we then headed for Orchid Road for some shopping. Which..is what you do in Singapore! We found a crumpled store straight away and I ended up more successful than Bruce so bought a new bag for my camera. Makeup remover and eyeshadow from Sephora from me, then ANgry Birds T shirt for Micael, I got some cool jandals for $15.00. I couldn't believe the price of the Haviana's store $46.oo!! so I have some lovely no brands. Then...a trek to the second Crumpler store...and Bruce is happy with his new camera bag!
Dinner was nachos and wine at Wendy and Craig's. Wendy is still really sick so above and beyond cooking for us!

	View from lunch of Marina Sands [Map]		Clarkes Quay fountain [Map]
	Michael at lunch [Map]		Bruce enjoying relaxing [Map]
	Lunch at Clarke's Quay [Map]		Photo 1 [Map]
	Photo 2 [Map]		Photo 3 [Map]
	Photo 4 [Map]		Photo 5 [Map]
	Photo 6 [Map]		Photo 7 [Map]
	Photo 8 [Map]		Photo 9 [Map]

Day 3 - Arriving In paradise

Tioman

Tuesday, 19 July 2011
We had a very leisurely start to the day. Bruce sadly wasn't feeling super well so he has a wee rest while I took Michael for a swim. The pool was all little tool cool for me...I know..complaining in this heat! It was windy on the roof is my excuse!
so after packing and leaving a suitcase at Wendy and Craig's we caught a taxi to the Budget terminal and checked in...which was relatively painless. There was a kiwi family checking in next to us...more about them later...
The plane trip was amazing. Plenty to see. I had a wee snooze..but woke up well in time to see the Island as we arrived. And then...the landing. It's more spectacular than Queenstown! He flys in from the beach, does a right hand turn then he's committed...land or hit the cliffs! After immigration our water taxi driver met us and loaded our gear into his speedboat which took us from Tekek to Paya.
Paya Beach Resort is positioned on a lovely beach. our chalet is a Duplex with a separate bedroom, lounge and then Michael's room is on a mezzanine up a steep ladder. it's pretty cool! A lovely deck to sit on and another for clothes to dry. We settled I'm,had a nice lunch, swam both in the sea and pool, had a very average dinner..them chilled out in the Chalet as Michael went to bed. this place is picturesque..and lovely and relaxing.
During the afternoon I was on our deck and a Kiwi guy asked me about our room and how was the air-conditioning..they were over at Melina ( next bay around and I think a 10 minute walk) which is where I had originally wanted to stay. His wife was finding that the aircon wasn't cool enough. It was only after he had gone that I remembered them from the plane!

	from our room [Map]		Tekek [Map]
	Tekek [Map]		leaving Tekek by water taxi [Map]
	leaving Tekek [Map]		Bruce in the speedboat [Map]
	Photo 10 [Map]		Rengiss Island [Map]
	Paya Beach [Map]		Paya Wharf [Map]

Day 4 - Sun, Swimming, Snorkling, Eating, Snorkling

Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Today was a real chill out day. Breakfast was pretty average, then it was snorkel, swim in the pool, snorkel, read etc! Bruce had a massage. lunch was great...we worked out we could 'cash up' our voucher and pay the difference so that was great. it was just a lovely chilled out day. The Kiwi's from melina arrived...and Michael and Tim made friends quickly. They are two doors down from us...and we all ended up having dinner together. It's just lovely at the end of the evening sitting on the deck reading a boom with a quiet drink.

Paya Beach looking from the South to the wharf
[Map]

our chalet is the far one of these two
[Map]

Day 5 - Snorkling Trip..and more relaxing

Thursday, 21 July 2011
We had an early morning to be at the wharf at 9.00 for the Snorkling trip but it was worth it! They take you out in blue bum boats. It was a slow pleasant cruise to Rengiss Island for an hour fantastic Snorkling. Then over to the marine park which is north of Tekek.

	Photo 11 [Map]		Photo 12 [Map]
	Photo 13 [Map]		Photo 14 [Map]
	Photo 15 [Map]		Photo 16 [Map]
	Photo 17 [Map]		Photo 18 [Map]

Day 6 - We saw a monkey!

Friday, 22 July 2011
I'm sitting on our veranda watching the waves as a storm has blown up. we've just come back from a lovely bush walk. Sadly the early part of the bush walk wasn't always pretty as people drop rubbish just everywhere. There is a lovely spot up the walk where the river forms a swimming pool and it looks like people have picnicked and just left their plates there! But other than that..a lovely time! we were on the hunt for monitor lizards and monkeys. Bruce saw two monkeys but we saw no lizards. lots of interesting ants and beatles. THEN as we were walking back over the bridge from the resort behind us ...Bruce said 'Michael, monkey...and there was a large monkey jumping from a shed into the bush! Michael missed it but I saw him...it was awesome.

	Photo 19 [Map]		Photo 20 [Map]
	Photo 21 [Map]		Photo 22 [Map]

Day 7 - Another Jungle Walk, Massage, Snorkle...

Saturday, 23 July 2011
After breakfast we went for another look for Monkeys...up the path to Berjaya. It really is a rocky path! I gave up after a while and left the boys to go further..and while I was sitting on a rock...I saw a small Monkey running across a branch! On the way back we saw a monitor lizard in the brush but he was so scared of us no one got a photo.

	Local home [Map]		ruined boat by the stream [Map]
	local door...beautiful! [Map]		beautiful end of day co ours [Map]
	those beautiful colours [Map]

Day 8 - Snorkling Trip, Cocktails...relaxing

Sunday, 24 July 2011
we joined Wendy and Craig on their on their Snorkeling trip which was great. Then...a leisurely lunch at the resort; relaxing ...drinks and dinner! Craig was happy ...they had the motor racing on the big screen and he could get his times via the IPad...as Wendy was using her phone. The Mai Tais at dinner were good!

	Our Chalet [Map]		Bruce on the daily ice-cream pilgrimage [Map]
	one of the diving operators [Map]

Day 9 - Leaving Tioman and an afternoon in Malaysia

Monday, 25 July 2011
We had to check out at 10.00 and our Ferry wasn't until 12.00. Bruce, Michael and I were packing when Wendy came in...there was a 10.00am Ferry that we could get on. So we threw everything in bags, Bruce went and paid...and we made the Ferry. However it's now 1140...we have been slowly going up and back the island loading and unloading people! We waited for ages at Tekek for what seemed like no reason. Now we are off..but wondering if we'll stop again at Paya and be the 12.00 ferry! Yay...we didn't...and we're finally off!
we arrived in Mersing, loaded up the car and drove further into the town and found a park. After a wee walk we found a great cafe called Xian Guo Cafe and Bakery. They sold the most delightful cakes incredibly decorated. I asked if I could take a photo but no which is a pity. Bruce, Michael and I all had hot dishes ...chicken2 and rice, fried noodles, prawn and rice...and the boys had cakes for desserts. Wendy and Craig had cold bakery items..Our families meal cost 25 Riggit! Around $12.OO! Speaking of value...our bill at Paya was$1300 ringitt...meals and drinks for most nights, some shouting Wendy and Craig and 3 massages and an extra Snorkling trip...all for less than $600. So whenever we thing that the food wasn't 100% at Paya ...we have to remember the value for money!