There is a government co-op resort but the rest of the island remains more primitive with a few dirt roads and pathways and small cottage style homes for its five thousand inhabitants. There is surprisingly little commercialism. The overall feeling is tranquility. There are no commercials to program you. It's like a tropical Neverneverland.
Days are sunny and it's almost too beautiful here, like a promise destined to be broken.
There are palmy sunsets and campfires on the beach and moonlight walks with a dancer and a friendly cat. It is all very seductive and there is a real temptation to stay on Tioman, find an island girl and drop out of the world. But Melawend and the rest of the Odyssey await in Singapore. I'm back at Charlie's place and there is no apparent way out of Singapore. I have my cameras, my notebook and my improved traveler's eye.