| History
and Culture |
There
is a strong interlink between the country’s multi-racial
and multicultural makepup and its history. Besides the
local Malays and the native groups, immigrants from China,
India, Indonesia and other parts of the world have all
contributed to the multiracial composition of its population.
Its interesting cultural diversity can be largely attributed
to the country’s long and on-going interaction with
the outside world and colonial rule by the Portuguese,
dutch and the British. Consequently, the evolution of
the country into a cultural melting pot is evident in
the unique blend of religions, socio-cultural activities
and traditions, dressing, languages and food. |
| Entry
Requirements |
Visitors
to Malaysia must be in possession of a valid passport
or travel document with a minimum validity of six months
beyond the intended visiting period. Most nationalities
do not require visas for social or business visits.
For
further information, please check with the nearest Malaysian
diplomatic mission or Tourism Malaysia office. More imigration and Visa info.
|
| Best
time |
Between
March to October. Check
out the climate. Try to avoid public and school holidays. |
| Language |
Malay
is the native tongue but English is widely spoken. |
| Currency |
RM
(Ringgit Malaysia) and sen (cents). View currency exchange.
Foreign currencies can be converted at banks and money
changers.
All
travellers, both residents and non-residents, are required
to complete the Traveller’s Declaration Form (TDF).
The revised TDF has two separate sections and columns
for residents and non-residents to declare their currencies;
the blue section for residents and the white section
for non-residents.
Residents
are only required to declare in detail the exact amount
of ringgit carried when they enter or leave the country
only if the amount is in excess of RM1,000. They are
also required to declare in detail the exact amount
in foreign currency, including the country only if the
amount exceeds the equivalent of RM10,000. Residents
do not have to declare any amount of foreign currency,
including traveller’s cheques, carried with them
when they re-enter the country. Non-residents are required
to declare the exact amount of foreign currency carried
when they enter or leave the country only if the amount
exceeds the equivalent of USD2,500.00.
Residents
are required to keep the TDF in their passport when
they leave the country and surrender the TDF on their
return journey instead of the current practice of filling
two separate TDFs when they leave and re-enter the country.
Likewise, non-residents will continue with the current
practice which requires them to keep the TDF with their
passport and surrender the TDF on leaving their country.
|
| Money |
You
can cash traveller cheques at the Berjaya Tioman Beach
Resort and some at Salang Indah (Salang) and ABC in Air
Batang. Better cash your cheques in Mersing before coming
over, coz rates are poor. Be aware that there is no ATM
in Tioman. You have to withdraw money at the banks in
Mersing. The only places where you can pay with credit
card are Berjaya Tioman and the different dive centres. |
| Getting
there |
By
air, road or sea. More. |
| Internet
Cafe |
Salang:
Salang Dreams Café, Salang Sayang, Salang Beach Resort
Air
Batang: Nazri I, Nazri II, Bamboo Hill
Tekek:
Sun Tech Café
Berjaya
Tioman Beach Resort
The
fee is around 2.50 RM for 15 minutes.
Cheaper
internet cafes can be found in Mersing:
NASA:
next to Seaview restaurant. RM 3/hour
Cyberworld:
next to KFC on Jalan Abu Bakar RM 4/hour, RM 2.50/30min
Mersing
IT Centre: in the jetty building, RM 5/hour, RM
3/30min
|
| Time |
Eight
hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of U.S. Pacific
Standard Time. |
| Electricity |
Voltage
is 220 – 240 volts A C at 50 cycles per second. |
| Telephones |
Local
calls can be made from public phones using coins or pre-paid
cards. The pre-paid card is available at the mini supermarket
at most of Tioman village. International calls can be
made from public phones with card phone facilities. There
are public phones at Salang, Air Batang, Tekek, Paya,
Genting, Mukut and Juara, but many are in disrepair. Only
Telekom cards can be used for calls. These cards are on
sale at some shops around the island, but better bring
one, because they are frequently sold out. You can also
make calls from most of the resorts phones, of course
at higher prices. |
| Mobile
phones |
For
network coverage check out the pages for each village.
We inserted the logos of those providers, which network
is available. Foreign guests should check at home, if
their provider offers roaming for these Malaysian mobile
companies. |
| Weights
and Measures |
Malaysia
follows the metric system in weights and measures. |
| Where
to stay |
Accommodation
ranges from five star hotels to delightful wooden beach
chalet. More. |
| Getting
Around |
There
is only a short road from the airport in Tekek to the
Berjaya Resort, it's the best to go by boat from beach
to beach. In every village this service is offered for
around 10 - 20 RM (USD3 - USD6) per person. However
a minimum number of passengers (2-4) is often presupposed.
Between Genting, Paya, Tekek, Berjaya, Air Batang, Panuba
Inn and Salang you can also take the boats to and from
Mersing, if places are still available. Perhaps you
can bargain for a cheaper rate.
The
sea taxi fare is very minimal. Also a few paths connect
one beach with another, but sometimes these paths are
not well marked. The best is to follow the electricity
wires in the jungle, which interlink the villages. You
can also rent a bicycle in Tekek and enlarge so your
radius of action between Nazri II in Air Batang and
Berjaya Tioman Suites. The small hill between Tekek
and Air Batang can be easily crossed with shouldered
bicycle by a few stairs.
Among
the interesting spot in Tioman including Marine Parks,
Tulai Island, Monkey Bay, Renggis Island and Malang
Rock.
|
| The
people |
Friendly,
warmth, Easy going and hospitality is assured. |
| FAQ's |
FAQ's. Answer to some of your inquiries. |
| Vocab
guide |
Some
simple translation from English to Malay. Useful words. |
| Eating
out |
Local
food normally is hot and spicy. Before you eat ask the
chef not to put some hot stuff like chili, pepper, etc. |
| Tipping |
Tipping
is not a common practice. So you don't have to give tip
after your meal, etc. Generally if you want to give a
tip, the amount is usually RM1. |
| Motion
Sickness |
There
are different kinds of medicines that can treat motion
sickness. If you couldn't stand the sea sick, get an anti
motion sickness pills which is available at local drugstore.
While at the sea, try not to focus on one object because
it disturb the co-ordination between your eyes and brains.
Look around and see the beautiful view. Sucking a sweet
lemon can also help. |
| Before
you go |
- Make
sure you make copies of important documents.
- Confirm
your reservation with your travel agent.
- Get
important telephone numbers like your local travel
agent and embassy.
|
| More
info |
contact
us. |
| |
|
