Palau Tioman and the giant lizards

We made it to the island of Tioman on the Southeastern coast of Malaysia after 2 days. We took the bus to Mersing to get on the ferry, but missed the ferry by 15 minutes, so we had to stay the night there. I think they plan it that way. Anyways, we took off at 7:30 am for Tioman. The ferry was crazy, thank God I'm not sea sick. It was a speed ferry and I thought the bottom was going to crack open. It was like a roller coaster ride for an hour while we crossed the ocean. We got off at a beach called ABC and did not like it. The Lonely Planet guide recommends it, but I do not. It was too rocky. So, we got a water taxi and went to the next beach, called Salang. This place is much better. Crystal clear water of blue and green and white sand beaches. It's just what we needed after doing the city thing. We feel like we are living in a zoo. There are 4-6 foot Monitor Lizards roaming around. I thought they were crocodiles at first and got freaked out until a passerby told me they were only lizards. Oh...Only 5 foot lizards! But, they are harmless and just go about their business. Tanya was sitting outside our little bungalow and called me out from my nap. A huge lizard was just passing by our house...Thank God it's on stilts, I would hate to wake up next to one. I was walking a little down from our bungalow and ran into a family of monkeys. They were just collecting food. Where am I where monkeys and lizards roam freely??? haha!

Malaysia is much different from other places. They don't bother you to buy anything and they don't really care it you do or don't. It's a relief from Bali where you get attacked, but now they are too lazy to serve you, so it's the opposite extreme! It's mostly Muslim here, so we here the music they play during sunrise and sunset. It's somewhat relaxing to hear, even though I don't understand why they do it.

We've just been chilling on the beach and getting sunburned. My face was bright red last night, but now it's OK. Now, it's time to get back to the beach...