Genting

Genting is one of the largest villages on Tioman, and is the first stop of ferries coming from Mersing, and the last to pick up passengers back to the mainland. Kampung Genting is well developed with many restaurants, shops, chalets, a dive center and even a clinic, with Tekek being the only other place to have one. Kampung Genting seems to be a popular choice among visitors and tourists coming from Singapore.

This means that Genting is well catered for Chinese guests, with even a karaoke pub for them to croon the night away. Accommodation is provided by several budget resorts and chalets, some of them being nestled on the hillslope facing the beach. The prices range from simple fan-cooled wooden chalets to more luxurious air-conditioned ones. The beach and waters are clean, providing ample swimming and snorkelling activities.

Genting also has some historical value, as it is the burial site of a Bendahara from Pahang State in Malaysia, who perished when his ship sank off Tioman in 1803. The Bendahara is equivalent to the position of Prime Minister in olden days, when Sultans used to rule and war all over the Peninsular and their officials held fancy titles.

Located south of Pulau Tioman on the west coast, Genting is connected to Paya Village further up north via a well beaten footpath, which passes by the Melina Beach Resort hidden in a sheltered bay. Carrying on, the walk to Paya takes less than 30 minutes, and you can go on further on the coastal jungle trail to Tekek town in another half hour. The trail will end at the Berjaya Tioman Resort Suites where you proceed on the gravel road past the golf course to hit the main town area. From Genting, there appears to be a relatively unknown jungle trail that leads to the villages of Nipah and Mukut further down at the southern tip of Tioman. This trail should take about 2 hours to reach Mukut, passing by the Japamala Resort in Lanting Cove along the way. Perhaps the author will attempt to confirm this lead on a possible visit to Tioman in future.