An Indiana Jones-esque Journey to Tioman Island

The next day, we took a taxi to the quaint Singapore Seletar Airport from where we would fly to Pulau Tioman. While waiting in the small pre-boarding area, Liam insisted on taking his blanket out of his backpack so that he could lie on the chairs and suck his thumb with the comfort of having his filthy, ripped, threadbare blanket stuck into his eye. When they called our flight (the only flight out of that airport that afternoon), we bustled out with our luggage and kids in tow, cleared immigration and walked out to the tarmac just in time for the rain to begin. We managed to board the small twin-prop Berjaya Air flight and stay fairly dry.

It was not until we began taxiing along the runway did we realize that Liam's blanket was still at the airport...never to be seen again by Liam. Darby was in favor of waiting until we arrived at the Island to inform Liam of the dire consequences of his Ransomness (AKA forgetfulness). Valerie, being a Ransom in name only, thought it better to tear off the bandage early (and often). After half an hour of weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth over the loss of his dear friend and comforter, the blanket, he turned to Daddy and said, "Well, I'm four years old now, and I guess I'll just have to sleep without my blanket." And that, was that.

We arrived at Tioman a few minutes later and deplaned. It was hot and steamy. The airstrip was a narrow slab of asphalt tucked tightly between the sea and lush green mountains (photos of Liam and Tessie in front of the airplane). After clearing Malaysian immigration, we were met by our boat pilot from Minang Cove resort who escorted us to his boat that would transport us from the central west coast of Tioman to the Central Southern coast of the island. Darby held on to Liam and Valerie held on to Tessa (photos attached). Both Liam and Tessa slept for most of the boat ride.