The Tioman Camp

Not so long ago, my brother and I went on a thrilling

adventure to a camp on Tioman Island in Malaysia. This camp

was unlike anything we had ever experienced before, with its

focus on ocean projects and a wide array of exciting activities

by the ocean.

To reach the island, we hopped aboard a ferry. Thankfully,

we had taken seasickness pills beforehand, ensuring a very

comfortable ride. The ferry journey fascinated me, but halfway

through, I decided to catch some z’s and take a little nap.

Once we reached the island, we hopped into a 4x4 truck

that took us to the hotel where we would be staying during the

nights because we were day campers. Meaning we would be

spending the days at the campsite and returning to our hotel at

nights. I had read so much about outdoor adventure camps, but

seeing one in person was a whole new level of thrill.

Our room at the resort was numbered 411, and I could not

help but notice two peculiar decorations. One was an unframed

picture on a canvas featuring a sea urchin-like flower, and the

other was a tall glass container filled with even taller, wavy sticks.

How strange! The decor seemed unrelated to our surroundings,

but hey, what do I know? I am just a kid after all.

After settling in, we decided to explore the area. We took

a stroll around the campsite and the cabins where the night

campers stayed. Everything looked cool and inviting, except for

the presence of ants and other insects I had never encountered

before. We bumped into some fellow campers we had met on

the ferry and enjoyed some playtime together.

The following day marked the start of our camp activities.

It was incredibly fascinating! We began with an introduction,

followed by an icebreaker game. Once we learned how to

properly wear our life jackets, it was time to plunge into the

ocean for a refreshing swim.

After a delicious local lunch prepared by some local people

on the island, we went on a kayaking adventure. I paired up with

one of the coaches in a double kayak, and she told me I was a

natural. That compliment made me beam with joy!

As the day progressed, we enjoyed a hearty local dinner,

and then gathered around a campfire along the trail. We shared

captivating stories and indulged in marshmallows before

bidding the night farewell and heading back to our cosy hotel

room with mum. It had been an exhilarating and delightfully

exhausting first day at camp.

The following day, our camp continued

with kayaking. Feeling adventurous, I decided

to challenge myself to paddle solo. It was a

blast! Later, we anchored our kayaks to a buoy

line and dove into the world of snorkeling.

Alas, my hat went missing from the kayak,

but that did not dampen my spirits. Though it

required extra effort, I managed to kayak all

by myself back to shore after the snorkeling

session.

After lunch, we visited the Juara turtle project area, where

we learned about turtles and the impact of microplastics. As

evening approached, our camp took an exciting turn. We went

on a thrilling hike, guided by a coach who used an ultraviolet-

like light. To our astonishment, the light revealed the tiny claw

of a baby scorpion in the forest! It was a night filled with magic

and wonder.

On the third day of camp, we gathered in the dining hall

to start our day. The original plan included a morning hike,

afternoon boba tea making, and a night of crafting “dampers”

(bread on a stick cooked over the fire). However, due to heavy

rain and wet firewood, we had to adapt the schedule. Instead,

we started the day with boba tea, followed by a hike and a

lesson on medicinal plants in the afternoon. In the evening,

we showcased the plants we had chosen and presented their

supposed medicinal properties.

As I am writing this, it actually has been quite some time

since this camp adventure, and unfortunately, my memory

fades after the third day. But hey, that is part of the fun, right?

Memories are meant to be cherished, even if they become a bit

hazy over time. Do you agree?