Day 6 - Thursday 12 January 2017

Tekek departure........It seems the norm in Malaysia to provide a kettle in the room to make tea or coffee but so far breakfast is not included and we make do with what we find in shops. Today is no different as we make ready to travel to Juara. The car is waiting as agreed at 9am and we set of for the east of the island not really knowing what to expect. Is it just another dead end in the maize that this tour has become? At the south end of the beach road it turns into the forest rising steeply. I’m surprised to see it’s a concrete road but it is narrow, uneven, twisting and steep. You definitely need something strong here. As the forest closes in, it greets you with a monkey troop but apart from the view ahead you get no sense of altitude; the forest is too thick. 30 minutes later we arrive in Juara.
Juara........Google Map. Juara has just a single road following the bay around to the south. Our driver has agreed to help us find accommodation. There are a few options but the first is too expensive. Just a bit further on is Juara Mutiara Chalets Google Map. The price per night is 120 ringgit more or less what I expected to pay. After misfiring badly with accommodation so far this trip I’m keen to have a look at the room. Can it trump Pelandang for less? As we slip between the chalets I get the first real look at Juara Bay and WOW! Have I just found paradise? But wait. I need to check the room: And it’s good, it’s very good, it’s fantastic!

Paradise........I’ve been travelling long enough now to believe that paradise doesn’t exist but there are occasions when it just seems like it does and I can dream a while. As I gaze at Juara Bay, I have to admit I’m struggling to recollect a bay so stunningly beautiful. To the left is the jetty currently not in use. It’s just not worth paying the boat fee due to road access. Otherwise the beach is practically deserted with no debris at all on the sun-bleached sand except for broken shell and coral. At the shoreline there are tall coconut palms, a number with resident fruit bats clinging to the palm fronds. Groups of chalets line up behind these. One can only imagine that many resorts we are familiar with today, started this way but as Tioman Island is now a national marine park, I hope it will remain as it is.

Winding down........Since arriving at Mersing I had hoped to unwind significantly; a break from city life. My principal regret is that I could have been here three days ago. As it is, I am only here for one night having arranged to return to Tekek tomorrow afternoon. I’m governed now by forward plans I’ve committed to and that’s the story of this tour. For now I just have to make the most of it today and just laze around. When I go for a swim in the bay there’s an even fall ideal for that, with no rocks or other dangers; totally safe yet almost deserted and that only adds to the wonder of this place. There are a number of restaurants mainly servicing the chalets but more expensive than at Tekek but with little else to spend money on this of little consequence. Strangely Juara Mutara is fully booked. It seems I was lucky to find the room. So where is everybody? If you are a city lover you won’t like it here.
After a burger and chips yet again, I take another swim in the bay before dark. I already know that Juara Mutiara is fully booked tomorrow but is there another option? I need to be back at the jetty at Tekek at 6am the morning after but I know I can get transport that early if I need it. While taking a stroll just before dark I enquire at another chalet. They may have a room tomorrow night but I would have to wait till morning. Dare I stretch my stay here? Tomorrow we will find out. Next Page.