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Pulau
Tioman is a small island located 32 km off the east coast of Peninsular
Malaysia in the state of Pahang and
is some 39 km long and 12 km wide. It has eight main villages, the largest
and most populous being Kampung Tekek in the north. The densely forested
island is sparsely inhabited, and is surrounded by numerous coral reefs,
making it a popular scuba diving spot. There are also a lot of resorts and
chalets around the island which has duty-free status.
Its beaches were depicted in the 1958 movie, South Pacific as Bali Hai. In
the 1970s, TIME Magazine selected Tioman as one of the world's most
beautiful islands.
The island is served by ferries from the Malaysian mainland, and a
propeller plane service by Berjaya Air from the Changi Airport in
Singapore and
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Selangor.
Pulau Tioman is a part of Rompin district of Pahang,
although it is geographically closer to
Johor, and is accessed via ferry service from the Johorean coastal
town of Mersing. Within Tioman Island there are
four kampungs: Salang, Tekek, Juara and Air Batang.
According
to legend, Tioman Island is the resting place of a beautiful dragon
princess. Whilst flying to visit her prince in Singapore, this beautiful
maiden stopped to seek solace in the crystal-clear waters of the South
China Sea. Enraptured by the charms of the place, she decided to
discontinue her journey. By taking the form of an island, she pledged to
offer shelter and comfort to passing travelers.
The marine
area around Tioman Island and eight other nearby islands have been
declared as marine parks and marine reserves.
Apart from its diverse marine life, the inland rainforest area was
protected in 1972 as the Pulau Tioman Wildlife Reserve. However, a large
part of the original reserve was sacrificed for agricultural and touristic
development in 1984; the remaining area is approximately 8,296 ha (20,500
acres).
The
telephone numbers in Pulau Tioman start with 09-413, 09-419, 09-582,
09-583 and 09-584.
Sources:
Wikipedia
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