The three (3) days spent in Juara were nothing short of wondrous. We wasted no time and hastily lounged at the white sandy shores, bare feet and carefree as the sea breeze. We spent almost every second playing in the sand like young lads thrilled to dip our toes in the warm salt water for the first time. Sun was up and its heat was just enough to get that instant beach glow. We were relentless in our pursuit to make the most of what the island has to offer. Juara has 2km of amber-white stretch of beach sand. The Jetty is smacked in the middle between cerulean waters and a lush forest. Its picturesque view will leave the photography enthusiasts preoccupied to capture those IG-worthy snaps. The village is a perfect mix of isolation, serenity and beauty that will keep you compelled to admire its unspoiled solemnity.
 |
| Kimono - Stylestaple |
To reach Juara is not an easy feat. But nothing comes easy is worth having eh? Same rule applies on prime beach destinations. If you're traveling from Singapore, there are buses/coaches which can take you straight to Mersing. The journey to the jetty including the time you need to allot for immigration and queue should take about 4-5 hours depending on traffic.The Mersing Jetty is close to the town where you can find familiar establishments and cheap hotels for overnight accommodation. If you are taking the ferry, normal price is RM70 for two-way. It's about an hour and a half going to Tekek. Note that the departure times vary depending on the tides. After getting off at Kg Tekek, you can rent a taxi or for the robust ones who love adventure and hiking, you can choose to walk to Kg Juara. Most hotels/chalets will offer Taxi service however, you may also do so and arrange them at Tekek. Taxi normally costs at RM25 per pax/way and will take roughly 30 minutes to reach Juara.
While we didn't get to watch sunset nor sunrise throughout our stay, watching the night sky offered the same level of experience or say better at the least. To be able to witness a clear sky during this season is more than a blessing. The sound of the waves crashing onto the shore was in harmony with Bob Marley blasting moderately from our speakers. We were lying there oblivious of the darkness which surrounded us. All of the elements to make up the perfect beach getaway were there. It was a perfect night of camaraderie, music and starlight.
Our adventure continued until the next day when we all decided to hop onto a speedboat and ventured to the vast waters with nothing but life jackets and cameras in tow. It was far from a smooth ride and my gripped was tighter this time. We were taken to Mukut and was advised to stay for an hour to marvel at Kg Waterfalls. It was a twenty-minute trek to reach the falls. While the other tourists opted to stay near the stream and savor the cool waters; we decided to climb a little higher to the edge of the falls. We were cautious of our steps as the rocks tend to be slippery. After a couple of snapshots and diving stints orchestrated by my brave friends, we were then taken to Salang for a quick lunch and souvenir stop. The rest of the trip was spent mostly on and under water. Tioman is known for its corals and diverse sea creatures including 2 species of marine turtles. Fact : Even with the snorkeling gear and life vest on ; I couldn't stay under water for more than 15 seconds.( Someone please teach me the proper breathing exercise). It was a great experience though in fact I might have spotted Nemo during my random underwater attempts. The sea water was just clear and there were a lot of colorful creatures abound.
We headed straight back to the island and spent the rest of the afternoon playing dodge ball, basking under the sun,lazing around our private little beach, climbing rocks and embracing our inner child while seizing the day with our #yolo #blogger shots.With sun-kissed skin and a renewed mind, body, we bid goodbye to Juara on a Sunday. Short vacay yes, but the memories, experiences and bonds we created from this getaway will be without a doubt imprinted in our memoir.
 |
| White Shorts : Zara Top : Forever 21 Sandals : Grendha |
A friend said :
"It was fun!Refreshing! I remembered stuffs that I've forgotten; like how much I loved the beach and the night sky. I remembered the desire to own a beach resort. This trip made me forget my problems. I forgot all the reasons why "I can't" and remembered all the reasons why "I can". It was definitely an eye opener". - Jonats
Tioman may not be everyone's cup of tea but it's certainly mine. Sure, it may not be at par with Maldives, Boracay and El Nido. It's a place for anyone who is keen to rediscover their inner sea-self. It's a place to re-live the art of seclusion. An idyllic sanctuary under the sun far from hustle and bustle of city life. A slice of happiness yet to be discovered by many; a remote tropical bliss perfect for those who have an ache for wanderlust.
Photos by : Jezreel Rombaoa & Kevin Gatchalian
♥♥,
Jhesy
No comments:
Post a Comment