JUST TO SHARE (Lau Tai Onn): July 2025

Date：July 15 to 18, 2025 (4D3N)

Passengers: Eight (8) of us comprising Yap Kuang Boon (Ah Yap) & Tan Sok Mooi (Mrs. Yap), Goh Boon Keong (Ah Keong) & Tiu Sook Chin, Tang Chee Leong (Ah Leong) & Lim Poh Suan, my wife Soh Ai and I

Mode of Transport:

(1) BUS

Depart (by Transnasional) 15/07/2025 08:00 - 14:00 from TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) to Mersing Jetty (6h)

Bus Fare: RM39.00/pax

Return (by Sanwa Express) 18/07/2025 04:30 - 10.30 from Mersing Jetty to TBS (6h)

Bus Fare: RM40.00

Processing Admin Fee: RM1.95

Total: RM80.95/pax

(Booked and paid by me for 8 pax RM647.60 on 17/06/2025)

(2) FERRY (Cataferry)

Depart 16/07/2025 10:30am - 12:30pm From Mersing to Pulau Tioman (Paya Pier) (2h)

Return 18/07/2025 1:30pm - 3:30pm From Pulau Tioman to Mersing (2h)

Fare: RM100.00/pax

(Booked and paid by me for 8 pax RM800.00 on 16/06/2025)

Accommodation:

(1) Mersing: Myra Hotel Mersing

Check-in 15/07/2025 Check-out 16/07/2025

Room Rate: RM103.88 (Booked by Yap on 12/06/2025)

(2) Pulau Tioman: Paya Beach Spa & Dive Resort

Check-in 16/07/2025 Check-out 18/07/2025

Standard Chalet 3D2N Full Board Package: RM1058 per room

(Booked by Yap on 07/06/2025)

Full Board Package:

3D2N accommodation with daily breakfast

2 x buffet breakfast

2 x buffet dinner with BBQ action stall

1 x buffet lunch

Snorkeling trip to Renggis Island & Marine Park

Complimentary snorkeling equipment

Eco educational & survival program

Complimentary morning Yoga session

Travel Insurance:

Although ferry operator provides basic insurance for passengers, we still purchased online our own insurance i.e. TripCare 360 - Domestic travel insurance from eTiqa for a premium of RM25.51 for 2 persons (incl. spouse).

INTRODUCTION:

Tioman Island (or Pulau Tioman in Bahasa Malaysia)Tioman) is 32 km (20 miles), off the east coast of Rompin District, Pahang. Because it is well-known to be accessed via ferry service from the coastal town of Mersing, Johore, I was of the impression that Tioman Island belongs to Johore all this while.

As we understood that the bus ride from KL to Mersing takes about 6 hours, it would be quite tiring for us to proceed to the island immediately after reaching Mersing. Hence we decided to stay one night in Mersing before moving on.

This is the second time the eight of us travelled together in a group. The last time was a 4D3N trip to HatYai/Songkhla, Thailand from July 30 to August 2, 2024 by train from Kajang to Padang Besar, Perlis. Refer: https://taionn.blogspot.com/2024/08/highlights-of-four-amigos-four-amigas.html

Day 1 Tue. 15/07/2025 KL to Mersing

5.50am Grab driver Jun Jie came to pick up Soh Ai and I, 10 minutes ahead of time. He then went to pick up Ah Leong and Poh Suan staying 4 streets away.

6.20am Reached TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan), Bandar Tasik Selatan, KL. Grab fare was RM25.

6.30am I went to ticketing counter to collect the Transnasional boarding passes for all 8 of us by producing the email letter from BusOnlineTicket.com. No further payment was necessary for the issuance of boarding passes (without names of passengers).

I have booked single seats for all of us in a row of the bus.

After that, 4 of us proceeded to Nasi Kandar TBS at Level 4 to have a simple breakfast. I took nasi goreng sarapan, one small piece of sausage and fish ball, egg and teh, costing RM7.10.

Ah Yap and Ah Keong and their wives came separately in another Grab taxi. They joined us at the restaurant after arrival.

8.10am Transnasional bus departed from TBS. The bus driver told me that there would be breaks for toilet every 2 hours along the journey.

10.00am First stop at BHP petrol station at Batu Kikir (between Kuala Pilah and Bahau, Negri Sembilan) for about 15 min.

11.45am Stopped for 30 min. at Terminal Sentral Muadzam Shah, rompin District, Pahang for some passengers to alight.

1.15pm Stopped for 15 min. at Rompin bus station.

2.30pm Dropped us off at Jeti Mersing. This is not a bus terminal. I find the bus ride quite comfortable as the seat is more spacious than AirAsia planes, and the overhead air-cond. Is very soothing.

3.00pm As we walked to find our Myra Hotel, we stopped by a restaurant to take wantan noodles (RM7/bowl) and herbal drink (RM1.80).

3.45pm It took us quite a long walk to finally find and check into Myra Hotel at Jalan Ismail. This is a one-star hotel without supply of toothpaste and toilet paper. The bathroom is small without hangers for clothes and towels. Otherwise it is ok.

6.30pm We went out of the hotel for a walk around Mersing town and the beach.

