Gorgeous Dan's Paradise

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I woke up in my hostel bed in Singapore with a throbbing head ache. I felt the back of my head where two large bumps brought back a painful reminder of the previous nights proceedings. I would leave Singapore that morning. I caught the first bus to Johar Baru, then 2 connecting buses to Mersing, followed by a one hour speed boat ride to Air Batang on the island of Paluau Tioman off the East Coat of Peninsular Malaysia. Tioman is a sleepy tropical island filled with empty beaches, friendly locals, cheap accomodation and some of the best snorkeling and diving in South East Asia. I arrived at dusk and was taken aback by the stunning beauty of this place. The setting sun seemed to illuminate the beach and surrounding rain forest, the perfect place to escape the chaos and possible death penalties of Singapore.

Malaysia is distinctly different than the rest of South East Asia, as it is predominantly Muslim. The practice of Islam here however, is a world a part from that in the middle east. Local men drink beer (if they can get away with it), modest dress is relaxed and many Malaysians that I met rarely pray or attend mosque.

I spent three glorious days here, lying in a hammock in the shade of a huge palm tree reading, writing and listening to Jack Johnson. Occasionally, I would swim in the crystal clear waters, then quickly back to my hammock.

The nights were spent at the local beach bar where I would chat with Expat scuba dive instructors who got lost on the backpacker trail, and local drunks who would hypocritically lecture me on the virtues of Islam. I listened to local Musicians play Bryan Adams and Alanis Morrisette songs on the guitar against the back drop of crashing waves.

Night 2 on the island brought my first encounter with Gorgeous Dan, an expat Australian Drag Queen who has been living on Tioman for the last year and a half. He wore a pink dress with a head piece made of fruit. Gorgeous Dan is a documentary writer. Gorgeous Dan is also not very Gorgeous. Despite our differences, Dan and I managed to have a three hour political discussion over cheap cans of Tiger beer. Life isn't easy for the only Gay in the village...


Now I am sitting on the deck of my guest house looking out over the South China Sea. My room smells like pee, but the sun is setting, I'm in a rain forest, I'm drinking Duty free Tiger Beer, and my biggest concern is the monkey's on the roof who occasionally peak over the fascia and growl at me. Life is good. see you in Bangkok.

Pictures to come...

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Photos

the hammock
where I spent four days

Right near da Beach
Boyeee

Comments

[Charene]

Wild Adventurer
Hey there tiger. You are my hero. I can't wait to travel again listening to your stories. Sorry to here you got beat up but at least you are not dead in a gutter. I just wanted you to know that you are my hero and I can't wait to travel again when I read about you chilling with the the rainforest and the ocean despite the urine smell . Bad things happen but they make the good so much better. Ahh Keep on trucking, All-Star

[sarah]

hey gorgeous
Hey sexy Glad your ok, the house is cool and we have your postcard on our very depressing and empty fridge!! a big thank you more would be wonderful. I am surpirsed Don could not protect you from the horrible people in singapore!! I am just glad your ok!! the adventures seem to becoming a lot more intresting but you have still yet to sew your seeds? we have a new housemate in your room, very hairy and orange named Asbo the hamster. He cries like a bitch but just like you is Hypo- active.My latest gift from the most amazing guy in the world!! You are second of course just glad your ok and well glad your keeping us updated!! Take care and be careful love Sarah and Asbo x x x