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Air Batang (ABC), Pulau Tioman, Malaysia - Remember watching the movie South Pacific on TV with your mom as a kid? Remember the song “Bali Hai” and the tropical islands with the wild jungles and beautiful women? That’s where I’ve been hanging out. That same island- Bali Hai in the movie, Pulau Tioman in the real world. Located off the southeast coast of peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Tioman is the real deal, a true tropical paradise. Barely touched (so far) by the big money developers, Tioman is so laid back and friendly it’s like the whole island is lounging in a big hammock under a coconut palm, sipping freshly squeezed watermelon juice, watching the sunset. Covered almost entirely with unmolested jungle, the island is home to a handful of villages spread around it’s perimeter. There is one luxury resort and a few posh(er) joints, but it’s mostly humble family-owned chalets and seafood cafes. Water taxis ply the jetties, carrying tourists and locals from one village to the next. You arrive at the jetty, wander down the sole waterfront path until you find a spot you like. And then you move in, and stay, usually much longer than you planned. “Came for 2 days, stayed for 3 years.” It’s that sort of place. (more…)

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