7.00pm Dinner at Restoran Ee Lo (一而海鲜餐厅) Tepi Jalan Dato’ Mohd. Ali, as recommended by Mrs. Yap’s friend (a Mersing local person). We ordered 7 dishes comprising freshly cooked crabs (RM125), curry fish heads (RM150), prawns (RM65), squids (RM56), pork ribs (RM40), tofu (RM24) and vege (RM24), plus rice and drinks (RM46). Total RM530. Divided by 4 couples, each RM132.50. All the dishes were very delicious, especially the crabs and curry fish heads. Business was very good and the restaurant was packed with customers. It was noticed that 3 foreigners came quite late but was told to have no tables available for them.

We chit-chatted after dinner and left only at 9.00pm.

9.30pm Returned to hotel.

10.20pm Slept.

A group photo at TBS.
Pic from left: Sook Chin, Ah Keong, Mrs. Yap, Ah Yap, Ah Leong, Poh Suan, Soh Ai and the blogger

Inside Transnasional bus
Rompin bus terminal
Jeti Mersing bus stop
Myra Hotel where we stayed one night
A glance at Myra Hotel room
Mersing Habour Centre
South China Sea beach
Dinner at Restoran Ee Lo
Sweet & sour pork ribs (RM40)
Creamy butter prawns (RM65)
Curry fish head (RM150)
Signature squids (RM56)
Sizzling hot plate beancurds (RM24)
Kangkong belacan (RM24)
Spicy crabs (RM125)

Day 2 Wed. 16/07/2025 Mersing to Pulau Tioman

6.45am Woke up.

7.30am Went out to Kedai Makan Yong Yew Fok (面粉糕/干捞面/美味手工包店). Jalan Dato Timor, Mersing for breakfast. I took lo mai gai (steamed glutinous rice with chicken, RM5), siomai (dim sum, RM3), cha siu bao (RM2.50) and kopi-O (RM2.50). The dim sum boss was so friendly that he gave away 6 no. cha siu bao to us to bring along our journey as we left.

9.00am Checked out from Myra Hotel.

9.15am Walked to Mersing Habour Centre. Paid to Taman Laut Malaysia Marine Park Conservation Fee (Fi Pemuliharaan Taman Laut), RM2 for local senior citizens (RM5 for local adults, RM30 for non-Malaysian adults and RM15 for non-Malaysian senior citizens).

I also bought a mobile phone waterproof bag for RM10 to be used for underwater photo/video shooting.

9.45am Walked to Jeti Mersing departure hall.

10.00am Boarding.

10.30am Cataferry ferry departed.

12.00pm Passed by Genting Pier.

12.20pm Reached Paya Pier. Our luggages were transported by Paya Beach Resort’s porter truck.

As the check-in time was 2.00pm, we had some refreshment at a restaurant before walking to the resort. I took ABC (air batu campur) for RM5.

2.00pm Checked in at reception. Each of us had to pay a non-refundable charge of RM6 per room.

2.30pm Soh Ai and I stayed at the standard room AD15, while Ah Keong at AD12, Ah Yap at AD13 and Ah Leong at AD30.

The room was equipped with one double bed and two single beds, suitable for a family of 4 persons.

I found the bedside wall power socket faulty as it couldn’t be used to charge my mobile phone.

3.45pm Jungle trekking to Rockfall led by guide Alvin (Indonesian having worked here for 13 years).

There were many ATV (All-Terrain Vehicles) or motorized off-road vehicles for hire RM180 per vehicle. Alvin offered RM10 discount if we wanted.

4.50pm Back to resort room.

5.00pm Went for swimming at the resort swimming pool. Ah Yap gave some swimming lessons to Ah Keong, Ah Leong and Poh Suan.

6.30pm Buffet dinner. Food and drinks were quite abundant.

I told the reception about the faulty power socket in my room and requested to be checked after 9.00pm.

8.00pm After dinner, we walked to the jetty for sight-seeing.

8.55pm Returned to room.

9.20pm A technician came and checked the power socket. After confirming it was indeed spoilt, he replaced it with a new one. I praised him for rendering the service even at such late hours. He responded by saying he was on standby duty until 2.00am.

10.00pm Slept.

Breakfast at Kedai Makan Yong Yew Fok

Most noodles are priced at RM7 only
Dim sum prices
Dim sum boss who gave away 6 pc. char siew bao to us as we left
Mersing Harbour Centre
Marine Conservation Fee (RM2 per local senior citizen)
Cataferry office
Bought a mobile phone waterproof bag for RM10
Jeti Mersing
Queuing up to board the ferry
Inside Cataferry boat
Arrival at Paya Pier
Paya Beach Resort main entrance
Paya Beach Resort reception
Map of Paya Beach Resort
Gold Land Duty Free Shop's price list for beers
A glance at our Resort room
One double bed and 2 single beds in a standard room
Coupons for buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout our stay
Jungle trekking to Rock Fall
Jungle trekking guide Alvin (Indonesian)
ATV (All-Terrain Vehicles) - RM180 per Double ride
Posing to ride ATVs only
Buffet dinner time
My buffet dinner -- round 1
My buffet dinner -- round 2
Walking around after dinner
A pose with Ah Keong

Day 3 Thu. 17/07/2025 Pulau Tioman

6.30am Buffet breakfast.

