WEEK 6: Teluk Tekek to Juara Village, Tioman Island

Saturday 21 May – Teluk Tekek
We wanted to catch the tide just after slack on a rising tide to snorkel the little island. We got down there just after 9am but already the current was starting to run. We motored around the island then jumped in and did a drift snorkel hanging on to Bob. We didn’t have to kick as the current took us along. The coral was ok – some colourful bits but Peter was surrounded by hundreds of little fish who all swam along with us. We got in Bob and started back when we noticed two girls trying to swim against the (increasing) current. They indicated they needed help so we went over and picked them up and got them aboard. They had snorkels but no flippers and said it was impossible to swim with their life jackets. Gave them some clues of what to do next time they get caught in a current and dropped them back to the swimming platform to their friend. They were pretty happy to get back. The boat that dropped them there had just bought out a few more people to the platform and was going to come back for them in an hour. We reckoned they would have all floated out to sea by then!!! Perhaps with the exception of our two girls who would now swim with the current for the shore!!! We headed back to our boats and had a snorkel but the water was a bit murky. At 5pm we all went to the marina for a rally catchup with byo drinks then at 7pm we all went to the chinese restaurant and had a great meal. Chatelaine had booked for 40 people but four more boats had come in so there were a few more people – a really good night.

Sunday 22 May – Teluk Tekek
Headed to shore and had a lovely lunch then walked to the other end of town where they had set up shade tents with chairs for us in front of an open air stage and we were entertained by a bunch of male musicians and singers and were welcomed to the island. There was food which we couldn’t eat as we were still stuffed from lunch. Then the games started and we had a great afternoon playing with and against the locals. The yachties won the tug of war hands down. With the rest of the games we had to cheat or we would have lost everything!! An interesting game was an empty waterbottle and a stick with a string and a straight nail tied across the middle (fishing rod). The idea was to get the nail in the bottle and then pick the bottle up by the nail and run to the other end – it was a relay. Then Jeff and May off Wavesweeper brought out their bag of Wombats which Jeff shook like there was a bunch of wild animals in there and the children were very apprehensive. Of course they wouldn’t know what a wombat is. Then they laid the 6 “wombats” (May had made them and put eyes on them) on the ground with strings attached. The other end of the string was attached to a 12” piece of plastic pipe and the idea is to wind the “wombat” in till it reaches the pipe. Well this was a huge hit with the local kids and the women too and they all wanted to have a go. The afternoon ended with the rally people all being presented with a small gift. A really great afternoon. We then adjourned to the Chinese restaurant on the beach and quite a few people turned up. The beers are cheap but the food not so good so we slipped out and went to the chinese down the road for dinner.

Monday 23 May – Teluk Tekek
There was a two hour rally trek on this morning but it was on a path where we had already been and the skipper and crew were quite keen to do the trek across the island so the two of us set off at 9am and headed up the street to the start of the 7km jungle trek. It was a wonderful walk through the jungle putting all thoughts of snakes out of our heads. Very steep going up and steps had been built at some of the very steep sections. We saw monkeys in the trees and a small bat which flew straight at me which was a bit disconcerting to say the least and a bird (I think) made a noise right beside me which was quite startling! About two thirds of the way there we came to the road and we had to follow that to the village. It was so steep going down! We came to the village of Juara and walked out along the jetty. There were thousands of fish about 8” long all sheltering in the shade of the jetty – very strange. We had a beer and walked a little ways down the street then started back. It was such a hard slog walking back up that road. A lady stopped and offered us a lift but foolishly we said no. We found a little waterfall where some people were swimming so stopped and soaked the feet for a while. Then it was back up the road. A taxi stopped and offered us a cheap ride back. Alas, foolishly again we said no as we were quite keen to do the return jungle walk. We had however underestimated exactly how far back it was and we arrived back feeling we would need two knee replacements and a hip replacement!! We had walked about 17 km over the range. We were glad we did it but were pretty exhausted. Picked up a few supplies then back to the boat and then dinner at the chinese.

Tuesday 24 May – Teluk Kekek to Juara Village, Tioman Island
02°47.624N / 104°12.351E
The skipper took the jerries into the marina and filled them with water then we upanchored at 10am heading round to the other side of the island where we had walked yesterday. We arrived at 1.45 and dropped anchor in 5.8m of the clearest water exactly where we had planned yesterday. Well it took us three goes (second didn’t take) but eventually got where we wanted. This side o f the island is beautiful – tall jungle covered mountain with lower jungle clad hills then lots of palm trees and a pretty much unspoiled beach. The village of Juara is one long road running behind the beach. It was a bit rolly but acceptable. Cilantro had originally anchored over the other side with Harmonica but came over to join us, Wavesweeper and Braveheart. The skipper and crew went to shore and walked up and down the beach which is lovely though the northern side of the jetty the sandflies start to bite – ah almost paradise!!!! The others came in and we all had a lovely meal at a restaurant on the beach.
Miles: 13 TTT: 665

Wednesday 25 May – Juara Village
We went for a snorkel on the small reef – there was some colour but not many fish. In the afternoon the others went to the turtle sanctuary to learn about turtles and see the turtle being fed (apparently it was blind). The skipper and I went for a walk up the village road. Saw a really unusual pineapple growing – it was red with five smaller pineapples growing out of its base. We found the others at the same restaurant so ate there again.

Thursday 26 May – Juara Village
Crew starting to feel unwell! Sat and read all day. Have started reading The Great War by Les Carlyon. Its the history of our part in the First World War and OMG I had no idea. It is very well written and though I haven’t finished it I think some certain British hierarchy should have faced the war crimes tribunal. It is a very well written book. Went in for dinner with the others at the Chinese restaurant on the beach.

Friday 27 May – Juara Village
A rest reading day. Unwell so ate on board. Cilantro and Braveheart left to go back to Teluk Tekek. Nine other yachts came in here.


Not to worry crew is now feeling better but skipper is looking a bit off (in the nicest possible way!!!!) Think he is getting it too.

Hope everyone else is well

Love

Dell and Peter