If you are looking forward to immersing yourself holistically in the culture of the country you are travelling to, then you are a part of a global trend of experiential travelling. Be it experiential cuisine, experiential hotels, or experiencing life as only a local would, Tioman Island – or Pulau Tioman – has a lot to offer.
Tioman has been recognized as one of the most beautiful islands in the world by the TIME magazine. It can indeed be called a slice of heavenly paradise, with gorgeous white corals surrounding a rich green foliage. During the tourist season, which falls from November to February, Tioman Island is overrun by visitors. However, this will not keep you from experiencing the island at its core as many hotels including those of Berjaya Hotels & Resorts attempt to preserve the core elements of the island for visitors to see. The island can be reached by selective domestic flights and ferries, which is a whole new experience in itself. The corals surrounding the island is home to a spectacular array of fish and other marine life, that if you are into scuba diving, you would be hard pressed to leave the water.
The legend surrounding the creation of Tioman Island speaks volumes of its beauty. A dragon princess, who has been on her way to see her prince in Singapore, has descended to the spot where Tioman lies today, in order to rest and reenergize. However, the beauty and the charm of the location has mesmerized her that she had transformed herself into an island – Pulau Tioman – and pledged to provide warm comfort and shelter the passing travellers. Thus, although quite small in size, the beauty and charm of this small island off Malaysia are of mystical royal proportions.
Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.