7.40am After breakfast, we walked back to resort room for shower.

8.00am Walked on the beach and snapped some photos.

8.30am Collected life-jackets and snorkeling equipment next to the reception.

Led by the resort staff Ah Peng (阿平), 4 speed boats carrying the guests to Renggis Island and Marine Park.

9.40am Off Renggis Island, as I didn’t wear the snorkel mask properly, sea water still got into my mouth a number of times as I dipped my head into the water trying to take videos of fishes without much success.

10.30am At Marine Park (Pusat Taman Laut), we didn’t snorkel anymore but waded into the water near the beach to feed the fishes there.

12.00pm Back to resort.

12.25pm Buffet lunch. Although food was plentiful, I couldn’t take any but just consumed soup, ice kacang and fruits.

1.55pm Back to room for rest.

5.00pm Went for swimming again. This time Ah Keong didn’t jump into the pool despite our continuous persuasions.

5.55pm Returned to room for shower.

6.30pm Buffet dinner.

8.00pm After dinner, I went to next door to guide Ah Yap how to create his blogger.

11.00pm Back to room

11.30pm Slept. Had a very good sleep properly due to snorkelling activity in the morning.

Buffet breakfast restaurant

My buffet breakfast - round 1
My buffet breakfast - round 2
Walking back to our rooms after breakfast
2 places we are going to this morning: Renggis Island and Marine Park
Four of us are the same Septuagenarian, born in 1955
四只"老羊咩咩"
Geared up for snorkeling trip to Renggis Island
On board of speed boat carrying just 8 of us
Ah Keong and Sook Chin
Speed boat stopped here for snorkeling activity
My selfie afloat in the sea
Marine Park (Pusat Taman Laut)
A pose with Soh Ai
Pusat Taman Laut
A wefie group photo at the Marine Park
Another group photo taken by a passerby
My buffet lunch - round 1
My buffet lunch - round 2
I didn't consume any other food at all!
2 big lizards found near my resort room
My buffet dinner - round 1
My buffet dinner - round 2

Short video clips:

On board of speed boat heading to Renggis Island

Snorkeling

My unsuccessful struggle to take video of underwater fishes

Marine Park water

Feeding fishes at Marine Park water

Day 4 Tue. 18/07/2025 Pulau Tioman to Mersing to KL

6.00am Woke up. Reluctant to go out for breakfast at 6.30am as scheduled with friends.

7.00am Buffet breakfast.

8.30am Walked on the beach and took photos.

9.15am Back to room.

10.30am Checked out from resort.

Ah Yap told us he had submitted online his Google Review of the trip and earned himself a soft drink at the Duty Free Shop next to the restaurant.

I initially didn’t want to submit my review, but since there was nothing much to do, I also did my review and redeemed for a soft drink. Later Sook Chin and Poh Suan also followed suit. All of us also added some photos into our reviews.

12.00pm Our ferry departure time was 1.00pm and we were advised to wait at jetty one hour earlier.

It was noticed that Cataferry passed by our Paya Pier at 1.00pm and went to Tekek Pier to pich up passengers there first.

1.30pm Boarded ferry. As there were passengers occupying our seats at that moment, we could only sit at the Temporary Seats until they got off at the next stop, i.e. Genting Pier at 1.45pm.

3.20pm Reached Jeti Mersing, 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled time of 3.30pm.

3.30pm We had our late lunch at the restaurant at Plaza D’Jeti waiting for the bus scheduled to fetch us at 4.30pm. I took a plate of rice with curry fish head and beans costing RM20.50.

4.40pm Boarded Sanwa Express bus. The driver didn’t want to look at my email booking of tickets.

5.25pm The bus stopped at a road side for 10 minutes to pick up a young substitute driver.

5.55pm Stopped at Kuala Rompin bus stop to pick up another passenger.

7.00pm First break at Terminal Sentral Muadzlam Shah. The young driver took over the wheels.

8.55pm Second break at BHP Petrol Station.

9.10pm Bus stopped for refilling of petrol.

1010pm I found out from the Waze that our bus would only arrive at TBS only at 11.05pm (originally scheduled to be 10.30pm).

Grab driver Jun Jie texted me if our bus was delayed and couldn’t reach TBS by 11.00pm, he couldn’t go and fetch us as he needed to send customer to airport at 12.00am.

10.50pm We requested the bus driver to drop us off at Sungai Long Toll (the bus used Lebuhraya Lekas). He was quite reluctant at first and told me according to the rules and regulations, we could only alight at TBS.

Ah Keong called his son Wei Sin to come and fetch he, Sook Chin and Mr. & Mrs. Yap. They left at 11.00pm.

Ah Leong called his son to fetch us and sent him our current location. The latter arrived at 11.20pm due to some misleading direction given by the Waze.

11.30pm Home sweet home.

EXPENDITURE IN SUMMARY:

1. My wife and I: RM1706.79 or RM853.40/pax

2. Extra - me alone: RM38.50